Used Advice.

[dhaywood77]

I'm looking to pick up a used silverado in the next couple of months. I want 4wd and either an extended cab or crew cab. I'm looking at years 2000-2004. My question is are there problem areas I need to check when looking? Is the 5.3 that much better than the 4.8? I'll be stepping up from a 99 4wd 4dr tahoe so either will be a step up in horsepower and mileage. Any help you can give me in this area will be greatly appreciated.

[chuck16]

I can't think of any. I've heard to watch the power steering pumps on some. I guess just make sure the Transmission fluid is pretty clean. The usual No grinding noises while running. Make sure the 4x4 works?

I bought my 4x2, the one in my sig, used and just looked underneath for dampness, rust, and anything that looked bizarre. Other than that...happy hunting. !

[TexasF355F1]

I agree with chuck. There's really no problems that are serious enough to detur you from buying a truck. Just listen to make sure there is no engine knocking. There were some problems in the first couple years.

Go with the 5.3. You're not going to get any noticeably better gas mileage versus the 4.8. Plus you get some more ponies to play with.

Good luck with your search. I would try to buy from an individual. I just sold my truck, check out the thread, for 10K. I let it go for cheaper than I really could have, but I though all in all it was a fair deal. Just make sure you go over the truck with a fine tooth comb; frame, body, engine, everything. If this is your first truck take someone with you who has owned trucks before because they'll know other areas to look you may not think about.

Good luck!

[guumbah]

I also agree with the last two posts. Check out some online reliability info, like MSN's http://autos.msn.com/home/reliability_ratings.aspx. The recent years of Silverado rate very well.

I just bought mine in April, not my first truck, nor my first used vehicle, but my first Chevy truck, so I talked to some friends who are long-time Chevy owners of many models from the Standard cab short bed V6 to the Crew Cab Long Bed Duramax, all with great things to say. Things I was told to watch out for are pretty much the same things as with any used car or truck - engine or transmission noises that aren't normal, check fluids, look underneath, etc.

Oh yeah, and ditto - go with the 5.3. Happy hunting - I LOVE mine. Check out a Quadrasteer if you find one.

Come back and post what you end up getting!