2010 Test Drive Questions

[gnet158]

Hello everyone, I've found a few 2010 D-Max's around and have some questions of what to do and expect on the test drives.

 

1. If a D-Max has been sitting on the lot how long should I want before taking her out? Or how many miles should I give her?

 

The reason I ask is I test drove one this past weekend and she drove like a dog at first, so I thought I needed to wait until the engine/tranny/turbo warmed up. After a 4-5 mile test drive I took it on the freeway we exited and took the same drive back. At this point the engine/tranny temp were good so I gave her some gas but wasn't impressed, so I took her off of D and into M1 and that didn't make much difference. Is there something else I should have done?

 

2. Is the smell of diesel common in the cab with the windows rolled up?

 

 

I expected the D-Max to totally out pull my 5.3L truck but it didn't. The truck had 750+ miles on it so I think it was some what broken in.

[Stevens03]

I've driven a few Dmax's and quite frankly, my impression was your impression

 

I too smelled diesel.

[becker87]

at 750 miles a diesel is no where near broken in. plus the power a diesel puts down compared to your gasser are completely two different things, the diesel is a torque monster. Give it a few thousand miles on it and you will just scratch the surface of breaking it in.

[r1byker]

I have a 5.3 Suburban and I just bought (10 months ago) a Duramax. It's the old one that doesn't require DEF. The torque difference is incredible. It's barely working hard when I tow my 7,000 lb. trailer, whereas my 5.3 downshifting into second to keep up.

 

I think it takes about five to seven thousand to break it in. As an indicator, I'm getting better fuel mileage now, at 10,000+ miles than I did when new.

 

I will say that it does need to be thoroughly warmed up before you'll get a decent response from the engine and transmission. I never give more than 1/4 throttle until it's fully up to operating temp.

 

And I've never smelled diesel, raw or burned, in the cab.

[gnet158]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I"m going to another dealership to test a few more. I'll make sure to let the truck idle for at least 5 minutes and take a longer test drive and see how it goes.

[Shawn T]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I"m going to another dealership to test a few more. I'll make sure to let the truck idle for at least 5 minutes and take a longer test drive and see how it goes.

 

 

You can let it warm up all day if you want. Your going to get the same results. The 5.3L will run circles around the Dmax all day unloaded. This is the age old argument on this site. What is faster, diesel or gas. My last 5.3L was a 99 rated at 270 hp and 315 ft-lb of torque. I would put money on it that it was still faster than my LBZ Dmax with a dialbo sport predator tune stage 5 to this day. I bought my Dmaxes for my pulling. Period..... When I used to pull my trailer, the 5.3L was a 90 yr old woman in white gloves screaming to take the trailer off her weak back. The Dmax is an 800 lb gorilla trying to tear the tongue out from underneath, toying with 8000 lbs. If you pull, buy the diesel, if you don't and want the fastest truck in the neighborhood keep the 5.3L. If you pull moderate loads buy a 1500 with the 6.2L. Then you'll have the fastest truck in town and you can pull your camp trailer up a 1% grade without it red-lining.

[music]

Diesel revs up slow, but has monster torque. Gas revs quick. High rpms early gives quick takeoff (winner = gas). High torque @ low rpm = strong puller (winner = diesel).

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Yup you defenitly have to let these guys break in a bit. I test drove a brand new 2010 a month or two before I got my 2008 that already had 12,000 miles and there was a noticeable difference, the 08 had more get up and go. The 2010 had get up and go as well but the broken in model did better. I'm at 22,000 miles now on mine and I'm noticing a slight fuel economy improvement as well.

[Pool Runner]

I bought an '05 Dodge 2500 Cummins Diesel (High Output) brand new in '05. Stock it drove the same way from 20 miles on the clock to 30K miles in my opinion. I also gave up the warranty early and put a programmer on it. Truth be told even my gas '08 6.0L 3/4 Chevy feels a lot faster in town and when passing etc... however the gas 6.0L hunts for gears on inclines and when pulling a trailer/ load. The Cummins just held it's position as if it wasn't bothered with the task. I havent driven a GMT900 D-Max but had driven an older LBZ or LL?? (GMT800) body and wasn't impressed. Im sure it shines though when it's got a load.

[gnet158]

**********UPDATE***********

 

Went to test drive another 2010 2500 Diesel and what a difference. This test drive was exactly what I expected. The truck has tons of torque and power, nothing like the first one I test drove. This one only had 38 miles on her. I made an offer but they wouldn't budge. So I waked out and we'll see if they call back.

[chrisb1]

I have a GM 2008 HD Diesel. If you drive the diesel like a gas engine or hot rod, do not count on getting any mileage out of it.

They are fast for weighing over 7200lbs. The new 2011 GM HD is said to be less than 6 seconds to 60MPH.

 

Sounds like you are more interested in a hot rod versus a tow vehicle. Perhaps the diesel is not your cup of tea. By the way, I

never have had any diesel fumes in the cab. I must admit the engine is not as smooth or quiet as a 6 liter. I drove both

before buying my 2008. I like the diesel.

[gnet158]

I don't test drive HD's as a hot rod, but if you test drove that first one you'd be scared off from GM diesel's too. If I wanted a hot rod (who even uses that term anymore) I would have purchased a 2010 Camaro. I was expecting exactly what I got from the 2nd truck, something was way off on the first one.

[KMGZ400]

**********UPDATE***********

 

Went to test drive another 2010 2500 Diesel and what a difference. This test drive was exactly what I expected. The truck has tons of torque and power, nothing like the first one I test drove. This one only had 38 miles on her. I made an offer but they wouldn't budge. So I waked out and we'll see if they call back.

 

 

i wonder why that is? what where the specs of both trucks?

[BlackSilver]

Diesels are about working for a living.

 

If you want acceleration from the light, get a small block gas engine.

 

Then rent a diesel when you need some work to be done.

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Why? My Diesel does just fine accelerating from a light.. sure it takes a second for the turbo to spool up but after it does, I'm passing all the gassers.