2011 Chevy Silverado

I think I am buying a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 crew cab with teh 5.3 and Z71 package.

Anybody have any input on these vehicles?

It will be used for towing my RX7 on an open trailer.

It has 30K on it and is certified used for 26K.

Thanks,

Rob R.

I have a 2008 crew cab and my father in law has a 2011 extended cab. The one you're looking has the newer and better transmission. It's a lot better. Other than that the trucks didn't change much. Good trucks. The 5.3 is a good solid engine. Upper ball joints will fail between 60k and 80k miles most likely. They're non serviceable and you have to replace the whole arm at about $100 each. They tend to eat the inside of the front tires so you have to keep on top of tire pressure and rotations. My window switches recently started to fail but it was pretty easy to take them apart and polish them to fix them. I've put 95k miles on the truck and it's been good.
Having said all of that, if I could buy an F150 of similar age and mileage for a similar price, I'd buy the Ford, I think they're better.

I wouldn't buy the 4wd as it will just kill the fuel economy and not really aid in towing. But other than that, it will be fine.

I have 3 friends with a 2007, 2008, and 2010 Silverados and nobody has had any issues so far.

Our '06 just got 15.4mpg towing the 1800lb trailer, 3000lb corvette through the hills of kentucky/Tennessee on Saturday. Truck is sitting at 73k miles and has never had a problem.

I had one for work for 3 months - crew cab, 4x4 - I loved driving the truck but I was surprised at how fast the gas gauge moved. If you need it to tow - I would get it.

Bobzilla wrote: I wouldn't buy the 4wd as it will just kill the fuel economy and not really aid in towing. But other than that, it will be fine.

4wd is 15/21 2wd is 15/23

The GMT900 trucks are awesome I never saw one other than a Denali or Hybrid in for anything other than regular maintenance in my 3 years at a GM dealership. The drive and tow exceptionally well

Had a coworker at my previous job that had/has one. Very similar to what you are describing his may have been a extended non crew cab. He loves it. Hasn't had any issues and got 21-22mpg highway out of it. Same engine/trans with the Z71 package.

2012 Sierra 1500 SLE extended cab 4X4 w/ 5.3 here. Not a Z71 but I did finaggle the Z71 wheels/ tires from the standard twennie$ in the deal. Z71 will getcha skid plate, 18 wheels w/ A/Ts and HD air filter but not HD shocks. Likely you'll have the tow package... hitch, extra leaves and 7 pin connector. Tow/ haul mode is good, manual trans mode too, especially descending hills. Plenty of power w/ the 5.3. Lotsa power gizmos on mine too, love the Bluetooth.

Only very few dislikes: Steering lags w/ quick input at slow/ parking speed... like when ya just wanna whip the wheel in parking. Momentary lapse w/ trans looking for lowest gear in a slow rolling/ stop n go situation... guess it'll eventually retrain me from my '02 Silverado. Steering wheel grip was too small for my meat hooks but a Wheelskin wrap fixed that. Really nothing to hate at all, just get used to it.

Haven't towed yet but I will eventually.

Great truck. My .02 at 1300 miles.

Get the OnStar app.

My company has always run Ford trucks and Vans (low spec construction vehicles). I test drove a Silverado the other day, and have to say that I was very impressed. I'm not sure why Ford tends to dominate the market (in my area anyway).

Bobzilla wrote: I wouldn't buy the 4wd as it will just kill the fuel economy and not really aid in towing. But other than that, it will be fine.

I prefer the 4WD when I want to drive through bad snow to go skiing. It can be helpful now and then (as long as you understand that the truck doesn't stop or turn any better in 4wd.