I live in a very small town in the mountains and the first new style GM trucks didn't get delivered to out local dealer until 6 or 8 weeks ago. They have finally gotten a total of 6 of the vehicles in split, between Chevrolet and GMC. They are 4 crewcabs, one extended cab and one standard cab. They have not sold any yet and I have not seen my first one on the interstate or other road.

My diehard GMC friend has been waiting a long time to replace his GMC with the new one and he went down there immediately to look at and hopefully buy one. He came back very unimpressed and now thinks he might buy a Ford (which he has never done in his 70 years). He felt there was no need to buy the new one when the powertrains were unchanged and he could buy a Ford or Classic version of the GM trucks for $7,000 less. His current truck is a 99 GMC extended cab, loaded and with 110,000 miles on it. It is black with silver and looks better than a new one.

 

I saw one on the road and few at the local Chevy dealer.

 

ive seen 2 new GMC trucks and 2 Chevys a even spilt, and I see them at dealers aswell. cant wait to see a new Superduty.

 

I've seen them around and IMO they look like crap. The trucks and SUVs. Shame as I really liked the previous body style.

Mike

 

Your friend is really wrong in his feelings. It'd be like us saying there is no difference between the 1997 F150 and the 2007 F150. Even though the 5.4L engine is still mated to a 4-speed auto, we all know there is a TON of differences between the powertrains used by Ford over the last decade.

Yup, GM has the same displacement engines as they did in 1999, but they are by no means the same engines. Heck, the 2007 engines (Gen IV) are even different from the 2006 engines (Gen III)!

Still, despite all the hype, I've not seen any of the new trucks on the roads either. I hear they are selling like crazy, I just don't know where!

 

Ive seen a few new Avanances with Superduty Mirrors.

 

I saw four variants of the new Silverado at the Hampton Roads International Auto Show the other day. Granted I did not drive in it but I did sit in each version, got a good feel for it. I also climbed around it looking around at how it's made. I was fairly impressed with it, I think Chevy has taken a step in the right direction as far as keeping up with the competition. After riding in and driving my father in laws Silverado (03 or 04) I would say that it has a more commanding view of the road and seems to be a little bit more roomy. I defenitly felt for it's competition that it defenitly deserved the Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award. If I was purchasing a new truck outside of Ford I'd probably go with the new Silverado, I liked it even better then the new Tundra.

Both the Chevy & GMC trucks displayed their new Cargo Management System (CMS) and I was really impressed. I've never had to purchase anything like that so I don't know what compares to it on the market but it's a really good idea.

 

He was speaking of a substantial change (like Ford's 2 valve to 3 valve) and he was also talking about new in terms of something different from the "Classic".

I have read that GM used the existing powertrains because they had to push the introduction ahead to get their trucks to the market before Toyota. They felt the Toyota would overshadow their new products if the were introduced close together and if they waited until after the Toyota was introduced, it would not compare well (at least on paper).

 

I'd say that implementing variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation (GM calls it Active Fuel Management) is pretty substantial as it requires new heads. The block and intake is also different/better than the older ones. If your friend just wants "more valves", then he's going to have to go to a manufacturer like Ford that uses overhead cam engines.

As for the introduction timing, the new engines have been in use for almost year now in the new style (GMT900) 2007 model Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban SUVs. Well, except for the new 6.0L engine which didn't arrive until last August. These are NOT the same engines used in the 2006 and 2007 "classic" (GMT800) pickups. They are, however, what are now being used in the new style GMT900 trucks. So, the Silverado & Sierra may have been "pulled ahead" to beat the new Toyota to the market, but the new engines were ready and waiting... even "road tested".

And, if you think about it...
The new 2007 (GMT900) pickups are LATE to the market. Most 2007 models were released last Fall whereas GM's new trucks were delayed until late November.

Dear Lord... am I really defending GM?

 

I seen one GMC and one New Chev today there getting out there still only seen 7 on the road.

 

I have not seen to many around maybe a half dozen around on the road, Looks like the bed is deeper like the 150. I have not seen one up close though.

 

I was told that they came with a 5.5ft bed which really turned me off of them. A person would have to leave th tailgate down to fit a quad in it. Other then that they are real nice looking trucks.
Still opted for the F150 and like it alot!

 

I have yet to see any on the road around here.

 

4 Silverado's and 1 GMC, I think they look great in person.

 

I dont notice to many chevys guys who put there quads in the bed, always pulling a trailer.