duramax milage that much better than 5.3 gas?

hoorders · August 26, 2005

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if the duramax engine gets considerably better milage that a 5.3 gas engine. My 1500 4x4 with 3.73 gears gets around 18mpg and I was considering moving up to a 2500 with a duramax.

I know the 2500 is a heavy duty truck and it will really be used for my daily driver more than anything so I was wondering if it was worth spending the extra $$$ to move up to a deisel??

Thanks.........

99-2door · August 26, 2005

For a daily driver you'll get better with the 5.3 in a 1/2 ton.

Bart2500HD · August 26, 2005

Keep the 5.3. A heavy duty 2500 Dmax is a great truck for towing and hauling, but I doubt you'll gain anything but a lighter wallet by getting one. Spending so much more on a truck to get minimal gains in fuel consumption (to quote Jeff Foxworthy) "..is like buying a 747 to get free peanuts."

hoorders · August 26, 2005

Keep the 5.3. A heavy duty 2500 Dmax is a great truck for towing and hauling, but I doubt you'll gain anything but a lighter wallet by getting one. Spending so much more on a truck to get minimal gains in fuel consumption (to quote Jeff Foxworthy) "..is like buying a 747 to get free peanuts."

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Thanks for the feedback.

dewfpo · August 26, 2005

Based on your note, stick with the 5.3L. No way the DM can payout for you.

DEWFPO

dannyukonxl · August 27, 2005

espcially with the price of diesel

Z71-cummins · August 27, 2005

how can the Dmax not be able to payout. If you bought the Dmax and then bought your own fuelmiester or other kind of biodiesel make you would be not worrying too much about the price of gas but of chemicals cause you can get ur oil for Mcdonalds or Taco Bell. I am looking at diesel also and if i do get it im getting me a biodiesel maker jsut so i can have my cheap gas again.

dewfpo · August 28, 2005

how can the Dmax not be able to payout. If you bought the Dmax and then bought your own fuelmiester or other kind of biodiesel make you would be not worrying too much about the price of gas but of chemicals cause you can get ur oil for Mcdonalds or Taco Bell. I am looking at diesel also and if i do get it im getting me a biodiesel maker jsut so i can have my cheap gas again.

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Based on the mileage that Hooders said he is getting with his 5.3L, the DM will not get substantially more MPG for his type of driving. The difference in cost between his truck and a DM will probably be greater than $5K. I do not know how many miles a year he drives, and I don not know if he makes many short trips or not; but it sounds like he does not tow much .... so he doesn't need the torque or a 7,000lb truck to drag around on a daily commute. Even with Biodeisel made at home (if that's what HE was choosing to do), the payout for him is WAY out there.

Do the math.

DEWFPO

BlackSilver · August 28, 2005

if i do get it im getting me a biodiesel maker jsut so i can have my cheap gas again.

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Your home-made fuel is a recipe for a blown engine.

Hitchhiker · August 28, 2005

"..... and if i do get it im getting me a biodiesel maker jsut so i can have my cheap gas again.

It takes quite a few miles of driving to recoup the initial investment of the equipment that's required to make your own bio-diesel. And once you make your fuel you'll be limited to the driving range of the factory fuel tank unless you install a humongous fuel tank in the bed of the truck.

IMHO, I don't think home brew bio-diesel is going to be too popular with the large majority of diesel owners.

hoorders · August 29, 2005

how can the Dmax not be able to payout. If you bought the Dmax and then bought your own fuelmiester or other kind of biodiesel make you would be not worrying too much about the price of gas but of chemicals cause you can get ur oil for Mcdonalds or Taco Bell. I am looking at diesel also and if i do get it im getting me a biodiesel maker jsut so i can have my cheap gas again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Based on the mileage that Hooders said he is getting with his 5.3L, the DM will not get substantially more MPG for his type of driving. The difference in cost between his truck and a DM will probably be greater than $5K. I do not know how many miles a year he drives, and I don not know if he makes many short trips or not; but it sounds like he does not tow much .... so he doesn't need the torque or a 7,000lb truck to drag around on a daily commute. Even with Biodeisel made at home (if that's what HE was choosing to do), the payout for him is WAY out there.

Do the math.

DEWFPO

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Im actually driving a minimum of 200kms per day........thats back and forth from work............thats why I was considering a DM. One was for the better milage, if it actually gets beter milage than my 5.3 and the other reason I was considering a DM was because I easily rack up to 50,000kms per year adn was hoping a DM had a longer life span.

Everyones feedback is certainly always much appreciated.

Daubs · August 29, 2005

With that many miles per day / year, I'd drive your 5.3 until you are ready to trade or put her in the bone-yard. Then, and only then, consider a d-max.

Biggest cost of owning a vehicle isn't fuel (#3), or even insurance (#2), but depreciation! No one likes to tell you this, especially the manufacturers. They want us to trade off our trucks every 2-3 years. Buy it, love it, and drive it to death. Get your money out of it before you spring $45k+ for a styling new Duramax (besides, D-max is due for a power upgrade in next 6 months...can you say 350 HP and 650 lb/ft???!!!!!

Shawn T · August 29, 2005

I did the exact move your talking about. Went from a 5.3L to the Dmax. By choice only. Not for economics. Alot of people on this forum want justification for it. It is none of their business, if you want it, buy it. If you ARE looking at economics, don't get it. The mileage increase is minimal. On the highway you will see better numbers, but in town they are close to the same. The increased power also makes your foot a little heaveir (in my case). On another note, the HD is not as nimble as the 1500, it is harder to stop and does not like sharp corners. Food for thought.