2007 GMT-900 1500 Pickups: Many First Impressions

[Ghrankenstein]

Hello all,

A few weeks ago I attended one of the various GMT-900 Ride and Drive training events taking place across the country as we speak. Since there's a current dearth of opinions and information about these trucks, and because I always feel that GMI should contribute such material to the pool, I've done a writeup.

The information is as good as I could glean from the experience, which actually featured less driving than a normal Ride and Drive. The normal street tour was sacrificed for a trailering demonstration and for a Stabilitrak demonstration, which aren't mentioned here.

I've focused on being as informative as possible for the entire readership, but I've included a final commentary (an "Addendum") for salespeople in order to address just how crucial these trucks are to our livelihoods, and how demanding they are to thoroughly know.

As always, I hope that you guys enjoy reading this, and that it is informative. You truck gonzos might find some of it a bit insulting to your intelligence, but I've written this, ultimately, for someone who might be cross-shopping brands, and who hasn't gotten the complete picture of the factors that go into a full-size, work-ready pickup. I fully believe that those who do will end up choosing the Chevrolet or GMC.

Enough prologue, now for the articles. Thanks for reading,

Insane W. Ghrankenstein

Intro and Details:
2007 Sierra and Silverado 1500: Intro and Details

Performance and Handling:
GMT-900 Pickups: Performance and Handling

Truck Guts: More Than Just Towing and Payload
GMT-900 Pickups: More Than Just Towing and Payload

The X-Factor and Close:
GMT-900 Pickups: The X-Factor and Close

"Bonus" "Commentary:" The Role of the Salesperson
Commentary: The Role of the Salesperson

[rhvfd10]

In a word: Incredible.

Thank You!!

[plane]

Really, quite a Monster set of articles Ghrank.
It looks like GM is going to be making a killing in the marketplace.
Very frightful indeed for the competition.

[tama z71]

Wow.

That is some seriously professional work. Good stuff, Ghrank.

[Ghrankenstein]

Dudes,

I'm literally brushing away a tear at this moment. Most heartfelt thanks, under the mighty sign of Mjollnir.

Ghrank

[1969CamaroSS350]

Excellent review. Can't wait until the first comparo.

[kenman923]

I can't wait for it to come to dealerships.

[Havasavana]

I don't know what you do or what kind of sales support GM provides to its dealers, but IMO they should hire you to inspire and train sales types at dealers. Very impressive work.

[BerettaZ]

Been eagerly awaiting some feedback like this - thanks for great work.

[AndrewGS]

Good stuff man! I've been visiting the local dalers quite a bit since the 900 trucks landed inspecting their every detail. I've also been on kbb.com configuring them. I was suprised to see such a big difference in price between Crew and Extended cabs. The only faults I can find are the ever-missing under dash, glove box, ashtray and underhood lighting as well as stamping creases on Chevrolet bedsides around the wheel opening.

These new trucks are amazing! Thanks for the info.

[howpeculiar]

Ghrank,
I wish you where my dealer. In my area, both the Chevy and the GMC salesman know nothing about anything, except where the price tag is. It is continually a frustration trying to find real numbers, and answers from people that only want me to buy what is sitting outside. I was seriously looking at building an 06 DuraMax 2500 GMC, but saw a sneak peak picture of the GMt900 a few months back and decided to wait. I am very glad I did as I saw my first 900 tonight, though the dealeships around here close early on Saturday and don't open on Sunday, so I didn't get to do anything more than peak in the windows. Absolutely stunning vehicle. Crew Cab LTZ. I keep hearing that the 2500 packages will be available sometime soon, and can't wait to see them. They better be worth the wait because I have already gotten permission from my wife to buy a new truck, and I want to get the best truck I can for less than $50K, with one major caveat, I don't want carpeting on the floor. Really hope we will still be able to get the rubberized floor coatings on the GMT900, as I find it to be the most convenient in a truck. We only tow a 3800# boat and a single car trailer now, but would like to add a goosneck for a two car trailer in the next few years so we can show more than one car. Thank you for the time you spent and your very unbiased opinions. It is amazing that you where able to be so fair to the Titan, as I cannot even look at that thing without rolling my eyes. Maybe Nissan really has improved, but I still remember what they where building. We are very happy with the GM trucks we have and the ones we used to have, and we have to get a GMT900 to complete the set! (70, 72, 78, 88*, 96, 99*, 02*) Still drive the marked ones.....in fact it was oil changing day on all three of them today. Thank you again for your writeups, and I really hope I can find a salesman that is as knowledgable and committed as you are.

[Ghrankenstein]

Due to some kind of technical difficulty, this is my second typing this. That's just how dedicated I am. Perhaps I can feast upon your loved ones.

The 2007 (post January 1, 2007) Duramax, and competitive diesels, will have to comply with new emissions and have new low-sulphur diesel fuel compatibility. The changes will add around $2000-$3000 to diesel-powered pickups.

I could post an article on this, but the average customer only cares about price, and will ultimately try to sell me, my dedication, and my knowledge, out for $100 bucks on a $40,000 pickup. You read it here. Screw the others.

Ghrank

[hunchman]

I like everything I've read hear about the GMT900's and am looking forward to a new sierra.............

[silveradam18]

Our local dealer has 2 new Silverados, and I will say that they are 100 times better looking in person. I absolutely hated the pictures, they were such a disappointment for me, but seeing them in person they're clean, tough, nice looking trucks.

[howpeculiar]

Ghrank-
I wish that wasn't always so true, or that cutomers didn't always feel like they are being screwed. There has been a huge lapse in understanding between buyers and sellers in cars over the years. I saw on here somewhere that the average person thinks the dealer makes thousands of dollars on every sale. Having learned everything we can about buying cars, holdbacks, incentives, floor fees, and general overhead and shipping costs, we are constatnly amazed that anyone would still survive selling cars. On the 02 suburban (4x4 LS premium), which we paid $38K for, the dealer literally cleared $1200, total. Sounds like a lot, but it isn't. They had marked her down a bit to far, and we drove 120 miles because we found that price on the internet. We still feel bad after hashing the numbers with the salesman, but they just needed to get rid of it. How many businesses can keep the doors open earning 3%? While we have also seen deals closing with 25% profit, I would be willing to bet the 3-6% range is more comon. Dealerships must make up a lot of money in the parts / service dept. Ghrank, what do you guess the 2500 in SLE trim (or whatever the newest version of cloth with a front bench) crew cab long bed with the Duramax / Alison should fall around. I am really hoping MSRP will fall under the magic $50K number. Will they start showing up before next summer? Also, I think the color choices I am seeing on the GMT900 vehicles will help a lot. The Stealth Blue Metallic is a great color. One other question you may know the answer to concerning the back seat in the extended cab. I am still considering the extended cab, but wonder does the rear seat fold both up and down? In my 99 (classic) it folds up and down, and when folded down makes a great perch for the dog. I had noted that the 06 only folded up, not down, and that is when the crew cab became the best option, even though there is rarely more than 2 people in the truck the new one will replace. Thought you might know since the only GMT900 I have glimpsed is a CC, with a rather short bed. Thanks again.