If you buy a used Chevy Silverado, you join a family of full-size pickup truck owners that love what they drive. It’s not just the Silverado’s good looks or long-standing reliability that hook buyers year-after-year; it’s the trust that’s built into every single truck that rolls off the assembly line. That trust is evident in the Silverado’s reliability, capability, and performance. They hold up well, which is why the Silverado is a great used truck option.
The Silverado full-size pickup truck debuted way back in 1999, replacing the old C/K full-size truck series. From the moment it arrived, truck buyers rejoiced because the Silverado hit it out of the park from the first day of its launch. Interestingly, the word “Silverado” was used during the C/K production years as the name of the highest trim available. It’s a fitting transition because the Silverado is exceptional throughout its entire trim lineup.
OK, so we’ve convinced you that a used or Certified Pre-Owned Silverado is the right truck for you. What next? Things like mileage, previous owner’s usage, powertrain, and towing capacity all should factor into your decision. Here we cover some tips on the best way to go about looking for your Silverado pickup truck. From where to look to what to inspect, we’ll take you through the process step-by-step, so you end up with the best possible truck for your lifestyle.
Where to Find Your Silverado
Your perfect used Silverado is out there somewhere – you just have to find it! The best place to start is your local Chevy dealer. Why? The best used car inventory usually ends up there because vehicles are continually coming off lease and arriving by way of trade-ins. Dealers know how to inspect and preview these cars and trucks, so only the highest quality inventory ends up on their lot.
There are multiple used car apps and classified ad sites where you can browse a variety of used trucks for sale, but buyer beware! Private sellers aren’t under the same scrutiny as a dealer to disclose issues with the vehicle or transition it to a new buyer in optimum condition. That means it’s a little bit of a gamble. The upside is you might be able to negotiate a killer price, but what are you getting for the money? If you end up with a maintenance headache, you might end up wishing you would have spent a little more for a lot less hassle.
The other challenge with a private sale is logistics. Unfortunately, you have to contact the seller, set up a meeting in a safe place, test drive the truck, get an inspection, and do a lot of paperwork. These steps all contain the potential for errors, and those errors could end up being costly or even unsafe. At a dealership, you’ll have a safe, professional experience from the moment you arrive until the moment you drive off in your used Silverado. Before you scroll those apps and classified sites, ask yourself how much peace-of-mind is worth to you.
What Questions to Ask
Understandably, price is the first consideration when you’re looking for your Silverado truck. Budget is crucial so you can narrow down your choices and not get too committed to a truck that you can’t ultimately afford. There are two ways to look at the budget: first, the overall price, and second is the monthly price. If you’re paying cash, the total price matters more.
If you’re financing your truck, you’ll want to save a decent down payment and take some time to find out current used car interest rates so you can calculate your payment. Used car loans tend to have higher interest rates, so be sure to do your homework so you can find the most affordable option. Your dealer can work with you to provide the most competitive finance rates around.
After price, mileage is probably the next most important factor to consider. How old is too old? Do you want a two or three year-old off-lease truck with low miles? Remember, the lower the number on the odometer, the more you’ll pay.
Next, what options and capabilities do you need? If you’re hauling a boat or RV, you’ll want to carefully review the max towing capacity of the truck you’re considering. Towing capacity is determined by the truck’s powertrain – it’s engine and transmission, as well as axle ratio. If you’re working with a dealer, it’s as simple as disclosing the towing capacity you need. Your dealer will do the rest, making sure you only see trucks that will work.
Options like interior comfort and convenience equipment, body style (two-door, crew cab, etc.), two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and bed length are all important features to consider as well. Have your wish list ready so you can quickly sift through your choices and skip wasting your time on trucks that won’t meet your needs. The Silverado offers a lot of engine, transmission, and trim choices, so it’s crucial to spec out your ideal truck before you start shopping to avoid confusion.
Used or Certified Pre-Owned
You have a choice between a traditional used truck and a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) truck. Newer Silverados – those within the last six current model years – are eligible to receive a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) badge from an authorized Chevrolet dealer. General Motors’ GM Certified program puts these vehicles through a rigorous 171-point inspection, combing over the truck from bumper-to-bumper, under the hood, in the cabin, and around the truck bed. This ensures that when a vehicle shows up on the dealer’s lot for sale as a CPO vehicle, customers are getting the highest quality used truck available.
Remember, not all newer Silverados will qualify for CPO status. If the vehicle has been in a severe accident or has a salvage title, it’s disqualified. Chevy requires a clean CARFAX report and a clean title before it will certify a used car. If the vehicle doesn’t qualify, it’s merely a used vehicle. With that said, not all used vehicles are poor quality! If you want a model year that’s older or a truck with more than 75,000 miles, there are still amazing, high-quality options that aren’t CPO.
The only place you can buy a CPO vehicle is at an authorized Chevrolet dealership, which means you’ll automatically create a relationship for service and maintenance. Nothing beats maintaining your truck at a factory-certified repair center. You’ll know your technician is highly trained and will use only genuine Chevy parts. In fact, each CPO car comes with two free regular maintenance visits.
The bottom line is, buying a used truck can be a simple and pain-free process. Taking the guesswork and hassle out of the transaction will help you focus on the exciting part, which is driving away in your truck. With so many choices – from CPO vehicles to older used trucks or something in-between – you’re bound to find the perfect Silverado truck. Why? Chevy has sold quite literally millions of Silverado trucks since their debut in 1999, so there’s plenty of inventory available for you to choose from. Whatever you decide, if you’re lucky enough to end up with a used Chevy Silverado in your driveway, you’re going to be driving a reliable truck.
If you are in the Houston, Texas area and want to buy a used Chevy Silverado, then stop by Parkway Family Chevy. We have a vast collection of new, used, and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles for you to choose from. View our inventory online, or visit our dealership today to find your next best truck.
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