GM loyalist won over!

[marbribro]

Hello all,

New member here. A little history...

First test drove the Tundra 5/06 at Toyota's big marketing push at an agriculture trade show. Was so impressed that I made another test drive a few weeks later in Denver. I've been sold ever since. Recently purchased 2007 SR5 Crewmax with most available options and 9000 miles from individual.

As hard as it is to admit (being a lifelong GM driver), this pickup is twice that of my 2001 GMC 1/2 ton. It reminds me of my 1997 GMC 1/2 ton that was the best pickup I ever drove. Toyota appears to have picked up on what GM used to know.

I'm one of the first owners of a Tundra in my small rural community with only Ford and GM dealers. It is getting plenty of looks by people in agriculture that use a pickup much harder than I do. While very satisfied so far, the true test will be how well it holds up after a few years of use. A friend of mine says the true test will be if I buy the second one!

The pickup has extendable mirrors that are very effective, but not a good match for my 8 1/2' garage doors. (Yes, I did think of this before buying!) Would there be anyone out there will to swap for the normal sized mirrors? Would need to be the electric adjustable with heat, perhaps from a Limited edition Tundra.

Hope all have a great Father's Day!

[turnandburn]

Welcome to the site. Im sure there will be someone here that will do a trade with you.

[marbribro]

Thanks for the reply. I'm on the fence about swapping mirrors. Love the looks and the view, but the thought of manually moving the mirrors each time in and out of the garage does not appeal to me. I can get in without moving the mirrors, but see a wreck coming if I don't fold one in. I also wonder if they will become loose over time with this practice.

[turnandburn]

I don't think you'll have to worry about them loosening up, but ya i hear ya about folding them in every time.

[dale124]

It's funny you mention your 1997 gmc being the best truck you ever had.
I just replaced my '97 gmc sierra on Wednesday for an '08 Tundra double cab.
Love it, Love it, Love it!!! Enjoy your new baby.

[marbribro]

Wish I still had the '97 GMC today. Unfortunately, the great white hail stones ruined the appearance. Couldn't force myself to look at it or make the decision (economically) to fix it. I don't find many of that model GM's for sale - because they are still on the road!! Hope the Tundra turns out to be as good of a value.

[ramoine]

Welcome to the forum!

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by marbribro

Wish I still had the '97 GMC today. Unfortunately, the great white hail stones ruined the appearance. Couldn't force myself to look at it or make the decision (economically) to fix it. I don't find many of that model GM's for sale - because they are still on the road!! Hope the Tundra turns out to be as good of a value.

Welcome to the site and enjoy your ride....I had a 98 Silverado 3rd door. Had it in the shop twice... Once at 800 for the A/C fan replacement. The other at 98,000 to replace A/C unit... It was a great truck and I would still haven't since I was hit from behind and totalled....Funny thing I was hit by a GM van which was totalled also. He was hit by a Tacoma....

[marbribro]

Out of curiosity, did you consider a GM product? What do you think of the new models? I did not even drive a new one. Frankly, I was disappointed in the drop in quality beginning with the '99 model year. My 2001 felt like 1/4 ton pickup compared to the '97 1/2 ton. I only compared it to a Tundra at Toyota's test drive a couple of years ago. Honestly I hope GM recovers. They know how to build one, I suspect they have chosen not to as of late.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by marbribro

Out of curiosity, did you consider a GM product? What do you think of the new models? I did not even drive a new one. Frankly, I was disappointed in the drop in quality beginning with the '99 model year. My 2001 felt like 1/4 ton pickup compared to the '97 1/2 ton. I only compared it to a Tundra at Toyota's test drive a couple of years ago. Honestly I hope GM recovers. They know how to build one, I suspect they have chosen not to as of late.

I had an 06 Silverado Ext Cab LT3 in Black with slate leather. 8x headliner came down, both tail lights fell off going down the highway and scuffed both fenders. 2x for ABS brakes on the rear. The vibration was evident 2 days later. First time cleaned the second turned rotors and drums...Went through Arbitration on the headliner and lost...Factory rep accused me of pulling down headliner 3x. I was told replacement was forthcoming but they failed to mention it was another headliner. This was from arbitrator to get replacement if headliner camed down the 7th time. Well I can only take so much B/S. I tried with the state's attorney and I can see it was going to take forever an a day...I will not use BBB again...That was a total failure with arbitration Lemon Law. Everytime I called GM they wanted to know if I owned another GM product... Even when I traded the truck in I got the run around trying to turn in the extended warranty to get refunded. After arguing I was told 4 to 6 weeks to get refund...Got it on the begining of the 8th week... I will never again go to GM for anything...Sad to say I went through their GM mechanics school in 76-77... I let them know I would buy a Dodge before them.

[Mickey]

Not to mention the wife traded her car in for an 07 Prius and I test drove a Crewmax and said I'm going to get the GM sh*t and be back to get rid of it...So be it 07 Crewmax Limited....Once I find pics of my 98 I will post them for you...here's the 06 crap...

[marbribro]

Wow... It pains me to hear that story. Do you think GM woke up with their current models (2007 and newer)? They still look to be built pretty light to me.

I'm in a small rural ag community with GM and Ford dealers. Both have a loyal following and there is some value to having a dealer close by when problems arise. But if they aren't willing to back it up, it doesn't matter how close the dealer is, huh? A true test of reliability would be to give a pickup to a farmer. (I can say that coming from a farm once myself!) I have got the second Tundra in the area in the last few months. I compared notes with the other owner who is a farmer. He is very impressed so far. Has the 4.7L and tells me that I will never need the power of my 5.7L. He is right - I use mine more like a car than a truck. I was very impressed at the book value of my used 2007 compared to GM, Ford or Dodge. Is the difference in quality already showing up in the used market in your area?

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by marbribro

Wow... It pains me to hear that story. Do you think GM woke up with their current models (2007 and newer)? They still look to be built pretty light to me.

I'm in a small rural ag community with GM and Ford dealers. Both have a loyal following and there is some value to having a dealer close by when problems arise. But if they aren't willing to back it up, it doesn't matter how close the dealer is, huh? A true test of reliability would be to give a pickup to a farmer. (I can say that coming from a farm once myself!) I have got the second Tundra in the area in the last few months. I compared notes with the other owner who is a farmer. He is very impressed so far. Has the 4.7L and tells me that I will never need the power of my 5.7L. He is right - I use mine more like a car than a truck. I was very impressed at the book value of my used 2007 compared to GM, Ford or Dodge. Is the difference in quality already showing up in the used market in your area?

When I was trying to get myheadliner fix they gave me an 07 LT which wasn't anywhere my LT3 was. I thought LT meant alot of extras in it and I was wrong about that... My LT3 was a combination of the LT and LT2 together. The only thing that was great was the way the back doors opened. I'm not sure if they have any problems with the hinges but one would assumed they might. Also the ride was very good. That was all I can get out of a LT version...I expected leather and Bose like the 06...That wasn't the case. I would have been better off in a Avalanche but I didn't like the mpg's on that and that back piece leaks water after opening it several times. The only GM I would go for and would think seriously about is the Intimidator SS. that's what drew me to the dealers after the wife seeing it and said go for it...I wasn't about to buy a truck without test driving one...The closest one was over 400 miles away and they didn't want to help me with it unless I bought it unseen. I even ask the salesman would he do that...he said no so WHY would you ask me????

[Mickey]

Sorry not to finish but we saw that LT3 in black was what I wanted and it had electric seat heaters and a cold February and the salesman turned it on and warmed the wife's butt and she said sold.... That's how I got that one...

[jbk23]

Welcome to the forum!