Traded in my 2018 2500HD All-Terrain HD SLT diesel with 176k on a 2025 2500HD Custom gas with 1 mile. I bought the GMC new and it was good to me for the most part but I did have a few issues with it over the years and although I took very good care of it and it still looked awesome with no rust, it was starting to develop some quirks and I ultimately made the call to replace it vs. flying closer and closer to the sun. My wife cried because she really loved our GMC and I was a little upset to my stomach too (giving up memories and cost of replacement), but it was time.
I chose gas over diesel this time mainly because of initial cost (purchased off grid camp on 10ac last year and that eats into our finances), I really don’t NEED the diesel, and although I may miss the grunt, I’m not sure the juice will be worth the squeeze for how I’m using it most of the time.
I landed on the Custom package because of overall value. I really liked my SLT All-Terrain’s interior and features but again, it really came down to cost and being honest with myself about needs vs. wants. I liked the leather and buckets/console but never used the heated seats & wheel and forgot I had a sunroof most days. I feel we got an average deal (not great, but reasonable), and the transaction at our dealer was easy which counts for something with me.
I considered a half ton this time but by the time I optioned a 1/2t truck for real work, I kept ending up at around the same price for an equal trim package…and a truck that lacks capability vs an HD. I’m really only towing snowmobile trailers a few times per year, but in gnarly conditions and getting pushed around by wind on snow packed roads in a lighter truck is no fun. I’ll also have my bed full (like Beverly Hillbilly full) driving 8hrs+ to our cabin and refuse to do that with the rear end sagging. So those things and also being able to tow a heavier piece of rental equipment every now and then kept me in an HD.
My first impressions of the 6.6 gas engine during my test drive and on the way home from our dealership is that it’ll be better for my day to day use than the Duramax was for how I drive. It’s much more responsive and doesn’t feel heavy or sluggish. I don’t expect any disappointment until I really pour the beef to it with a load…which isn’t that often in reality. I get a vehicle allowance thru work and they pay for my fuel & basic maintenance, so while I don’t take that for granted or abuse it, the fuel mileage disparity is less of an issue.