05 Or 06

sceptre74 · October 20, 2007

I am looking at buying a used 2005 or 2006 2500HD 4X4 crew cab diesel. I'm currently looking at two. The 05 has 50000 miles and the 06 has 75000 miles. They are both the same price. I just can't make up my mind which one i should get. I only put about 7500 miles a year. The main reason i want the diesel is for towing my travel trailer. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

wellinghurst · October 20, 2007

As a car wholesaler, I recommend the 05 with 50k if they are identical trucks. Lower miles always makes a truck worth more, especially when there is only 1 year difference. 25k difference in 1 year is a lot for a truck this new. Think about it this way-if you drive 7500 a year, it will take you another 3-4 years to even get to 75k on it. If you get the 75k truck now, you'd be at 100k in the same amount of time, which is always a bad thing when it comes to value.

If you plan on keeping it forever, it really doesn't matter, but the 1 year difference isn't a big deal when you want to keep it under 100k for as long as possible. It will just be worth more longer that way.

I am not overly familiar with the Duramax engine itself, but I am sure you have made sure that the 05 and 06's are really identical. It seems like something gets changed every year anymore. I am sure some D-MAX guys can add to this.

mini1 · October 20, 2007

Either one is going to be great. I would assume the 06 is cheaper due to the extremely high mileage. I would tend to look for a lower mileage truck or if the 05 is in top condition with just highway mileage and it's got lots of options (LT/SLT) then I'd go for it at the right price. Run a CARFAX/AUTOCHECK on either truck BEFORE you buy (even if you are getting it from a dealer) along with having an independent diesel mechanic look them over.

ctfan · October 20, 2007

One thing to remember about the 04.5-05 Duramaxs is that some of them over heat when pulling hard. Not all of them do it but some do. Also the 06 will have the 6 speed Allison transmission. You can read up on the Duramax over at www.dieselplace.com Great site for diesel info.

sceptre74 · October 20, 2007

I am looking at buying a used 2005 or 2006 2500HD 4X4 crew cab diesel. I'm currently looking at two. The 05 has 50000 miles and the 06 has 75000 miles. They are both the same price. I just can't make up my mind which one i should get. I only put about 7500 miles a year. The main reason i want the diesel is for towing my travel trailer. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

Thanks for your input. Lets say that i am going to keep the truck for 7 or 8 years. What will be worth more money in the end, the 05 with 110k or the 06 with 135k? Or will they both be worth the same? Thanks again

sceptre74 · October 20, 2007

As a car wholesaler, I recommend the 05 with 50k if they are identical trucks. Lower miles always makes a truck worth more, especially when there is only 1 year difference. 25k difference in 1 year is a lot for a truck this new. Think about it this way-if you drive 7500 a year, it will take you another 3-4 years to even get to 75k on it. If you get the 75k truck now, you'd be at 100k in the same amount of time, which is always a bad thing when it comes to value.

If you plan on keeping it forever, it really doesn't matter, but the 1 year difference isn't a big deal when you want to keep it under 100k for as long as possible. It will just be worth more longer that way.

I am not overly familiar with the Duramax engine itself, but I am sure you have made sure that the 05 and 06's are really identical. It seems like something gets changed every year anymore. I am sure some D-MAX guys can add to this.

Wanted to reply to this one, not my own. What a dummy.....

Thanks for your input. Lets say that i am going to keep the truck for 7 or 8 years. What will be worth more money in the end, the 05 with 110k or the 06 with 135k? Or will they both be worth the same? Thanks again

Ranger · October 21, 2007

Probably a slight edge to the 05 as lower miles always mean better resale, but with Diesels 100k ain't nothing, hell at 200k it's just getting broke in.

One thing to look at is the transmission, I'm not sure when they started changing it but I know there were a few different versions of the Allison, mainly in the number of speeds. The higher the number is what you want to get...Better highway mileage.

Tyler_LS1 · October 21, 2007

If i remember right the 06's have the LBZ Duramax and the 6 speed Allison transmission, the LBZ had quite a few changes made to it compared to the 05's and later.

check this out..

The LBZ

wellinghurst · October 21, 2007

Thanks for your input. Lets say that i am going to keep the truck for 7 or 8 years. What will be worth more money in the end, the 05 with 110k or the 06 with 135k? Or will they both be worth the same? Thanks again

In 7-8 years, it wouldn't really matter. I would look into the info that the others are saying about the different Allisons in the 06 vs. the 05. At least you know 1 thing about the 06-they all have to be highway miles. I don't see any other way to put that many miles on an 06.

sceptre74 · October 21, 2007

It sort of looks like the 06 has a slight edge. The truck i have now is an 03 1500 4X4 ext cab with about 72k on it. I was planning on keeping this thing for another 5 years or so until i decided it just wasn't doing the trick hauling my travel trailer. So if i look at the mileage being roughly the same, keeping the 06 for 7 to 8 years really isn't that much of an issue. Is it?

Ranger · October 22, 2007

Nah, whatever one you do decide on, you'll be getting a great truck anyways. Mostly it's minor differences other than the LLY/LBZ setup.

mmmikkke · October 22, 2007

If both trucks have power locks, go for the '06. The dealer can disable the automatic locking. '05 owners are left twisting in the wind, no such mod is possible, big brother is there to stay.