Newbie from Wisconsin

mully17 · 08-28-2008, 07:30 AM

Howdy Folks! Love what i have seen on the site so far. Lots of great info and everyone is very helpful with advice/comments etc. Thanks for your patience as I explain my current situation. Any advice from you is greatly appreciated.

Just bought the Impala in April and am going to keep it. Have wanted a truck since high school (many moons -20 yrs-ago). Have put it off for various reasons and decided that the time is right to do it considering that we consumers have a lot of power at the moment. I know there are good deals out there on half tons but I have always had my heart set on getting a diesel.....but still keeping all options open.

I don't have any brand loyalty per se (have driven Chev all my life) but have been doing a lot of research. Considering buying new and used. Don't want a dodge as i want a "real" crew cab. My cousin drives a 2008 F-350 Lariat. He is lucky as he is avg about 16-17 mpg. I know it's a crapshoot with the 6.4 (in terms of mpg-he likes its power) and I am a bit uneasy with the history of the 6.0. The more I read about the d-max the more i like. Have been told about possible relibility issues with the d-max so any input there would be helpful.

A couple of questions I have:
1) If i post the VIN of a used chev/gmc, is it possible for one of the site experts to help me out with the truck's history? (I ask b/c a ford tech on a powerstroke forum helped me out with the history of a F-350 I was looking at and the truck did have quite the "history".)

2) Thoughts on used vs. new right now with the truck market the way it is?

3) Any other advice you can give as i research, buying tips, etc?

Thanks for reading this. I know it was a long post but I have not purchased a truck before and want to get a good deal and do it right.

**TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN** · 08-28-2008, 07:34 AM

welcome to the DF..
i can help you decipher some of the vin # meaning but not like give you truck records..
the Duramax over all is IMO the nest Diesel since 2001 and has proven itself a very reliable diesel.

mully17 · 08-28-2008, 08:13 AM

thanks James! I looking into a couple of used gmc's right now.

-2007 K2500-CREW-SHORT-SLE1-550 miles for $34,900 6.6L V8 DURAMAX LMM VIN : 1GTHK23607F500031

-2006 Sierra 2500-CREW-SHORT-SL-4WD Miles : 30,886 $31,997 LBZ Diesel

-2005 GMC SIERRA 2500HD-CREW-SHORT-SLT-4WD-DIESEL-LIFT-DVD Miles : 54,895 LLY $28,997

And there are more possibilities. Trucks at a lot, where they typically only sell trucks.

**4x4Fantasy** · 08-28-2008, 09:18 AM

Get The 06 !!! Get The 06 !!!

mully17 · 08-28-2008, 09:27 AM

Thanks 4x4 fantasy. I'm learnin' so could you please explain why the '06? I appreciate your time.

gr8shot · 08-28-2008, 10:06 AM

First of all... welcome!!

I agree get the 06... Most people will agree, that the LBZ is (in stock form) the best duramax made. They have the most stock hp, and still do pretty well fuel mileage wise. The 6 speed tranny in the 06's and up are also a tad bit stouter than the 5 speeds, plus you can manually select your gears in the 6 speed.

The dpf and all the new emission crap on the new trucks is what makes the 06 such a good idea, since it won't have any of it, just a cat. The dpf's in all three brands of trucks are causing problems. I think the chevy's have the least problems however. The dpf on the new LMM's are what make them get bad mileage, and if you take it off then you most likley void your warranty which sucks!!! With the 06, you still get a good warranty, and it's a little easier to add power and not void that warranty. The 05 might not have any warranty left... I'm not sure.

**4x4Fantasy** · 08-28-2008, 10:28 AM

gr8shot said what I was gonna!!

2006 is the best you can get, before emissions took over.

You wont regret it, trust us !!!

mully17 · 08-28-2008, 11:44 AM

Thank you for the explanation guys. I am trying to schedule a test drive for this Friday or Saturday. They have the truck listed about $800 below blue book. They also have a few other '06's there so may check them out too. I really appreciate your input and suggestions.

**TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN** · 08-28-2008, 01:39 PM

i would have to agree the LBZ is the one to go with..

mully17 · 08-29-2008, 03:14 PM

Okay guys, a brief update. The 06 GMC you suggested has been sold. My question is: if a 2007 GMC has the LBZ engine in it, does that mean it does not have the DPF? I want to avoid the emissions crap as was suggested. Did the LMM come out in 2007.5 then? There are some really nice 2007 GMC with the LBZ on the lot. Thanks for your help in advance.