Gas or Diesel Conumdrum

nards444 · June 3, 2022

Have a 21 Duramax now, happy with it. But due to everything going on I can basically get into the same truck for less and year newer.

Either way ive been held up two weeks now after waiting 5 months, first week they werent taking LTs and this week not diesels. So got me thinking going through with the same truck but just going with gas if its a hang up next week. Here is my problem I have a feeling Ill regret going to gas and the drop down on performance. Dont know how many guys have stopped and said nice truck, wish I didnt go gas.

But there is a cost factor here to. I can go gas and save 10k or about $100 on the note. But due the diesel being about 25-30% more efficient on fuel, even right now at 15k miles a year I still save 3-400 a year on diesel vs going gas, so net loss going diesel over the gas is 5-600 a year nothing I am worried about. Regardless of price if diesel is on par with gas in terms of price the diesel actually saves me about a grand a year on gas, so really between the note and fuel the diesel cost me the same.

The other option is I could go gas but step up to LTZ, AT4 and pay the same as my diesel but more decked out. Kind of throwing this option out as my LT sport, with leather, all star, and conv 2 really lacks nothing the LTZ has or AT4 short of the camera surround. But it is a thought.

So I dont know I really dont need the 22 as I have the 21 and this was more or less just improving my situation with no effort as they are giving me more for my truck then I bought it a year ago.

sheath · June 3, 2022

May be worth waiting until '24 when they do the refresh, to make a change.

Should be some nice upgrades to an already great truck.

nards444 · June 3, 2022

2 minutes ago, sheath said:

May be worth waiting until '24 when they do the refresh, to make a change.

Should be some nice upgrades to an already great truck.

Yeah I have thought the same. There are somethings that bother me about this truck and GM simply should have done better.

My thing is because of the high value of the trade it makes the numbers look right. Eventually probably not in the next 6 months though my trade will come back to earth and probably lose me the deal I have now. But if the market clears up I should by 24 get employee discount plus the 4-8k incentives we used to see on these things.

Think I am kind of apt to either stick out and get the deal I wanted or if it doesnt work I can wait.

sheath · June 3, 2022

Any reason you aren't looking at the diesel Dodge/Ford along with the GM products?

At 15K miles per year it sounds like you do more than an hour drive at least once a week. With that I would stay diesel. It is just a better driving experience in my opinion.

Get on one of the fleet diesel card savings programs, which can be substantial depending on what stations you have along your normal routes.

I love the L8T, but if I was doing at least an hour drive once a week, it would not have been a consideration. Would have gone with a new Dodge. But only to get more payload than the '07 had. Otherwise, that was a real gem of a truck.

nards444 · June 4, 2022

14 hours ago, sheath said:

Any reason you aren't looking at the diesel Dodge/Ford along with the GM products?

At 15K miles per year it sounds like you do more than an hour drive at least once a week. With that I would stay diesel. It is just a better driving experience in my opinion.

Get on one of the fleet diesel card savings programs, which can be substantial depending on what stations you have along your normal routes.

I love the L8T, but if I was doing at least an hour drive once a week, it would not have been a consideration. Would have gone with a new Dodge. But only to get more payload than the '07 had. Otherwise, that was a real gem of a truck.

Frankly I only reason I buy GM products is employee discount, there is better stuff out there most of the time, after driving all brands over the years GM just isnt the best stuff.

So with that said when you factor in no incentives and no haggling right now Dodge and Ford just arent in the budget or what I want to spend or would have to go with such a low package its not worthwhile. I dont see this changing till next year at least.

sheath · June 4, 2022

I ran into the same thing looking at the Ford. For comparable to the Chevy, it was $6K more (had to move up to a Laramie to get leather and sun roof). I'm real happy with the Chevy for it's intended purpose. It's a fine truck.

Had I wanted a diesel and settled on this gas truck though, it would have been sold within a month. The overall driving experience isn't in the same arena as any of the diesel truck options.

KARNUT · June 4, 2022

Regularly I’m getting flyers in the mail from Toyota and Ford with discounts and even 0 percent deals. My most and recent purchases have been Hyundai and GM. Nothing from them.

Edited June 4, 2022 by KARNUT

nards444 · June 4, 2022

3 hours ago, KARNUT said:

Regularly I’m getting flyers in the mail from Toyota and Ford with discounts and even 0 percent deals. My most and recent purchases have been Hyundai and GM. Nothing from them.

Yeah I do too. problem with 0% is the terms are low and you really talk a difference of a few bucks a month. But been to ford recently and its all MSRP.

nards444 · June 4, 2022

4 hours ago, sheath said:

I ran into the same thing looking at the Ford. For comparable to the Chevy, it was $6K more (had to move up to a Laramie to get leather and sun roof). I'm real happy with the Chevy for it's intended purpose. It's a fine truck.

Had I wanted a diesel and settled on this gas truck though, it would have been sold within a month. The overall driving experience isn't in the same arena as any of the diesel truck options.

GM has been behind ford by about 3-5 years dating back to about 2011-12. Ford actually sells trucks people want vs GM sells things they want which is the difference. GM makes good stuff it just not as good.

sheath · June 4, 2022

Interesting view point. I hadn't thought of it from this perspective.

I think this is why it is important not to become "Brand" oriented. All these trucks are great. Just find the one that ticks the most boxes, and roll on down the road. :thumbs:

Keep your eyes on Dillon Dodge out of Idaho when things get back to normal. They had some amazing pricing on HD trucks before the chip shortage. You might find a truck that ticks all the boxes at a price GM can't match. I don't know of a Ford dealership like this, but some sleuthing may find one.

nards444 · June 5, 2022

11 hours ago, sheath said:

Interesting view point. I hadn't thought of it from this perspective.

I think this is why it is important not to become "Brand" oriented. All these trucks are great. Just find the one that ticks the most boxes, and roll on down the road.

Keep your eyes on Dillon Dodge out of Idaho when things get back to normal. They had some amazing pricing on HD trucks before the chip shortage. You might find a truck that ticks all the boxes at a price GM can't match. I don't know of a Ford dealership like this, but some sleuthing may find one.

I am equal opportunity hater and have owned all three. I want to love GM bad, G-GPA, GPA, Dad, and even I worked at for a summer and have still bought around 5-6 new products of theirs over the last 15 years. And they make good stuff, just not great. Ford made a leap in 2011ish and hasnt look back and Dodge has turned it on in the last 3-5 years. Meanwhile GM runs around with 20 year old power trains, doesnt mate its 10spd with its gasser, has dash and infotainment centers that date back 8-9 years. Like I said I think GM sells trucks they want, I really.

But anyways back on topic, yeah we'll see what happens.

KARNUT · June 5, 2022

16 hours ago, nards444 said:

Yeah I do too. problem with 0% is the terms are low and you really talk a difference of a few bucks a month. But been to ford recently and its all MSRP.

I’m seeing Ford advertising 2K below MSRP if you order. If gas prices continue this trend it has to effect large Vehicle sales eventually. Especially for the casual driver. I just heard Biden is planning a trip to the Middle East begging for oil. If his trend continues the opposite will happen.

nards444 · June 6, 2022

Well made the change this morning. Going with an At4 gasser, against my better judgement. But did a lot of scouring and the gasser under 70 seems to get close to 14mpg for lots of folks, going to take it in the shorts while towing I guess.

But dropping the diesel motor it is allowing me to get a loaded out AT4 for the same cost as the LT. Funny could have gotten a high country for cheaper but just didnt like the looks.

Guess we will see what happens. At least at the pump I will pay 60 bucks less.

sheath · June 6, 2022

Will be interested to see how you like it. Having had both the diesel and now the gas truck will give you a really good perspective.

The AT4 is definitely a beautiful truck, that is well appointed. :thumbs:

Keeping our paws crossed that the whole process goes smooth, and you get it soon.

nards444 · June 6, 2022

32 minutes ago, sheath said:

Will be interested to see how you like it. Having had both the diesel and now the gas truck will give you a really good perspective.

The AT4 is definitely a beautiful truck, that is well appointed.

Keeping our paws crossed that the whole process goes smooth, and you get it soon.

Yeah thanks we will see what happens and I will report back the differences and so forth. Going into theres going to be no comparison performance wise so going to keep in that mind. Im sure the job will get done and just hoping I dont see some of these horror stories mpg.