When it comes to some of the high dollar consignment units that we took from one of our favorite auction houses, we have heard absolutely everything. People see the near 6-figure price tags and scoff, that costs more than my first house! and then proceed to tell us about their start in Real Estate.
In many ways it is easy to chalk up the eye-watering price tag to the brutal semiconductor shortage, inflation, and a variety of economic factors that are rapidly driving the price of EVERYTHING up. However, in this article we are going to explore the real reason why these vehicles command such a high price.
A modern philosopher once stated, you can live in a car, but you cant drag race a house! in regards to his first home purchase versus what he wanted to buy (Dodge Hellcat). We cant really dispute the logic there. Yea it wouldnt be fun, and the utility costs get measured in very low MPG figures, but you could do it.
With the High Country 2500HDs that we have though, it's less about living in it (and Drag Racing) and more about everything you need to pull with it. Sure, you can get a bog standard 2500Hd with a 6.6L gasoline engine starting in the low 50k range. And lets make no bones about it, that is a very good truck. There are a lot of really good reasons why they are all sold before they even arrive at most of the Chevrolet dealerships in Rochester.
However, these bare bones trucks miss out on the key improvement of vehicles over the last few decades: refinement.
This is the main difference between the one for 50k and the one touching 80k. Its not all about the stuff that you get with them, although the features that we are going to get into in a later paragraph are arguably enough to justify the price.
When you get into a base Silverado 2500HD, there is no doubt that you are in a very capable, very sturdy work truck. But it's that modifier before the word truck that takes center stage. Work. The base 2500HD does all of the things that you want it to, but it doesn't do it with the same level of poise and intelligence that the uptrim models do.
When you get into the Silverado 2500HD High Country, it feels less like you're climbing into a truck and more like you're climbing into a genuine luxury apartment. The seats are well appointed, the space is enormous but well enough laid out that everything falls to hand easily, and it is bristling with technology.
Of course you get the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment, but with an increased screen size and considerably more inputs. There are more cameras on this ton than in some sporting venues, and that comes in handy because these Silverados are BIG. In a crowded parking lot it would be easy to lose a Fiat 500 in one of the wheel wells. Do not fear though. The surround view camera system with the option to project an image of your truck in a 3rd person view on the infotainment screen feels straight out of a Playstation. Additionally, they are set up with multiple trailering cameras to keep whatever youre pulling in line and out of danger.
Speaking of pulling, the real reason behind the cost of these beautiful beasts is the powertrain. Both of our Silverado 2500HD High Countries are equipped with the 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission with power takeoff assist. What does this mean for me? you ask. It increases the torque at takeoff and keeps you in a lower gear to make the turbos spool and give you more power without sacrificing forward momentum or grinding gears. In this configuration, the Silverado 2500HD can tow over 15,000 pounds.
So what? You can get a diesel work truck with the same specs.
Yep, you can and it will do it all with the same level of capability.
The difference comes with the level of comfort while doing all that work. Work smarter, not harder they say. Not a lot of vehicles can do that while still being quiet, comfortable, and offering all the creature comforts you would expect on an upscale Mercedes Benz, and then some! Starting from the driver's position, all of the seats are heated and the steering wheel is too. The heads up display will give you whatever vehicle data points you want it to without having to take your eyes off the road. The front seats are also air conditioned for those summer months, because the High Country trim package wants you to be as comfortable as humanly possible while you tow a building behind you in all four seasons. The console will charge your phone when you set it down on the charging pad, and there are tons of USB charging ports found throughout that will keep your passengers' devices charged as well. In the back, the seats are also heated and they have the little smugglers holds in the seatbacks.
We completely get the argument that no one needs any of this stuff. When you need something huge with a ton of towing capacity and low down torque, you dont really care if your seats are heated.
However, as an experience- it's pretty ridiculous. Here you are, in a truck that weighs well over three-tons, with enough firepower at the disposal of your right foot to pull a bank off its foundation, and the truck is telling you how many RPM its using and the vehicle yaw and orientation on the windshield. All while showing you the 360 degree camera view of whatever youre doing and keeping your back, tush and hands warm or cool. Whatever your little heart may desire.
Bottom line, if your lifestyle requires you to do serious work but you also appreciate good technology, comfort, and safety, finding a new 2500HD or 3500HD is going to be a major pain in the ass. So yea, these used Silverado High Countries might cost more than your first house, but odds are your first house didnt have half the creature comforts these things do.