1998 GMC Sierra 1500 Review
1998 GMC Sierra 1500 Review
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GMC Sierra 1500 model years
GMC Sierra 1500 types
- Extended Cab
- Regular Cab
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Roomy cab. Powerful V-8 engine options. Traditional truck styling.
Cons
- Aging design. Fisher-Price interior plastics.
What’s new
With an all-new Sierra just one year away, changes are minimal. Diesel engines make more power and torque, extended cab models get rear heater ducts, a PassLock theft-deterrent system is standard, 1500-Series trucks get reduced rolling resistance tires and three new colors debut. Second-generation airbags are standard.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD LB (5.0L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$295/mo for Sierra 1500 SLE
Sierra 1500 SLE
vs
$250/mo
Avg. Large Truck
Vehicle overview
GM has figured out a way to steal some thunder from the Dodge Ram and the new Ford F-Series. Their entire line of truck engines is infused with notable horsepower and torque output figures, which goes a long way toward selling the consumer on these aging pickups.
Every Sierra gasoline engine, from the base V6 to the king-of-the-hill V8, benefits from Vortec technology which provides healthy power and torque ratings. For example, the standard 4300 V6 makes an ample 200 horsepower, and the optional 5700 V8 is a much more satisfying powerplant than Ford's new overhead cam designs. Also available are regular- and heavy-duty turbodiesels sporting 6.5 liters of displacement. For 1998, turbodiesels are infused with additional power and torque. All Sierras have four-wheel anti-lock braking.
The optional side access panel makes the extended cab model a true family vehicle. Loading cargo into the rear of the cab is much easier, too. To qualify for the side access panel, you must order a 1500-series extended cab equipped with SLE or SLT trim and a Vortec 5000 or Vortec 5700 engine mated to an automatic transmission. In contrast, Ford provides a third door standard on all extended cab models, making life much easier. And for 1998, Dodge offers optional rear doors on both sides of the truck.
Creature comforts aren't forgotten in the Sierra. Automakers are constantly trying to make their trucks more car-like, so GM has made rear seat heating ducts standard on the Sierra extended cab. Shoulder belts are height adjustable to fit a variety of physiques, and upholstery choices include leather. Heck, you'd hardly know this was a truck, especially with the passenger car tires that give some versions of the Sierra a nicer ride and quieter interior.
Improvements for 1998 include second-generation airbags for front seat passengers, a standard PassLock theft deterrent system, reduced rolling resistance tires on 1500-series models and three new exterior colors. An all-new Sierra is due in mid-1998 as a 1999 model, so revisions this year are understandably minimal.
Although Chevrolet's own C/K Series garners the greatest amount of publicity, GMC's equivalents are pretty strong sellers themselves. Sierras, in fact, account for close to half of GMC output. Americans continue to clamor for burly pickups, whether for their macho image or for real down and dirty work. Whether you choose a light-duty two-wheel-drive (C1500) or the massive four-wheel-drive K3500 Club Coupe on a 155.5-inch wheelbase, GMC gives both Chevrolet and its Ford/Dodge rivals a run for their money.
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*The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. Click here to see all GMC vehicles’ destination freight charges.
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*The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. Click here to see all GMC vehicles’ destination freight charges.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 GMC Sierra 1500.
5 star(60%)
4 star(21%)
3 star(14%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(0%)
58 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Best truck I've ever owned.
IcantaFord, 01/22/2004
1998 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
This is my second GMC. Best vehicle
I've ever owned. Extremely reliable
and efficient. Steering is straight.
No brake surging. Drive train remains
like new. Doesn't use or leak one drop
of oil, or any other fluids. Excellent
cornering without sway. Quiet
interior. 4 wheel drive works
flawlessly and smoothly. I will never
buy a Ford again.
4.63 out of 5 stars
like a rock is true to the name
seadoog01, 02/23/2010
1998 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
when i purchased this truck it had 142000 miles on it,it has 232000 now and its like a tank had to replace a few little things but for the most this truck is something to have i have had people try and buy it but its part of the family now son needs a truck now but i would buy him a new one before i would give up this one love my truck
4.25 out of 5 stars
1998 GMC SIERRA
jcaprio, 04/13/2011
1998 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (5.0L 8cyl naturally aspired 4A)
My 98 Sierra SLT
runs excellent. The truck has 227 thousand miles on it. Let me preferance what what im going to say next. I am talking about my truck and not all GMC Sierra's. So here are the words im using to describe it. It's been a dependable, excellent running,comfortable,stylish truck .The only negative i found was it's difficult to work on Things that the average joe should be … able to do are hampered by covers or hidden and that can be annoying. That aside, properly maintained, they will go forever. joe caprio
4.63 out of 5 stars
Gas Milage and wear out quick items
Resqdawg, 09/17/2002
1998 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
When I got this truck,I realized I
needed more power and fuel economy. So
I surfed the web for these
products,then bought them and installed
them easily.I now get 19-20 MPG HWY and
17-18 City for around $700. The wear
out quick items are A/C compressor and
alt..I just changed these out at 65000-
68000 miles.Thats why I bought an
extended warranty.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 GMC Sierra 1500, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sierra 1500 since its last redesign.
1998 Sierra 1500 Highlights
Extended Cab
SL
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $230/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 7,000 lbs. |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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