Truck Talk: Buying a Used Chevy Truck

General Motors produces trucks and SUVs like no other company. The Chevrolet brand name has something special behind it, and its vehicles are built with longevity in mind; it is amazing how many old Chevy’s you’ll still see on the road today. More exciting than this, however, is how many new and modern Chevy models are now available to purchase as used vehicles; take a stroll through the Chevy used truck sales in your area, and you may have a hard time believing that some of those vehicles are actually used. So what are the best Chevy trucks to buy used? Let’s take a look.

The 2019 Silverado

Surprised? Probably not. The Silverado is one of the most iconic and durable trucks of all time. While it has never been better than in its new and upcoming models, this truck is not hurting for performance capability in used models. If you’re looking for a used but recent Silverado, 2019 is the year to buy.

The 2019 Silverado was released as “all-new” and deserved this title, seeing as the 2019 model is up to 450 pounds lighter than previous models, making it a more nimble and flexible vehicle. The mysterious part of this, though, is that the 2019 model had larger dimensions, including wheelbase and overall length. So how was the weight so drastically decreased? Thanks to a fully boxed steel frame that weighs 88 pounds under its predecessor and still offering ten-percent greater torsional rigidity, the 2019 model was able to lose some weight and gain some inches. This combination of increased dimensions and decreased weight make for an exciting and free ride in the 2019 Silverado.

Just to make things more exciting, the 2019 Silverado has six engine and transmission options, and at maximum performance with the 6.2-liter V8 engine, the vehicle can reach up to 420 horsepower and 460 pounds-feet of torque. Those are numbers still highly competitive with new Silverado models, so you certainly will not be hurting for performance on the 2019 model. When performing at highly-impressive numbers such as those, especially if the vehicle is being used as a family vehicle, a big question that comes up is safety. Of course, Chevrolet is a true leader in vehicle safety technology; the 2019 is not missing much in the safety technology (as well as the entertainment technology) department and even comes standard with Chevy Teen Driver!

The moral of the story is that a used 2019 Silverado will have you riding just about as nice as a new Silverado would. And if you’re looking to get off the road a little bit, the Trail Boss trim will equip your 2019 Silverado with everything it needs to tear it up off the road. The Silverado has always been a leader; it has stood out for a long time, and therefore its used models are still highly competitive even among new models.

The 2016 Colorado

The Silverado is a fantastic truck, but not everybody needs something quite that big. Sometimes a midsize pickup is a much better fit, and that is where the Chevy Colorado comes in! Going back a few years to 2016, the Colorado was building upon the excitement of the award-winning 2015 model year to make some additions and refinements, taking the vehicle to an even more award-worthy level.

In 2016, the spunky Colorado truck added the 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine, giving the vehicle a wider range of abilities. The diesel component of this engine is a huge benefit and will certainly pay off as time goes on. Thanks to its high functionality, the Duramax provides the 2016 Colorado with a maximum torque capability of 369 pounds-feet. While this engine was the newest addition to the vehicle, if horsepower is what you need, you’ll want a 2016 Colorado equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 engine, which reaches up to 305 horsepower. Of course, choosing the right engine is vital on any vehicle, especially on a pickup, and even more so on a midsize pickup. The difference between engines can be significant differences in horsepower and torque; the exciting thing is that the Colorado gives you plenty of options, and you’ll be able to find something that suits your needs!

Because the Colorado is a midsize pickup, its mission is to find the balance between work and play. Its careful design seeks to provide an environment conducive to full-blown work duties, family fun, and even off-roading adventure. Finding this balance involves getting the vehicle’s dynamics and sizing just right, so the 2016 model strives to keep overall mass down by using lightweight materials, as seen in its aluminum hood. Closely related to the importance of weight is the importance of aerodynamics, which are enhanced in the 2016 model by active aero grille shutters.

There is so much to be said about the Colorado. Like all Chevy vehicles, there is more behind the Colorado than meets the eye. Some of it can only be understood by getting behind the wheel and driving it for yourself. You’ll certainly enjoy the Colorado on the road, but you may enjoy it even more off the road. Yes, the Colorado is known for its off-roading capability, which leads us to our next pick.

The 2018 Colorado ZR2

Making its big debut in 2018, the Colorado ZR2 took the already-capable midsize pickup and turned it into a true off-roading vehicle. Having offered the most off-road technology of any vehicle in its class at the time, the 2018 Colorado ZR2 is not merely an off-roading trim but is indeed a whole new Colorado designed to be a true off-road vehicle.

Whatever the adventure is, whether it’s rock climbing, desert racing, or just the commute to work, the Colorado ZR2 is designed to handle it. With some very familiar engine options compared to our previous discussion of the Colorado, this off-roader is revved up and ready to go. But if the engine choices are the same, then what’s different?

The Colorado ZR2 has a suspension advantage of 2 inches over the standard Colorado. Add to this front and rear locking differentials, Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve dampers, iron control arms, and rock sliders, and you’ve got yourself a true off-road truck. Off-roading is only effective if the foundation is effective, which is why the 2018 Colorado ZR2 is built with 17 X 8-inch aluminum wheels and made trail-ready with 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires. To the untrained eye, the ZR2 may look just like any other Colorado, but anyone who knows the vehicle will see that this is a Colorado that accentuates all the right features to provide a thrilling off-road experience for drivers.

Other Vehicles to Consider

If you think you’re looking for a truck but aren’t quite sure, you may want to look at some of Chevy’s other large vehicles. If the pickup bed is not the most important thing to you, but you want a large vehicle with excellent cargo space, then either the Suburban or the Tahoe could be an excellent choice. These infamous siblings are two of the most impressive SUVs on the market, and the storage space in a used Suburban is hard to beat. If you’re looking for a midsize vehicle that you can take off the road, then take a look at the Blazer or the Trailblazer; these exciting CUVs are manageable in size with an eye toward athleticism. Chevy knows what it is doing, and anything you look at will prove to be excellently crafted, capable, and durable.

Truck Talk

The three words “Used Chevy truck” may actually be the keyword when it comes to purchasing a vehicle; with the excellence and durability of these trucks, as well as the reduced prices, you will likely find that a used Chevy truck is an investment that pays off dividends as time goes on. But, you have to decide that for yourself. Whenever you’re ready to make a move, we’ll be ready to hand over the keys so you can go for a drive. Just let us know.