2017 6.2L 1500 vs 2015 6.6L 2500: Cost of Ownership

[halhawkins]

47 minutes ago, NathanielDDay said:

Sure it is.  You just choose to not allocate your budget that way.

 

I'm guessing you are going to spend around $55k for a max tow 6.2 1500 or a 30k mileage DMax.

 

For ~$12k you can get a low miles Cruze that gets 30+mpg to commute 

For ~$45k you can get a higher mileage DMax for your occasional towing needs.

 

It may not be what you want to drive daily and it may mean taking on an older truck, but it is technically within your likely budget.

 

Now if you need to tow everyday on your commute, that changes the conversation, but that isn't how you understood your post.

Not in the height budget is what I meant. At 6'8", cars aren't really an option lol

[NathanielDDay]

55 minutes ago, halhawkins said:

Not in the height budget is what I meant. At 6'8", cars aren't really an option lol

 

So it sin't what you want to buy. That's fine.

[Lgetz]

Agree with an earlier poster that oil changes are not necessarily double the cost if you do them yourself.  A 10 quart container of Delvac 1300 is $28 plus tax at wally world while 0W-20 Dexos Mobil 1 is $25 plus tax for 5 quarts.  Regular Delco oil filter PF2232 and a Mobil 1 filter run about $9-10 each so the gasser runs a bit more coin for an oil change.  However the diesel fuel filter is an additional $35-45 more depending on where you purchase (Ebay, O'Reilly, NAPA) and for long injector life should be changed between 12K-15 miles. DEF fluid runs another $3 or so per gallon if bought at wally world so there is an additional cost involved.  

With that being said for your use I would probably get the Duramax.   Will tow your trailer like it's not even there.   Besides the bigger brakes and stouter chassis give additional piece of mind.

[Matthew Manzari]

You guys brought up excellent points. My prices when I said “double” we’re based on my dealer. In my 5.3 I am under 50$ on the oil change and D-max was over $100, but you are right that those margins are closer doing it yourself... I also love the point about a car, my best friend has to tow his boat for part of his job and he’s 6,2” and has his dmax for that but puts over 30k miles on his diesel Cruze getting 45+ mpg each year, also his seat isn’t all the way back so even at 6,8 you would probably fit. With that said, I also don’t like to be in economy cars just cause my trucks more comfortable. Currently I’m pulling a 33’ fifth wheel with my 5.3 for the last 10k, but I feel it. I am also considering just going to a duramax full time again, but when unhooked I get 20-24mpg average driving easy paying 87 prices (way less than diesel, in FL anyway)...

as far as where and tear, I am not sold the 2500 parts  cost more because they’re stronger, but rather because there’s less 2500s in production and they use more metal… The market has way more half tons than 3/4 so it costs are more  to get return on investment when engineering apart knowing sales will be less,  based on volume…  also my 2500 needed a whole rear axle, new rotors, three starters none of which I’ve ever replaced in my half ton.  Half ton has just been oil  changes, tires, and pads...  my dad‘s 1/2 ton has a magnacharger (from a shop in Dallas) in with his 5.3... He towed a 15,000 pound  trailer up to South Dakota and he said I did fine, when they moved up there... magna  works with Chevy and it maintains the factory drivetrain warranty up to 75,000 with that so I’m considering a magnacharger rather than a new Duramax as well, if I want more row power. But again your situation with that many miles seems like a dmax would make more sense...  also I never allow my vehicle to go over 6000 miles between oil changes so I hadn’t really considered about waiting 15 K like you mentioned I’m not sure I have the guys...  thanks for everybody’s input, I love hearing different options 

[Matthew Manzari]

This in in salt lake last month! I’m 10k miles into the trip in New Orleans now, headed back to FL! I love GM trucks! Like I said my 5.3 feels this

[spectorfreak]

9 hours ago, Matthew Manzari said:

I also love the point about a car, my best friend has to tow his boat for part of his job and he’s 6,2” and has his dmax for that but puts over 30k miles on his diesel Cruze getting 45+ mpg each year, also his seat isn’t all the way back so even at 6,8 you would probably fit.

6'4" -- no way in hell would I ever feel comfortable driving a Cruze. I've had them every now and then as loaner vehicles. Maybe the newer ones are nicer, but my friend has a '14 and sitting in the front passenger seat pushed all the way back, my knees are literally touching the dash... Yup. Nope!