diesel or gas - Lateral-g Forums

**WSSix** · #1 07-10-2011, 09:17 AM

So here is my dilemma. I'm cheap and want to be good with me money. I'm in the market for a new truck. Well, new to me anyway. I love my trailblazer but I need an open bed truck. I want a CC Silverado 2500. I want this truck to be the last vehicle I purchase aside from toys and projects. I want to be able to pull my TA on a trailer behind the truck. 99% of the time, at least at this point in my life, I'll be hauling air though and I don't see that changing any time in the near future.

I'm finding that I can get either the diesel or a 6.0 gas engine for about the same price ~$15k. The diesel have higher mileage than the gas motors at that price range but otherwise the trucks are in similar condition. Also, and this is going back to me being cheap, I can find high mileage 6.0 trucks for a lot less than $15k. I can easily afford the trucks at $15k and even higher. I just don't like spending money, lol. Which engine should I go for? I've never owned a diesel. I know the LSx engines very well. Long term which would be the better buy? I'm worried that the diesel will cost me a lot to maintain or repair where as the 6.0 is cheap to rebuild and replace. Its also a hell of a lot easier to work on from what I can see. I'm just not sure I need the pulling power of the diesel though I like the fuel mileage better. Anyone else been faced with this dilemma or been down this road that can offer insight?

Thanks

N2TRUX · #2 07-10-2011, 09:44 AM

I can't offer any personal advice on the diesels, although I do have friends and business associates that love theirs. I have had several late model GM trucks and SUVS with a few powered by the 6.0. Some had the dreaded GM piston slap/knock but others did not. They were all great on power and reliability. They were all poor on MPG.

The best being a GMC 1500HD (light duty 3/4 ton) that consistently got 15 mpg. The worst being a Denali XL that consistently got 12 mpg. Beyond regular oil changes, I never spent a dime on the motors.

If your primary function is a tow rig, I would buy a used Denali XL with a 6.2. Having had several of the GM full size SUV, I can attest to the 6.2 powered Denali XL being the best of the bunch. It has a very quite and extremely comfortable interior, and a very plush ride when combined with the auto level system.

The 6.2 provides impressive pulling power and still gets acceptable mpg. While towing my 77 Cheyenne on an open trailer, I averaged 12mpg. Without the trailer I see 17 on the highway.

While the brakes won't compare to a 2500 HD, they are still large enough to bring the massive SUV to a very quick stop. This is truly one of the best over all balanced truck or SUV I have ever driven.

HotRod68Camaro · #3 07-10-2011, 11:45 AM

I agree with N2TRUX. The 6.2 is awesome. I just picked up an 08 2500HD Diesel. I was in the same boat as you (between gas or diesel). I drove similar trucks back to back and the power of the diesel is just awesome. You would probably get similar mpg out of the gas, but i just had to get the baddest truck i could afford ha. If you rarely tow, the gas will be more than capable and like you said maintenance is less.

orangevert · #4 07-10-2011, 11:59 AM

The maintenance is expensive, gas motor's get all most as good of gas milage, The gas is cheaper!!!! So the milage difference is a wash,When diesels break down the get very $$$$. The LS motors last if taken care of. If you'r not pulling all the time, Go with gas.. You don't have the smell, gelling issue.. Good luck with your purchase..

**WSSix** · #5 07-10-2011, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I keep forgetting that I have towed both C4 and C5 corvettes with an all steel trailer behind both my Trailblazer and a 1500 Silverado with a 4.8. While I wouldn't want to do it with either vehicle regularly or where it's not flat, they did just fine honestly. The 4.8 really is a great little motor. I do think I'll be fine with the 6.0 even though I swear come hell or high water that I'm moving back to Colorado damn it! LOL. Let's just say the pan handle of Texas is not my type of place to live. Anyway, if it weren't for my wanting an open bed to haul my motorcycle(s), I'd look at an Avalanche or Escalade EXT. I really like those trucks but I need a full size bed.

Did they put the 6.2 in any of the trucks or just the SUVs?

Thanks again guys. Anyone else care to add something? I'm all ears and it'll be weeks or months before I purchase anything.

Oh and if I ever need more power, I could always go heads/cam, Magnacharger, or even a turbo that spools low. At least that's part of my thinking

wmhjr · #6 07-11-2011, 07:00 AM

Having owned 5.3s and 6.0s, and now a Dodge Cummins (with over 230k on it) I can honestly say I will never again own a gasser. I just finally replaced a water pump on mine. It is twice the utility truck, gets far better mileage and expect it to last another 200k miles before any serious engine work.

**clill** · #7 07-11-2011, 08:58 AM

You can go with gas but that is just a delay till you get a diesel. The diesels make so much torque and get better mileage. Inside my 09 GMC 2500 I can't even tell it is a diesel. Trucks before it were a 2005 Ford F150 with a Roush Supercharger and a ford Lightning. Yes they could both pull a trailer but the mileage sucked and the 2500 was 10 times better pulling a trailer. Yes you can fix a LS engine cheap but these days most newer trucks are pretty cheap to maintain. It was very hard for me to take the diesel plunge but man it is so much better..

**WSSix** · #8 07-11-2011, 05:43 PM

For me taking the diesel plunge just comes from not knowing how to work on the engine and fearing that it's too difficult given my current living situation and lack of a work space. You guys have definitely given me some food for though and I have time to decide which is great. I'll just have to keep my eyes open and see what I can find.

I drive a CC Super Duty Ford for work. It's a long bed 4x4 and I routinely have a fifth wheel behind it. Yeah, it will chug along nicely. I just question if I'll be doing that much towing. Air doesn't weigh much

rwhite692 · #9 07-11-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clill

You can go with gas but that is just a delay till you get a diesel. The diesels make so much torque and get better mileage. Inside my 09 GMC 2500 I can't even tell it is a diesel. Trucks before it were a 2005 Ford F150 with a Roush Supercharger and a ford Lightning. Yes they could both pull a trailer but the mileage sucked and the 2500 was 10 times better pulling a trailer. Yes you can fix a LS engine cheap but these days most newer trucks are pretty cheap to maintain. It was very hard for me to take the diesel plunge but man it is so much better..

^^^Yup.

vinz68 · #10 07-11-2011, 07:41 PM

I bought my 08 2500 duramax new and 70,000 miles later I still love it. Best truck I have ever owned!!