would you buy it?
 

Been looking for a truck to replace my 2wd LB7 duramax.

My truck has been great so far but after getting stuck several times with no 4x4 option and the issues with the LB7 duramax injectors i decided to start looking for another.

long story short... i fould a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD DRW LTZ. i know it is more truck then i need but hay, it is not necessarily about the need but more the want for a truck this size and capability:choochoo::rocking:. it will not be my daily driver, i have an 09 jetta TDI for that, but more of my special purpose vehicle.

my currant truck doesn't see a lot of trailers, maybe a few times a year at 10k lbs for about 100 miles. when i do load up the bed it seems that more often then not i overload it with construction materials. 3000 lbs of sand, 4000 lbs of retaining blocks, etc. every time it squats nicely. :w2:

anyways, to quit boring you, here are the specs:

currant truck - 04 Chevy Silverado LB7 2500HD duramax, extended cab, SRW, LS trim, short bed. leather seats, interior is in pretty good shape, 136k miles

truck i am considering, 2008 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 3500HD DRW, LTZ trim, navigation, sunroof, leather seats, Crew Cab, Etc, Etc, Etc, this thing is loaded, and from the photos it looks to be in great shape, clean title, carfax, listed price $18,900

the kicker... 420 miles away and 254k miles on the odometer. i am not too worried about that one though. it also appears, based on the history report, to be mostly highway miles.

KBB lists it as $22,300

so would you, in my situation, buy it? or should i keep looking?

take it. its a nice truck

thanks, any tips or experience buying a vehicle over the internet before you see it in person? obviously i would not pay them until i checked it out but what if there is something wrong with it, 400 miles one way is a lot for a dud.

the carfax they sent me. edited by me to remove useless info and images

2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K3500 CREW PICKUP
6.6L V8 FI
4 WHEEL DRIVE
Standard Equipment
Power Steering, AM / FM, Power Brakes, Tilt Wheel, 6-digit Odometer
Safety Options
4 wheel ABS, Running Lights, Dual front air bags/active (manual) belts

CARFAX Report Provided By:
accident / damage reported to CARFAX
3 Previous owners
At least 1 open recall
5 Service records available
254,583 Last reported odometer reading
$480 Below retail book value

Based on the information reported to CARFAX, this vehicle is worth $480 less than the retail book value.
This CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX and available as of 6/16/14 at 12:58:57 PM (EDT). Other information about this vehicle, including problems, may not have been reported to CARFAX. Use this report as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection and test drive, to make a better decision about your next used car.

Ownership History
The number of owners is estimated Owner 1 Owner 2 Owner 3

Year purchased 2007 2012 2013
Type of owner --- --- ---
Estimated length of ownership 4 yrs. 2 mo. 1 yr. 1 mo. 9 months
Owned in the following states/provinces Texas Oklahoma California, Oklahoma
Estimated miles driven per year 39,806/yr --- ---
Last reported odometer reading 168,725 251,678 254,583

Title History
CARFAX guarantees the information in this section
Salvage | Junk | Rebuilt | Fire | Flood | Hail | Lemon
Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem
Not Actual Mileage | Exceeds Mechanical Limits
Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem

GUARANTEED - None of these major title problems were reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you find that any of these title problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. Register | View Terms | View Certificate


Additional History
Not all accidents / issues are reported to CARFAX

Total Loss
No total loss reported to CARFAX
No Issues Reported
Structural Damage
No structural damage reported to CARFAX.
No Issues Reported
Airbag Deployment
No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX.
No Issues Reported
Odometer Check
No indication of an odometer rollback.
No Issues Indicated
Accident / Damage
No accidents or damage reported to CARFAX.
No Issues Reported
Manufacturer Recall
At least 1 manufacturer recall requires service. Locate an authorized General Motors dealer to obtain more information about this recall.
Recall Reported No New Recalls Reported No New Recalls Reported
Basic Warranty
Original warranty estimated to have expired

Owner 1
Purchased: 2007
Where: Texas
Est. miles/year: 39,806/yr
Est. length owned: 10/15/07 - 1/9/12
(4 yrs. 2 mo.)
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
Original Equipment OnStar Vehicle equipped with OnStar & Personal Calling
09/19/2007
4 Martin Autopark, Cleveland, TX
281-592-2644
martinautopark.com
Pre-delivery inspection completed
Tire condition and pressure checked
Safety inspection completed
Mud flaps/splash guards installed
09/20/2007 Martin Autopark
Cleveland, TX
281-592-2644
martinautopark.com
Vehicle sold
10/15/2007 9 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Waelder, TX
Title #14600139351155344 Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Loan or lien reported
04/09/2008 Westside Chevrolet Kia Isuzu
Katy, TX
281-392-3200
westsidechevrolet.com
estsidechevrolet.com
Vehicle serviced
06/25/2009 25,000 Bounds Chrysler Dodge Chevrolet Jeep
Livingston, TX
936-327-5220
boundsdodge.com
Fuel filter replaced
Air filter replaced
09/01/2009 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Waelder, TX
Title #14600139351155344 Registration issued or renewed
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection
06/08/2010 General Motors Manufacturer Safety recall issued
Recall #2010153
HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT - DISABLE AND REMOVE MODULE
Locate an authorized General Motors dealer to obtain more information about this recall.
10/15/2010 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Waelder, TX
Title #14600139351155344 Registration issued or renewed
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection
01/09/2012 168,725 Auto Auction
Texas Sold at auction

Owner 2
Purchased: 2012
Where: Oklahoma
Est. length owned: 5/22/12 - 6/29/13
(1 yr. 1 mo.)
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
05/22/2012 Oklahoma
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Bixby, OK
Title #726012031006A Title issued or updated
Title or registration issued
New owner reported
06/28/2012 Oklahoma
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Bixby, OK
Title #726012031006A Title issued or updated
09/15/2012 194,396 True Line Wheel Alignment
El Cajon, CA
619-258-1800
Pitman arm replaced
Two wheel alignment performed
Idler arm replaced
Inner tie rod(s) replaced
Tire condition and pressure checked
Alternator checked
04/22/2013 Oklahoma
Motor Vehicle Dept.
La Mesa, CA
Title #726012031006A Title issued or updated
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location
04/26/2013 Oklahoma
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Bixby, OK
Title #726012031006A Registration issued or renewed
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location
06/07/2013 251,678 Midas
La Mesa, CA
619-466-1156
midas.com
Oil and filter changed

Owner 3
Purchased: 2013
Where: California, Oklahoma
Est. length owned: 6/29/13 - 4/19/14
(9 months)
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
06/29/2013 252,800 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Spring Valley, CA Odometer reading reported
08/28/2013 253,173 California
Inspection Station
Chula Vista, CA Passed emissions inspection
08/28/2013 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Spring Valley, CA Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
09/12/2013 Oklahoma
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Bixby, OK
Title #726012031006A Registration issued or renewed
04/19/2014 254,571 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale
04/22/2014 254,583 California
Inspection Station
Gardena, CA Passed emissions inspection

Bumb,

any other opinions?

Thanks Jason

well that one fell through. dealer sold it before i could get a chance to look at it.

anyways, after mauling over several dozen others i have narrowed it down to two trucks. they are both out of state, so if anyone has any tips or experience they can share with out of state purchases that would be most helpful.

these are the two that i cant decide between:

2008 Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 13X,XXX miles, Exterior: burgundy, Interior: Ebony, Price: low $32K-ish out the door.

Pros:
Stock everything/No modes that i can see other than the trailer brake controler, bed liner, pedal adjustment, parking assist, heated washer fluid, power sliding rear window, XM, cheaper than 2nd option

cons:
two years older than 2nd option, about 40K more miles than 2nd option, not sure if burgundy is a color that will stay in style for many years, no stabilitrak, low tread on tires so i will need to spend more to put tires on it, two previous owners

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e..._800.jpg?gl=US
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e..._800.jpg?gl=US
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X..._800.jpg?gl=US
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--..._800.jpg?gl=US
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--..._800.jpg?gl=US
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W..._800.jpg?gl=US


and the 2010 Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 92,XXX miles, Exterior: Black, Interior: Ebony, Price: $39K-ish out the door.

Pros:
Newer year, less miles, i believe this year comes with stabilitrak, lots of tread left on tires, one previous owner, i like black on black interior & exterior, i believe it has LED interior lights

cons:
cost more, modes - egr, cat, DPF deleted (may have saved me money doing it myself - is this a pro?), stock radio replaced with some other unit, tuned ECM (unless done recently by a reputable tuner and had the transmission built) i can see what looks to be a DSP5 switch left of the steering wheel, about $600 more in shipping to get the truck to california, no extra fun stuff like: pedal adjustment, parking sensors or deicing windshield fluid (maybe a good spot to add my own switches for mods i may do. lift pump power switch, airbag controls, or 120v outlets),

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o...43_5.jpg?gl=US
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0...43_4.jpg?gl=US
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r...43_3.jpg?gl=US
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F...3_20.jpg?gl=US
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s...3_27.jpg?gl=US
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L...3_29.jpg?gl=US

so if you made it this far, thank you for your patience. if anyone could give me there opinion on what truck i should buy that would be most appreciated.

Jason

I like the black one lol I love black and that truck looks awesome I want stacks now!! I like how it has the deletes done to a plus I'm my thinking
:tu:

i am a fan of good looking stacks too and i think those are good looking. the problem i see is i wouldn't be able to swap back in the DPF and CAT when it comes time to smog it.

doesn't this look suspiciously like an EFI Live DSP5 switch
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d..._28A.JPG?gl=US

I would prefer to do all of the tuning myself so i don't know if this is a good thing. i would definitely look over the tunes if they aren't locked.

that's for sure a DSP5 my friend.....I bet you seen my dually and it made you want one haha jk man

well almost, i have never needed one but have always wanted one.

yeah I'm sure I'll be happy mines a dually and the dealer it's at is moving so all progress has stopped for them to move

Can any mods here remove post #4 to shorten and clean up the thread, you can remove this one too

thanks Jason

bank is freaking out on the mile of the 2008 burgundy truck. if they only knew what a diesel engine was...:argh:

the bank wants me to get the 2010 black truck because it is newer and has less miles on it so they know if I defaulted or something happened on the loan they can get their money back. :evil:

Update!

got the red one. showed up, practically at my front door, on a semi truck. woo hoo!!!:jump:

drives great, better then my 04 2500hd. smoother ride, better handling and stability on the road. now just need to make it as quick my LM7.

already started tuning it with EFI Live :choochoo:

couple items that i started working on over the weekend

on board air
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B...ized.jpg?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d...ized.jpg?gl=US

just need to get it wired up

and 12v power in the bed for jumping/getting jumped and possibly other uses. need to paint them red and black
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6...ized.jpg?gl=US

i have my home built heavy duty jumper cables with welding connectors in the middle to separate them. they are long, about 23 feet, made with 1 or 2 gauge, cant remember, fine strand cable.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...ized.jpg?gl=US

i can separate them and connect them to the bed connectors
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B...ized.jpg?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L...ized.jpg?gl=US

ran the power through 1 gauge cable and hooked it up right at the driver side battery. i soldered a piece of copper busbar to the battery clamp and added a bolt for the connection and ran it down inside the frame as much as possible.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h...ized.jpg?gl=US

what do you think? off to a good start?

added the air fittings and plumbed everything in
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K...ized.jpg?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0...ized.jpg?gl=US

Buy a Dodge.

Really? You can do better than that

As much as I like the Cummins engine I won't get a dodge. Besides I already purchased a Chevy.

And please keep biased opinions, usless comments and Dodge/Ford/GM bashing out of this thread

Thanks Jason