Which One Would You Buy?

[jkski]

I am getting closer to buying a Used GMC truck and I am weighing out a couple of options.

For about $24k I can get a 2006 1500HD Crew Cab 4x4 w/6.0L, loaded w/33k miles on it, OR, for $28K I can get a 2006 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 Diesel, loaded w/39k miles on it, OR for $25K a 2005 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 w/6.0L, loaded with 28K miles.

 

I use the truck primarily to pull boats, push snow and general all around. The truck will sit the majority of the week and really only be used on the weekends for a total of about 15K miles/year.

 

So, what would you buy and why?

[pwall]

The 2006 2600HD diesel.......nothing will pull better.

[jkski]

I've never owned a diesel before, so I do not know the first thing about their maintenance costs, etc.. Given that diesel fuel is currently running about $1/gallon higher than gas, is it still worth it? I realize that if you are buying new, the answer may be No, since the additional cost for the diesel is so much higher, but when buying used, some of that cost is gone?

So, I guess my question is...is diesel still a better bargain even at the higher price per gallon, since you are getting better mileage?

[RonJ]

I still like the diesel. I have 3 . 2 duramax & 1 6.5(I wouldn't want another 6.5)

[BlackSilver]

Presuming these three trucks are all in excellent condition, this is a no-brainer.

 

Buy the DuraMax. It's a huge bargain at that price, considering you also get the Allison transmission.

 

Maintenance on a diesel is no more expensive than a gasser ---- yes they hold more oil, but change half as often due to the low RPMs. Fuel filters a little more often (15,000 miles recommended), otherwise there are no other diesel-only maintenance costs that you wouldn't also have on a gasser.

 

Yes, right now fuel is more expensive than gas, but these are heavy trucks and the 6.0 small block will give horrible mileage pulling boats or pushing snow around. At worst, your fuel costs are a wash.

 

But "economy" isn't the reason I recommend the diesel --- you are using your truck for "work", not hauling grocery bags. That's where the diesel shines.

 

I wouldn't hesitate a minute --- get the diesel.

[ws6_guy]

Get the real heavy duty, the 2500HD, along with the powerful Duramax, & 17mpg economy, its a 2500HD so its got the super strong frame under it and wont let you down.

[jkski]

For those of you who own the DMAX version, are you still finding that the increased fuel economy is offsetting the additional fuel cost? Is there really that big of a difference in fuel economy between the DMAX and the 6.0L gas?

[onac255]

My friend owns quite a few duramaxes. His personal Duramax is a 2006 Silverado 3500HD Dually that is loaded and has 4.10s and gets 19 MPG on the highway. It is completely stock as well with 87,000 miles on it.

[RCH]

The 2006 2600HD diesel.......nothing will pull better.

 

X2, find out if it had or has a programmer on it, if it did I would shy away from it. Most of the troubles I have seen with these come from a programmer, thy give you lots of power, but it comes at the cost of the transmission. Check transmission fluid to see if it smells or or looks burned. If you do go with the DMax I would change out all the fluids if there are no service records.

[jkski]

I know the truck had been used to push some snow, although I am not certain to what extent, which is always a concern. The dealership that has the truck is a very highly regarded and I have been buying through them for years, as they only get the cleanest vehicles and stand behind what they sell 100%.

[BlackSilver]

For those of you who own the DMAX version, are you still finding that the increased fuel economy is offsetting the additional fuel cost? Is there really that big of a difference in fuel economy between the DMAX and the 6.0L gas?

 

Repeat after me. "Buying a diesel isn't about economy. It is about getting the work done."

 

In "real life" the cost of fuel may well be a wash between a small block gasser and a diesel, especially if you're just hauling grocery bags, but if your truck works for a living, a diesel is the only answer.

[BlackSilver]

My friend owns quite a few duramaxes. His personal Duramax is a 2006 Silverado 3500HD Dually that is loaded and has 4.10s and gets 19 MPG on the highway. It is completely stock as well with 87,000 miles on it.

 

 

I think your friend is blowing smoke up your ......

 

The DuraMax isn't (and wasn't in 2006) available with 4:10 gears, and even my old '03 2500HD 2WD (LB7 engine) barely got 19MPG. I love my DuraMax trucks, but a dually isn't going to get that kind of mileage except in somebodys dream.

[jkski]

Which rear gear would/should be in the 2500 version with the Dmax/Allison combo?

[onac255]

You could be right about the gearing Black Silver but about the MPG I am right because we went to Puerto Penasco Mexico in his dually and that was the average mileage all the way there. It was hand calculated not the DIC said the trip average was 20.3MPG. I could not freaking believe it.

 

EDIT: My mistake on the gearing he put 4.10s in an older 2002 2500HD Dmax.

[RCH]

Which rear gear would/should be in the 2500 version with the Dmax/Allison combo?

 

I believe it comes with 3.73, If your dealer will stand behind it I would go with the DMax.