Overview:
Well, it was a bit of a surprise that this Chevrolet Silverado is GM’s best-selling vehicle. But it should be no surprise considering it is flat out one of the best pick ups on the market, in my view. It is slightly behind Ford’s F-150 in overall sales. One of my favorites is the competitive Dodge Ram, but if you have a thing for Chevrolet you’ll likely lean toward the Silverado rather than the Ram or F-150.
I have to tell you it was culture shock after the prior week in an S500 Mercedes Benz – the cost of which would buy three of these Silverado’s. But I also have to say that the truck was a refreshing change. I was thrilled to once again operate the radio and air conditioning on my own without computer interference. Literally those high tech cars try to take over your life. Sometimes less is better. I could actually rotate a dial to change radio stations. Know the feeling?
Naturally I’m not comparing this truck to the Mercedes, but try this one on for size… this Silverado doesn’t even have a vanity mirror on the driver side visor. Instantly I had a flashback to my 1955 Ford ½ ton pickup. It didn’t have vanity anything. Check it out. Roll up windows, manual seat adjustment, rubber mats separating you from a metal body and frame.. you get the idea – real basic in those days. What then? Does GM expect only men will buy this truck? How would a woman put on her makeup while driving?
Ok, so it’s a truck. That’s something I forgot until I went over the same dip I just went over the day before in the Mercedes at about the same speed. This Silverado took it like a truck. But from the inside the luxury and comfort makes you forget you’re IN a truck. And this is really a truckers truck. It’s beefy, solid, sits high for good eye contact with drivers of 18 wheelers and has the power to pull a house. I’d rate it at the top of the truck competition.
I don’t like to complain, but the mileage sucks which is especially noticeable with rising gas prices. My 1955 Ford V8 got nearly as good mileage and the price of gas back then was about 20 cents a gallon. And while I’m complaining, I think the third door should be on the driver’s side where it is likely to be used. Take a look around GM. Most cars “and trucks” on the road only have one occupant – the driver. Hellll-oh, anyone home?
You’re right – “me thinks I protest too much”. But some things just bug you. Anyway, on the positive side, even though today’s trucks are quieter and more luxurious than we deserve they are still trucks nevertheless. The suspension is stiff for the jobs a truck is called to do. So the ride is not exactly car like, but in all fairness manufacturers have done a great job of giving us the best of both worlds.
I like the truck a lot and shouldn’t compare with how things were baaack in the good old days. Ever get flashbacks of those days? In a dream state this morning I drifted back in time to the nostalgia of my pre-teens. I revisited the wonderful feeling of sitting on the living room floor listening to “The Shadow” or “The Lone Ranger” by a warm fire on a cold evening. It snowed in Pasadena that year and it was a welcoming we hadn’t expected moving from Massachusetts to sunny California. Dad must have cringed to think he hauled a 25 foot trailer behind a 1946 Chevrolet sedan only to have to shovel snow again. He’d given away his snow shovel when we left Boston. Ever get those flashbacks?
This Silverado 1500 is a ½ ton and the 2500 is a 3/4 ton and they come in regular and extended cabs, two or three doors, a pickup bed with flared sides or straight sides, multiple wheelbases and 2- or 4-wheel drive. It is interesting to note that 75 percent of pickup trucks sold are half ton; 60 percent have extended cabs and 56 percent are 4X4s.
The model I tested had a bed liner, and it was a bit of a disappointment in how it fit. I thought there must be options, so I asked around. Partner and race driver Price Cobb told me about an alternative that’s hot right now. He said Rhino Linings has a “Sprayed-on” liner called Tuff Stuff and it even comes in colors. It is made of polyurethane so things won’t slip and slide. If you have questions on this option, e-mail me or call 626 398 3054 for the low down.
The competition:
Dodge Ram 1500 $14,795 – $23,580 Ford F-150 $15,285 – $29,995 GMC Sierra Classic 1500 $22,796 – $25,946 Toyota Tundra $14,995 – $27,830.
Good News:
Quiet ride, handles well, four-wheel disc brakes for reduced stopping distances, Chevrolet quality, powerful, car like roomy interior.
Bad News:
Poor mileage, long turning radius, bumpy ride, restricted visibility, third door on wrong side, poorly installed bed liner.
Standard Equipment:
Vortec 5300 5.3 liter 270-horsepower V8 gas engine, 4-speed auto trans, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, dual air bags with deactivation switch for passenger side, three door, tilt wheel, power steering – windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, independent front suspension with multi-leaf rear springs, trailering wire harness, front recovery hooks, air conditioning, dual power mirrors, stereo with CD and cruise control.
Gas Stats:
15 City and 18 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $25,895
