7 Things to Look at in a Used Silverado

Shopping for a used truck can be a lot of fun: you have a tremendous amount of freedom with the used market. It’s important to pick a good used Chevy dealer in KY that you can trust, however, to ensure you get a great vehicle that’s in excellent condition. As long as you have a dealership that you know has your best interests at heart, then you can focus on getting the right features and options in your vehicle. This doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does mean you should keep some things in mind as you shop.

Today, we’re going to take you through some of the most important things to consider and look at as you’re shopping for a used Chevy Silverado. We can’t tell you exactly what you need – that really depends on your specific situation – but we can give you some general advice. With these things in mind, it will be easy for you to look at models available to you and decide on if they’re right for you or not. Of course, the easiest way to find just the right used Silverado is to have one of our knowledgeable and friendly salespeople by your side to help you.

#1 – The Engine

As you’re shopping for a Silverado, the engine is a great place to start because so many other aspects of the truck really depend on it. We often tell our customers to think of the engine as the heart of the vehicle; it needs to be strong and reliable to keep your truck going. And with an impressive workhorse like the Chevy Silverado, a great engine is very important.

While every Silverado has an excellent engine, there is a substantial amount of variety in terms of the engines inside these vehicles. Right now, for example, if you look at a brand-new Silverado, you can see six different engines to choose from – models from the previous generation (more on that below) had a similar number of options. That means that when you’re shopping for a Silverado, you can find a lot of different engines.

So it’s important that you know what you need. The simple decision of if you want a diesel engine or a standard gas engine will make truck shopping a lot easier. Beyond that, you should consider how much power you need and what kind of transmission you want. Unless you go way back, you’re going to find an automatic transmission, but you can find 6-speed, 8-speed, and 10-speed transmissions all available.

#2 – The Trim Level

It’s easy to think of the trim as only being about luxury features and options. In reality, however, with the Chevy Silverado, the trim often dictates a lot of different features that have been available over the years. Looking at used Silverado models from 2010, for example, we can see that the LT and SLE trims had access to an impressive 6.2L V8 engine, while the standard WT trim did not.

So, as you’re looking at different used Silverado models, you can make the process a lot easier on yourself by deciding if you need a higher trim. Since there have been a lot of options available, however, this is definitely an area where having someone by your side while shopping can simplify things. But if you know you want the performance and luxury of the highest trim for the years you’re interested in; then this can quickly eliminate models that won’t work for you.

#3 – Model Year (Generation)

Speaking of different model years, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the model year of any used Silverado you are considering. The generation of the vehicle will have a major impact on the kinds of features, options, and engines that were available for any given Silverado – and the model year can provide additional insight. Really, this comes down to getting rid of models that won’t work for you, so you can focus on ones that will.

We suggest going back no further than the 2007 model year, which started the second generation for the Chevy Silverado. For more modern features, focus on models from 2014 to 2018, which was the third generation of the Silverado. If you want the latest and greatest, then the most recent generation started with 2019 models, but these are going to cost more than older ones. It really comes down to your budget, the features and power you want, and how you can get everything that you need.

#4 – Towing and Payload Capacities

Half the fun of owning a truck is being able to load it up with everything you need or haul a trailer or boat behind it. But even if you look at two Silverado models that seem identical from the outside, they can have very different capabilities due to their engines and other factors. Before you do any shopping, figure out what your requirements are: be generous and keep in mind it’s better to have more muscle than you need rather than find yourself in a tight spot.

More powerful engines typically offer greater towing capacity, and these capabilities tend to improve from one generation to the next. So, if you have some serious towing needs with your Silverado, look for recent models with powerful V8 engines or even diesel engines. Always look at the specific capacities for any particular truck you’re interested in since similar models can still vary based on other factors.

#5 – The Configuration

As you look at different Silverado models, you should also consider what configuration will work best for you. For the last few generations, the Silverado has been available with a regular cab, larger extended cab, or a crew cab for maximum interior space. Three different bed lengths have also been offered: just under 6-foot, 6-and-a-half-foot, and an 8-foot bed. There are some limitations on combining these options, however, so it’s important to find the right configuration that meets your needs.

#6 – The Interior

It can be easy to think of interior options for comfort and technology as little more than luxuries that don’t really matter, but that’s a mistake. Your comfort in your truck, especially if you spend a lot of time on the road, is very important and really makes a big difference in getting the most out of your pickup. Plus, impressive tech features can help you stay in touch with others while on the job, make towing easier, and assist with navigation to get you where you need to go.

#7 – Safety Features

These might not be the first things you look at when shopping for a Silverado, but don’t overlook them. The safety features in a truck really can make a difference in your driving experience when it comes to protecting you and others on the road. Nothing can replace safe, careful driving, but modern safety systems and features can help improve your own abilities and make it easier to avoid a collision. If you have a young driver who’s going to be learning to drive with your truck, then look for a recent model with Chevy’s Teen Driver system to help encourage safe, responsible behavior.

We Make Shopping for a Used Silverado Easy

To be honest, even with everything we’ve discussed, there are plenty more things to look for and consider when shopping at your used Chevy dealer in KY. That’s why our salespeople are trained to work closely with all of our customers and help ensure you get everything you need. Give us a call or come visit us to find out more and discover how simple it can be to shop for a used Silverado when you have the right person by your side.

Posted in Used Chevy Dealership | No Comments »