So I got a buddy...

[NukleusX]

Who is thinking about getting himself a diesel, more than likely used, and is leaning towards a Duramax. He is not sure when he will be able to finally buy one, though he is looking to spend about $10k or less. What year range and what kind of mileage is he going to be looking at for that kind of money? Also he is interested in a CC or extended cab (sorry I dont know what cab options yall got) and whatever bed is fine. 4x4 isnt a must but would be nice.

From what I get out of him, truck will be a DD that he might want to get a simple programmer for, or even leave stock for a while. Reliability is a big concern- from what I understand, didnt the earlier model years have some injector issues?

I am at a point where I myself am not biased to the point where I will tell him to go with a Dodge/Cummins (even though I am on my second one and love my 12v's) and I cant argue with the new school diesels of today.

Thank you guys in advance, from him and me, for the numorous replies I am sure I will get on this one!

 

[2500HeavyDuty]

Jeremy

Itl be hard to find a dmax in good condition at a price for 10k or less, they're still too new, i paid 18k for my dmax last January and it is an 01(ext cab LB 4x4). and the problem with getting an older model like an 01- or 02 specifically is that the injector warranty wont do much help since this is the last year for the 02's, But the injector problems are hit or miss with the lb7.

 

[NukleusX]

I see. I guess I will have to tell him the bad news, though he is determined so I am sure he will just save a little longer-

How many miles were on yours when you bought it for $18k? Also what trim package did you get for that?

 

[2500HeavyDuty]

I see. I guess I will have to tell him the bad news, though he is determined so I am sure he will just save a little longer-

How many miles were on yours when you bought it for $18k? Also what trim package did you get for that?

It had 107k miles on it, injectors crapped out on me at 115k, but had replaced under warranty:cool2:

I have the ls trim package, power seats windows, mirrors.

with a manual transfer case also.

He might be able to find a Ext cab SB, they're really small and cheaper, mine was just more expensive than the others cause of all the stuff that was already on it. and its a 4x4

Bumpers, toolbox, Big tires, Brake controller.


I just did a search and i did fond some trucks around 10k, but they're lookin pretty beat up, like a work truck. Try a search on autotrader

 

[dmaxtruck]

(Preface: I'm a huge advocate for diesel as an alternative fuel. I'm just 99% sure that $4.00 a gallon diesel is here to stay, whereas gas will remain much much lower.)

Please don't take this the wrong way. Honestly man, if he's looking for a daily driver tell him not to go diesel. That sounds messed up, but hear me out.

Since the 1970s, our entire petroleum industry in the US has geared itself towards getting the absolute maximum amount of gasoline to the market as possible. The US has decided through a mix of free market demand and US government regulations, that the US consumer needs cheaper gasoline than anything else that can be made out of crude oil. Diesel fuel, jet fuel, motor oil, plastics, chemicals, and a million other things have been deemed no where near as necessary to the US consumer as gasoline.

Not only does diesel have a restricted supply because of this, it is also a much easier target to tax. Your average legislator does not drive a diesel, nor does your average voter. It's easy for them to raise the taxes on diesel and claim that they are just going after "Big Business".

Right now in my state of Delaware our politicians are debating raising the taxes on diesel fuel an extra $0.17 per gallon. If they so much as thought about raising the price of gasoline $0.17 per gallon there would probably be a whole slew of protests at the capital. Instead, they realize that the businesses they are proposing to levy this tax on are not complaining. The businesses don't complain about the added tax, because their customers are already used to paying for "fuel surcharges" so its no sweat off their backs.

The sad part is, I'm a huge advocate for diesel as an alternative fuel. I'm just 99% sure that $4.00 a gallon diesel is here to stay, whereas we may only be paying $3.00 a gallon in gas.

 

[SIKDMAX]

There are deals to be had... my 05 LLY LT 4x4 crew every option sold with 83k on it for $22k on a dealer trade in. I could have gotten around $25k for it private party. Market is in the chitter right now for used truck sales. Here in Cali IMO anyway.

 

[NukleusX]

Yeah. I myself am looking into alternative fuels, as me and my father could both benefit. As could a bunch of his friends and this friend who is looking into buying a diesel.

This said, we are still not even set up one bit and are likely a year off from anything as far as the biodiesel production goes, if not more.

I will relay this message to my friend though he is pretty darn determined to have a diesel....