Am I Nuts? 2008 Silverado Duramax LTZ??

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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