New or Used Duramax - Sticker shock vs potential regret

cmoore74 · January 9, 2015

Over the years I've been steadily increasing the size of the toys and equipment I pull and continue to outgrow my trucks before they are ready for retirement.

I have decided the next truck will be a 2500HD with the Duramax. Looking to buy in about a year. I don't think I'll be outgrowing a 3/4 ton Duramax so I plan to keep this one for a long time.

My debate is between brand new or used. If used 2006 or 2007 classic (pre-emissions LBZ) or only a few years old.

Obviously a new Duramax is a big sticker shock (MSRP of ~ $59k for what I'm looking for + high property taxes here in Konnecticut). I can afford it, but I have heart-burn spending $25-30k on a nice low-mileage 2006-2007. Is $25k+ difference worth 10 years in life? I am leaning toward biting the bullet on new or slightly used since I plan to keep the truck for a long time anyhow (15-20 years).

Thoughts?

If I do go used, go for a few years old or pre-emissions (2006 or 2007 classic LBZ) and if so what should I watch out for?

I'm sure this isn't the first time this has been debated. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Chris

KMGZ400 · January 9, 2015

Why not find a nice low mileage LML like an 11' or 12? The chassis/motor are exactly the same from 11+

sahls01gmc · January 9, 2015

+1. There's a happy medium for the 2 scenarios you have thought about.

CAtaylor · January 9, 2015

A good used 11-13 LML is going to be mid to high 30's. You can get a nice 2015.5 for around 48 now; just bought one a couple months ago. They will come off of the price 10-12K without having to get on the desk stomping and screaming. I have had a 2012 and now have a 2015. Ride is basically the same between the two but the cab configuration, comfort, features and quietness is much better on the 15 IMO. If you are going to keep the truck for 10-15 years I would start new so you have the warranty and free maintenance for 2 years; my 2 cents.

cmoore74 · January 9, 2015

A good used 11-13 LML is going to be mid to high 30's. You can get a nice 2015.5 for around 48 now; just bought one a couple months ago. They will come off of the price 10-12K without having to get on the desk stomping and screaming. I have had a 2012 and now have a 2015. Ride is basically the same between the two but the cab configuration, comfort, features and quietness is much better on the 15 IMO. If you are going to keep the truck for 10-15 years I would start new so you have the warranty and free maintenance for 2 years; my 2 cents.

$10-12k off list makes the decision more palitable. Leaning towards new just because I plan to keep it a while. My current 2006 1500 (bought new) has 125k miles and is holding up very well. If it wasn't for outgrowing it, I could see keeping the 2006 to 200k+ miles.

Blue2500CC · January 10, 2015

CMoore74,

What toys and equipment do you have and pull?

Think you will end up with a bigger trailer in the future? If a camper, a 5ver or even a toy hauler?

Since your plan is to keep the truck at east 10+yrs, I would suggest new for the reasons mentioned IF it is in the budget.

BUT... skip the 2500 and get a 3500 srw!!! Pretty much the same price, and about 800lbs (if I remember correctly!) more payload. While a 2500HD Dmax has a 10klb gvwr, I think it will still have a little less payload than my 6.0 with a 9500lb gvwr, which is about 2750lbs. IF the toys/trailers continue to grow, the 3500HD will have more room to spare.

cmoore74 · January 10, 2015

CMoore74,

What toys and equipment do you have and pull?

Think you will end up with a bigger trailer in the future? If a camper, a 5ver or even a toy hauler?

Since your plan is to keep the truck at east 10+yrs, I would suggest new for the reasons mentioned IF it is in the budget.

BUT... skip the 2500 and get a 3500 srw!!! Pretty much the same price, and about 800lbs (if I remember correctly!) more payload. While a 2500HD Dmax has a 10klb gvwr, I think it will still have a little less payload than my 6.0 with a 9500lb gvwr, which is about 2750lbs. IF the toys/trailers continue to grow, the 3500HD will have more room to spare.

Double axle trailer for hauling firewood and a 26' Robalo walk-around.

My brother-in-law is trying to convince me to get a couple of sleds for winter fun, but the current truck would pull those no problem. My wife has been talking about maybe a camper too at some point in time.

Is there such a thing as too many toys or is it a problem of not enough time to play with all of them?

8.1HD/ALLISON · January 10, 2015

I'd say go with what you are comfortable spending on a new one. There is no such thing as too many toys, tools, or guns..... Lol just not enough time to play with them all.

newdude · January 10, 2015

If you go new, pick up a leftover 15 when the 2016 model year starts up. Anytime GM does Chevy Truck Month, or supplier pricing, is usually a great time to get good $$ of a new one.

Mike-1000 · January 10, 2015

Hold out as long as you can and then go for either new or used in the new body style. I think the new body is much quieter than the 900s.

Mike

doverarjim · January 10, 2015

When I bought my '11 it was just a little higher that what used trucks were selling for. So for me it was better to buy new than used. I thought about spending the extra $1000 at the time for a 3500 but I decided not to do that this time. I told the wife that this was going to be the last new truck that I bought!!! But here it is 3 years old with 75,000 trouble free miles on it! I told her the other day that we would need to start taking her car more places but she said no my truck was much better to travel in that her Exployer!!!!

cmoore74 · January 11, 2015

I'd say go with what you are comfortable spending on a new one. There is no such thing as too many toys, tools, or guns..... Lol just not enough time to play with them all.

Well we don't quite need a 3/4 ton to transport all the firearms... yet.

cmoore74 · January 11, 2015

After a bunch of research, discussion with current owners and consternation (I research the $hit out of everything especially dropping this kind of coin) I've come to the conclusion buy a new 2015 or 2016 or a 2007 classic LBZ to avoid the DPF and the DEF.

Now $30K+ for a cherry 2007 classic (an almost 9 year old truck at this point) is steep so I'll probably go new and deal with the added maintenance of the new emissions standards. I test drove a 2015 and man is it nice!

Who knows... I may (and probably will) change my mind again.

Further thoughts are appreciated.

doverarjim · January 11, 2015

I will repeat this until my truck dies, DEF is not a big deal!! (At least for me) It is a pain to use the 2 1/2 gallon jugs so find a truck stop that has it in the dispenser, lat time I filled up it was $14.00 for 5 gallons and it will last from 6,000 to 8,500 miles or at least that is my experence with it. And I am one of the few that has had a DEF tank problem and I spent $350.00 on a skid plate for the DEF tank and we jacked the truck up using the tank and got both of the right side tires off the ground so I am good to go now.

Cowpie · March 1, 2015

The emission stuff on the late model pickups may or may not be an issue. It has a lot to do with how the previous owner used the pickup and took care of it. Those new SCR/DPF units are very unforgiving. And when they require repair, one can think they are going to really bust the bank. When it all works, it works great. When it takes a dump, prepare to take out a second mortgage.

If I was doing it, I would either buy a low mileage, well taken care of pre-emission pickup or just pull the trigger on a new pickup with all the warranties.