Buyer's Remorse? Current Mods And Counting $$$...

FunHuman · Aug 28, 2023

Hi people new to this forum but not GM products. GM guy all the way. I just recently traded my 2022 C8 LT2 HTC (got a dog) for my new 2023 AT4 with what I think are the perfect options.
Unfortunately, since I bought the truck 2 weeks ago, I keep thinking I should have bought an AT4X.
I have no interest in an AEV package so the AT4 and X end up around $7-8K apart. The reason for this is after wheels and suspension mods get you spend $4k right off the bat.
Now you're $4k from an X. And with the AT4X those mods are not necessary and your retaining value by leaving it stock.

I tried to trade the day after I bought my truck but since the registration was already done. I would have taken a $10k hit out of pocket so I passed.
Should I be bummed out or happy? I will never go off road, but I do plan on improving the ride $$$.
My truck had machined aluminum wheels. I swapped them out for OEM black take offs from Ebay.
I just tinted the windows to the legal max and wrapped the brake calipers in black. I have a Borla muffler install this week.

I am honestly happy with the truck and like it better with every modification I make. Maybe it's just ego but I hate spending money to achieve what an AT4X already has.
Anyway Hello!

Teegunn · Aug 29, 2023

Nice looking truck! You should really enjoy it!

I had a 2020 AT4 3.0 baby diesel. All the options except for a sunroof, which I have never had before on a truck, and never really wanted. But the baby diesel cause me problems (stranded me out of state for a month with the dealer unable to fix) so I traded it off for a 23 AT4X. The AT4X was the straight off the semi, since the dealer had no other AT4's or similar Chevy trucks during the time my 2020 AT4 was down for a month last December (and they were unable to fix it), there were no trucks available for me to trade for until the 23 AT4X came off the semi. I was not going to downgrade trade for a lesser truck, but at a higher price tag.

I had no idea that the next batch of AT4X's would have the AEV bumpers, but it is no big deal to me. I don't really like the AEV front end on all that much (looks wise), and while I would have liked the steel AEV rear bumper (I am a contractor so heavier bumpers never hurt), I am fine with my non-AEV 23 AT4X bumpers. They look nice.

I did really like my 2020 AT4 3.0, and would still have it if it hadn't sh1t the bed on me (service emissions systems that put the truck into limp mode that the dealer couldn't fix while I was stranded out of state). I do like the 6.2 gas better overall, snappier (the 3.0 was no dog though), and while the gas MPG is worse, the difference between the cost of gas and diesel makes the difference in the pocket book negligible. I keep close track of my MPG on all my vehicles, and the 3.0 avgeraged 4, maybe 5 MPG better than the 6.2 does. Not a big enough difference for me to worry about.

As far as the X vs non-X AT4 thing - the X does come with some things the AT4 doesn't. Bit nicer interior (top of the line everything for 23) and nicer shocks. I always at least front level my trucks (have gone with bigger lifts a couple times also), so the X being the same 2" lift stock as the AT4 did me no good. But the ride with the nicer shocks on the X is definitely nicer. That being said, I have a 1.5" front level and Airlift 5000 airbags in the rear (I tow trailers daily as a contractor), those both stiffened up the ride a bit over the cushy X stock ride. I had the same front level and airbags in my 2020 AT4, so the comparison is the same - the X is a nicer riding truck same setups.

All that being said, I got a very high trade $ amount for my "out of commission for a month" 2020 AT4, and 5K off MSRP on my 23 AT4X. I am quite happy with my X, but a regular AT4 would have worked also, if that is what had come off the semi on Jan 4th 2023.

Last note - my 23 X has the sunroof, which I use almost daily now. Something I never wanted/needed, but I do use it, and like it. And the infortainment screen and overall electronics/screens are definitely nicer on the 23 X than my 2020 AT4 as are the seats (never even heard of massaging seats before) and overall interior. But did I need them and all of that? No. I do like those upgrades, though.

Sorry for the long post. Sometimes I like to thoroughly explain my viewpoints and reasonings for things. Your truck looks nice, and the 6.2 is a very nice engine. Congrats!

adeerchaser · Aug 29, 2023

Man ya got a new truck- Woooo Hoooo! Be happy. As for the coulda been a X, that cow is outta the barn and gone, O well. Cheap upgrade for ya- swap lugs to black.

Cocoabean · Aug 30, 2023

FunHuman said:
Hi people new to this forum but not GM products. GM guy all the way. I just recently traded my 2022 C8 LT2 HTC (got a dog) for my new 2023 AT4 with what I think are the perfect options.
Unfortunately, since I bought the truck 2 weeks ago, I keep thinking I should have bought an AT4X.
I have no interest in an AEV package so the AT4 and X end up around $7-8K apart. The reason for this is after wheels and suspension mods get you spend $4k right off the bat.
Now you're $4k from an X. And with the AT4X those mods are not necessary and your retaining value by leaving it stock.

I tried to trade the day after I bought my truck but since the registration was already done. I would have taken a $10k hit out of pocket so I passed.
Should I be bummed out or happy? I will never go off road, but I do plan on improving the ride $$$.
My truck had machined aluminum wheels. I swapped them out for OEM black take offs from Ebay.
I just tinted the windows to the legal max and wrapped the brake calipers in black. I have a Borla muffler install this week.

I am honestly happy with the truck and like it better with every modification I make. Maybe it's just ego but I hate spending money to achieve what an AT4X already has.
Anyway Hello!

First, congrats on the new truck. I've never left a car or truck of mine stock, so I always factor in mods to my costs... maybe I'm rare for that.

What suspension mods did you do? It doesn't appear your ride height changed from the pics.

FunHuman · Aug 30, 2023

Hi all, first no reply is too long winded if it contains valuable info.

Next, I am working on the lug nuts. The debacle I went through when swapping tires on a Friday afternoon was ridiculous. My dealer installed non OEM wheel locks and nobody gave me the key.
I found this out up in the air on the lift when the tech asked me for the key. Ugh!

No suspension work done yet. Obviously, the truck bounces around on bumps, train tracks and at high speed. Bilstein 6112 (assembled) and 5160's installed set you back $2000. I could go cheaper but why? My truck did not come with black wheels so that was another $1400. The reason for the post was because I can see basic modifications bringing me closer to the msrp of an AT4X. So I am just thinking out loud.

Honestly, I will never need a front locker or mud tires etc. And I am happy with the interior. So, it's not like I will miss anything. I had been looking at "X" AEV's online and didn't consider a base "X" model $6k cheaper. I love the truck I bought. I am just bummed out that an "X" version contains most of my planned upgrades in stock form. And an "X" will always command a higher resale value.

I added the step lights today and the Borla muffler tomorrow. Ordering the shock package tomorrow, 3-week delay on the 6112's assembled.
Just whining lol.

adeerchaser · Aug 31, 2023

Now that ya put it all that way- prolly shoulda got the X

. The ride is AWESOME. I guess there are some left over base X, I thought I read in 23 they were all gonna be the AEV?

erodsr02 · Sep 4, 2023

@FunHuman Congrats on the the new ride! It's looking good so far. I'm still modifying my 2019 AT4. The fist upgrade I made was swapping ht ranchos for some Icon Dynamics Stage 2 Suspension kit. It was night and day difference in my opinion. About a year ago I swapped wheels and tyres to some 4Play wheels and Nitto Recon tyres.

If you haven't found the black lugs, I have a set of Gorilla Black lug and set of black OEM wheel locks that haven't been used at all. Tyre shop realized the Gorilla lugs wouldn't work with my wheels so I couldn't use them. Send me a PM if you'd be interested in them.

Veroc · Oct 31, 2023

adeerchaser said:
Now that ya put it all that way- prolly shoulda got the X. The ride is AWESOME. I guess there are some left over base X, I thought I read in 23 they were all gonna be the AEV?

No matter what you get, you’re going to upgrade it anyway. I’m super happy with my 2020 at4 and enjoyed getting it to where I want it. Well at least all the major pieces. Are we ever truly content? Lol
Oh and I’ve since added amp steps since that last pic. My upgrades were suppose to be a year long process. Not two months. Yikes!! Lol