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Comments
Higher finance rate since it's "used" doesn't make the monthly that good.
Thanks in advance
I bought one a month ago: 98 sonoma SLS ex.cab- wideside(v6,tilt-cruise, cassette,auto,3rd door,air,deep tint and w\L tires) for 17300+tax.
(with 1000 rebate.) MSRP was 20,384.
For a 97 you should do a lot better because there is a 1500 rebate for v6.
The rebate will be extended eventually or even improved; because this is the SLOW season and they are more than eager to sell...!
The 17,300 was after rebate (18,300 before).
Knowing someone does not necessarily help...what counts is ultimately the bottom line!
Good luck!
I have a 98 with V6 which has the same oil pressure readings 60 / 40 ... I think that is normal.
Well, finally had a chance to get to the dealer.
Got it 300 dollars above invoice, would have been $100 dollars if he had it on the lot. He's got to pull it for another dealer and pay some more. (I still agree with the phrase,it's not what you know, it's who you know.)
Anyway...I wanted sport suspension but he couldn't find one in the area. How is the suspension and ride on yours?
Thanks again...
I have the Z85 suspension...which is heavy duty and very firm.
did you get the s10?
Ford = City persons truck, out here in the country, we need power, reliability and a truck
that actually looks like it can work !!
GMC gives all of that and then some !!
They are the best truck out there with Dodge
coming in second and Ford not even on my list !!
25ft 5th wheel. According to Trailer Life this truck has a 6000lbs capability with 3.73 axle ratio. This seems unbelievable to me. Can anyone comment on this pick-up's towing ability?
I have been towing it with a 1/2 ton w/5.8L V8. I burned up the axle bearings twice, in 48,000 miles. There is a big difference between the advertised weight and the scale weight of trailers. The book said my trailer weighed 4800 lbs with 960 hitch weight. Thats empty with no options (air conditioning, micro wave, ect.) and the hitch also weighs over 100 lbs.
I have learned my lesson, I'm getting a 3/4 ton this week.
Are you sure that the mpg of 20 highway, 16 city is correct for a 5.7L auto tranny with 3.73? That's pretty awesome if it's correct. I've got a F-250 with the 5.8L, a five speed manual O/D, and the 3.55 and I get about 5 mpg less than that. I'm getting ready to get a V-10 auto with the 3.73 and am hoping that the new Triton engine will be a little more efficient (as advertised) than the 460 it replaces.
First pricing I did at both dealers worked out at 7% over invoice, or about 1500 bucks. Seems way out of line to me. I read here of some buyers getting their trucks for 3% over, or $200-$300 over, which plus dealer hold-back seems reasonable.
I've never owed a GMC or a Truck. But while test driving the Sonoma, i really liked it. But was uncomfortable ticking noise from the engine. Which i was told was common on GMC.?-
While browsing the group here. I noticed the lack of topics on the Sonomas.
The Consumer Reports buying guide 97 listed to low in predicted reliability and depreciation.
But I really want to get this truck.
Can anyone give me some insite on this truck, good or bad.
My name is Chad Krumrey and I currently live
in Centralia, IL (Southern, IL). I recently traded
in my 1995 GMC Sonoma for a 1998 GMC Sierra with a
VORTEC 5.7L 350. All my previously owned vehicles
have been 4 cylinders. MAN, what a difference
driving the VORTEC 350!!! With a K&N Filter and
Dual Exhaust, it is pretty hard to for the
competition to keep up in town.
has anyone had problems with LOOSE SEAT RAILS for 1990 TO 1997 gmc-chev vehicles???
I have had mine changed 6 times since 1996-and gmc still gives me the big run-around. I contacted NHTSA and they are very interested in doing a recall if enough people complain.
What a safety issue-can you imagine what would happen in a crash-the driver and passengers could really suffer major injuries.
GMC would rather pay someone off than fix a problem that has been around for years.
Please email me at ACarson979@aol.com if you would like to contact NHTSA for related or other problems. PLEASE REMEMBER-if you have any type of safety problem contact them!!!!
Thanks for listening---
Get an auto not the 5 speed for towing.
Get the 5.7l not the 5.0 for towing that much.
I would recommend getting a k2500 with the heavy duty trans (4L80 overdrive verson of Turbo400). The truck you described would have a 4L60 aka 700R4 or overdrive version of the turbo 350. The 4l60 has a four bolt tail shaft housing, the 4L80 has a six bolt tail shaft housing. Look under the truck to see which one it has. Mileage will depend on the rear end ratio, most of these trucks will come with a 3.73:1. Expect around 10-14 around town and maybe 12-17 on the freeway, towing MPG will depend on the load,grades, etc.
After about 80,000 miles these trucks will start to smoke at start up after sitting for a while or overnight. This is only due to the valve seals leaking allowing oil to bypass the valve and into the cyls. I think this is why these engines last so long, there is already oil in the cyls on start up! After a while though, the oil will foul the spark plugs and give crappy performance and thus will have to be changed.
By the way, I have religiously changed my oil and my valve seals still are shot.
Vince
By the way...if you kept going faster, the speedo comes around again and you can estimate your speed when it makes its second revolution. Dont ask how I know...hee hee.
pls help. im looking for some information on a 1998 safari van. specifically. if there has been any engine problems or dealer recalls or towing caps.stuff like that. im interested but would also like to hear pros and cons from existing owners or no-owners.
signed,
undecided
I am thinking about getting an S10 LS on the national lease by GM. However, Edmund's review says that truck has a shabby build quality. What exactly do they mean by that? Seems to me like a nice truck but I am sure once on a while a lemon comes along.
I also considered a Tacoma that a local dealer is offering for dirt cheap lease (0 down, $149/month, 24 months). The chevy appears to be a better deal as it comes with the A/C and radio. Any advice.
Thanks in Advance.
Nish
The 1998 truck so far has been in the shop for a total of 12 days in the 6 weeks that I have owned it. Mechanically it has not been that bad, however, the truck had to have been assembled by the blind. This truck rattles to the point that you can hear it above the radio. It has been back to the original dealer and another Chevy dealer 4 times...and it still rattles. Tomorrow it goes in to yet another dealer in high hopes that this dealer can solve the rattle problem. Once looking the truck over you will notice that there are many problems with parts lining up. Things were misassembled at the factory and had to be reassembled before I bought it. There were parts missing from the 3rd door and had to be installed before I took delivery. After the experience with these 2 trucks and Chevy's, I couldn't care less attitude, there is no doubt in mind why GM is losing ground to Ford and Chrysler. I have been a loyal fan of Chevrolet since 1962 and it appears that Chevy has hit bottom with their quality control (there isn't any).
The bottom line is that Chevy has a lot to offer in a pickup but it appears that they feel more about making a quick profit by downsizing than they do in producing a quality product. What a shame
I agree with you completely on the rattling thing. I bought my current '95 S-10 used and it has rattle every since I got it. I also had the transmission replaced, the rear gears replaced and the clutch replaced in the truck since I owned it(All in the same year too!). Therefore I know what you mean about poor quality and more time in the shop then on the road.
I was fortunate to have bought a warranty with my truck and therefore did not have to pay for the transmission or gears except for my $50 deductable, but the clutch is another story($1200 bucks!). I thought at first it was because I bought the truck used and somebody just beat the crap out of it. That is why I was asking for advice on the ZR2 off road package for the S-10. I thought maybe somebody might know if they were built better? I like the looks of the Chevy truck and thought it had great performance in comparison to its competitors as far as ponies are concerned, but do not know if it is worth the headaches encountered in the shop. Thanks again for all the input. It may help me decide on buying a Toyota or Ford instead and save me a lot of problems in the future.
I will use it mostly for cruising with an occasional light load or maybe even towing a small boat.
I am also interested in what type of fuel mileage I can expect.
Thanks,
Steve
My truck also has those trim strip over the wheel wells, no rust showing yet, any ideas on prevention for the future?
My recommendation would be take your truck into a Chevy dealer the next time you need your oil changed. It may cost a couple of bucks more, but while it's there, you can have their mechanics do a quick inspection. Get all of your questions together, maybe put them in writing, and have the mechanics answer them. They will definitely be able to tell you what size engines, but they should also be able to identify things you don't see that may be related to the salvage issue. They may may be able to warn you of potential future problems. Make sure you go to a dealer other than the dealer who sold you the truck, not that the selling dealer is dishonest. It's just that you're looking for an independent viewpoint from someone who has no connection to you or the vehicle.
If you check out the topic on "truck accessories", you will see quite a few posts related to bed liners. The two top spray-on competitors appear to be Rhino and Line-X. Line-X has a website. Rhino has a toll free number that you can call and get information about dealers close to you and they will send you a sample. The website for Line-X and the toll free number for Rhino are listed in one of the "truck accessories" post. Wichita is a good size city. My guess is that there should be a dealer in the area or at least within a reasonable commute. It only takes them a couple of hours to apply, so you don't have to leave the truck overnight. For the record, I don't have one yet, but I plan to get one in my new truck when it arrives. I'm leaning towards Line-X. I know people with Rhino liners and they have no complaints.