By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
We are looking for the same truck and feel the way you do. I've driven my '88 Toy 4WD for 11 yrs and 215k mi virtually problem free. But all good things must end and now it needs attention. I would like to buy a new Silverado instead of repairing. It sounds like I would be repairing and worrying with a new Silverado. Undecided in So. CA.
Any help would be appreciated. Please e-mail me at e54@pacbell.net
Thanks.
Edwin Oyler
I have the same truck you are looking at with the 5.3 engine. It too was built in Canada like Jimcarr's. I've had it now for 8 weeks and have had no problems described by anyone on this board. No pings, no squeeks, no rattles, no vibration. Relative to 4WD auto, works great. Used it a few times when the road was slippery after a rainstorm to test it out. Performed very well.
Now with 2300 miles on it
Almost every option in the book, except for heated seats, but who needs that in Arizona???
Now Air conditioned seats would be nice...
I might have a pinging noise, but can only be heard in the morning, when it's cool, how ever cool is 80 in Tucson AZ
when it's 106 in the afternoon when I drive home there is no pinging I can hear.
I do have a few issue’s but none of them huge by any means
1. Washerfluid light comes on even though it's full
2. needs a small alignment pulls to the right
3. Possible knocking
I have and apt on Friday
I asked them to check out the pinging issue, they said a tech would determine if it was a problem?? ok
I also requested to have the idle checked out because it vibrates on occasion when in park or drive, ect
They will also fix the alignment problem
Is there anything else I should request to be looked at?
Thanks,
Aaron
problem. The 40-45mph is gone with the flash mem
upgrade. I'll show your post to the dealer and
hopefully they will fix it for me.
Thanks again,
Tung
get the GM Credit Card. With no annual
fee, it rebates 5% of your charges up to
$500 per year. This can be rolled over
to accumulate $3500 over 7 years. The
rebate comes off After the deal and is
good on leases, too. I used it on my last
purchase to buy the car at $2000 under
invoice..It works, just remember to charge
day to day things like groceries & medical
bills that you will get reimbursed from
insurance anyway...etc etc..
It was a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] to install but the benefits are worth it! The pedal is nice and firm and the stopping distances have drastically decreased all this and losing that nasty fade!
I do not ever treat my brakes roughly, hardly ever making panic stops, but the improvement was well worth it. They have these kits for almost any kind of truck you can think of and they are reasonably priced also.
It has 39k on the clock. How does the brake light and the engine missing relate??? The truck just passed an extensive emmission test yesterday.
As for the hick-up, are you getting a SES light too? If so, the trouble code can be read-out.
Has anyone had problems with the 5300 engine?
Have you thought about a new GM replacement engine? For around $1500 you can get a brand new engine with a 3 yr 50,000 mile warranty.
Depending on application, the engine could be as little as $1100.
On the other hand, a junkyard engine could be alot less, just stick with a truck engine to get the 4 bolt mains.
I also have a 1999 fully loaded Sierra
There are fewer sierra's then Chevys too, which is kinda nice.
Enjoy,
Aaron
K1500 Sierra Z71 myself. I bought it right when the new ones were about to come out (late August '98). I kept going back and forth on whether to get a '98 or to wait for the new ones. Although I know (and knew at the time) that the new trucks were better in many ways, the reasons I ultimately went with the '98 were:
1. Better looking (I know this is highly subjective, but the '99's look like Toyotas to me)
2. Proven reliable 5.7L engine
3. Looked on Edmunds for the ratings of all the full size pick-ups (for '97) and GMC/Chevy was well above everyone else. So I figured the '98s shouldn't be any worse since they were essentially the same with a few improvements.
4. Fantastic deal on a new '98. I got an SLE with all the goodies (MSRP $29,998) for $21,100 after my GM card rebate ($2,216) and the manufacturer's rebate ($750). I'm sure the impending new model played a big role in making the dealer want to get rid of this one for that price.
I'm really happy with my decision, because so far it's the best vehicle I've ever owned and the power and fuel efficiency of the 5.7L is phenomenal for a 5,100 lb truck. My average mpg is 17.44. When all or mostly highway driving, I've gotten well into the 19's and twice I've gotten over 20. That's about double what my old Blazer ('81) used to get with the same engine.
You guys made a good decision too, though.
I am wishing that I had the back seat room that you have and I've heard the 5.3L engine is fantastic. Oh well, maybe I'll trade in the '98 in 5 years or so. By then the 5.3L will be much better established and will probably be even more powerful and/or fuel efficient. Have fun
tim
I too liked the pre 1999 GM full-sized P.U.'s. But, my research revealed that these new versions have considerable enhancements over their older brothers. I like the look of the new Sierra (esp around the hood). My last pickup was a 1991 Ford Ranger; had it for 5 1/2 yrs- great little truck. This new GMC is quite impressive; the 5.3 L engine is smooth and powerful. When I test drove this truck, it had less leaning into curves/turns than the F150 with ORP exhibited. The Sierra Z71 I now have is about 2 inches shorter than the F150 4x4, but has more ground clearance. That may explain its more "lean-to" in curves/turns. But, the Ford is still a great truck; but, the GMC was the one for me. Someone told me that the Sierra has the best resale value of all 1/2-ton Pickups, even better than the Silverados even though they are quite similar. Can anyone support this or know if it is so. Well, in any event, I am quite content with the Pewter beast parked outside my house......will take it to the hill country NW of San Antonio soon to check out its off-road abilities. CUL......
Thanks...
Before my 1999 Sierra I had a 1996 GMC truck, it was a shortbed 4x4 regular cab.. very little extra's
it was three years old and had 38,000 miles on it.. No problems with it, I loved that truck as well and was sad to see it go.. had some great memories
I was impressed with the ride of the New Sierra.. a HUGE improvement over the 96. enough so to purchase it, even though I liked my 96
If you have not driven a 99, I recommend giving it a shot, see what you think. I think you will be impressed You may even walk out with a 99.. so don’t bring your checkbook :-)
Before the 96 GMC was a 1984 ford 100.. After the experience with that beast, I will never own a ford again... sorry Ford guys .
It's Great to hear that you're happy with your 98, that’s what’s important :-) Happy Trucken
Have fun,
Aaron
My 1998 GMC 5.7 has a engine rap and is back
into the dealer once again. Hopefully they
will fix it or replace the engine. ANYONE ELSE?
This truck is still much better than my 1996,
which went back. LEMON!
The main draw for me at this point is the power and the flat torque curve (as the saying goes, "horsepower is what you read about, torque is what you feel"), as well as the roomier interior. I think if GM had put a 4th door on the
'99's in the first place (instead of waiting till 2000), I would have skipped the fantastic deal on the '98 that I got.
-Tim
guys give comprehensive answers. I spent way too
much time on classicars where it was way too amateurish. I plan to buy a fully loaded 2000 silverado with 5300 engine. Will upgrade to the 6000 if thats a 2000 option for 1/2 ton.
Buy a 3/4..they ride better!
GM has Horrible Cafe ratings..(the system that says what the whole fleet must get in MPG)
They need to sell more encoboxes to make up for all the gas hogs!....6.0's in the most popular truck (1/2 ton)..would kill their ratings
That is why you can get an S-10 for under 80 a month!...they need the MPG!
Good luck
Tim
They may try a 4th in 2001.
be available after December or January on the 2000
models. You guys may want to wait before ordering
to see if that's true. A 4th door could mean
wanting to keep your truck a lot longer. Of course if you're the type that buys new every 2-4 years anyway, it may not matter to you.
thank god for A/C!!!!
SULLY
On the first day I noticed a driveshaft vibration
and returned to my dealer. I was informed that it was a defect caused by the two piece driveshaft not having enough angle fron the carrier bearing to the differential. this design defect,I was told,is further exaserbated by the soft rear springs which,on excelleration,allows the rearend to torque up. This action straightens the driveshaft even more causing a fairly radical vibration. I was told that GMs crack engeneers were working on a new set of springs to correct the problem. Of course these would be the same IDEOTS that designed the defect into the truck from the start. I cannot believe that the years that GM spent developing & testing this truck allowed them to miss this defect. They simply threw them into the market knowing that they were defective. Is it any wonder the Japanese have such a large share of the US market. In addition I found that the defect was common knowledge to everyone at the dealership. Both service & sales.Yet no mention was made of it to me at the time of sale. If I didnt know better I would think that GM & its Dealers were engaging in Deceptive Trade Practices. In summation,the design flaw and conspiricy of deception not withstanding,I am enjoying my new truck. And you for your perseverence in reading this are a little wiser.
Keeps on going with no end in sight!
Great HTML dave!
LOL!!
Tim
Thanks,
Rick