To Trade Or Not To Trade....

[02silveradols]

I have always wanted a duramax since I started driving and I saw one at a dealership when I went to get a dent looked at on my current truck. Its a 2004 Silverado LS with 108,000 miles on it. The body is in good shape. The dealership wants about 20,000 for it. I don't think I could get them to come down anymore. The interior is really bottum line LS. It has the jump seat in it with cloth seats. No steering wheel controls or anything either. I drove the truck for a good portion of the day. I had a big issue with the brakes, when i got home the right rear was smoking bad. I think it was sticking bad...it smelt like burnt rear end fluid and brakes. I had a good amount of smoke pouring out of there. I let it cool for a while and it was fine on the ride back to the dealership. The hub was pretty hott as well. The things I found wronge: the a/c was not all that cold at all, something wrong there. The plastic covers on the hubs were GMC instead of Chevy, and needs tires and brakes obv. I stepped on it pretty good and it seemed to pull good. I'm not familiar with the Allison tranny but it seemed to shift and drive fine. I couldn't feel overdrive, but I'm sure it's different with a duramax. The downside I see is that I still owe on my current truck so I hope not to carry the existing loan over. I'm not sure what they would give me for trade. I'm guessing no more then 12,000. I'm also going from an LT3 to LS. The diesel probably needs some more regular maintanience done to it that the dealer would not do. What would you guys do? I don't do much towing, but I do tow a car trailer and horse trailer from time to time and haul would.. What do you guys think? I also do a lot of driving with my job. What to do?

 

[importkiller76]

I would say to keep your truck now. Dmax's are great trucks but due to all the things wrong with the max I would say to keep your current truck. I've always wanted a deisel too but you're right there is a lot of maintenance involved. Although on the plus side you won't lose much power if you go to a lift and bigger tires if that's the direction you're going...

[Stevens03]

If you really want one,.. find another one.. or keep yours.

[RyanbabZ71]

gmc center caps? Smoking brakes? Something doesnt add up I would pass on that

[2005LT]

+1. Sounds like a good number of issues that need to be fixed on that one. Keep looking. I'm sure there are some nice ones out there for similar or maybe a little more cost. The issue with buying the used diesel is that it probably had a tough life hauling stuff. Check the box when you're looking around for signs of a king pin or 5th wheel. However, don't assume its been abused just because it had/has a hitch. This just gives you an idea of it's past history. If it looks like it's been taken care of and the regular maintenance stuff was done, I wouldn't hesitate.

 

They are amazing machines. My dad has a 2003 Sierra Duramax with 90,000 miles on it now. It has an Edge tuner in it but even in power levels 1 or 2 it can set you back in the seat in 5th gear when accelerating. Endless amount of torque. We pulled a 5th wheel across the country this summer and the truck performed great.

[02silveradols]

Yeah I kind of have to agree. The price seems a bit high as well. But the KBB comes up with 22,500. I think the dealership would fix all the problems but would not budge much for a price if they did all that. My 5.3 seemed to have more power off the line but I know in the long run the Duramax would out power it. I think it's hard to see the power of the truck without towing.

[lsuguy]

Yea I'd keep yours and look for another one if your really want one. Too much seems wrong with this one.

[Bowtie2Sierra]

I would definitely keep your truck. That Duramax sounds like it has been used & abused pretty good, not to mention the price seems high for it's condition. There are better options out there.

[02silveradols]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I might just do that. I don't tow to much and my truck does a good job. Plus I love the LT3.

[superjim]

From what you described...the D-Max has been rode hard and put up wet ... way too many times.

 

I would pass on that one, and if I really wanted one...keep looking.

[02silveradols]

I figured the brakes may just be normal wear and tear but maybe not. I also though that the a/c may be just the aculator doors. I'm not sure. I think the truck is pretty stripped down for that price...not sure though.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I might just do that. I don't tow to much and my truck does a good job. Plus I love the LT3.

 

Good call. Personally I'd start saving up and upgrade to a GMT900 Duramax once you can afford one.

[BlackSilver]

I have always wanted a duramax since I started driving and I saw one at a dealership when I went to get a dent looked at on my current truck. Its a 2004 Silverado LS with 108,000 miles on it. The body is in good shape. The dealership wants about 20,000 for it. I don't think I could get them to come down anymore. The interior is really bottum line LS.

 

Two things:

 

Thing #1) This isn't the right truck for all the reasons you've already told us, plus I suspect more that you didn't see.

 

Thing #2) If you're not pulling really big stuff or hauling really heavy stuff, a DuraMax is a waste. Diesels are work trucks, and the "cool" will wear off real quick in real life.

[02silveradols]

Agreed.....why would their cool wear off? Not trying to be a smart a** but just wondering.

[ironhead3fan]

You will eventually miss the extra features your current truck has. It sounds as if this other truck has been beat up pretty good. I would stay with what you know, probably gonna be a lot less heartaches in the end.