Am I getting a good deal?

I've been eyeballing a truck at a local GM dealer and they've been moving it around the lot for the last 6 months with no takers. I went and test drove it yesterday and got a couple of figures and wanted to run them by someone else that might be able to give me a good opinion.

First off the truck is a 2004 Ext cab swb 5.3 Chevy 4x4 (not z71) red and silver 2 tone. It does have 3.73's and a lsd ( i tested it on pavement and left 2 nice long black marks)

It has pdl, pw, ps, power mirrors, cruise, dual climate control, the rearview mirror with the compass and all, and they put a set of the 05 17" wheels on it.

It has the manual 4wd shifter in the floor, cloth bench seats..ya know, nothing overly fancy but still nice. Does not have BOSE or steering wheel controls or any of that stuff.

anyhow, the asking price is 21,900 and the truck has 23000 miles onthe odo.

they said they'd trade my truck, but only give me 6000 for it, so thas not an option anymore.

whatcha think??

21,900 is a good price for an 04 for here. I got 15,000 for my 96 on trade 2.5 years ago when i got my 2000 which was 25,000. All depends on what the normal procing is around there i guess.

I think it's a good deal but by the looks of you rtruck in your picture, I would try to get more than 6000 out of it. Also, if the truck has been there for six months, you should try and sell your truck yourself. If its been there for six months why not try for seven. I f I was going to by your truck myself, if the mechanical is anything like the exterior than I would be insulting you if I only offered you 6000 for it. But the o4 is still a good deal I think

You should try to get them down more. I just paid 30k for a new 06 Z71 with everything except onstar. KBB shows the dealer probably got the truck for about 19k. I sold my 2001 Z71 LS in 2003 for $18500. That included stainless nerf bars, stainless bed rails, premium roll up tonneau cover and stainless rocker accents (pic below).

http://www.users.qwest.net/~smoyer/images/pastcars/01silverado.jpg

They said that the reason they wanted to only give me 6000, which was "helping me out" was because of the mileage. It has 131K on it, but it still runs like new. I've always maintained it like it should be. I think they should come down some on it also.

They said that the reason they wanted to only give me 6000, which was "helping me out" was because of the mileage. It has 131K on it, but it still runs like new. I've always maintained it like it should be. I think they should come down some on it also.
wow, did not know you had that manny miles but it is in great shape for that manny miles.I looked it up on the internet and with that manny miles in good shape it is worth what they are giving you about 6,000. So i would do it, just see how much you can get them down on that other truck, or you can just sell your outright. Because if you sell it your self you can get $8,500 with it being in Excellent shape.

IMNSHO, I never would consider buying a used vehicle from a stealership. What do you think your insurance company would pay if it was totalled a month after buying it - the stealer retail price or the consumer retail price?

I ran my 04 through kbb and it said that the stealership could get exactly what I paid for it new, while I could get 4 grand less selling it - why? Because they rip you off.

caveat emptor

Yeah. Thats true. But I can't afford a new truck. Ive looked at several, but just can't get the payments and all to work out for me. This one would be the closest to new I've ever owned and really the only reason I'm looking for one at all is b/c I want more room. A single cab has gotten too small for me and my junk.

Yeah. Thats true. But I can't afford a new truck. Ive looked at several, but just can't get the payments and all to work out for me. This one would be the closest to new I've ever owned and really the only reason I'm looking for one at all is b/c I want more room. A single cab has gotten too small for me and my junk.

Have you checked out what's available from private sellers? You usually get a better deal price-wise.

Have you checked out what's available from private sellers? You usually get a better deal price-wise.

I have to disagree here. The stealerships rob the original owner during the trade in process. Most private sellers want retail or close to retail for their vehicle. The dealers advertise it at retail, but they can come down considerably because they own it for less. Another benny to buying from a dealer is that you have someone to go to if there are problems soon after purchase. Even without a warranty, they are liable for repairs if they say that the vehicle passed a some number inspection and they turn out not to work. A private party will sell AS-IS.

Case in point, I bought a car from a dealer years ago. I asked a million questions in email prior to getting the car. Based on their responses, I drove 10 hours to get the car. It supposedly passed one of those inspections. After driving the car home, we realized that the CD player didn't work, the cruise and AC weren't working correctly and 1 brake caliper was seized. Needless to say, I went after the dealership for repairs. I also contacted the attorney general regarding their deceptive actions.

You have options from the dealer. I hate to say that because I always try to sell my vehicles myself first. I found that people feel more comfortable dealer with a licensed dealer.

I have to disagree here. The stealerships rob the original owner during the trade in process. Most private sellers want retail or close to retail for their vehicle. The dealers advertise it at retail, but they can come down considerably because they own it for less. Another benny to buying from a dealer is that you have someone to go to if there are problems soon after purchase. Even without a warranty, they are liable for repairs if they say that the vehicle passed a some number inspection and they turn out not to work. A private party will sell AS-IS.

Case in point, I bought a car from a dealer years ago. I asked a million questions in email prior to getting the car. Based on their responses, I drove 10 hours to get the car. It supposedly passed one of those inspections. After driving the car home, we realized that the CD player didn't work, the cruise and AC weren't working correctly and 1 brake caliper was seized. Needless to say, I went after the dealership for repairs. I also contacted the attorney general regarding their deceptive actions.

You have options from the dealer. I hate to say that because I always try to sell my vehicles myself first. I found that people feel more comfortable dealer with a licensed dealer.

I have to disagree with your disagreement. The stealer robs on both transactions. Why do you think the KBB prices are so far apart between retail and dealer -that's average selling price for your region.

Different states have different laws regarding private sales. Here in Taxachusetts, if your vehicle fails inspection and it costs more than 10% of the sale price to make it pass, then you can demand a refund from the seller or negotiate the 10% off.

I do agree that the dealer may provide some recourse if things go wrong, but I don't think that justifies the huge increase over retail that they usually get. (And I would love to hear from someone in the insurance industry on what they would pay on a total). I would advise anyone to take a vehicle to an independent mechanic for a full insection before purchasing - it's money well spent.
Just tell the salesperson you're taking it for a quick spin. :naughty:

See, we don't have inspection, or smog testing or anything down here in south Ga. I test drove the truck and its in excellent shape. I looked it over well and checked for things I know Silverados are prone to have defective.
The reason I started this thread was I wasn't sure to buy a newer used truck, with less miles from a dealer, or to purchase one from an individual, that has more miles, but also is modified like I want (6"lift and 35's)

I can't seem to convince myself which one is the better deal.

OH also, the guy said he'd give me $6000 for my truck right? Then sell the 04 to me for 17,xxx PLUS the payoff on mine which is like $4500. So something there doesn't sound quite right. That means I should have an extra 1500 knocked off somewhwere right? I think he was trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

I wasn't saying that the dealer only makes money on the trade in. They rob you on trade in because of book values that are low. They are low because the dealers use the auction so much. Dealers will say to you that they can get the same thing at wholesale thru the auction, so why pay you a decent amount for trade in. They then mark the vehicle up to retail prices. That is usually $3k-5k over the price they got it for. Now, if you're any good at negotiating, you can buy the vehicle from them well below retail. My point was that a private seller wants retail or close to it. Buying from a dealer will result in lower costs out of your pocket. I am in way trying to say that dealerships are good because I despise them, but it's easier to get repairs and such from them than a private seller.

I never said anything about the things not working on our car were inspection related. The car would've passed inspection fine. AC, cruise and CD are not part of an inspection. Dealers rarely advertise a used car for more than retail value. If they are asking more, they need to justify it by proving it's worth the asking price.

OH also, the guy said he'd give me $6000 for my truck right? Then sell the 04 to me for 17,xxx PLUS the payoff on mine which is like $4500. So something there doesn't sound quite right. That means I should have an extra 1500 knocked off somewhwere right? I think he was trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

Is their asking price $21900 or is that the negotiated price after trade? $22k-$6k=$16k. $16k+4500=$20500. Is that before of after tax? If the 21900 is their asking price and you're getting it for 17k, then you done good. Take the 17k and add your 4500 and now your at 21500.

Is their asking price $21900 or is that the negotiated price after trade? $22k-$6k=$16k. $16k+4500=$20500. Is that before of after tax? If the 21900 is their asking price and you're getting it for 17k, then you done good. Take the 17k and add your 4500 and now your at 21500.

The asking price is 21900, they decided to "Drop" it from 23500 b/c it has been on the lot for like 6 months or more. They took the 21900, tax is 1533 (7% sales) tag fee of 23 for a total of 23456 (lol..thats cool)
Then subtract my trade in of 6000 for a total of 17456. Then add my payoff which is right around 5500 (i checked yesterday) 22956.

What I don't get is, if they give me 6000, couldnt I just get them to pay mine off and use the rest for a down payment?? my payoff will be less than it is now seeing as how i'm making extra payments.

I don't understand all these numbers sometimes. I have it all worked out on paper, but I still think I'd come out better selling mine myself.

You ought to come up here to Cobb County where I live and pay only 5% sales tax. That 2% is worth about $500 to you in tax

I'd love to do that. I've been looking online to see if I could find a truck up there that I liked. So far no luck though. I know if I take my time I'll find exactly what I'm looking for.

Yeah-5% or 7% is effing sweet compared to the 10% I just paid out here in SoCal for my other Tahoe. I hate this ****ing state with such a passion. Everything that is wrong or evil is in SoCal. (sorry for the rant)

Try having %14 tax to pay, now that sucks ass.

Balls man... that does suck!!

I found another '00 GMC Z71 ext cab w 64K for 17000...its blue too !! :D

Yeah-5% or 7% is effing sweet compared to the 10% I just paid out here in SoCal for my other Tahoe. I hate this ****ing state with such a passion. Everything that is wrong or evil is in SoCal. (sorry for the rant)

Yea I know, I hate all this year round nice weather and having the pacific ocean less than a mile away too. And there's just way too many beatuiful women here. This place sucks...

Yea I know, I hate all this year round nice weather and having the pacific ocean less than a mile away too. And there's just way too many beatuiful women here. This place sucks...

Yeah, but then you've got the state's goverrnment and policies to deal with. I know that for me to legally live in Kalifornia, I'd have to sell a lot of my things that I could own legally in every other state except for a few counties (like Cook County in IL).

I'd like to live in Cali for like a month or two just to see what it's like.

Okay. New deal (or not really). 2005 Z71 ext cab. 8300 miles. FULLY loaded with every feature known to man. 32900. They said they would give me 11000 for my truck traded in (sight unseen!!!!! I wasnt riding in it) which would pay mine off and give me 5500 down which made me suspicious.. payments of $442 for 7 years. Total cost is $43xxx. This is at Bill Heard...ya know. Mr. Big Volume himself....I think I'm getting raped.

Okay. New deal (or not really). 2005 Z71 ext cab. 8300 miles. FULLY loaded with every feature known to man. 32900. They said they would give me 11000 for my truck traded in (sight unseen!!!!! I wasnt riding in it) which would pay mine off and give me 5500 down which made me suspicious.. payments of $442 for 7 years. Total cost is $43xxx. This is at Bill Heard...ya know. Mr. Big Volume himself....I think I'm getting raped.

I bought my truck at bill heard in kennesaw. They also bought my trade in sight unseen. But, yeah, that's a lot of money for a long time. That's actually about $50 more than my house note each month.

My '06 Crew Cab Z71 with XM and a few other options cost me less than $32k. You're not getting a deal there on a used truck!! Bill Heard is a major rip-off. Do a Google search for Bill Heard and you will find more scam reports than you will links to the dealer.

Okay. Good deal. I called my g/f uncle that owns a used car lot in Alabama and he said that I should be getting it for about $25000. I knew something wasn't right when they offered me 11000 for mine. THey moved the numbers around somewhere, I just can't find it on the papers.

My '06 Crew Cab Z71 with XM and a few other options cost me less than $32k. You're not getting a deal there on a used truck!! Bill Heard is a major rip-off. Do a Google search for Bill Heard and you will find more scam reports than you will links to the dealer.

I hear that a lot about Bull Heard, but I feel like I got a good deal on mine. It's an 02 I got last march with 25,xxx miles on it. It had everything on it I wanted (basically everything but power leather seats, I didn't want those), and I got it with a Rhino liner installed for 19,300 out the door.

See that is good. I wasn't looking for a truck as nice as this one, I don't need all those extra features and I dont really like the center console. I think the one I started this thread about is going to be my best bet so far.

Just don't forget Tom Jumper and Bill Heard are the same company

So you bought an 02 2WD truck with 25k on it for $19300? Just an FYI, I traded in my 01 Z71 loaded LS with stainless bed rails, nerf bars and a Truckhyde tonneau cover in 2003 for 18500. My truck was 2 years old to the day with 35k miles, extra clean (was sold before I left the dealer) and like I said, a 4x4 Z71. Personally, I think 19k is high for a 3 year old 2WD truck. If you feel good about it, tha's all that matters.

So you bought an 02 2WD truck with 25k on it for $19300? Just an FYI, I traded in my 01 Z71 loaded LS with stainless bed rails, nerf bars and a Truckhyde tonneau cover in 2003 for 18500. My truck was 2 years old to the day with 35k miles, extra clean (was sold before I left the dealer) and like I said, a 4x4 Z71. Personally, I think 19k is high for a 3 year old 2WD truck. If you feel good about it, tha's all that matters.


Mileage means a lot more to me than the year model. Your truck had 10,000 more miles on it.

Thats my whole reason for looking for another truck. Mileage. I know before long with most of my TM taken out the tranny is gonna crap out on me.

I agree about the mileage issue. I'm always more interested in mileage than year. I was just stating that my truck was 2 years old, and a loaded Z71 and the dealer owned it from me for less than you paid for a 3 year old truck. I would like to think that whoever bought my truck paid just a little more than the dealer did. Unfortunately, the new owner probably got soaked somewhere in the 22k - 23k range and the dealer stole 4-5 grand from them.

Yup.. Theyre bad about that..especially Bill Heard it seems

Oh, I forgot to mention they threw in the toolbox, too

You may not want to hear this, but, 131,000 miles? Still owes $5500. I'd take the $6000 & run. Mostly because of the lift, tires & all. But thats just me.

Well, I have put alot of money and time into this truck. The engine doesn't yet have 100K on it, its been replaced so it runs like brand new still. I would be willing to take less, but it goes back to stock. I mean everything stock except the Tune, I can't take that out so whoever buys it automatically gets an upgrade...a free Nelson tune...

I need enough money to put down on another vehicle, so I'm not taking the $6000 just yet. Nada says its worth more than that.

I hear Allen gives deep discounts to second time customers

Yeah. I asked him about that b/c thats probably the first mod I'll buy, if my CAI and stuff fit. The 04 I drove at the beginning of this thread felt TONS different than my truck tuned...it would be pretty badass with a good tune.

did you swap in a '02 PCM in your 99?

So you bought an 02 2WD truck with 25k on it for $19300? Just an FYI, I traded in my 01 Z71 loaded LS with stainless bed rails, nerf bars and a Truckhyde tonneau cover in 2003 for 18500. My truck was 2 years old to the day with 35k miles, extra clean (was sold before I left the dealer) and like I said, a 4x4 Z71. Personally, I think 19k is high for a 3 year old 2WD truck. If you feel good about it, tha's all that matters.

Also, not to pick bones here, but that was my out the door price which included tax, tag, and title. So, you could say I paid like $16,300 for the truck before their other fees.

lol i payed 1000 dollars for my project truck... a 73 chevy painted a mix of silver and rust-brown lol...

did you swap in a '02 PCM in your 99?

No, I still haven't found one. i stopped looking when I decided to sell it.

You know, that 4x4 I'm looking at looks just like yours, except 04 body style. Same colors and stuff.

No, I still haven't found one. i stopped looking when I decided to sell it.

You know, that 4x4 I'm looking at looks just like yours, except 04 body style. Same colors and stuff.

I know I like the color scheme on mine... the only drawback is that you need 2 bottles of touch up paint.

I would like someone to explain to me (excuse my ignorance) what yall mean when talking about a "tune". I've heard the term "Nelson tune". What does such a tune do, where do you go to get one, & about how much will it cost?
05' Silverado Z71, ext cab
Hypertech ppIII
Flowmaster 40 series dual outs

Go check out www.nelsonperformance.com (http://www.nelsonperformance.com) and see whats going on. Thats where I got mine as have several others on this board. What is it, Allen Nelson tunes your PCM specifically for your application to get you more power, better MPG and an all around better driving truck. He alters shift points and the timing charts and all. Feel free to give him a call. He's got the best customer support out there IMO.