With new General Motors pickup trucks flooding dealer lots nation wide, you might just be thinking of saving some money and looking for a good deal on a pre-owned model from the last generation. After all, countless numbers of the older hard-working trucks will no doubt be being traded in against the new models MSRP.
The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are a long-standing choice for the working Canadian who relies on his or her pickup truck for more than just basic transportation. Some haul, some tow, and some rarely see bare pavement, but whatever the need is, GM had made sure that there was a Silverado or Sierra for it.
A truck for anyone
Two or four wheel drive, six or eight cylinder power, box lengths and passenger carrying configurations were all selectable. Above and beyond this, certain packages were offered to cater to specific needs. For instance, the Denali, C3 and SS- the latter being a muscle-truck of sorts.
Engines included a 4.3 litre V6 with 200 horsepower, a 4.8 litre V8 with 255 to 269 horsepower, and a 5.3 litre V8 with 270 to 310 horsepower, depending on the application. A 6.0 litre V8 was available on select models as well. The 5.3 litre mill was available only with an automatic gearbox, though the smaller V8 or V6 engines could be had with a five-speed manual. It's a surprisingly light and quick clutch / shifter combination as far as a pickup truck goes- making it a pleasure to row gears.
A rare gem
The photo truck is a 2002 base model 4x4 with the 4.8 litre engine and a five speed manual gearbox. It comes with just the basics- including a rubber floor that can be cleaned with a garden hose. This is a work truck if one ever existed. It shows no signs of any rust or significant wear, rides quietly and comfortably, and has mellowed out and returned decent fuel mileage.
Owner Craig Mackinnon says "I find the Silverado to be more comfortable than the Ram or F-150, especially for me because I'm quite tall. I've heard they get the best mileage too- and I'm really impressed with the mileage mine gets".
After doing some math, we calculated the test truck's highway fuel consumption at just over 10.5 L / 100km- not bad at all for a V8.
 |
| You might be able to get a good deal on an experienced Silverado. |
The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are a long-standing choice for the working Canadian who relies on his or her pickup truck for more than just basic transportation. Some haul, some tow, and some rarely see bare pavement, but whatever the need is, GM had made sure that there was a Silverado or Sierra for it.
A truck for anyone
Two or four wheel drive, six or eight cylinder power, box lengths and passenger carrying configurations were all selectable. Above and beyond this, certain packages were offered to cater to specific needs. For instance, the Denali, C3 and SS- the latter being a muscle-truck of sorts.
Engines included a 4.3 litre V6 with 200 horsepower, a 4.8 litre V8 with 255 to 269 horsepower, and a 5.3 litre V8 with 270 to 310 horsepower, depending on the application. A 6.0 litre V8 was available on select models as well. The 5.3 litre mill was available only with an automatic gearbox, though the smaller V8 or V6 engines could be had with a five-speed manual. It's a surprisingly light and quick clutch / shifter combination as far as a pickup truck goes- making it a pleasure to row gears.
A rare gem
The photo truck is a 2002 base model 4x4 with the 4.8 litre engine and a five speed manual gearbox. It comes with just the basics- including a rubber floor that can be cleaned with a garden hose. This is a work truck if one ever existed. It shows no signs of any rust or significant wear, rides quietly and comfortably, and has mellowed out and returned decent fuel mileage.
 |
| 5.3 L Vortec Gasoline Engine |
Owner Craig Mackinnon says "I find the Silverado to be more comfortable than the Ram or F-150, especially for me because I'm quite tall. I've heard they get the best mileage too- and I'm really impressed with the mileage mine gets".
After doing some math, we calculated the test truck's highway fuel consumption at just over 10.5 L / 100km- not bad at all for a V8.