Buying a Sierra, go Duramax or Gas? not 4 towing

shocker45 · December 11, 2005

okay, im looking at a new truck, and my budget is in the range for a 2003 gmc 2500 duramax. or a 2004 gmc sierra 1500. both loaded 4x4's and all the bells and whistles.

now, ill explain my situation, and you guys tell me what i should do, or the pros and cons of each.

I am working for a Demolition company as the foreman, i drive around the city minimum 3-4 hours a day looking at jobs or obtaining permits or clearances. most of my stops are only 10-15 minutes, in most cases i leave the truck running. the odd time, i have to tow a large compressor around town, its on a trailer and weights about 4000 lbs. ive towed it with my 2002 gmc sierra 1500 without much difficulty so im not worried about the towing. then on my own time, i go on road trips maybe once a month or 2 months, but im never towing anything.

i really like the duramax's but ive heard stories of injectors going and other horror stories that resulted in a big money loss. but one of the benefits of the diesel is i can fill up in my yard whenever i want for no charge. if i was to buy a gasjob i would still get most of my gas paid for. so its not too big of a deal.

basically how are the duramax's for running around town most of the time? whats the mpg on the 03 duramax vs 04 sierra 5.3 in the city?

Roofer · December 11, 2005

Go for the Duramax. You won't regret it. Then if you ever get in a situation to pull something bigger, you can. The resale will be better and the mileage is about the same between the diesel and the 5.3. I have 70K on my Dmax with no trouble. I tow big and small, in the heat and the winter. The motor has impressed me to say the least.

shocker45 · December 11, 2005

so as far as for just running around the city and stuff its fine. i always thought diesels were just purely meant for like highway. stuff like that.

the thing that makes me really want a diesel is we have a fair amount of eqipment, and i have a 200 gallon diesel tank that goes in the back of a pickup truck, with still giving you most of ur box space. so i could put that in there, and then road trips would be a breeze. never even stop at a gas station.

but yea, ive always wanted the duramax. but ive just been worried that driving around town, and starting up around 10 times a day might hurt something. with most of our equipment we leave it run all day once its going.

so you guys think its still a good truck for me? when i go to a site ill get out and leave it run, but then i go back to the shop, shut it off. go inside for say 30 min then i gotta go somewhere else. so its okay for that?

reason asking, is if i buy an 03 duramax im off warrenty, and if i get an 04 gasjob, i still have some warrenty on it.

Shaners · December 12, 2005

Sounds like the Dmax will suit you just fine. Remember that the motor has a 100K mile warranty, so it's going to last, and if it does have a problem it will be covered.

Jay P · December 12, 2005

I would get the diesel.

All LB7's have an extended injector warranty (see below). The engine is covered by a 5yr 100,000 mile warranty with a $100 deductable after the 3/36 warranty.

#04-06-04-007E - (Sep 23, 2005)

Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On, DTCs P0087, P0093, P1093, Low Power, No Start, Hard Start, Fuel in Crankcase (Replace All Injectors -- New Strategy for High Fuel Return Rates) 2003-2004 Chevrolet Silverado

2003-2004 Chevrolet Kodiak C4500/C5500 Series

2003-2004 GMC Sierra

2003-2004 GMC Topkick C4500/C5500 Series

with 6.6L Duramax™ Diesel Engine (VIN 1 -- RPO LB7)

The 6.6L Duramax™ Diesel Injectors warranty covers the condition described above for the period of 7 years or 320,000 km (200,000 mi), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

shocker45 · December 12, 2005

wow, does that 5 year 100 k mile warrenty apply in canada as well? it would be somewhere around 5 year and 160 000 km, for motor. also, what about transmission or transfer case? i know the allison is basically bullet proof. but just in case.

Tor Diesel · December 13, 2005

Is the diesel at work on-road or off-road? Basically - did the company pay taxes or is it only for heavy equipment? Reason being that off-road diesel is dyed a different color to prevent it being used on the highway. It mostly happens to big rigs but some states check the fuel in your tank (dip a stick with a cloth on the end) to see if something sneaky is going on. Happened to me once in my Jetta TDi once they realized it was diesel. I don't know what the fines are if you aren't using road legal fuel but I bet it is hefty. If the company pays for on-road diesel then by all means go Duramaz. Neighbor has one and it is quite impressive (fuel economy, power, range,etc.) Maybe another option is the new Max 1500 with the 6.0?

shocker45 · December 13, 2005

i order the fuel from the fuel company, we use it for all our semi's and loaders, backhoes, excavators and graders. it is onroad safe. or DOT would have givin us dozoens of tickets already.

how are the 6.0's on fuel compared to the 5.3? i dont think im getting a disel, for the price that 1500's are going for up here, its not worth it, i can get a 2004 1500 sierra, loaded for $19000 cdn. or a 2003 duramax loaded for $26500 so i mean, the 04 is a better buy forsure. plus when i go stay at my gf's place or something i dont have to worry about not being able to plug it in.

i do like the 2500's tho, so yea, 6.0 vs 5.3 for gas mileage in city anyone?

6.slow · December 13, 2005

6.0 vs 5.3???

Man, I'd go 5.3 in a heart beat! If you wanna pull stuff, go 6.0. If you wanna go somewhere without stopping at every filling station, go 5.3. I'm not by any means knocking the 5.3's... I hear they scream. As for the 6.0's, got one and it's a gas-hog. I get about 13-13.5 MPG's on mine without a trailer. I've heard people getting about 15-16 MPG top end. I'm sure others will chime in and give you their testaments. Good luck.

sleepur606 · December 14, 2005

6.0 vs 5.3???

Man, I'd go 5.3 in a heart beat! If you wanna pull stuff, go 6.0. If you wanna go somewhere without stopping at every filling station, go 5.3. I'm not by any means knocking the 5.3's... I hear they scream. As for the 6.0's, got one and it's a gas-hog. I get about 13-13.5 MPG's on mine without a trailer. I've heard people getting about 15-16 MPG top end. I'm sure others will chime in and give you their testaments. Good luck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've got an 02 HD with the 6.0..."small motor." Anyway, mileage for me is about 13-14 in the city, but when I work and I'm driving all around town non-stop I get low mileage, stop and go, around 10-12 mpg. On the highway, my mom managed to get 19 mpg...don't ask me how, it's only supposed to be rated for like 17 mpg I think. I guess it all depends on your right foot, after I installed K&N mpg dropped a whole bunch for the first 2 weeks, but I was racing a friend home so there's my excuse...he had a 4.8 and was beating the snot out of me. Ok, too much information, but gas mileage isn't TOO bad. I fill up every other week. Just my side of the story.

silverado3500 · December 14, 2005

Comparing the 5.3 to the 6.0 is kinda like comparing a gasser to a diesel. The 5.3 is designed to make more HP and does great in a half ton truck, while the 6.0 has much better torque (more suited for towing). Yes the 5.3 will run faster unloaded and get a little better mileage, but the 6.0 will run circles areound the 5.3 towing. It all depends on what you want the truck to do. If your not planning on towing heavy loads with it, and don't really want the diesel for "fun" the 6.0 would do fine. Just something to remember, $3,000 or more buys a lot of gas, epsecially when your company is reimbursing you for it.

mmmikkke · December 15, 2005

Reading between the lines, what you really want is a 2500HD with a 6.0. Lots of us have them, and like them, despite the mpg. When you have a truck that weighs 5400 pounds, it's going to use more fuel than its lighter weight 1500 counterpart.

Mine with the 6.0 gets about 11-12 around town, suburban driving. Best I've gotten on the highway is 15, and that's going 65. MPG drops off if you go faster. At 70-75 I get about 13.

See if you can drive one for a day. Feel how it goes over bumps, how the 4L80E shifts, when the torque converter locks (at about 45 mph), etc. Check out how it feels as you drive down sidestreets, how it accelerates on the freeway on-ramps, and if you can, find some winding mountain roads that you can drive at about 40 mph (torque converter not locked) where no other drivers cramp your style.

In my case, I like all of the above. I'm glad I bought the truck I have.

A lot of other guys like the diesels, but keep in mind that the diesel engine is heavier, and the trans is heavier, and so the weight distribution is not as good. The diesel's heavier front end will give you more oversteer, which translates into slightly more ponderous handling.

6.slow · December 16, 2005

6.0 vs 5.3???

Man, I'd go 5.3 in a heart beat! If you wanna pull stuff, go 6.0. If you wanna go somewhere without stopping at every filling station, go 5.3. I'm not by any means knocking the 5.3's... I hear they scream. As for the 6.0's, got one and it's a gas-hog. I get about 13-13.5 MPG's on mine without a trailer. I've heard people getting about 15-16 MPG top end. I'm sure others will chime in and give you their testaments. Good luck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've got an 02 HD with the 6.0..."small motor." Anyway, mileage for me is about 13-14 in the city, but when I work and I'm driving all around town non-stop I get low mileage, stop and go, around 10-12 mpg. On the highway, my mom managed to get 19 mpg...don't ask me how, it's only supposed to be rated for like 17 mpg I think. I guess it all depends on your right foot, after I installed K&N mpg dropped a whole bunch for the first 2 weeks, but I was racing a friend home so there's my excuse...he had a 4.8 and was beating the snot out of me. Ok, too much information, but gas mileage isn't TOO bad. I fill up every other week. Just my side of the story.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you sure the K&N filter hurt your mileage? I put one in when I went bigger on the tires, and I'd like to know if you know good/bad effects. I've heard both, what's your experience?