Well, another Christmas has come and gone and it is time to prepare for what will hopefully be a great New Year. But before we close the curtain on 2008, we would like to go over some of the highlights and low points of this past years vehicle selections. This year has been a tough year for all manufacturers, but a few of them managed to rise to the top, while others were scrapping the barrel just hoping to find a few customer scraps thrown their way. We will begin our review with the best and worst of the trucks.
BEST: 2008 Chevrolet Silverado
2008 Chevrolet Silverado LT, Z71 Crew Cab, originally uploaded by findcardealersJust about every reviewer this year would agree that the Chevrolet Silverado deserves top honors in the truck category. The Silverado is both a practical and functional work truck. For 2008, the Silverado featured a new and improved ride, better interior quality, increased durability, and greater reliability for 2008. While the Toyota Tundra was right on its tail, the V8 powerhouse version of the Tundra received less than stellar reviews on reliability, so we proudly gave the award over to the Silverado.
For an average cost of under $30,000, the Silverado offers all the power, towing capability, and payload handling that a full-size truck is supposed to. Yeah, it has nice looks, a great ergonomic interior, but for those looking for a truck to USE as well as show, then the Silverado is certain worthy of your consideration. There are a number of cab configurations to choose from to customize your needs, such as a long or short bed and a two or four-wheel drive option. Here are the specifics:
Vehicle: Silverado 4-Door Pickup
Base Price: $18,000 to $39,150
Available Engines:
3.0 liter V-6, 195 horsepower, 260 lb-ft torque
4.8 liter V-8, 295 horsepower, 305 lb-ft torque
5.3 liter V-8, 315 horsepower, 338 lb-ft torque
6.0 liter V-8, 367 horsepower, 375 lb-ft torque
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 119 to 158 inches
Length: 206 to 249 inches
Height: 74 inches
Curb Weight: 4,450 to 5,600 pounds
EPA Fuel Economy: 13 to 15 MPG CityWORST: 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Cadillac Escalade EXT Custom, originally uploaded by DigicoffeeWhile no doubt this will be a controversial choice for some Cadillac owners, let us describe the rules which we based this decision on. While the Cadillac EXT is without a doubt a well-built vehicle, we have serious doubts as to its relative usefulness in the real world. While clearly the EXT was designed more for the urban commando, it sheer size make it a rather large chore to maneuver in most cities and even small towns for that matter. This gives the impression that much of its bulk and size is related to its status symbolism, rather than its necessity.
Yes, the Escalade EXT is beautiful (for some), it is powerful, offers a smooth ride, comfortable interior, and features a semi-versatile cargo, but its choices are very limiting for the consumer who is really in the market for a fully functional truck. The EXT offers only one cab configuration, one engine, and a price tag that could theoretically buy you two Silverado’s for your buck. This is a niche vehicle for sure, and while we have not rated it as such, in today’s dog-eat-dog economy, there is not much room for these niches if there aren’t enough buyers to support them!
Vehicle: Escalade EXT 4-Door Pickup
Base Price: $55,000 to How much you got?
Available Engines:
6.2 liter V-8, 403 horsepower, 417 lb-ft torque
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 130 inches
Length: 222 inches
Height: 79 inches
Curb Weight: 5,800 pounds
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