Where To Find A Used Diesel

Bowtie_Beast · July 1, 2009

I'm not in the market yet, but I've started looking around and doing my research on diesels.

I was wondering where to look for a decent used one? When I look on autotrader, there isn't many that come up. Why is that? Do people sell them somewhere else? Are they in high demand? or doesn't anyone put them on there because most have high miles and no one wants to buy them? Or is it just that there isn't many out there on the market? Maybe I'm looking too specific, but I'm just looking for 4WD Crew Cab. Also any pointers on what to look for would be appreciated too if you want to throw that in.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: This is one I found in the area. 2001 GMC 2500HD This is a sweet looking truck and would be what I'm looking for (I think). Too bad I don't have the money right now. I only pay cash for vehicles.

Thanks

jf781 · July 1, 2009

Might sound stupid but I've used cars.com alot. You can use the advanced search that will search for keywords, i.e. Diesel. Just a thought.

1320quick · July 1, 2009

Have you tried craigslist.com? I just bought my 2003 GMC 2500HD from there. Seemed to be lots of diesel trucks for sale in my local craigslist.

Bowtie_Beast · July 2, 2009

Thanks guys. I looked at both, but didn't find much. Most have the 6.0L.

Another question: If I were looking at a 2001, were there any issues with that year due to it being a completely new truck? Anything I should look for? I remember reading about fuel injectors, but I can't remember what years.

Thanks again.

jf781 · July 2, 2009

Thanks guys. I looked at both, but didn't find much. Most have the 6.0L.
Another question: If I were looking at a 2001, were there any issues with that year due to it being a completely new truck? Anything I should look for? I remember reading about fuel injectors, but I can't remember what years.

Thanks again.

I think it was the '01 and '02 that had the problems with injectors. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

terryk · July 2, 2009

Thanks guys. I looked at both, but didn't find much. Most have the 6.0L.
Another question: If I were looking at a 2001, were there any issues with that year due to it being a completely new truck? Anything I should look for? I remember reading about fuel injectors, but I can't remember what years.

Thanks again.

I think it was the '01 and '02 that had the problems with injectors. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm looking too. With very few being traded in due to low new-truck sales and people being completely upside-down on their loans, there aren't as many up for sale as a year ago. The few viable trucks I see that aren't over-priced due to the loan balance have a bazillion miles on them. Sure, the block and heads might last forever but the rest of the truck is falling apart.

You just have to be patient and have the money to strike when a good one comes along.

Bowtie_Beast · July 2, 2009

Thanks terryk. That totally makes sense. I guess it's a good thing my buying window isn't for another couple of years. I'm doing my research now though. But by then I might be looking at '06 and newer. Who knows.

Thanks again.

terryk · July 3, 2009

Thanks terryk. That totally makes sense. I guess it's a good thing my buying window isn't for another couple of years. I'm doing my research now though. But by then I might be looking at '06 and newer. Who knows.
Thanks again.

Yeah, I'm focusing on an 06 but I would go to an 03-05 if it's a good truck.

dogzapper · July 6, 2009

Actually, I believe the key is not to force the issue.

There are privately owned trucks around with incredible low mileage and that have been well taken care of. If you just watch around your neighborhood, and maybe a bit beyond, and are patient, you'll be rewarded with a great truck.

Case in point: I'm 66 years of age and bought a 2006 Chevy 2500HD Duramax LT-3 CC/RB new. We were going to tow a trailer, but didn't, so the truck gets driven maybe once a week and has a whopping 5,200 miles on it.

Depending on the week, we're convinced we'll sell it soon ... or maybe just keep it. And one of these days, probably fairly soon, WE WILL just sell it and let this gorgeous truck have a life.

There are lots of oldsters like us; they had a dream and the dream just drifted away. And you can take advantage of that.

By the way, when you buy your Duramaz, you DO WANT a 2006 or 2007 with the LBZ engine. That will get you the 6-speed Allison 1000 and a minimum of emmission controls. The LBZ will be remembered as the Golden Era of GM diesel trucks.

Anyway, be patient and watch for precisely the perfect LBZ Duramaz diesel. Take it from an old duffer, patience will reward you every time. Another hint, oldsters are more interested in a clean deal, cash on the barrelhead, and seeing that their truck has a wonderful new owner than they are in getting the most money.

Best of luck in your search,

Steve

WilliamBos · July 6, 2009

Actually, I believe the key is not to force the issue.

There are privately owned trucks around with incredible low mileage and that have been well taken care of. If you just watch around your neighborhood, and maybe a bit beyond, and are patient, you'll be rewarded with a great truck.

Case in point: I'm 66 years of age and bought a 2006 Chevy 2500HD Duramax LT-3 CC/RB new. We were going to tow a trailer, but didn't, so the truck gets driven maybe once a week and has a whopping 5,200 miles on it.

Depending on the week, we're convinced we'll sell it soon ... or maybe just keep it. And one of these days, probably fairly soon, WE WILL just sell it and let this gorgeous truck have a life.

There are lots of oldsters like us; they had a dream and the dream just drifted away. And you can take advantage of that.

By the way, when you buy your Duramaz, you DO WANT a 2006 or 2007 with the LBZ engine. That will get you the 6-speed Allison 1000 and a minimum of emmission controls. The LBZ will be remembered as the Golden Era of GM diesel trucks.

Anyway, be patient and watch for precisely the perfect LBZ Duramaz diesel. Take it from an old duffer, patience will reward you every time. Another hint, oldsters are more interested in a clean deal, cash on the barrelhead, and seeing that their truck has a wonderful new owner than they are in getting the most money.

Best of luck in your search,

Steve

I agree. If in the market, and LBZ is what I would want. 01 DMAX had head gasket issues. 02-04 had injector issues

Good Luck.

Brad92 · July 6, 2009

(LB7)01 to 04 had injectors and glowplugs (7yr 200,000 mile warranty) 01 and 02 had some head gaskets.(LLY) 04.5 to 05 had overheating issues while towing anything and headgaskets. (LBZ)06-07 has had tranny lines leak. All of them have weak steering. 01-04 (LB7) and 06 to 07 (LBZ) are the best for making big power. 06s and up have 6 speed tranny (the others have a 5 speed but it is very cheap to make it a 6 speed). 06 LLY is the same as 06 LBZ except with a lesser tune on it. Some dealers will flash a LBZ tune on an 06 LLY for you and then it is identical. If not, then somebody with efi live will do it for you.

dogzapper · July 7, 2009

Interesting things are happening to the prices of pre-owned Duramax trucks.

I read on this board that the prices of the 2010 Duramax trucks will be UP about 15%. The price increase was reportedly because of the ever-more expensive, increasing and power sapping government emmission controls. Frankly, I secretly thought bullshit, but checked my 2006 truck, both on KBB and Edmonds.

With the price of the new GM diesels increasing perhaps $7,000 each, it only makes sense that the older ones would be in higher demand, if for nothing but reasonable price. Also, the older rigs would get higher fuel mileage because they have less emmissions crap bolted to the engines.

Sure enough, the price of my 2006 Duramax had increased about $2,000 from just a couple of months ago.

Amazing.

Steve