Salivating over a Craig's list ad for Z71 ext cab 4x4. Anyone care to share their experiences (good and/or bad) with this year's model and the 4.8 engine?

 

I don't have a 4.8 Silverado pickup, but that motor seems to be a pretty good one from all that I have read about it..

 

I had a 4.8 in a 2003 Silverado Z71, which I bought in 2005. It ran like a top until the truck itself rusted out on me. Was still running good when I scrapped it back in December, with about 180k on it. Only thing I ever did to the motor was new plugs, and I think new water pump. Other than that, just routine oil/filter changes, etc. I mostly used the truck for hauling fairly light loads (mulch, etc), hunting, and whatnot. Occasionally pulled a UTV on a trailer. If you're going to do much towing of anything substantial, the 5.3 has more power. But if it's a small trailer, boat, etc. the 4.8 is fine. One downside is that the 4.8 comes with the 4-speed tranny, while the 5.3 gets the 6-speed. According to the published numbers, the 5.3 actually gets a little better gas mileage, because of the extra gear ranges with the 6-speed. That wouldn't stop me from buying one, tho.