I was pretty set on getting a 4th gen sierra denali but after reading and talking to some friends it seems like those years had bad transmissions. I'm still not fully opposed to getting one with the mindset of having to spend 3k to replace it at some point but I'd like to hear what y'all have to say.

If you were looking for a used truck something less than 50k miles and had a 40k budget what would you be going for?

Probably a pre-pandemic 2019 Toyota Tundra 1794 edition with the naturally aspirated V8 Engine.

Either that or a 2018-2020 Ford F150 Lariat Edition with the V8 Engine with the tow package.

$3k won't even get you a GM built transmission. It's not the transmission itself that causes issues, but the OE calibration. A custom tune from somebody that is well versed with 6 speed is needed. The other mechanical issue is AFM, the true fix for it is some 1998 lifters and cam. The other issue with GM trucks is how often they're stolen and your Denali would be a prime target in any major Texas city.

I'd go F150 5.0, slap a blower on if you want the ****er to fly

silverado_lover said:

---

$3k won't even get you a GM built transmission. It's not the transmission itself that causes issues, but the OE calibration. A custom tune from somebody that is well versed with 6 speed is needed. The other mechanical issue is AFM, the true fix for it is some 1998 lifters and cam. The other issue with GM trucks is how often they're stolen and your Denali would be a prime target in any major Texas city.

I'd go F150 5.0, slap a blower on if you want the ****er to fly

---

Username does NOT check out.

silverado_lover said:

---

$3k won't even get you a GM built transmission. It's not the transmission itself that causes issues, but the OE calibration. A custom tune from somebody that is well versed with 6 speed is needed. The other mechanical issue is AFM, the true fix for it is some 1998 lifters and cam. The other issue with GM trucks is how often they're stolen and your Denali would be a prime target in any major Texas city.

I'd go F150 5.0, slap a blower on if you want the ****er to fly

---

Username does NOT check out.

He stays in his GMT400-800 lane

Real recognize real

Does it have to be used? You're in base new truck territory that comes with a warranty, and you'll know the full history of the vehicle. Plus, it will run 50k more miles than a truck with 50k already on the odometer.
https://www.bluebonnetchryslerdodge.net/inventory/new-2023-ram-1500-lone-star-4x2-crew-cab-1c6rreft3pn619918/

I would look into a 5.7 Tundra, the new one with the sissyfied v6 is not as good as being advertised. If you find one with a decent amount of miles ie..20 to 40k I wouldn't hesitate especially if you don't drive that many miles, I drive mine to at least 300k before looking for a new one and I'm almost halfway there on my 2019 so when the day comes I will be deciding on a new brand because I will not be driving that Lil unreliable v6. Good luck

agnerd said:

---

Does it have to be used? You're in base new truck territory that comes with a warranty, and you'll know the full history of the vehicle. Plus, it will run 50k more miles than a truck with 50k already on the odometer.
https://www.bluebonnetchryslerdodge.net/inventory/new-2023-ram-1500-lone-star-4x2-crew-cab-1c6rreft3pn619918/

---

I just about agree with you. Five years ago a truck with 50k miles you get about a 50% discount. Now, its closer to 25% discount.

But its good to stay at a reasonable 40k budget, and I think you can get a lot more truck if its used than new at that price.

Wyoming said:

---

agnerd said:

---

Does it have to be used? You're in base new truck territory that comes with a warranty, and you'll know the full history of the vehicle. Plus, it will run 50k more miles than a truck with 50k already on the odometer.
https://www.bluebonnetchryslerdodge.net/inventory/new-2023-ram-1500-lone-star-4x2-crew-cab-1c6rreft3pn619918/

---

I just about agree with you. Five years ago a truck with 50k miles you get about a 50% discount. Now, its closer to 25% discount.

But its good to stay at a reasonable 40k budget, and I think you can get a lot more truck if its used than new at that price.

---

I've never had a car with cloth seats and don't plan to ever. Also I only drive about 10k miles per year, if that because of work. So the odometer isn't a huge concern with me so much as getting as much truck as possible within my budget.

He's not lyin.. mine was stolen. These trucks are stolen more than 2x as much as any other brand.

Since my GM truck was stolen, I started following a page dedicated to stolen vehicles in the Houston area. At least 90% of the posts are GM products.

Even if you have comprehensive, it's still a major hassle. Mine was stolen 8/25, haven't heard anything from insurance other than "is your truck still missing?" since 8/29. Thankfully I was too busy to sell my Golf in August.

So I recently went through this process of trying to find a new truck or Tahoe/Yukon with less than 50K miles for $40K or less. They're very few and far between, at least for the trim levels I was looking at. Ended up going with a 2021 Nissan Titan Platinum Reserve with 26,000 miles for $43,000. Absolutely loaded and I really like it. Not the name brand of the Ford/Chevy/GMC/Dodge, but bang for the buck, it is really hard to beat. The interior on the platinum reserve is top notch. Worth looking into.

Savior Jimbo said:

---

Wyoming said:

---

agnerd said:

---

Does it have to be used? You're in base new truck territory that comes with a warranty, and you'll know the full history of the vehicle. Plus, it will run 50k more miles than a truck with 50k already on the odometer.
https://www.bluebonnetchryslerdodge.net/inventory/new-2023-ram-1500-lone-star-4x2-crew-cab-1c6rreft3pn619918/

---

I just about agree with you. Five years ago a truck with 50k miles you get about a 50% discount. Now, its closer to 25% discount.

But its good to stay at a reasonable 40k budget, and I think you can get a lot more truck if its used than new at that price.

---

I've never had a car with cloth seats and don't plan to ever. Also I only drive about 10k miles per year, if that because of work. So the odometer isn't a huge concern with me so much as getting as much truck as possible within my budget.

---

Yep, to me leather is generally cooler than cloth.

My buddy bought a Tundra like the one I described in my original post, and he really likes it. I trust his judgment so much, and he like it over the F150 and he has had 2 or 3 before it.

Personally, I like the Lariat because there is a little more front seat room, at least it feels like there is to me. Also, you can get the grey or beige leather in the Lariat, which I think is cooler in the Texas heat than a dark leather interior or even the peanut leather in the Tundra.

If getting the V8 F150, I would also try to get the 3.71 gear ratio. It makes a big difference with any kind of load, but you might sacrifice a mile per gallon compared to the 3.3 gear ratio. Also get the extended gas tank, and if you fill up with ultra premium, you will get a range of about 550 miles before your next fillup. I would also get the tow package, as I like the larger mirrors on the tow package, those are nice! Towing helps too, especially with the 3.71 gear ratio.

I wouldn't bother getting a sunroof, just a pain. I have gone through a lot of F150's over the years, and buy them for my company and engineers, and I never get the base model, I