David Long, also known as ‘The Car Wizard’ on YouTube, frequently fields questions from his viewers about what pickup truck they should buy and what pickup trucks to avoid buying. Long, who owns a repair shop in Kansas, recently decided to answer these viewers’ queries, putting together a video explaining why he thinks the 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 is one of the best pickup trucks to own.
Being a mechanic, Long’s favorite part about the GMT900 Chevy Silverado is how easy it is to work on- particularly the model equipped with the 5.3L Vortec engine. The large space between the water pump and the radiator makes working in the engine bay a breeze, and crucial components like the fuel injectors, throttle body and spark plugs and wires are all easily accessible. Long says that a 5.4L Ford Triton motor, by comparison, takes about three times longer to perform simple repairs on.
Long also has plenty of reasons to buy a 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 for those who don’t perform their own maintenance and repair work. Since these trucks are so easy to work on, they’ll also save owners money when they take their vehicle in to the shop – as mechanics can easily work on them and won’t be stressed out when doing so. Long compares the Silverado to an Audi RS4 he recently had to work on, which he says is a frustrating vehicle to perform maintenance and repairs on and would thus drive up his quoted price.
In conclusion, Long recommends the 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 as it is easy to work on and results in lower repair bills. “I own several vehicles with this engine in them,” Long says. “And I’m always amazed every single time when I have to do any repairs on them. After I get the job done and I have to my tools away, I’m like ‘I didn’t even get my heart rate up, that was so simple.'”
Check out the video embedded below to hear what else Long has to say about the 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500.
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I have one of these GMT-900 trucks, a 2011 LT Z71 Crew (4x4). Bought it new and driven for over 10 years without a single repair, only fluids and filters and one battery replacement.
Had a heckuva time choosing between the F150 and Silverado that time, liked the Ford better (power, looks, interior) but felt more comfortable with GM powertrains and ultimately the deal was significantly better on the GM twins.
Would repeat the same thing again today, and will have to do it again soon, but the choice will be between Ram and GM.
My neighbor has one and loves it too. He’s never had to do anything but oil changes.
"WWWIIIIIZZZAAAARRRRDDD!!!" -Tyler Hoover from Hoovies Garage-
Sam, are you also a fan of Car Wizard instead of the Houston turned Tennessee Mechanic?
This generation was the last great for GM trucks, the 2022 update however may change that fact.
GM had the best V8 lineup, a beast V6, the 6spd is a solid transmission, multiple interior layouts to drastically separate lower trims from the luxury trims, automatic transfer case option, auto locking rear diff option. Extremely reliable, extremely easy to do maintenance on.
I've also owned two K2 trucks (2014-2018 - and still have a K2HD)
The K2 is better in every way - larger interior, more comfortable seats, better dash, nav and gauges, materials, etc.
5.3 is more powerful and has a better, more throaty sound. 8 speed transmissions are awesome, well those that don't have issues and mine didn't.
I'm struggling to pick just one area the GMT-900 is better in over the K2.
Price? Repair parts? You also got to consider what "used" means. A 2019 with 20k miles isn't going for cheap these days, and k2 trucks are holding value extremely well. So if the competition is a 10+ year old Ford, ram or GM, yeah, go with a GMT900. I think the K2 blows away the GMT900 personally
Don’t know where you guys are from but in New Jersey these are the worst trucks, they were total rust buckets everyone with the 6 foot bed is completely rusted out!
Bought my 2008 in Nov 2007. Replaced light fixtures this summer, and do regular maintenance. 149K miles, no rust, and drives like new.
Same here in New Hampshire. The rear fenders in the bed are awful. I’m in the road all day and see these trucks. GM should be ashamed how their trucks look.
You gotta wash them things sometimes broooooooo
I had a 2007 model with the 5.3L V8. I put about 175,000 miles on it.
Would have been perfect if not for the cylinder deactivation, which is an atrocious technology that I think ruins one of the world’s best line of engines. Started having problems right at 100,000 miles. The initial repair was under warranty, but the lifters and subsequent issues at about 130,000 miles were not. They were expensive, and took several days to fix.
It’s especially frustrating if you came from a T400 Chevy or GMC and know what those GM V8’s are capable of from a longevity standpoint. The T900’s were miles ahead of older GM trucks in every way…except engine longevity and durability.
Nice things to say here but the wizard has nothing nice to say about the Acadia, Traverse Enclave. He does rave about one of the greatest engines ever, the 3800 V6. That engine should be brought back just as it was.
For the CUVs, not the exact same motor. A 2 valve per cyl, iron block VR6 3.8 L would be a nice value base, then a power boosting hybrid for the nicer trims of those.
I had a 2008 Silverado Vortec Max with the 6.0L and it was a great truck! Had all the goodies and it ran like a champ! I believe it was the last year of the Oshawa built trucks as well.
They designed, engineered and built them better back then.
Mechanically they are great trucks , Body wise they are rust buckets the bed sides rusted thru on my 2011 in 5 yrs I see many driving around my area that look the same. Use to be a running joke about ford trucks rusting out I can't say that anymore
Alan: One of the reasons that Ford went to aluminum alloy pickup bed boxes.