Ok here's my story. I buy vehicles and keep till ran in the ground. Currently have a 2008 GMC Sierra SLE with 305,000 miles on it with no major issues. My last 2 trucks have been GMC's and the 3 before that were all Chevy. I've been satisfied with reliable and operating costs. In 2025 is GMC/Chevy the right choice? I don't enter the buying market except every 10-15 years so I'm way behind the curve.
My family and growing up were always GM people. Never been around Ford's. I know what ever I buy it won't be a 2020-2022 years because I don't want anything built during Covid, or am I wrong to be thinking this? My current 2008 GMC I purchased from CarMax (2 years old) and everything they represented was correct and the experience was favorable.
I usually buy a vehicle that's 2 years old with about 20K miles on it.
Is buying used the right move, is GM the right choice, is their advantages to new purchase as to 0% interest, etc?

Fire away!

I don’t have much to offer but I am sure partial to my 23 F-150. Zero issues, but only 62,000 miles so far.

Stick with what you know.

GM makes a solid half ton with the 5.3 or 6.2 liter V-8. don't buy any small 6cyl turbos, get a naturally aspirated V-8.


I stopped buying anything other than new (will consider very gently used certified pre-owned trucks less than a year old) and drive them until they start having issues or it's advantageous to trade them off into something new. I would buy new and take advantage of the 0% interest they have now.

Not sure your budget but If you like GMC/Chevy Look at the

Trail Boss LT with the 6.2 V-8. I wanted one but chevy couldn't deal enough.

Silverado ZR-2 Big Boy Chevy or step up to the Bison

GMC AT4
or
AT4X Big Boy GMC

Or look at the 3/4-ton HD models

Thanks keep em coming.

My last 2 have been diesels but I think I’m done

I just don’t use the power enough and the maintenance is no longer worth it to me

If I were to buy tomorrow, I’d go w a GMC/Chevy 6.0 gasser because I might need a little juice here and there

If that’s not you or never will be Tacoma or Tundra

Angus, I’m like you on keeping them. That’s why I now drive a 10 year old, no problems, 175,000 miles, Tundra. If it dies before I do, I’ll buy another one.

Interested in the 2008 when you choose. I am biased as I work on GMC and Chevy at a dealership I've worked at for over 23 years, 32 years in the industry. My 2007 only has 194K miles.

GM doesn't make a full size truck with a 6-cylinder unless you're talking diesel half ton ... which I do NOT recommend. The little gas engine is a 4-cylinder. I wouldn't get that either but I'd buy two of those before a 3.0L.

There are quirks in every model or design. I would avoid 2020-2022 everything/any brand like you mentioned. Problems with the 6.2L crankshafts are generally limited to a section of the 2022 production and have not continued the last three years.

GM doesn't make a 6.0L gasser any more. The new gas 2500 engine is an LT-style 6.6L. NO issues whatsoever with them yet.

My choice would be a 2021 Tundra SR5 4x4 with a V8, leather and low miles.
This was the last year that Toyota produced the 5.7 I-Force engine.

I believe they are the most dependable, reliable 1/2 ton trucks on the road.

I don’t know the answers to your questions but I will say that Carmax is still an excellent used car buying/trading experience. My last three vehicles (including my current Tacoma, that I’ve had for 8 years) going back to 2002, have been purchased from Carmax. I also sold one of those back to Carmax and got way more for it than I was expecting or deserving of, and that process was also extremely hassle free. I bought a Civic SI from them in 2009 and sold it back 150,000 miles later after driving it into the ground and it finally having enough minor (non-safety/mechanical) issues than we wanted to mess with and got $4,000 for it. I bought it for $19k.

My truck was an excellent purchase. Before that and the Civic, I had bought a Mustang there that I drove like an idiot for 120,000 miles (I away in my 20s at the time) that I traded back to them for the Civic and got a good value on.

Two of my family members have also had good luck with Carmax. They don’t deal on price, but I believe the price to be fair and the vehicles they sell to be quality.

I recently bought a Z71 with the 3.0 Duramax. Only put 700 miles on it so the jury is still out. I’m a forester so about half my time in it is putting around in the woods. Fuel mileage is crazy. Dealership threw in a leveling kit and removed the air dam to give me the ground clearance I need. 100,000 mile drive train warranty. So far I love it.

Mileage on current tank of fuel is looking like the first tank was not a fluke.

I buy new now of days.

Used is almost same price

Buy whatever you like and feels best to you. There is little to no difference in all the half ton models. I would avoid the small diesels though. Wasn't a fan of the ecoboost until we got my wife's expedition and its fun to drive.

Tacoma or Tundra would be my choice.

I just went thru this. I sold a 2014 F150 with almost 250K miles on the truck. I was in a 3/4 ton before the F150. I went to the F150 because at the time the rear seat was larger than the 3/4 ton and made getting kids in and out of the truck with car seats easier. As soon as the kids were done with car seats, I wanted the 3/4 ton diesel back. I looked for almost 2 years before I found the right truck. I just couldn't make myself write a check for close to 6 figures for a new truck. So, with a mechanic I trusted I was able to find a truck in great shape that I think I can put 300-400K miles on with the proper maintenance.

With that said, I drive Ford because they are the most comfortable to me. If you are staying half ton, I think all of them are about the same. I'd try to find a low mileage used truck and take it to a mechanic you trust to have checked out. If the dealer or individual won't let you do this, pass and move on until you find one that will. I have to say I've been impressed with the small diesels in the 1/2 tons and Suburbans I've driven and ridden in. All my friends and family seem to love them. Time will tell if they will get 300-400K out of them, but I have my suspicions with all that EPA crap on them.

The diesels may require maintenance of the emissions systems to get 300,000 but they will do it. I have one of the second gen ram ecodiesels. They had some pains with this model but mine has been great with 160,000 on it. Several of them in commercial use have well over 200k with multiple in the 300-500k range from truck forums I’m on.

I currently have a 2019 F250 gasser with 254,000 on it still going strong. I did some suspension work at about 200,000 but other than oil changes that is it. Rides rougher than friends GM stuff but I don't mind that. It has pulled and hauled anything I needed it to, I would not shy away from another one if it was the best deal. I am probably buying this year at the end of the year as well and going to go with whichever deal is better between GM and Ford. I will for sure be buying another gasser, wife's truck is a Colorado with a baby diesel which is an awesome truck. Having said that, better fuel milage is not enough to compensate for higher initial price, fuel price, and higher maintenance costs.

I laughed the other night when I saw GMC advertise interest rates at 5.9% for” well qualified buyers”. No thanks.

The last 4 I’ve had were either GMC or Fords and all of them I got for 0%. Just have to pick it up at the right time of year.

As for who makes the better truck, I’m not sure. I tend to lean towards Ford, but that’s just my personal experience. Either are able to have issues.

I say find the truck you personally like the looks/drive of, wait till they throw it on 0%, then purchase an extended warranty and enjoy it.

If you do go with Ford, don’t buy the extended warranty from your local dealership. They are 2x what the ZeiglerFordESP.com will sell it for. Same factory Ford warranty good at any dealership in the USA with all Ford OEM parts. I just extended my warranty the other day. Truck has 32k miles and was gonna go out at 36k. I bumped it to 100,000miles with $100 deductible and it was $2,840. Local dealership wanted right at 6 grand for the same warranty.

Hope you enjoy the new truck!

Bought one yesterday.
I'd like to give a shoutout to Gas Guzzler for his insight and answering my questions. He's a stand-up guy and knows his stuff.

Classic Chevy in Sherman call me back Saturday morning and had some pretty good numbers on the one we bought. So we were headed to Gainesville to looks at some other trucks and stopped by to look at this one again and never left.
Had a great sales experience at Classic Chevy no sales pressure or showroom B.S. everything was straight forward and explained, I'd deal with them again.

Anyway it's a 2025 Z71 Silverado LT 4WD, V8 with more buttons and gizmos than I'll ever push. Truck came with spray in bed liner and heavy duty full floor mats something I'd have to buy buy but I'm sure i paid for them. It meets my needs and will be garage kept and hoping to get 15-16 years out of it like all my other trucks.
Adding running boards Monday.

You sporty devil you. Congratulations!

Congrats John!

Congrats!

Good looking truck, hope it’s a good one.

Well they don't call him the Gas Guzzler for nothing.

Nice looking truck.