Buying Gmt800 -- Final Question, Diesel Or 5.3?

[piscator]

Gentleman,

 

I really appreciate everyone's advice! I've now pretty much decided on the GMT800 -- Crew Cab.

 

I won't claim it's the best truck, but it's the right truck for me. It'll do what I need, is easily affordable and to my old fashioned sensibilities, a handsome truck.

 

Any opinion on these two vehicles?

 

2007 Sierra SL "classic" crew-cab, 5.3L, 4sp tranny, Z71, sunroof, electric folding mirrors, leather heated seats, loaded, 30,000 miles $22,000 ask. This truck is nearly identical to my current Silverado extended cab.

 

2006 Sierra SLT 2500HD, crew-cab, duramax diesel, 6sp Allison, leather heated seats, loaded, 33,000 miles $26,500. I wasn't looking for a diesel, but as mentioned in my previous post, this popped up today. It's due to ship out, so I'd have to grab it quick.

 

Both trucks are in exceptional condition.

 

This will be my daily driver and boat hauler. Mostly, I'm hauling two daughters and the gear that comes with them -- kayaks, canoes, etc. We only go 'off-road' to get to fishing spots, usually short distances on logging roads.

 

I don't really need the diesel, but it might be fun and the price is comparable. I tow the fishing boat to local ramps and once or twice to Maine over the summer.

 

Would anyone care to comment on the age-old diesel vs gas question? Or comment on these two trucks in particular?

 

My sincere thanks for all the help! You guys are great!

 

piscator

[BuckFeverZ]

Where are you located? Just wondering in case you do decide to buy the gasser, I will be down there the next day to get that Dmax

[piscator]

Hi Buck!

 

I'll let you know the moment I decide!

 

The diesel is kinda, sorta, spoken for but I may be able to snag it. I guess it's obvious what your choice would be!

 

piscator

[BuckFeverZ]

 

Yes I would choose the Dmax. I don't need the power either, but it's nice knowing your truck could pull a house if you needed to

[Porter_]

if you're honestly not leaning one way or the other, go with the 2500. much better resale value.

 

(my final vote still goes for a GMT900)

[bubba33]

i got rid of my diesel and got this gasser. for the last 3 years diesel was .80 to 1.00 a gallon more than gas. resale crashed on them compaired to what it was. if you don't need the power go with gas,

[piscator]

Buck, you're first in line!

 

Porter, I've generally leaned toward gas, mainly because I suspect it's quiet. I've actually worked on more diesel engines than gas, but they were marine diesels. I like diesel motors, a lot! Still, to me, diesel = boat

 

Bubba, Interesting to hear you went back to gas. On this board I didn't think that was allowed! Was it only the price of diesel that made you switch? Or did the noise and stiffer ride bother you?

 

Admittedly, I don't need diesel. Except for our trips to Maine, most of my driving is short hops in state. Frankly, I don't put enough miles on a truck that the price of fuel matters much.

 

This truck kinda 'fell in my lap' and in my other thread, vlang, 'torqued my interest'. Like many here, I've always thought it would be 'a kick' to go diesel and this would be an easy way to try it out. It would mainly be a 'giggles and grins' excercise, not an economy move.

 

Duramax power would be FUN, but I don't know if I'd enjoy daily life with the noise and harsh ride.

 

I may be wimp, but I'm also old enough to admit I'm a wimp

 

Thanks for your comments, truly!

 

piscator

[lvlagnum]

Hello again piscator.

If I were in your shoes, I would be buying the 2006 GMT-800 2500HD diesel. Diesel fuel is only slightly more expensive but where you'll really save is in maintenance and repair. at 33,000 miles, the diesel would be considered as hardly even broken in. Also, if you're a "Greenie" you can always use alternative and biodiesel fuels and save that way. I've even heard of some people using old cooking oil, deep fryer oil and such from fast food restaurants to fuel their diesel trucks. Try that with a gasoline powered truck if and when the Arabs ever turn off the taps. Typicaly, diesel trucks often keep their resale value better too because they are usually more in demand by people who need heavy haulers. I have to confess that I almost get a big bulge in my pants when I hear my neighbour starting up his 2008 GMT-900 diesel crew cab. Almost. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

Good luck with your choice what ever it may be. But in the end, it has to be YOUR choice.

 

Cheers, lvlagnum..

[piscator]

Ivlagnum,

 

Well it's all your fault! The gasser was a 'no-brainer' until you showed up!

 

Seriously, you raise excellent points. I've been very intrigued by bio-diesel and certainly agree with your Persian oil hostage scenario. I was in the car business in the 70's and remember the gas lines vividly. It was NOT fun!

 

I sent my dealer an email and plan to call tomorrow. I'll drive it again and see if I can live with the racket.

 

I'd love to hear from any 'diesel daily drivers' about their experience with the noise and stiffer ride.

 

piscator

[lvlagnum]

Hello again piscator.

Remember that above all things, it must be YOUR decission. In my case, I traded in a 2003 Chevy Silverado LS 5.3 Z-71 Extended Cab for a 2009 GMC Sierra SLE 5.3 Z-71 Crew Cab. The only reason I went with the gaser was purely price. It would have cost me about $10,000 extra for a diesel as compared to your $4,500 price difference. I pay GM employee price but that still didn't bring my deal down enough to get me into a diesel. If the price spread on my deal had have been $4,500, I would probably have sprung for the diesel and would be putting the bulge in my pants myself. Try the diesel out for an hour or so in real world driving and then go with what's right for YOU.

 

Cheers, lvlagnum.

[matt3]

You will hate the diesel when your sitting in rush hour traffic on a warm summer day with the windows open and you have a headache from working and all you hear is the sound of schoolbuses from the diesel. I like diesel trucks and have driven quite a few of them, it's only really in that scenerio that I hated them.

[DBVille]

Drive them both. The 2500 will ride rougher, and the diesel will be noisier. If that doesn't bother you, then the only downside to the diesel is the cost difference.

[Bowtie2Sierra]

My neighbor has a diesel and I'm envious every time he starts it up. I drove diesel's daily back in my high school and college days when I ran a landscaping company. I always wanted one for a daily driver just to have one but could never justify the price difference since I never NEEDED one. With the price spread of the 2 trucks you mentioned and the low miles on the '06 diesel, I would go with that one and not look back.

 

... and I like the noise and the sweet smell diesel fumes.

[Z71Adrenaline]

... and I like the noise and the sweet smell diesel fumes.

 

Ah! Me too! Everybody thinks I'm crazy when I roll down my window at a stop light to listen to a diesel pickup beside me. I like the smell of diesel exhaust too.. makes me think of when I was a kid. I used to always hold the gate for my dad when he was feeding cows. That ol' Deutz tractor had some sweet smelling exhaust on those cold, frosty mornings!

 

Piscator, I'm not sure what to tell you. I, too have always wanted a Duramax. I don't, however, like driving my parent's 1500HD CC because it is so dang long and stiff legged! It is great for towing and working, but it isn't the best DD in my opinion. But again, only the seat of your pants can decide which you like better!

 

I vote for the gasser.

[alaska511]

I have worked in the diesel engine industry for over 20 years...I love and marvel at the technology improvements that have taken place in that time.

 

Having said that, at the end of my day I don't want to smell, hear, or see anything to do with diesel When I bought my HD I made sure it had a mighty 8.1 in it! Love that engine! Before that my 2500s had 7.4s.

 

Woo Hoo, find me a gas station!