Hey folks,

For starters I'd just like to say I'm 16, so think about all this from a 16 year old'* perspective. I've got a 2006 silverado regular cab ls. It'* got a rebuilt title and 82,000 miles on it. It'* an automatic 4.3L V6. Right now I'm getting about 16.5 mpg with most of it being combined city and highway. I make a 17 mile trek to school one way, so it'* costing me about $5 a trip for school.

So here goes...

I found a 2006 Sierra with about half my mileage. It'* got a 5.3L V8 and also has a rebuilt title. It'* a regular cab and automatic transmission to. A guy offered to buy my truck and ironically enough the priced offered and price for the Sierra are the same.

So what would you do? Do you think the 5.3L Vortec would be better on gas than my 4.3L? I'm just looking for some advice, thanks to all who reply.

Here'* the specs on the Sierra:

http://www.londonautosales.com/index...tail&pid=23182

That truck is rated for 15 city and 22 highway. So figure it will really be lower then that. Unless you plan to tow things, no need for the v8

Actually Danthurs, I've heard that the 4.3 is a complete dog, that its absolutely terrible on fuel economy, and that you're almost always better off going with the 5.3L engine. By terrible on fuel economy I mean that the 5.3L engine would give you better gas mileage.

I would accept that trade in a heartbeat assuming the 5.3 silverado is in good shape.

Actually Danthurs, I've heard that the 4.3 is a complete dog, that its absolutely terrible on fuel economy, and that you're almost always better off going with the 5.3L engine. By terrible on fuel economy I mean that the 5.3L engine would give you better gas mileage.

I would accept that trade in a heartbeat assuming the 5.3 silverado is in good shape.

4.3s are good gutsy motors and all they are basically is a 5.7(350 c.i.) minus two cylinders they're good overall motors so like dan said the only thing you'd need a v8 for is if you plan to use your silverado as i use mine(i.e. hauling cars towing trailers etc) just do some very small basic simple mods to your 4.3 cold air intake or even just a k/n filter e3 diamond fire plugs open up your exhaust some get rid of any crap in the bed and cab that you carry that is not necessary and keep your tires inflated and you will be just fine also watch how heavy your foot gets that helps to not saying you are a lead foot but ya know just puttin it out there

i would take it to but you gotta think this is a 16 year old probably on a limited budget using it as a dd not a toy hauler or work truck its not like my truck where it sits most of the time unless i gotta haul stuff or i wanna play in the mud.Also i have expirence with both motors and the 4.3 is a GREAT motor if taken care of and maintained only downfall is the exhaust they put on the cats almost always clogg quickly

That is what I'm thinking about, and he mentioned it costs him a lot on gas. Now I'm arguing that with such a large car, your fuel economy might actually increase. Most 4.3L powered cars I've heard of have terrible fuel economy.

GM'* ratings for the 4.3L and 5.3L engines in 2006 were actually extremely similar. The 4.3L got 16/22 while the 5.3L got 16/21.

However,
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymod...ilverado.shtml

Fueleconomy.gov rated the 4.3L engine at 14/19 and the 5.3L engine at 16/19, which is a lot more in line with what I've heard people are getting with their trucks. The 4.3L V6 also got terrible fuel economy in the *-10/Blazer as well; the same as in the Silverado. In every aspect you can possibly imagine, the 4.3L V6 engine is inferior to the 5.3L V8 engine. I have a very difficult time finding anything good about it.

im just gonna drop this one and let it go

i wouldnt rely on some website.. just real world experinces which ive had plenty of with both motors but like said its not a debate and i do not want this turning into one so i say make the choice and take any input you can get to mind and make sure its what you really want to do

i say go for the v8

the 4.3 is a dog and gets the same miles per gallon as the 5.3..with half the power