Trade 06 Duramax For 08 5.3?

[Howard]

With the price of diesel I'm thinking of trading my 06 CC Duramax 2 wd for a 08 CC 5.3 4wd with 3:73. I get 22 mpg hwy with the Duramax. What can I expect with the 5.3? I'm an easy driver and travel between Florida and N.C. once a month. The $4.20 a gallon diesel is getting old.

Appreciate all opinions.

 

Howard

[BigHerky]

If I were you I would stay with the diesel. Im lucky if I get 18 on the highway and I have 3.42 gears.

[saxdogg]

Yeah, I'd probably keep the diesel...you'd lose money in the long run, both on depreciation and fuel

[fbachman]

With the price of diesel I'm thinking of trading my 06 CC Duramax 2 wd for a 08 CC 5.3 4wd with 3:73. I get 22 mpg hwy with the Duramax. What can I expect with the 5.3? I'm an easy driver and travel between Florida and N.C. once a month. The $4.20 a gallon diesel is getting old.

Appreciate all opinions.

 

Howard

 

As you know, opinions are like rear-ends and everyone has one, INCLUDING ME, so here goes

 

If you work the numbers, and do a cash flow diagram, you will probably find out that:

 

1) There will be a net cost of trading (not in your favor, I'm sure)

 

2) I get 18mpg highway (5.3/3.73), sometimes even a little better and 14mpg city...

 

3) That's a hwy DIFFERENCE of 4 mpg with your reported 22mpg --- Yes, gas is cheaper than Diesel...

 

4) Work the numbers including the net cost out of pocket of trading and taking a new vehicle and the fuel cost calculated from the diff in mpg and the miles you drive per month and figure out your monthly "driving" cost of gas/car pmt, etc.. You could also do it on a cost per mile basis... it'll all tell the same story.

 

5) Although your immediate out of pocket for gas vs diesel may be lower, I have a funny feeling that if you work it and calculate how long it will take to break even on this MONETARILY overall---it'll be years down the road.

 

Psycologically, you'll feel a little better at the pump (less $s potentially) in the immediate world. Overall, however, i think you'd be coming up short, monetarily.

 

Of course, you have to work it for your particular driving situation, but I can't see this working out favorably in the long run---though I guess I may be mistaken.

 

I once did the math on deciding between a diesel and a gasser (some years ago when the fuel price thing wasn't as acute as it is now).

 

At the time, it cost $5000 more to get the diesel, all other things being equal. The difference in mpg and difference in fuel cost between gas and diesel added up to 7+ years for me to recoup the $5000 premium for the diesel, given my driving particulars (miles per year, etc.).

 

[slomo007]

Easy decision, keep the duramax. 22 mpg is fantastic....even with the price of diesel being through the roof. Diesel prices are cyclical too....who knows they could drop below gasoline prices in the near future also if enough people abandon their diesels. When I was growing up I remember diesel prices were always less.

[music]

With the price of diesel I'm thinking of trading my 06 CC Duramax 2 wd for a 08 CC 5.3 4wd with 3:73. I get 22 mpg hwy with the Duramax. What can I expect with the 5.3? I'm an easy driver and travel between Florida and N.C. once a month. The $4.20 a gallon diesel is getting old.

Appreciate all opinions.

 

Howard

 

If it's simply about cost, then I'd keep the diesel. If you're looking at a new truck regardless, then I'd consider the 5.3L if you don't need the extra power of the 2500. The added cost/weight/power that a 2500 brings isn't justified if you don't pull/haul anything that requires it. If you do, then fuel cost doesn't matter.

[onac255]

All the advice here is quite valid. I can get 20+ MPG highway if I keep it under 70. However to achieve that I have to use premium gas, run my A/T's at full psi, and constantly clean/replace my air filter. I also have the 3.42 gears (Suck at everything except good highway mileage). So for you to be getting 22 out of a truck your diesel is great.

 

Like stated before Trading is ALMOST never going to come out in your favor financially.

[2007silveradonbs]

Make your own diesel with old frier oil. It would be a lot cheaper

[cargoone]

With the price of diesel I'm thinking of trading my 06 CC Duramax 2 wd for a 08 CC 5.3 4wd with 3:73. I get 22 mpg hwy with the Duramax. What can I expect with the 5.3? I'm an easy driver and travel between Florida and N.C. once a month. The $4.20 a gallon diesel is getting old.

Appreciate all opinions.

 

Howard

 

As you know, opinions are like rear-ends and everyone has one, INCLUDING ME, so here goes

 

If you work the numbers, and do a cash flow diagram, you will probably find out that:

 

1) There will be a net cost of trading (not in your favor, I'm sure)

 

2) I get 18mpg highway (5.3/3.73), sometimes even a little better and 14mpg city...

 

3) That's a hwy DIFFERENCE of 4 mpg with your reported 22mpg --- Yes, gas is cheaper than Diesel...

 

4) Work the numbers including the net cost out of pocket of trading and taking a new vehicle and the fuel cost calculated from the diff in mpg and the miles you drive per month and figure out your monthly "driving" cost of gas/car pmt, etc.. You could also do it on a cost per mile basis... it'll all tell the same story.

 

5) Although your immediate out of pocket for gas vs diesel may be lower, I have a funny feeling that if you work it and calculate how long it will take to break even on this MONETARILY overall---it'll be years down the road.

 

Psycologically, you'll feel a little better at the pump (less $s potentially) in the immediate world. Overall, however, i think you'd be coming up short, monetarily.

 

Of course, you have to work it for your particular driving situation, but I can't see this working out favorably in the long run---though I guess I may be mistaken.

 

I once did the math on deciding between a diesel and a gasser (some years ago when the fuel price thing wasn't as acute as it is now).

 

At the time, it cost $5000 more to get the diesel, all other things being equal. The difference in mpg and difference in fuel cost between gas and diesel added up to 7+ years for me to recoup the $5000 premium for the diesel, given my driving particulars (miles per year, etc.).

 

 

 

Well put, work the numbers...I just traded 05 D-max for 08 - Sierra, in my case it was the best move I ever made as I no longer pull a trailer...do miss the clatter of the deisel though.

 

Dealer I worked with was very fair and I was happy with trade in and cost of new truck. My 08 has only 3000 miles on it but I have averaged 14 in town and 19 on the highway and I'm not a light foot. Only mod is cat back exhaust. This is about what my diesel got, averaged in town was 13 mpg and I never saw over 20 mpg on the highway. With costs for diesel in WA runnning .75 to 1.00/gallon higher than regular, in my case it it worked out to .23/mile for diesel and .20 for regular, so there is a cost savings.

 

One thing missing above which needs consideration, is the high cost to maintain a diesel, Fuel Filters every 7000 to 8000 miles at 35 to 40 bucks apeice, 10 quarts of oil at an oil change vs. 6 quarts. Plus I found oil for diesels to be expensive, now I can run Mobil 1 at 5.00/qt. (from Costco) with extended change intervals. If you have maintenance done at dealer cost for diesels are insane.

 

Good Luck keep us posted on your decision

[MxRider801]

I just traded my 02 Dmax on an 07 1500 with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears... I didn't get 22 mpg in my dmax though. The best I got was 19 highway.

 

If you don't pull a large load or don't pull often it should work out better to have the 1500 unless you lift it and kill your mileage. Diesel around here is 80 cents higher than regular so assuming you get the same average mileage out of the 5.3 you save a fair bit right there. Then your oil changes will be less. You won't be changing fuel filters as often and they are also less expensive. Even the air filters are less money. You won't need E rated tires. And you won't have any need to run additives in the winter or with the ULSD. Plus you can get an 08 1500 for pretty cheap i imagine. I picked my 07 up for 20,995 with 13.8k on it. It is the SLE extended cab with onstar XM remote start etc... I don't have leather, power seats or a sunroof though. But for the price I can't complain. NADA trade on my 02 was 19900 so your 06 should fetch a good price even if diesel sales are down. Have you tried selling it on your own?

[fbachman]

With the price of diesel I'm thinking of trading my 06 CC Duramax 2 wd for a 08 CC 5.3 4wd with 3:73. I get 22 mpg hwy with the Duramax. What can I expect with the 5.3? I'm an easy driver and travel between Florida and N.C. once a month. The $4.20 a gallon diesel is getting old.

Appreciate all opinions.

 

Howard

 

As you know, opinions are like rear-ends and everyone has one, INCLUDING ME, so here goes

 

If you work the numbers, and do a cash flow diagram, you will probably find out that:

 

1) There will be a net cost of trading (not in your favor, I'm sure)

 

2) I get 18mpg highway (5.3/3.73), sometimes even a little better and 14mpg city...

 

3) That's a hwy DIFFERENCE of 4 mpg with your reported 22mpg --- Yes, gas is cheaper than Diesel...

 

4) Work the numbers including the net cost out of pocket of trading and taking a new vehicle and the fuel cost calculated from the diff in mpg and the miles you drive per month and figure out your monthly "driving" cost of gas/car pmt, etc.. You could also do it on a cost per mile basis... it'll all tell the same story.

 

5) Although your immediate out of pocket for gas vs diesel may be lower, I have a funny feeling that if you work it and calculate how long it will take to break even on this MONETARILY overall---it'll be years down the road.

 

Psycologically, you'll feel a little better at the pump (less $s potentially) in the immediate world. Overall, however, i think you'd be coming up short, monetarily.

 

Of course, you have to work it for your particular driving situation, but I can't see this working out favorably in the long run---though I guess I may be mistaken.

 

I once did the math on deciding between a diesel and a gasser (some years ago when the fuel price thing wasn't as acute as it is now).

 

At the time, it cost $5000 more to get the diesel, all other things being equal. The difference in mpg and difference in fuel cost between gas and diesel added up to 7+ years for me to recoup the $5000 premium for the diesel, given my driving particulars (miles per year, etc.).

 

 

 

Well put, work the numbers...I just traded 05 D-max for 08 - Sierra, in my case it was the best move I ever made as I no longer pull a trailer...do miss the clatter of the deisel though.

 

Dealer I worked with was very fair and I was happy with trade in and cost of new truck. My 08 has only 3000 miles on it but I have averaged 14 in town and 19 on the highway and I'm not a light foot. Only mod is cat back exhaust. This is about what my diesel got, averaged in town was 13 mpg and I never saw over 20 mpg on the highway. With costs for diesel in WA runnning .75 to 1.00/gallon higher than regular, in my case it it worked out to .23/mile for diesel and .20 for regular, so there is a cost savings.

 

One thing missing above which needs consideration, is the high cost to maintain a diesel, Fuel Filters every 7000 to 8000 miles at 35 to 40 bucks apeice, 10 quarts of oil at an oil change vs. 6 quarts. Plus I found oil for diesels to be expensive, now I can run Mobil 1 at 5.00/qt. (from Costco) with extended change intervals. If you have maintenance done at dealer cost for diesels are insane.

 

Good Luck keep us posted on your decision

 

 

EXCELLENT POINT on the maintenance cost. I didn't even think to mention that. Back in my firefighter days (my youth ), I remeber helping the FD mechanic change the oil on a few of our E350/F350 ambulances, which had diesel engines similiar to those offered in the pick up trucks, although this was years ago and the diesel tech then was nothing compared to what it is now.

 

I remember him saying get me 12qts of oil, and I thought that's what we wanted for ALL of them...

Needed a diaper change when I found out that was for the FIRST vehicle...

 

The trucks with the Detroit 8v-92s took 20 quarts of oil......although in a 40,000 GVW fire truck you could outrun a chevette with it....

 

He then told me I would need another wallet for the oil filter too. I learned something that day.

 

Excellent points... I guess that will make a signficiant difference as well on cost per mile.

[MxRider801]

Easy decision, keep the duramax. 22 mpg is fantastic....even with the price of diesel being through the roof. Diesel prices are cyclical too....who knows they could drop below gasoline prices in the near future also if enough people abandon their diesels. When I was growing up I remember diesel prices were always less.

 

Diesel was always less because there was less demand. The demand for diesel has gone way up. Then look at the yield per barrel of crude. You only get 7-9 gal of diesel from a 50 gal drum while you get 30 gal of gasoline. IIRC the us imported more diesel last year than gasoline, but I may be wrong. I don't see diesel being less than gas any time soon.

 

Make your own diesel with old frier oil. It would be a lot cheaper

 

Most people making there own Bio diesel have sold there kits becuase there isn't enough frier oil to go around. Plus i think it is technically illegal to have a refinery in your yard. But, you'd have to check your local laws to find out.

 

I also remember reading about depreciation but i forgot to tag the post. Diesel trucks are worth more used because the cost 5k+ more from the factory. They might hold a little more value based on the longevity of the enginges but not much because everything else on the truck wears like a normal truck. And with fuel prices the way they are now diesel sales are hurting. Diesels at the auctions are fetching 2500 less than they would of 3 months ago and some dealers here aren't even taking trades on them becuase they can't move them.

 

 

I wish it were different, as I loved my duramax, but sadly it isn't.

 

Maybe if we open up some more bio refineries and use algae to make it or convert coal into diesel the prices will come down. I hope something happens. I would like to see what one of those new 4.5L duramaxes will do in a canyon or colorado.

[Silverado4x4]

This why iam glad I got rid of my 04 d-max due to I didnt work the truck like I did like towing and hauling and could justify keeping it just to drive around, maintance cost and hoping not to get bad fuel just wasnt worth it for something I had no use for anymore, also waiting for the thing to heat up in the cab in the winter.

[Dana_15]

...who knows they could drop below gasoline prices in the near future also if enough people abandon their diesels.

 

 

Doubt it, it has less to do with diesel than the other grades of fuel oil. There are six grades of fuel oil, I believe Kerosene is #1 grade fuel oil and diesel and HEATING OIL are #2 grade...off the top of my head I'd say bunker oil is #6 grade. My old man used to drive 18 wheelers I learned a lot from him. I don't know if this stands today but guys used to run thier diesels off heating oil, its cheaper (still is) because you skip some State taxes.

 

 

Heating oil has a pink tint to it, which is added to the fuel (kind of like the "smell" of natural gas is added, because naturally its odorless and colorless), so if you were pulled over on the highway that State police used to check your fuel by extracting some fuel.

 

But yeah, keep the Duramax.

[usn-ma2]

My opinion....I just traded my 06 3500 Dually for an 08 GMC CC...both 4wd..about a month ago... I got a 6.0 Vmax with 4.10 gears and I am extremely happy...I traaded my 06 2500 duramax last year for a chevy 5.3 and it just didnt have the balls to tow my boat, after about 3weeks i taded it in on the 3500... I am getting the same mpg. I towed 7k lbs with it and it did great...I would reccomend the 6.0 but not the 5.3..