When you’re shopping for a new vehicle, it can be so tempting to head straight to the dealership and ask to only see the newest models on the lot. However, if you’re shopping for a truck, you may want to rethink that strategy and start considering buying a slightly older model truck – not only will you save money simply on the purchase price, but you may also wind up getting way more bang for your buck in terms of high-level features and amenities than you could ever hope to afford in a brand-new model. Why not take a minute to explore some of the great benefits of buying a used Chevy Silveradoin Cincinnati? It could save you a lot of money and cost you barely anything in terms of sacrificing all of the modern amenities found in newly released Silverados.
Lest you think that it’s a 2013 Chevy Silverado or bust, let us reassure you that the 2007-2012 Chevy Silverados still pack a powerful punch. In fact, the 2007 Chevy Silverado was named that year’s MotorTrend Truck of the Year, thanks in large part to “a number of measurable improvements in refinement and fuel-economy, such as a 5.3 liter V-8 engine that can shift into V-4 mode for greater mileage per gallon, and an optional interior that offers near-luxury car levels of comfort and equipment. The Motor Trend team also noted a tremendous improvement in perceived quality throughout the new Silverado.”
You may be wondering about the power behind the older generation Silverados – after all, you don’t want to invest in a car or truck that can’t keep up with their newer counterparts. Fortunately, Chevy Silverados are built to last – and their engines are built to remain powerful long after they’ve been listed as new inventory.
Of course, being top of the class in 2007 doesn’t mean that the vehicle stopped improving in subsequent years. 2008 saw satellite radio become standard across all of the Silverado’s models, and the addition of two new exterior paint options (Deep Ruby Metallic and Dark Cherry Metallic) lived up the 2008’s style. The 2009 Silverado was introduced with a new and beastly 6.2-liter engine, along with an XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy) model, while the 2010 and 2011 models continued to offer both drivers and passengers enhanced interior amenities. 2012 Chevy Silverados may look slightly different thanks to their refreshed front-end styles, but the bones of the truck once crowned Truck of the Year remain the same. No matter which model year you choose, you can remain confident that from 2007 to 2013, the Chevy Silverado was and has remained one of the best-in-class models on the market.
If you’re wanting to buy a new Silverado but can’t justify spending the cash, why not scope out the newest model in the previous generation of Silverados?. A mere five years old, the 2013 Chevy Silverado was originally offered with a regular cab, extended cab or crew cab option – just like the 2018 Silverados on the market today. The Silverados of 2013 also came with wide range of trim types, including the top-trim LTZ, which equipped the truck with features such as Bluetooth capability, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory settings, remote engine start, dual-zone automatic climate control, an automatic-dimming mirrors, a power outlet, a Bose sound system and 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats. In fact, the only giveaway the 2013 Chevy Silverado is an older model vehicle is the addition of the six-disc CD changer. You may be surprised to find out that the 2013 Chevy Silverado LTZ very much holds its own against the 2018 Silverado trim levels – but the 2013 will certainly cost you quite a bit less, simply due to the five-year age gap in the models.
And herein lies the most compelling reason to buy a used Chevy Silverado – Silverados are some of the most customizable vehicles on the market and there are a variety of packages and features that can be added to the trucks. So if you know that you’d love to drive a truck that has, say, skid plates, 18-inch wheels and off-road suspension, all you have to do is find a pre-owned Silverado that the previous owner equipped with the Z71 Off-Road package. You’ll save a bundle by piggybacking off of the package that the first owner had to pay full price for. Other available options and packages that you can find on the 2013 Chevy Silverados include sunroofs, towing packages, EZ-Lift tailgates, rear-seat entertainment systems, navigation systems, power-sliding rear windows and rearview cameras. There’s also the All-Star package, which nets you a locking rear differential, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 5.3-liter V8 engine, and the EZ-Lift tailgate, in addition to other great features. For those drivers who worry about fuel consumption, don’t think that driving an older model truck will make it less fuel efficient – simply opt for the XFE trim. XFE stands for Extra Fuel Economy and the trim will turn a two-wheel drive 5.3-liter V8 crew cab into a fuel-sipper thanks to the trims lighter-weight aluminum components and specially designed, unique aerodynamic enhancements.
The 2013 Chevy Silverado comes with three engine options. There’s the 4.3-liter V6 that comes standard on the Silverado and generates 195 horsepower and gets up to 260 pound-feet of torque, the 4.8-liter V8 that produces an impressive 302 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, the 5.3-liter V8 that churns out 315 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque, and finally there is the beastly 6.2-liter V8 engine option. Choose the top-of-the-line 6.2-liter V8 if you want to get your Silverado cruising with up to 403 horses galloping out from under the hood, coupled with 417-pound-feet of serious torque. There are many options when it comes to choosing your engines, such as automatic or manual transmission and front or wheel-rear drive options, so before you shop for your 2013 Chevy Silverado, be sure you know what conditions you’ll be taking your truck into and be prepared to search for a model that meets the criteria you need in such a powerful machine. It’s easy to either over-buy or under-buy your engine, so be sure you’re confident that you can tackle your commute no matter which engine/transmission option you choose.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss fuel economy. While the many configurations of the Silverado can obviously change the estimates a fair bit, a V6 Silverado with rear-wheelDrive has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 15 miles per gallon in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The 5.3-liter V8 will get an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Additionally, the 2013 Chevy Silverado is able to tow up to 10,700 pounds (once properly equipped), so you’ll want to be sure to factor that extra weight into your fuel calculations if you plan to utilize the tow function frequently.
One frequent concern that buyers have when they shop for a used model is that of safety – primarily, is the safety technology so outdated as to be rendered effectively useless when compared to the newer models? Fortunately, this is an unfounded worry. The 2013 Chevy Silverado has a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is available not only with the standard safety technology including antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control and OnStar but the trucks are also equipped with multiple airbags to protect both the front and rear passengers. Additionally, it is possible to find 2013 Chevy Silverados that are equipped with rearview cameras and rear parking sensors for extra added protection.
As if there weren’t enough reasons to buy a slightly older-model Silverado, it’s important to consider reliability. One issue that new-car buyers frequently run into is that of recalls or possibly just poor design and construction, leading to many expensive and time-consuming trips to the mechanic. When you buy a used car, you can easily research the model to see if there have been any issues attributed to the car or truck in question. Fortunately, if you’re shopping for a 2013 Chevy Silverado, you can rest assured that you’re buying one of the most reliable on the road – evidenced by the four out of five reliability ranking bestowed upon the truck by J.D. Power and Associates.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
