Would you buy a first year truck again?

[2018GMC]

Hi All,

After saving $$ for years I am finally ready to buy a truck. Probably a Duramax since I want a crew cab and standard 6.5 ft bed. But if it is a 2014 I could get that configuration in a half ton gas.

 

All you 2007.5 and 2008 owners, would you buy a first year truck again or no?

 

PROS and CONS

 

If I buy a 2014 then at least it would be new looking for the next 6 - 7 years if GM keeps their current refresh schedule.

 

New AFM engines could be great or a nightmare.

 

Buying a GMT900 - Bugs have been worked out and save a few thousand with incentives.

 

Let me know your thoughts!

[STINSAN3]

Yes I would, my '07 is doing great.

[elite0259]

Me too, I won't be trading my 07 till it's dead, which the way it runs now feels like it'll be a while.

[SILVERADOSC540]

In a heartbeat. My 2007 VMax was an awesome truck. I also bought a first year (1991) Saturn and everybody said I was nuts. Went for 250,000 miles and sixteen years. $9380.00 out the door. Buy the one you like the most, They've had years to iron out the AFM and it's not as bad as you think. Some had problems, but I drove my '07 6.0L (AFM) hard and it never burned oil, never skipped a beat. In the fall the '14's will be available and the '13's will have deep discounts, you'll have both to choose from, probably on the same lot...

[cobrajet84]

No, not becuase it has given me any issues though, i has been a great truck. Just becuase the trucks usually get more things standard/ avaliable within a few years. I.e. my truck doesn't have bluetooth or cooled seats which are things i would enjoy. I can put these in myself, but i don't really have the time. Also with the 2014's they are going to have the six speed tranny at launch and then the 8spd will come latter. There are times i wish i had the 6spd instead of the 4 spd in mine. i'm looking to see how the 8 vs 6spd does mainly in these new trucks. Also a huge issue i had with mine, is that someone hit me within the first 6 months of having it, and getting new body panels took forever becuase they were all dedicated to the new trucks coming off the line.

[music]

My '08 still drives like new, so I guess the answer is "yes". I'd be more concerned about first gen direct injection issues, than I would the rest of it. Even with that, the 5-yr/100k warranty should be plenty to get through any bugs. Also, for every new "feature" you "gain" with successive years... you either lose another feature, or the cost goes up. They sure aren't "giving" us anything. I also don't care much whether I have a 4, 6 or 8 speed auto. They each have their benefits and issues, so it's just a matter of learning how to use them.

 

That said, there's no comparing a Dmax HD with the 1500, no matter how new it is. It's apples and oranges to me. One is a tow monster, but not a good "driver". The other handles/drives so well, that it's all you'll want to drive, but it'll show it's limitations when you get over ~7k to 8k lbs.

[doverarjim]

Well mine is kinda a first year because it is a 11 HD where they upgraded the drive train but did not do much to the body. And yes I think that you can buy a first year with out much worry (unless it is a ford).

[2018GMC]

Well mine is kinda a first year because it is a 11 HD where they upgraded the drive train but did not do much to the body. And yes I think that you can buy a first year with out much worry (unless it is a ford).

Lol. My dad bought a 6.0 power stroke first year. All sorts of problems and only had 20k on it whe he traded it in.

 

I sure like the 2011 HD's and rumor is the 2014 HD's are the same mechanical and frame, just the interior and sheet metal refreshed. New Duramax in 2016!

[nibael]

i wouldn't be scared of the new truck at all. i've been with gm through 3 body changes and have sold hundreds of them... gm builds a fine truck. first year to last of a body style.

[2018GMC]

My '08 still drives like new, so I guess the answer is "yes". I'd be more concerned about first gen direct injection issues, than I would the rest of it. Even with that, the 5-yr/100k warranty should be plenty to get through any bugs. Also, for every new "feature" you "gain" with successive years... you either lose another feature, or the cost goes up. They sure aren't "giving" us anything. I also don't care much whether I have a 4, 6 or 8 speed auto. They each have their benefits and issues, so it's just a matter of learning how to use them.

 

That said, there's no comparing a Dmax HD with the 1500, no matter how new it is. It's apples and oranges to me. One is a tow monster, but not a good "driver". The other handles/drives so well, that it's all you'll want to drive, but it'll show it's limitations when you get over ~7k to 8k lbs.

I have driven both and yes the 1500 is much more car like and easier to drive around town. I could get a gas 2500 but the duramax gets the same or better mpg as the 6.2 half ton unloaded and much better towing. You just get so much more truck (frame, Allison, etc) in the 2500 for the $$.

[Big Whiskey]

The only 'first year' truck I've owned was a 2007 Vortec Max. I drove it to 44k with zero issues or problems.

[music]

I've looked at 2500HD trucks quite a bit over the past few years. I pull a ~7k lb camper, and we're more-or-less at the upper end of the ratings on my 1500 5.3. I've pulled the thing through some crazy conditions, and very long distances, and never had anything dangerous happen. Even so, a HD would be great when towing. The 6.0 gas model seems to get bad mpg by most accounts, and doesn't pull nearly as well as a turbo diesel. From a cost perspective, the two are probably a wash for most "private use" owners though. Pay up front, or pay over time in gas.

 

That said, I personally wouldn't buy a HD for anything less than what I'm pulling, unless I was doing it "all the time". Total cost over the truck life will be a lot higher, it won't fit in my main garage, and I wouldn't "like" driving it empty. Some folks like how they drive, so that's just opinion. Just my 2 cents...

[GMCustomerService]

2009 GMC,

 

Good luck with your decision and your purchase! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

[jh6959]

No way I have a 2007 2500hd duramax with 58,000 miles undercarriage is a rust bucket it is about to lose the entire exhaust due to rust and of coarse they say it's from off-road use been off road 1 time use this to take trips it looks like new till you look at frame and cross members and well everything under truck is rust trading in this week. My 06 cobalt and 07 equinox have 0 rust and travel the same roads in eastern Virginia 68 miles from ocean so honestly owned GM all my life disappointed will not ever again

[jh6959]

Me too, I won't be trading my 07 till it's dead, which the way it runs now feels like it'll be a while.

Look under my 07 2500hd is a rust bucket