This writer has driven Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks since 1973, with one small detour.
That was in 1984, when we bought a Chevy S-10 Blazer to adjust to the fact that we had two small children and the Blazer was needed to carry the family comfortably. That was of course before pickup trucks were made with expanded cabins and added rear seats. Those extended cab pickups became the rage and really caught on. At an outdoor writer’s retreat in Maryland in the 1980s, a Chevrolet regional manager told me that during that year, General Motors sold more teal-colored extended cab pickups than Cadillacs.
There is no question that today’s pickup truck has evolved a long way over time and the comfort features that were once limited to luxury cars are now virtually standard on pickup trucks. Air conditioning, state-of-the-art sound systems, heated seats, heated steering wheels, and custom high-grade fabric are found on most pickup trucks sold today. But all those improvements have come with a steep increase in sticker prices and trucks can easily top $80,000 with all the bells and whistles.
My vehicle needs are simple. Since my bird dogs ride in the cab on trips, we need comfort and a smooth, quiet ride. The back seat space is needed for accommodating my guiding clients and there needs to be a place for all the associated hunting or fishing gear.
You do sacrifice fuel economy with a truck, but during the 90,000-plus miles that this 2016 Silverado LT has traveled since it was purchased – used, with 30,000 miles on the odometer – it has averaged well over 19 miles per gallon, with around town being 17-18, and trips well over 20.
The best add-on is the DECKED drawer system in the bed which holds a ton of gear, including guns, ammo, boots, extra clothes, fishing rods, food and all the stuff that usually ends up in the back seat. It has become the perfect “outdoorsperson” vehicle for me and has carried me in comfort to Illinois, Nova Scotia and countless excursions to throughout New England and New York.
It also does “truck things” like going to the landfill, hauling my John Deere lawn tractor places to mow or get serviced, and of course, picking up whatever piece of furniture my wife has purchased. The latter is very important.
At around 90,000 miles, my mind began to think about updating the Silverado, which had been an “off-lease” vehicle. So many vehicles are now leased that there are many available after typically 30,000 miles of use and these tend to be in good condition and well-maintained. It was perfect.
However, in late 2025, when the update plan was suggested to the “Chancellor of the Exchequer,” she questioned the wisdom of the move at that time and it historically has not been a good idea to question her.
Unfortunately, events since then driven by the administration’s economic policies have created chaos in many marketplaces, both here and in other countries. The result has been uncertainty in the automobile industry which caused prices to skyrocket. A significant portion of the production of pickup trucks, particularly by General Motors, has been in Canada and the ripple effect was not good news for this consumer.
Recently, however, the odometer reading, which is now 118,000, has led me again to consider replacing the truck, and this week Chevrolet dealer incentives have got me thinking again. My mind tells me to do something now or drive the truck for another 100,000 miles.
When I ask myself what I will have after spending a serious hunk of cash, it appears that the difference will be heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a larger viewing screen. This truck has been absolutely perfect and runs great. In my opinion, if you change oil religiously and keep ahead on all maintenance, a truck will last and all mine have given me trouble-free service.
The new incentives that include cash back or low interest rates have gotten my attention. My opinion to never buy a new vehicle again may be revisited when the cost of owning “new” versus “low mileage used” is reviewed.
There have been trips to car dealers over this period, but none have been willing to offer what is my opinion of fair value for my truck. I have done research and followed the trade-in and retail value of the vehicle. Time has been spent checking online car sales operations. When you check out a vehicle online you can expect a call or email from a dealership salesperson. One sticking point has been my preference for the 5.3-liter V8 engine. The new four-cylinder and six-cylinder turbo engines do not fit my kind of driving.
The best economic solution for me is clear. That would be selling the truck in a private sale and then negotiating the best price on a 30,000-to-50,000-mile used Silverado. Of course, that involves more work and risk on my part. There is also a part of me that believes that with the Supreme Court declaring tariffs illegal, there will be settlement money going to General Motors and you have to wonder what that could mean over the next several months.
My truck rides and runs great right now and it does not seem to make financial sense to spend that kind of money when even major repairs will cost far less over the next couple of years. A true dilemma.