To buy or not to buy...

Bassomatic · 06-04-2005, 04:34 AM

I have been looking at Titans for some time now (year?), and seriously considering purchasing one in the next few months. Problem is, I like the GMC sierras also, and here is the rub...I can get into a Z71 Sierra for about $21k (Rebates, GM Card $$), or into an SE Titan comparably equipped for about $25-$26k (4x4, off road, big tow). The eternal question--is the Titan worth the extra $4-$5k?

I really enjoy TitanTalk--been browsing the site for several months. I just recently joined, because I am getting closer to a purchase. Anyway--your thoughts and insights are appreciated.

Chris

BTW--anyone going to the meet today in Colonial Heights / Richmond at the South Park Mall? If so, I didn't catch the time, and would like to stop out there and look at some of these great trucks.

buzzkillwill · 06-04-2005, 04:45 AM

Bass-

You didn't say whther you're looking at the KC or CC.

Either way, the Titan is a great truck. But 4 to 5K is a lot of money to be out, if you're just as happy. But to be honesty with you, I could've went a little cheaper too, but I knew I wouldn't be as happy.

Good luck in your choice. I personally think you can't go wrong with a Titan. Probably has more power than the Z71, more interior space. But the GMC is not a bad truck at all.

Tough call, but you're still welcome here no matter what!

Bassomatic · 06-04-2005, 05:05 AM

Thanks Buzz--I am looking at the KC in order to keep the price down a bit.

My wife tells me to "get the truck you WANT, don't settle". Probably good advice, and I know she thinks the styling on the GMC is boring. But, $70-$80 a month in savings is nothing to sluff off.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 06-04-2005, 05:22 AM

You really have to make the call to see if the Titan is worth the extra $$$. Opinions are a personal thing. Drive them both and see which you like better. I personally feel you'll decide on the Titan after the drive. Resale will be better on the Titan but the GMC can be had in more configurations. If you want to tow, the Titan is the more powerful truck. But as you mentioned, $80 difference a month can't be ignored....unless you're not happy with the truck. Good luck!

TOK · 06-04-2005, 05:29 AM

This is a tough call. I was originally going to get a 4x4 Silverado. It is an older design and less power than the Titan, but my buddy has a crew cab and it has been a reliable truck. It's also very comfortable for long trips.

In my case, the Titan was less expensive than the Chevy I was looking at. I had also liked the Titan from the first time I had seen them, but the Titan engine sold the truck within 5 minutes. The 5.6 feels much more eager and lively compared to the GM 5.3. Day to day drivability wouldn't be an issue, but when you decide to let it fly, the Titan is a much more willing partner in crime.

Edit to add: The GM's are a very old design, and probably due for a major update within a year or two. They do feel their age when you compare interiors to the Titan and new F-150. Everything is square and the dash is kind of cluttered.

Yomama · 06-04-2005, 06:58 AM

Como'n guys.....This is the question we all thought, not neccessarliy the same vehicle he is comparing. Me, I was comparing the Furd F150, took it for a drive, told myself I wanted to drive one of these Titan's, did that and that was when I made my decision. Of course you don't let the sales men know..... Till you get the best deal. That is most likely how most of us got here. Heck, there wasn't a Titan or such to even compete 3 years ago, so ALL of us had thought about other vehicles. Right?
Drive them both......then decide.

Vector · 06-04-2005, 07:14 PM

If you check posts on what we drove before the Titan, a lot of us had what I will now officially deem "American trucks". I must admit I am guilty of this sin also. But I am happy to say I have seen the light and at the end of that dark tunnel was a White Nissan Titan CC. I would recommend buying the Titan, personally I think you will be a lot happier in the long run.

stick · 06-04-2005, 07:34 PM

personally i think you can get a kc for a little cheaper than that. but when it comes down to it really 2 major things will make it worth your payment--

1. 'does it do what you need it to do' (i.e., haul trailer, kids, rocks, your mom, whatever) or 'which one does it better'?
2. 'does it make you SMILE A LOT'

or 'which one makes you smile BIGGER'!!!!!!

whatever truck you can answer yes to for those questions will make the truck payment worth it. this is especially true if you plan on keeping the truck after you are done paying for it--buy what you love so you love it down the road!!

ps---GET THE TITAN!!!

Treebasher · 06-04-2005, 07:37 PM

WOW... $5,000 is a lot of money. If I had that option when I bought the Titan I would have gone for the Chev(it is a very nice truck). A truck plus a nice toy like a 4 wheeler, snowmobile, small boat, etc. would have been worth more than the Titan itself.

However, after driving the Titan for 20,000 miles, I would have to flip a coin.

ciron28 · 06-04-2005, 07:56 PM

Get the Titan. You won't be sorry. The best truck on the market. Period!!!!!

Travis

4x4creature · 06-04-2005, 08:16 PM

I believe that the Titan does get better fuel milage than the chevy even if its only 2-4 miles per gallon , that in itself would help offset the cost differance over a 4 year period depending how many miles you drive per week, if you are saving 4 dollars a fill-up x that 4.5= @ 2.00 a gallon... well you get the picture.Also check the insurance differance, you maybe saving a few more bucks due to a much lower theft rate.
Its the cost of ownership that really matters plus the smile factor.

BCTitan · 06-04-2005, 08:54 PM

I just moved into my 05 Titan LE 4x4 CC from a 93 Chevy ext cab. I researched for a year before making my decision. I knew I wanted a 4 door truck, but did look at Z71 ext cab as well. I debated on what I needed out of the truck---1. interior room--Titan won, over all 4 door trucks. 2. engine-- Titan was second to the Dodge Hemi, but won due to interior room. 3. Towing-- Titan won, largest towing in class. 4. Luxury items-- one would think maybe the new F150, but the LE by comparison had more equipment than Lariat. 5. 4x4-- no brainer, everybody has one. I really don't use the truck bed for much hauling, I tow a 19 ft, 200 hp bass boat, so the interior space was a big plus. And, the only truck with 305 hp AND a 5 speed transmission? How cool is that?! Here in the mid south, I did comparison shopping among the trucks, and for the most part, the top of the line Titan was still almost $1800 LESS than the competitions similar models. It at first seemed unusual driving a full size Nissan, but I have heard a LOT of comments, and it does draw attention.

titanwild · 06-04-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassomatic

I have been looking at Titans for some time now (year?), and seriously considering purchasing one in the next few months. Problem is, I like the GMC sierras also, and here is the rub...I can get into a Z71 Sierra for about $21k (Rebates, GM Card $$), or into an SE Titan comparably equipped for about $25-$26k (4x4, off road, big tow). The eternal question--is the Titan worth the extra $4-$5k?

Chris

Chris,
Bought my Titan in April 04 after much comparison shopping, paid $1500 more than best deal I could get on a Chevy/GM. Had all the rebates, discount all figured in. Sounds like the $4-5K may be due to the one year change in discounts, but I would still work on 'em a bit more.
Good Luck,

Dale

sc186 · 06-04-2005, 10:33 PM

4-5K is a lot of money. It's not like Z-71's are dog turds. I'd go for the Cheby for the price difference.

However, you should be able to find an SE KC for lower than 26K.

All of my buddies drive GM trucks and they have been overall happy with their choices. Although one who just got rid of a 2002 LOADED Silverado was having several problems: Tranny slipping, piston slap, rear window replaced twice for leaking and several QC problems with the interior. Another has put 75K miles on his in the past few years and has only had one mentionable prob. That being a 'faulty' fuel injector left him crawling along the side of the freeway.

My Titan has over 20K in the past 1.5 years and has been a gem except for the brake judder at about 7K.

Good luck.

DallasTitan · 06-05-2005, 04:10 PM

Here's a bit of news for BASS and everyone else:
The redesigned Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra will be on display at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show(barring any last min. plan changes).
This will be the all new 2007 Chevrolet/GMC/Cadillac GMT900 platform. It is a very timely arrival for GM, whose trucks/SUVs are long in the tooth and short on meeting new safety and NHTSA standards. Not to mention the fact that this coincides with the introduction of the new Tundra!

To answer BASS' question, I'd go with the Titan. Can you imagine, in little over a year your Chevy's going to be called "The Old Model".....Ouch.........! And you'll still be paying those payments on it for years to come.