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04stratusr/t

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04stratusr/t New Member

04stratusr/t

Posted
Posted

Hey all... new guy here. Especialy new to the GM truck world. I've always been fan of Fords, but lately, I haven't been impressed by anything they've put out. Either way, I have a few questions about the trucks with the Duramax diesels if you all wouldn't mind answering them. The two main reasons I'm leaning towards a diesel is longetivity(I drive about 1000mi/ wk) and I just love the sound of a diesel. I'll only be towing/ hauling occasionly.

 

1.) What kind of price range should I be looking for with an '04-'05?

 

2.) What should I look for as to defects and such?

 

3.) Is there any way to tell if the truck has been "towed to death"?

 

4.) What kind of MPG are you all getting?

 

5.) I will occasionly be going off-road... how well would it do off road?

 

6.) How much would general maintence run me per month?

 

7.) How much does insurance run you guys per month? (Please include ages.)

 

8.) Finally, would getting a diesel really pay off for me??

 

Any replies will be greatly appreciated, thanks!

redvett Senior Enthusiast

redvett

Posted
Posted

#8 If your not towing something for at least 22000mi a year a Diesel isnt going to pay of in the long run. The higher cost of a Diesel along with oil & filter and fuel & air filters will offset the savings. The Dmax gets about 20 hwy & 16-18 city V/S gas getting 19 hwy & 15-17 city. To get a Diesel to pay off you will have to drive at least 125000mi. The higher cost of fuel and lower fuel economy with the new low sulfur fuel has to be figured in too. Also you have to figure the higher cost of maintance of a HD truck V/S LD in terms of brake jobs,tires etc.

asilverblazer Senior Enthusiast

asilverblazer

Posted
Posted
1.) What kind of price range should I be looking for with an '04-'05?

 

2.) What should I look for as to defects and such?

 

3.) Is there any way to tell if the truck has been "towed to death"?

 

4.) What kind of MPG are you all getting?

 

5.) I will  occasionly be going off-road... how well would it do off road?

 

6.) How much would general maintence run me per month?

 

7.) How much does insurance run you guys per month? (Please include ages.)

 

8.) Finally, would getting a diesel really pay off for me??

 

 

 

 

1. A lot more than a 1/2 ton.

2. None.

3. Nothing different than any other truck.

4. Relative.

5. A lot heavier truck sinks a lot easier.

6. More than a 1/2 ton.

7. Relative.

8. No.

 

Why not get a lighter more efficient vehicle for your needs? No towing, no hauling, isn't this what cars are for? I would get a cheap used car for all this driving, and a truck for, I guess off-road fun and giggles, since there is no towing or hauling. And since it seems this truck will be used for entertainment, when it gets broke off road you will have some thing else to drive. Money you save in maintenace, and fuel will pay for the two vehicles, does for me anyways. Bottom line is these kind of trucks are not made for commuting (although getting close :P )

ATMINF Enthusiast

ATMINF

Posted
Posted

What is the price range that you are looking at? If you can find a new 2006 the dealers will have some good deals on them. I am sure the 2007 Classics will also have some good deals on them also since the new body are also out. But I seen a lot of 3/4ton classics (2006&2007) on the lots when I got back from Iraq back in OCT 2006. I got my 3/4ton 6.0(gas) 2wd extended cab LS, for $21,080.00 out the door. (Active duty Military don't pay taxes on new cars in TN). So you may look around and be suprised on the deals they may have. Granted I know everyone will say that a D-Max is better and I won't argue that but all the 3/4ton D-maxs that I saw were 10 Grand more, and for me I do not need that more of a truck. I don't drive more than 10k a year, and 10,000+lbs towing is more than I will need. Hope this helps and good luck.

CoastyAV8R Enthusiast

CoastyAV8R

Posted
Posted

Diesels do cost more initially but you will re-coup a good chunk of that when you sell it. One thing with a diesel is that you get a very heavy duty truck, by this I mean the brakes, rear-end, tranny, electrical system, cooling, etc which is a good thing if your going to use the truck. I know people who buy diesels who could have gotten by with a gas truck but wanted a diesel so if you have the money, go for it. Another thing to keep in mind is that diesel fuel isn't cheaper than regular gas anymore, it's usually quite a bit more expensive and we've had a mild winter, when you have a cold winter diesel prices really go through the roof so it offsets the better mileage that they get. Maintaining one isn't much more expensive compared to a gas truck. The only thing they require is more oil when you change it. Finally, if you do a lot of short trips where the engine doesn't have sufficient time to warm up, it'll kill a diesel. Food for thought, now if you want a diesel, go for it...

 

There are much better websites around than this one for Duramax diesel info. Go read it and see what kind of problems people are having and I bet alot of your questions will be answered by folks who eat n sleep diesels...

01silverado2500 Enthusiast

01silverado2500

Posted
Posted

try www.dieselplace.com for Duramax info.

 

My dad traded his 2001 HD for a 2006 HD DMAX and he loves it. We tow our 5th wheel with it and he does construction work. Sofar the 01 got 6-9mpg in town while the Dmax is getting 13-15 in town. Also the 01 never got over 15mpg highway and sofar the dmax is getting 20 mpg highway.

 

Check out dieselplace lost of great dmax info on there.

superbee Enthusiast

superbee

Posted
Posted

I justbought an 06 max last month and probably will never own another gas powered truck!!! Power, mileage, longevity, power, did I mention power?

 

Smiles galore!!!!

dewfpo Senior Enthusiast

dewfpo

Posted
Posted

The major thing to be wary about (IMO) when buying a used diesel, is.... did the previous owner boost the HP/TQ with electronic add-on modules? How can you be sure one way or the other?

 

There are quite a few folks out there who buy a diesel, put an EDGE/ATTITUDE, PREDATOR or BULLYDOG or some other electronic power enhancing module on the vehicle and then beat the hell out of the drivetrain, doing burn outs, or overpulling/overtowing the drivetrain because they can. The engine, trans, differentials and u-joints take a beating ...... They're super easy to remove and take off when trading in or selling. Those modules take their toll on all the running gear. Buyer beware of used diesels.

 

Also, the concept of spending $5k more NOW, for a diesel pkg so that you get $3k more for your trade in 3 years LATER is just poor economics and bad judgement. That should not even enter into the equation. If you were getting $5k for $5K (or close) then maybe.

 

My 2 cents.

 

DEWFPO

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