Duramax Vs Gasser Long Term Costs

[jro909]

just curious what are the overall costs of keeping each, i'm not talking fuel for example like the gasser will need plugs where as the diesels going to need alot of filters? i post this because eventually i'm looking into an HD and i love the diesel but i'm sure is a slow burn on the wallet...i drive aaaalllot and i know diesels last alot longer in the end

[davzog]

I really depends what you need it for...if you are towing a lot and towing heavy, the diesel is the best bet....just for plain driveability. I have owned both and I find the gasser to be a lot less hassle and maintenance.....but, I used to tow 12K pounds regularly, and the gasser struggles with that much weight up and down hills....

 

Diesels do last a lot longer, but the rest of the truck still needs the same amount of maintenance and repair....diesels are a lot more expensive to repair, but seem to need fewer repairs...

 

I really think the overall cost is a wash....the diesel costs $5-6k MORE WHEN YOU PURCHASE IT, BUT YOU TYPICALLY GET A LOT OF THAT BACK WHEN YOU SELL IT.....

 

When I quit towing, I sold the diesel because it was just overkill for a dialy driver....the noise, smell, cold winters, extra maintneance just were not worth it to me so I went to gas and am happy....with th e HD I can tow when I want but drive daily with less hassle....

 

Again...depends on what you think you'll need....cost not withstanding.

[jro909]

the most i tow now is maybe a bumper pull with two horses or around 100 bails of hay nothen crazy

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

I'm faceing the same dilema myself. I'll be doing very little towing right now, but maybe later on down the road, might be picking me up a 5th wheel. In about 5-10 years. Living in Colorado I do alot of mountain driving. Mostly city driving during the week, but good highway driving on the weekend. It's also a truck I plan on keeping until the wheels fall off as well so long term reliability is important to me. I fully expect to put close to 400,000 - 500,000 miles on it before I get rid of it. While the Duramax DOES get better fuel economy then the 6.0, with the extra 30 cents a gallon that Diesel usually is over 85/87 Octane, I figure they both break about even on fuel cost and economy.

 

With the short amount of driving I do during the week (4 miles to work, 4 miles back) some suggested that I might be doing damage to the Diesel by such short driving and not allowing a full warm up, however I've spoken with several different mechanics who advise that this should not be an issue with the newer Diesels as compared to the older generation of Diesels. One of them has been driving a Duramax to work everyday since he got it 6 years ago and work is only 3 miles away for him. Just allow it to warm up 3-4 min in the morning when cold and you'll be fine.

 

We'll see, I'm still debating between a 2500 Duramax, a 2500 6.0L, and a 1500 6.2L. Problem with the 1500s is that the crew cab only comes with the short box, while the 2500s with the crew cab can have standard, or long box. I want the Standard. I do haul stuff in the bed on a weekly basis so the room is important.

[GPGuy]

I personally like the idea of having a choice on box size too and wish I could get a standard box with the 1500.

[salden77]

another thing to think about is if your going to go with a new diesel they are so choked out with emissions now that the gas mileage is terrible.

[Roofer]

IMO, you need a Diesel or you don't, especially being the 8.1 is gone now. The difference in cost is a non issue if you really need it.

 

To the OP, if you don't tow heavy or haul heavy, you don't need the Diesel. Doesn't mean you can't have one though, just for fun.

[fcknmaw]

another thing to think about is if your going to go with a new diesel they are so choked out with emissions now that the gas mileage is terrible.

 

But, still better then my 6.0 Plus, the emissions crap can be yanked fairly easily.

[REV353]

I was in the same position 2 years ago. I had a K1500 with a 5.0 and I had to bust my butt pulling my 8.5x20' enclosed trailer. I looked into upgrading for a month or two and waded my options for a diesel or gas. I was even looking into other brands of trucks too, I found a 8.1L I was happy with. A friend of mine has a Duramax that is a year newer than my 8.1L and we went of the same trip, trailers are with in a few lbs of each other, about as even as we could get for 250 miles each way. I got around 8-9mph pulling and he was around 12-13mph. 2 years later and I'm still very happy with my decision, and the 6.0L I just would not buy. IMO

[98silvz71]

another thing to think about is if your going to go with a new diesel they are so choked out with emissions now that the gas mileage is terrible.

 

But, still better then my 6.0 Plus, the emissions crap can be yanked fairly easily.

 

 

Not true about the gas mileage. Just picked up a 09 LTZ Crew Cab Duramax and its getting around 18-19 hwy.

[cc1999]

I agree with what others have said, about the diesels, you either need the pulling power or you don't.

 

Back in the late 90s and up till 2002, the diesels had very little emmisions on them, and ran much cooler temps than they do today. I am sure not convinced that a diesel will still out last a gas motor now that they opperate at much higher temps than they did back in the pre emmisions good ole days.

 

If I were pulling heavy loads or had to pull moderate loads in high altitudes or mountain areas on a regular basis I would still be inclined to go with a diesel. But otherwise, I think I would stay with a gas motor. You can typically get a gas truck serviced for about 30-40 bucks, but diesels typically cost about 100 bucks and even more if you need fuel filters changed as well, now that we have 2010 emmisions to hit, you will need to figure in more money on service of the eurea injections fluids. Then think what it will cost if you own one for long periods where you may get stuck replacing some of the emmision components when the truck is out of warranty.

 

I just don't think the economics are there anymore to suport the cool factor in terms of justifing the cost of modern clean diesel ownership vs a similar gas powered truck . If you really need it, you can't beet em for power, but now days other then power, I am thinking gas motors have the uperhand here in the US.

 

 

Back in the late 90s early 2000s you could figure resale value, great fuel mileage, long lasting relative low maintencae cost permile, ect, and make a diesel work out even over a 1/2 ton gas in total ownership cost. NOT so much anymore .

[jro909]

my main concerns are longitivity and being tough and reliable...i'm very happy with my 5.3 i love vortecs but my next truck i too am going to drive until it burys itself...while on the topic do you guys think the z71 option is even worth it on HDs? or do you feel the z85 is much more appliable?

[Big black truck]

I have owned 4 5.9L cummins, 1 6.7L cummins and 2 7.3 powerstrokes. I have pulled a lot over the years from backhoes to skidsteers 5th wheels you name it. I have just sold my 6.7L and now drive a 2001 8.1l gasser. The diesels are great for towing and they generally get great gas mileage but....... Both 7.3 powerstrokes blew out their injector pumps and a tranny on one. All the 5.9 cummins ran flawlessly without a single problem. My 6.7 ran the smoothest of them all but came at a price. Due to the dpf filter, the regens drove the cost of operating through the window. I installed all sorts of goodies to try and ease the pain but in the end, the cost to operate was too great. I lost $21 000 in 2 years (purchase---resale). My 2001 2500hd has just on 100 000 miles on it and all I had to do to it is replace a $135 carrier bearing. I still pull my skidsteer around and it does'nt even feel it. 10-13 mpg in town. I'll have to travel for the rest of my life to calculate a break even point to the 6.7. I added a diablosport tuner and I will try and see 250 000 before I buy another USED gasser. The train of thought has to change to accept that gasser engines today are just as durable as diesels. If they break, they are cheaper to fix. I paid $165 for an oil change contract with chrysler for 12 changes that includes lubing the chasiss, steering and filling up all liquids and air. Thats $12.50 a time. Can't beat that. Long story short Gasser for me.

[jro909]

did you say you payed chrysler for an oil change plan for your 8.1? or did you mean the cummins?

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Lets talk specifics. How is the older generation Duramax different from the 2010 Duramax? What exactly kinds of smog devices are on there now (2010, not the 2011s) which rob power and concern you?