Am I Nuts? 2008 Silverado Duramax LTZ??

[chris199]

Just test drove a 2008 Silverado Duramax LTZ last night. It's clean....8' bed....and loaded with every option under the sun. Price is $40K. Miles are 47K.

I can't tell you how tempted I am to trade my 2012 Tundra. Anyone else been here?

1 yr old gas truck vs. 5 year old diesel.

I have 22K miles on the Tundra already. There's onlt 47K on the Chevy.

I'm towing a 29REV Cougar.....less than 8,000 lbs total weight. I am at the borderline on payload on the Toyota....all other parameters on towing I think are fine.

May have 1 or 2 trips out west in the next 5 years but 98% of our towing is up and down the east cost.

Money is money....just not sure spending the extra $15K and having a payment for 6 years vs. just 4 more is a wise choice. :banghead:

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

[x96mnn]

I can't say your crazy because I don't really know! The shock of seeing a 40k price on a 2008 truck tossed me for a loop but I can't really find anything like it with that low of km. A 2011 wth 145k is going for 40k.

My concern will be warranty with that truck being 13 years old when your done paying for it if I read correctly. Does your tundra haul well and feel safe or are you nervous or know your over the limit? You can't put a price on safety but I would have some concerns on this deal based on the age diffrence. Hope someone with more experiance with these trucks chimes in.

[Jim W]

Is the truck being sold by a dealer or a private party?

Has a programmer been installed on the truck’s ECM, dealer can tell you this by reading the ECM.

What is the Blue Book or NADA vehicle price listed as retail for this model of truck?

Here is a very good read for buying a used turbo diesel truck. Even though it is slanted to a Ram Cummins truck most of what the PDF book says can be applied to a Durmax/Powerstroke engine equipped truck.

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/magazines/buyersguide.phtml

Good Luck
Jim W.

[chris199]

It is a Certified Used Truck....GMC dealer.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

[hankpage]

Chris, I just went to Chevy's truck site and built a truck. This is what I came up with. (2013 Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab, Long Box LT 2WD$40,950*) Granted it is not loaded but it shows that you would be paying for 5 year old options. So even adding $10,000 in options you could get a new truck with full warranty and a lower interest rate. When I bought my Dodge, instead of taking a loaded model off the lot I ordered just what I wanted from the factory and saved big time $$$$$. You have to be willing to wait and that is tough. Try it yourself and see. (http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado-2500hd-pickup-truck/build-your-own.html?x-zipcode=07101) JM2¢, Hank

[SteveC7010]

The other option is to poke around and see if you can find a similar, but new 2012. There are some left here and there, and the dealers will wheel and deal to move them out. On a used truck, they've got X number of dollars into it because of whatever they laid down on the trade-in, and won't have as much wiggle room on final price.

[chris199]

OK. This truck is the LTZ, Crew Cab (minor detail - sorry), 4WD, Duramax Diesel, Allison Tranny....has every option under the sun...long 8' bed, sunroof, DVD in headrests, leather/heated/power seats, Rhino lining, power back window, etc. I think this truck new is in the $65K range.

The $40K price seems reasonable if not on the low end. I found 200+ trucks on Cars.com that were configured similarly in the $40K - $45K range.

[Paddler]

I have to agree with Hankpage, I just priced out a new GMC Sierra, Crew Cab, SLE, short bed, 2wd with the Duramax and Allison for $44K. With discounts and your Tundra in trade...why buy used???

[chris199]

You're right. I priced it out with all the options, the 4x4, etc. and came up with $54K brand new. For some reason I was thinking this truck was $65 new. There's no way I'll ever spend $65K on a truck. I just can't bring myself to do that. Maybe if I can talk them down to $35.

KBB says $44K is the retail price in Excellent Condition. This is in Very Good condition IMHO.

I think the LTZ is the high end with all the options...adds a few grand.

[rnkburg]

A big selling point to the 08 is that it does not require DEF , People are paying top for those trucks because fuel mileage is a little better. As far as towing and handling if you towed with it you wouldn't look back.

Around here you can get 10's for that price but higher miles.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

[3P'sInACougar]

U might want to look at ford diesel. Can get one in Michigan for under $30000
An around 50000miles. Just my 2 cents.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hankpage]

A big selling point to the 08 is that it does not require DEF , People are paying top for those trucks because fuel mileage is a little better. As far as towing and handling if you towed with it you wouldn't look back.

Around here you can get 10's for that price but higher miles.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

Now the price makes sense! Still you have to consider the interest rates between new and used since you will be financing. Bottom line, in the end you may pay more for the used truck. Do the math and enjoy whatever you decide, Hank

If tires are not new tack on another $1,000+....

[Outbackmel]

I bought a 2008 Dodge crew cab, short bed 2wd, 6.7 cummins turbo with 17,000 miles 2 years ago at Carmax. All the right stuff for towing was added for $700. No sunroof, no leather, no payments. Paid $34,000 cash for the truck and pull a 36ft Outback and LOVE it .... be cautious and know that diesel requires TLC and routine maintenance to reach those 300,000 miles people talk about. That takes $$ as well. Now have 40,000 miles on it, and LOVE it every day I drive it. 3 adults and a caged cat ( not the DW ) across the US and back.

Also, you might check all of the RV Trader web sites and contact people who say they will sell their tow vehicle as soon as they sell their RV. With the economic pull back and the higher cost of fuel, some potential buyers may have gotten cold feet and decided to hotel it a few more years.

When I bought my truck, I had a 2005 GMC, Duramax in mind. It was in FL. I was about to pull the trigger when this Dodge popped up in GA at Carmax. Put it on a four hour HOLD and drove 90 miles to test it and wound up buying it. I say, do your home work, know what capabilities YOU need and do NOT dilly dally when something seems good. Any doubts when buying from a private individual, offer to meet him at the BRAND dealership and pay for a mechanical review. Better to find out about any issues for a couple of hundred bucks BEFORE buying rather than paying thousands, plus have down time and inconvenience later.

WARNING: there are literally thousands of flood vehicles out there that WERE supposed to be scrapped. MANY make it back onto the roads of America.

Trust this: I was in auto finance for 38 years and directed sale of many 10's of thousands of cars and trucks; repos and off lease and executive off lease.
Never buy a repo because it is a good deal. Never ASSUME a new car dealer has all "little old lady" driver vehicles on the used car lot. People push maintenance to the botom of their priority list when they have to, or desire to, surrender the vehicle. ASK, ASK, where did this vehicle come from? Can they verify it? Have they done any work on it? Do they have an Internal Work Order that can accompany the sale? Did the vheicle ever have a "recall" and was the recall work performed? There are plenty of good vehicles and honest people out there....the good ones NEVER doubt a well informed buyer.

Hey, this is YOUR money. Spend it wisely. Just say'n :confused:

ps: retired Manager; Ford Motor Credit Company
retired: Bank of America, Dealer Financial Services (formerly Barnett
Bank NA, Jacksonville, FL)
Former: End of lease term corporate VP nationally for US Bank

Been there, Done that.....

[Jim W]

Chris,
I bought a 2008 6.7L Ram Mega Cab new in Nov 2007. The truck had everything that I wanted on it; 4X4, 3:73 gears 6 SPD auto SLT and rear sliding window. I drove the truck off the lot for $38,500 plus tax, no trade in vehicle, when I was done dealing for the truck. I walk out of two dealers who tried to low ball and then change the price at time of signing. MY DW could not believe me that I just got up and walked from them, I will not scream or yell nor argue with a dealer. Do not need the stress. I ask for the best price and if I do not like it I walk.

So my advice is to buy a new truck with the full warranty and order what you want, someone bought this truck and either it was reposes or something is wrong with it. No one would sell this truck with this low of miles on it unless there was an issue.
Just my opinion.
Jim W.

[SAABDOCTOR]

ONLY the dw will atteset to your sanity:D also check the nada value. nada national auto dealers assocation. they are a bit more realistic then kelly blue book. but i have to agree with the others that have said at that price i might go for new rather then uased. i personally do not want all the bells and whistels as they just fail in time. my joke is, people ask no entertainment system! outside of the radio I have a windshield all the entertainment i need is just on ther otherside of the glass:D good luck with whatever choise you make:banghead:

[cmssorrell]

I brought a 2008 Ford F350 Dually 6.4 diesel Crew Cab, 8ft bed "loaded" with 38000 miles for $33,000 last July.

[kenn209]

There is a nice 08 D-Max here in Va, has less than 15k miles LTZ loaded to the max... He wants 43k for it. I thought that was a bit much. But it is pretty close to brand new.

http://www.warrentonselect.com/detail-2008-chevrolet-silverado_3500-ltz_asterisk_sunroof_asterisk_navi_asterisk_-used-9769538.html

[howdy]

A big selling point to the 08 is that it does not require DEF , People are paying top for those trucks because fuel mileage is a little better. As far as towing and handling if you towed with it you wouldn't look back.

Around here you can get 10's for that price but higher miles.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

I am not sure why people are so scared of DEF. If I am not mistaken the fuel mileage is actually better on a DEF equipped truck. I hate to think what the inside of my engine on my 08 Duramax looks like with it running such a heavy EGR vs the newer trucks with DEF that have the EGR dialed back. We have been driving brand new tractors at work with DEF for the past year and a half because they had to be California compliant. No problems with the DEF systems on the Cummins or Detroits. Other issues that are non DEF related...yes

[howdy]

There is a nice 08 D-Max here in Va, has less than 15k miles LTZ loaded to the max... He wants 43k for it. I thought that was a bit much. But it is pretty close to brand new.

http://www.warrentonselect.com/detail-2008-chevrolet-silverado_3500-ltz_asterisk_sunroof_asterisk_navi_asterisk_-used-9769538.html

For around here that would be a pretty good price from a dealer. I have an 08 Duramax 3500 LTZ dually with 26,000 miles and KBB is over $44K in excellent condition for private party. Realistically I could probably sell all day long at $40K with the 20K 5th wheel hitch, wireless remote airbags, linex, below rail toolbox, etc....

[BigCajun]

You can get a loaded 2013 LTZ for about $55 depending on equipment. The newer engine has more power, larger fuel capacity and much better fuel economy than my 2008 model. I shopped for a used one when my 08 was totaled, but after driving the 13, and looking at the high prices of the used, I bought a new one. I couldn't be happier.:D

[Drew Waller]

The Duramax is a great towing machine. I have a 2006 3500 Crew Cab. But what you want to look at is when your not towing it will cost you a lot more to operate. Fuel, filters, brakes, igniters, all all the extra things a deisel cost you. Special oil and getting that fuel filter changed every 20 to 30000 miles will run $100.00 or more. Believe me when it clogs up your done. I've thought about going back to gas but I only use the Duramax to pull my Raptor 3612 and the rest of the time it sits. I have extra tanks (97 gal on board) and I get 8-10 miles per gallon pulling at $4.+ per gallon for fuel. It's bad having to go to the bank everytime I fill up. But I love the way it goes up the mountains pulling.:)

[justlkn]

Well I can say I am a fan of the GM Duramax Allison combo but I feel the truck your looking at is over priced. I bought a brand new 2012 3500HD Silverado Crew Cab long bed dually 4x4 LTZ loaded with the Duramax for 49k out the door at the end of 2012 . I think you could pick up a newer year for that much.

[howdy]

Boy you guys are lucky you are able to pick up new trucks for what you do. As of last year a local dealer had 2 left over 2011 Chevy Duramaz LTZ's were priced at $59k for no Nav and $63k with Nav. The 2012's were on the way and they still wouldn't go below $53k and $57K for a truck that was basically a year old. Those 2 trucks sat there quite a while. Thats also the reason the prices on the used Chevys/GMC around here are quite strong.

Heck a new Dodge Ram Longhorn 3500 is priced at $62k. But Ram is more realistic and usually has a lot of discounts and you can pick them up around $51k. Still a lot of coin. Hence the reason I bought mine used.

[kenn209]

I have been looking at new Ram 3500 DRW Laramie's, I have seen some as low as 48k, Have seen some ST models under 40k.

[howdy]

I have been looking at new Ram 3500 DRW Laramie's, I have seen some as low as 48k, Have seen some ST models under 40k.

That sounds about right. Around here the Laramie's are between $47-49K. Aren't the ST's a stripped down truck? If so I would hope they would be under $40k. I bought a new 2004.5 SLT 2500 and that was $33k out the door. Boy have times and prices changed.

[kenn209]

Yep, STs are the base model

[LittleJoe]

DEF is not a bad thing, its a good thing in that EGR % are much reduced with these systems. Fuel economy is also higher with the DEF emission units.

IMHO I would avoid the 08-10 DMax,the 07.5 -12 Ram unless your are hauling with the truck the vast majority of the time. The probability of emission issues is higher if the truck is not worked hard.

We have one 2011 Dmax and 5 dodge duallies (96,98,99,03,04.5)on the road . The Dmax with DEF has been excellent. Will probably pick up a 2013 Ram this year also.

[Loriv247]

That seems kinda high. We are looking at new 2012 Ram dually's and the deal we were offered was $10k off of sticker (so 45k brand new fully loaded). I wouldn't pay more than 35k IMO.

[wincrasher]

At the end of 2011 I bought my 2500HD 4x4 LTZ Duramax for around $55k. It stickered at $62k. It's been worth every penny and absolutely trouble free. Get great mileage - 22mpg highway and 12 mpg towing a 5th wheel.

I don't understand all the complaints on operating costs. DEF, filters, oil changes, etc are only marginally more than a gas truck. The fuel mileage is almost double a 6.0 gas truck, but the fuel is only $.50 a gallon more. The other stuff is peanuts considering the longer service intervals and the greater capability. You'll love having an exhaust brake if you are towing a heavy trailer!

I'll never go back to a gas truck.

[berto]

I have a 08 ltz duramax and its been flawless. Good truck and I hope it lasts forever because I just paid it off lol