Which truck?

01Sierra · May 28, 2005

Hello all,

This is my first post here. I currently have an 01 Sierra 2500HD 4x4 ext cab, long box. The truck has been great to me except for fuel economy. I've got around 60K on it and fortunately have only had to put brakes and tires on it. Other than that, it's been gas and oil changes. So when my accountant told me I need to get a new truck before the end of the year ( He saves me so much on my taxes that I don't even question him), it was pretty easy to decide on another GMC. I'd consider the Rados, but no offense to anyone who owns one, I think the front on them is ugly.

Little info on what the truck is used for. I'm a GC/cabinet maker. My truck is probably the most important tool I own. It's used daily to haul materials. It's not a regual occurence, but I do occasionally haul loads that are in excess of 2 tons. That's why I went with the HD 4-1/2 years ago.

My question is, is it worth stepping up to a Duramax? I've been averaging around 11-11.5 mpg with my current truck 6.0L 4.10 rear BTW. With gas prices the way they are, $70 a tank is getting harder and harder to take. I realize there's a substantial initial cost factor in stepping up to a Duramax, but would it be worth it over the length of time I own the truck? Probably only 5 years, but I guess the resale would also be a lot higher too.

A local dealer told me I can get 0% financing for 60 months and have him order the exact truck I want for $500 over invoice. Basically, it's about $10K more than I paid for my 01.

I'd appreciate any input, thanks in advance.

Daubs · May 28, 2005

Very good question: I think you really need to look at the miles you put on your truck a year and how much fuel would cost you (gas vs. diesel).

I only drive 12k a year, so to get a D-max and pay the extra $5k would not have been good for me. I figured I could get the Big Block and pay for fuel for 6-7 years and still be better off than getting the Duramax.

Granted, the D-max is a great engine. If your accountant wants you to trade every few years the Duramax might not be the answer. But I have heard of guys putting juicers / chips in their diesels and getting 20+ MPG. That might change your numbers a little.

My 8.1 / Allison is getting about same MPG as your 6.0L. PLenty of power.

042500HD · June 1, 2005

I've been considering trading my chevy in on a new toyota or nissian fullsize. I might catch heck for this, but the foriegn trucks are just so much better than these. I've only got 20k on my 04 and it rattles like a peice of junk. The imports are just so much better assembled than the domestic trucks. And don't anyone try to say its just mine because Ive seen all the post on the steering vibration and the clunking in the driveline....Junk...Bottom line.....

silverado3500 · June 1, 2005

042500hd: What exactly does this have to do with the above posts?

If it was me, I'd go with the big block or the duramax. The big block and the 6.0 do have comparable fuel mileage, and for the 900ish, I'd rather have the big block. As far as gas vs diesel. If you make a lot of short trips, etc, I'd suggest sticking to the gasser. As it has been previously stated, unless your driving a lot of miles a year, you won't recoup on the investment for the diesel in the near future. Only other reason for the diesel is the insane amout of power that they put out.

whitesnake01 · June 1, 2005

I've been considering trading my chevy in on a new toyota or nissian fullsize. I might catch heck for this, but the foriegn trucks are just so much better than these. I've only got 20k on my 04 and it rattles like a peice of junk. The imports are just so much better assembled than the domestic trucks. And don't anyone try to say its just mine because Ive seen all the post on the steering vibration and the clunking in the driveline....Junk...Bottom line.....

There are no foreign or import alternatives to the 2500HD that comes even close to being FUN to drive. You'd be looking at something like an Isuzu truck, maybe. Incidentally, neither the Titan nor the Tundra are imported. They are both built in here in the USA. Also, last I looked they were 1/2 ton trucks with a short bed. Do they have a better quality reputation? Yes. But they have no reputation in the US light truck market when it comes to anything above a soccer mom truck.

042500HD · June 1, 2005

Most of yall could survice with a titan or a tundra for that matter. Because some people buy the 2500 and never put it to its full potential. And yall know as well as I do that they are great trucks and will outlast any gm, ford or dodge product on the market. And if you choose to not believe that than your just kidding yourself. Oh, and it was a figure of speech when I said import trucks, not that they are actually imported....

jamashke · June 1, 2005

Uh Oh sounds like another pi$$ing contest.

Anyway to respond to the first post. Hauling 2 tons or so... I have read the 6.0 and the 8.1 are similar gas mileage stock. With tunes the 6.0 (including mine) get in the upper teens for gas mileage. This does not compare to a D-Max but 60k in four years? Not sure how to recoop the difference in mileage except for a trade. I was going to say the maintanence on a D-Max was higher but another post corrected that so it seems the diesel and gas of today have about the same cost for oil changes and so on.

Anyway 042500HD there is another area for ranting....

whitesnake01 · June 2, 2005

Most of yall could survice with a titan or a tundra for that matter. Because some people buy the 2500 and never put it to its full potential.

I agree. However, this is not what the base note pointed out at first. If we would be happy with trucks less than a 2500HD, we would probably be reading a different forum on this site..

And yall know as well as I do that they are great trucks and will outlast any gm, ford or dodge product on the market.

Pure speculation of course since there is no factual evidence to substantiate this. None of the US built alternatives have been around very long. I am hard pressed to find any contractors around here doing HD work in a Titan or Tundra. If you **** foot a Chevy it will last a long time. I have a 93 that looks better than my 05. Go figure. If you drive a Rolls Royce like a Mustang, you might change your mind about quality..

And if you choose to not believe that than your just kidding yourself.

Just because I drive a Chevy does not mean I would not want a better truck. I'd love for the old farts in Detroit to wake up and smell the coffee. But when push comes to shove, I need my truck to haul my trailer over the mountains. At that point, a quality Tundra or Titan will be nothing more than breakdown lane decoration, with quality fluids all over the ground.

GMC6000 · June 2, 2005

Most of yall could survice with a titan or a tundra for that matter. Because some people buy the 2500 and never put it to its full potential.

At least you admit that the 2500's are in a class above and beyond the titan and tundra. I do find it kind of ironic that I see alot of GM, Ford, Dodge trucks still being driven that are 30 years old and are still in good shape, but I can't remember the last TOY-ota or nissan thats more than a few years old still in use. Makes you wonder, what is better.

JRKRACE · June 2, 2005

Blah Blah...The guy wants to know if diesel is the way to go....My take is that he should drive both. Second, as good as the diesel is, it will cost more to maintain. Fuel filters. air filters more often, Allison Spin on filters. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just a little more money. Third, is the fact that where I am, diesel is about 25 cents more than gas. Not a deal breaker as the diesel will probably save him about 300-400 dollars a year, which should also cover the added maintenance.

What it boils down to is do you want to pay for the power? Don't forget that although the diesel option is about 5800 list and whatever it is at invoice, the rebates on a diesel are not really as good as they are for gas.

Again....Just my opinion.....

042500HD · June 2, 2005

you both make a good point but as you and I both know. There are a lot of imports still out there and run just as good as new. But yes you will find more domestic trucks on the road, because most americans agree with yall and buy domestic trucks and cars. And about the titans and tundra's being a breakdown land decoration, well I see you really have no idea. They are very good quality trucks but they will not haul as much as the 2500 and 3500's. But very people use these to there full potential. I mean the tundra will pull like 7000 lbs thats quite a bit unless you pull more the tundra and titan would outlast the domestic trucks. And when you want to get rid of it look at how both have held up compared to the fords or chevys. Oh, and I have took it easy on my 04 it only has 20k miles on it and has been in the shop 3 times and is already vibrating and falling apart...

16gaSxS · June 2, 2005

Very good question: I think you really need to look at the miles you put on your truck a year and how much fuel would cost you (gas vs. diesel).

I only drive 12k a year, so to get a D-max and pay the extra $5k would not have been good for me. I figured I could get the Big Block and pay for fuel for 6-7 years and still be better off than getting the Duramax.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I checked the NADA values for a 2001 HD-2500 4x4 CC LS CD, Leather 60K miles 8.1L VS DuraBux

Avg trade & retail value a is $3500~ for the DuraBux.

at 12 mpg avg VS 16 MPG AVG thats @ $2.25/gallon the fuel savings over 5 years would be $2800 so between higher resale value and fuel savings your still ahead and yeah you have larger oil changes and fuel filters ever 12-15,000 miles. If you Tow alot the more the savings, in towing with D-Bux most guys are getting as good or better mpg's than the 8.1 empty. example I have friend with the above truck 4.10's and towing his 30FT Travel trailer with a slide out he gets 12-13 mpg depending on speed and passes in the mountains. Solo at 75mph he gets 17-18mpg. And right now here Diesels where I fill up is $2.07 Vs gas $2.23 regular 85.5 octane if you want 88 octane it's $2.35 I did just pay a few months ago as much as $2.60 for Diesel and gas was $2.16 at the time but that was short lived becasue of refinery issues.

If you travel or tow any amount Diesels shine if your trips are short under 10 miles lots of starts and stops gasers are better. If you can get by with a light truck 1500 then go with a gaser.

I have had my C-2500 6.5TD since 1996 and have put 188,000 miles on it and I'm shooting for 300,000. Unless I move back to town I wouldn't a gas pickup again.

asilverblazer · June 2, 2005

If you don't like GM, buy a titundra and make two trips...

042500HD · June 2, 2005

To be quite honest I was diehard gm fan, untill I purchased this piece and now I am done with the general....

Shawn T · June 2, 2005

It sounds like you really use your truck and depreciate it out for business purposes. There may be a "justification" factor in this post but, bottom line, it is your money. There are alot of diesel haters on this site and that is fine. They do tons of calculations to try and figure out if the moon is alined with the sun on the second Tuesday of the 5th year of ownership if they are going to be able to break even for the extra cost of the diesel. The 6.0L is a great motor and pulls 2 tons easily, so maybe that is your best route, or even jump to the 8.1L with the Alli. I drove all 3 before I bought my DMax. I just like power, plain and simple. I bought the diesel and I am more than satisfied with my purchase. I can afford it and it is my business. Go drive em, then make a decision, based on your finanancial and personal priorities. Diesels have come a long way in the last few years, they are not the same beasts as the old "hard starting oil burners". In fact, if you are going to make alot of short trips the new LLY has a high idle option, standard. You can reach operating temps fast and easy.