The Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra are probably the most famous cousins in the American automobile world. Both belong to the GM (General Motors) family and bear striking resemblance to each other not only in terms of looks but features as well. Both are light-duty pickups that are quite a hit across the USA.
Although GMC Sierra comes across as more of an upscale model, it is the Silverado that probably has an edge when it comes to sales. Together these pickups beat the competition by miles and rule the roost in the American automobile market. On first look, the two may seem like exact copies of each other but both are differently styled and feature packed to appeal to specific buyer tastes. If Silverado has the better towing and hauling capacity, the Sierra takes the edge when it comes to interior styling and comfort features.
Both models are available in V6 and V8 engine variants with 5 different engine capacity options ranging from 4.3 liters all the way up to 6.3 liters. These engines produce more than 3000bhps and that is quite serious power. Even the transmission options are the same with 4-speed and 6-speed automatic options. Both trucks are built on the same chassis and resemble each other in more than one way. For these reasons and many more, the two are referred to as "fraternal twins" and rightly so.
The newer models of these famous pickups have given GM an image makeover as a result of their unparalleled success. The Sierra and the Silverado have put GM high in the competition and also raised the bar when it comes to light pickups. The 2009 models are powerful and seriously feature packed yet fuel efficient at the same time. There are variants available for almost every requirement and these pickups are easily customizable as well. The lower end versions of both models are almost similar and it is in the high-end variants that the differences can be highlighted.
The high-end Sierra is considerably different and safe to say "much better" than equally placed Silverado when it comes to features. For Example, the Sierra Denali is a luxurious version that is meant for buyers who don't want to use a pickup only for commercial purposes. The Denali is amazingly feature packed and well priced too. It definitely has no competition in terms of comfort and luxury from any of the Silverado variants.
Both the Sierra and the Silverado models come with various bed sizes, wheelbases, drive types, cabin types and interior styles. There are also the 2×4 and the 4×4 options available adding to the already feature packed list in case of both the models. On the safety front, both of these pickups usually come equipped with Airbags, ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System), ESC (Electronic Stability Control), Tire Pressure Monitoring System etc making them quite safe on the road.
Both the Sierra and the Silverado are made for light-duty truck use and due to their effectiveness in this sphere, they have over the years developed quite a reputation for themselves. Both are quite a household name across America now and it is safe to say that perhaps along with Ford F-150, these two are the highest selling pickups in USA.
If you own one of these models, you are already a part of the great American tradition and you own a piece of history as well. These pickups are meant to be tested to their fullest and that is when their true resilient character comes to the fore. However in due course of time, consistent towing, hauling and light-duty pickup use is bound to leave some scars on your vehicle. There might be the occasional need for repairs and some parts may need to be replaced as well. That is the case with all pickups and a part of the whole package.
In case you need any repair work on your pickup, make sure you contact your dealership instead of relying on local mechanics. Any replacement parts should be verified before fitting and aftermarket parts should be avoided.
GM discourages use of cheap aftermarket auto parts as replacements. They are strict about usage of only OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Parts for their vehicles. If you end up requiring a replacement part for your GMC or Chevy pickup truck, make sure you buy only OEM parts or place an order with GM itself. Also, fitting aftermarket parts on your vehicle will definitely void the manufacturers warranty.
Aftermarket parts will definitely come cheap but this way you will be compromising on the safety and performance of your vehicle. If you feel that brand new OEM parts are expensive, for obvious reasons, you can consider buying used OEM parts.
Used auto parts could be the answer to your needs in case you don't want to spend much on part replacements. It is a fact that used car parts cost one-third of what their brand new counterparts do. This way you can certainly end up saving some big bucks while making no compromises on the quality front.
You can also purchase these parts online and have them shipped to your doorstep at no extra costs. This is certainly a valid option to help you avoid aftermarket parts. You can locate a number of good deals online and compare prices as well to ensure that you get the best possible deal and the best quality used auto parts for your GM pickup.