Trucks & Trailers - Vortec vmax 6.0L vs diesel

Im looking at a 2007 silverado with the vmax. Truck has 67k miles. Any known issues with these engines? Should I be concerned about that mileage?

Seems max tow is 9900 lbs. trying to decide b/t this and diesel. Mileage is terrible with the gas engine but may be offset by a little cheaper maintenance. I want something that can comfortably tow a boat in the 23-25 ft class range. I think this will work. Diesel is overkill but there would never be any concern over lack of power

I'm looking to get a truck and keep it for several years. What's better in the long run, this or diesel? Appreciate the help it ain't an easy decision...

Classic or new body style?

Classic or new body style?

New

Had a silverado with this motor and it is a great motor. I will follow by saying that i sold it in 8 months due to the unbearable fuel mileage. I would stick to diesel if you are going used as someone else has already taken the depreciation.

Also as fuel keeps rising the diesel will depreciate at a lesser rate, and it is much more desirable all around at time of resale.

Yeah I am trying to consider resale. That 15 mpg will get old fast. I traded my 1500 Sierra with the 5.3l in for a civic 1.5 yrs ago as I was driving lots of miles for school. I've put 34k miles on it since new and have yet to see anything less than 30mpg and usually its 32-36 BUT it can't pull a boat

The thing is the 5.3L engine won't get much better if any better mileage than the 6 while the 6 will give a higher towing capacity and better trans and suspension. I have considered keeping the car for a daily driver but I'm not convinced that's economical either. Maybe I'll just put a turbo on the civic and roll

Had a silverado with this motor and it is a great motor. I will follow by saying that i sold it in 8 months due to the unbearable fuel mileage. I would stick to diesel if you are going used as someone else has already taken the depreciation.

Also as fuel keeps rising the diesel will depreciate at a lesser rate, and it is much more desirable all around at time of resale.

So what are you driving now that's better? Post some numbers please

I had a 2003 2500 4x4 crew cab 4:10 with the 6.0l.
It would barely get 13MPG at 70mph on flat hwy and never saw over 10MPG in the city.
I tried everything from a tuner, K&N filter etc to increase mileage and make it have just a little pep but nothing worked.

From what I understand the year model's following are supposed to be somewhat better but it is a truck-engine combonation that I will never own again.

Question is: does a gas truck with poor mileage and "cheaper" fuel prices offset a diesel truck with better mileage but more expensive fuel?

I don't know I just want a damn diesel. With a tuner/chip I can probably get it close to 20 on the highway and 15 or so in town. Plus a diesel is bad azz and it will hold its value much better than gas and has a longer life expectancy.

So what are you driving now that's better? Post some numbers please

Went completely the other way due to fuel frustrations. Leased a new Lexus.... My weekly fuel bill went from 3 figures to 40 bucks a week! But my cousin ran his 2006 Silverado Duramax with a light chip for 155k miles and averaged 19-22 mpg on the hwy and 16+ city all day long. Mind you i spent at least 25k of those miles with him in the truck so I have personally witnessed this. My 6.0 did 11-12 in the city and barely 15-16 on the highway if I was easy on it..

If you want a diesel... GET IT! It really is much better and you will be so much happier towing with it. Will the price offset?? Maybe it will be a wash or a savings, but you will have a much better truck in the meantime. Everyone I know who wanted to go diesel and got a gas truck instead kicks themselves for not going diesel.

Searosis wins I'm going with diesel

Now while I have your attention I want some opinions on what to do with my car. It's a 2011 civic and I owe about $12k. I can trade it and make $3k or so pretty easy. Payment is $285/month. I will be driving a total of 150 miles per week for work (15miles one way x 2 x 5). The math tells me to just trade the car and drive the truck. The difference in fuel cost isn't enough to offset the monthly car payment and I will drive the truck on weekends anyway. I was originally planning to keep the car and drive it to work but it doesn't making sense after crunching numbers and considering my short daily commute.

Thoughts?

Go diesel and keep the car if you can. I love my Dmax, but there are plenty of times where something like a car or small 4cyl truck would be nice for fuel savings and so I can leave the diesel sitting at the house. Plus I wouldn't have to worry about it so much in Hyde county.

Go diesel and keep the car if you can. I love my Dmax, but there are plenty of times where something like a car or small 4cyl truck would be nice for fuel savings and so I can leave the diesel sitting at the house. Plus I wouldn't have to worry about it so much in Hyde county.

Well my wife has an Acura TL that we can drive on trips and such it gets decent mileage. I can keep the car but its hard to convince myself it's worth the extra payment taxes maintenance etc. I wanted to keep the car in order to keep the mileage down on the truck but after researching it may not be worth the cost. Plus I can sell my car now and probably make good money

When comparing keeping car and truck remember the huge difference in maintenence. Car tires are half that of truck tires, oil changes are a 1/4 of the price, gasoline is cheaper then diesel. You are way better off keeping your car and the truck. The truck will last a couple decades if only used on the weekend.

I am on my 5th Dmax and my current 08 is going into the garage for a rest!! Yes I do get decent MPG's but all the miles I am racking up on a replacement value of over 60K got me thinking!! I am going to pick up a new or used smaller car for my regular driving and keep the truck for towing and having fun!

Diesel out here is between $3.70--3.99 per gal and the regular gas a lot less. I am green with envy because my wife gets 50mpg's with her Prius. Might look into one of their new models!!

I have a 2006 Vortec MAX (6.0, 4.10 rear end, 4x4, crew cab, 4-sp auto). Mine is rated to tow 10,500 pounds, and does tow well. I average 15, and will see 16 or so when driving 70 to South Dakota or Gulf Shores unloaded. It tows a utility trailer, 15' jon boat, 22 bay boat, or a 29' cat walkaround. It averages the same with the jon boat, around 12-13 with the bay boat, and I am scared to calculate when pulling the ProKat. Like others wrote, it is a decent rig, but it does like gas. I also have a 2007 Denali XL with the 6.2 and 6-speed auto. I just got back from Gulf Shores today in the Denali, and it averaged 18.9 for the 505 miles, so I think the 6-speed auto transmission makes a huge difference.

Every time a diesel truck passed by us, I.......

Question is: does a gas truck with poor mileage and "cheaper" fuel prices offset a diesel truck with better mileage but more expensive fuel?

I don't know I just want a damn diesel. With a tuner/chip I can probably get it close to 20 on the highway and 15 or so in town. Plus a diesel is bad azz and it will hold its value much better than gas and has a longer life expectancy.

Might look at some older diesels and keep the car

Cfarmd
Work out total mileage done each year, work out fuel cost/maintenance for diesel /gas engines.
Then divide mileage by costs this will tell you what is best cost wise for your application.For example my truck 2.9 l diesel gets 25 Mpg average devided into 12000 miles = 480 gallons of fuel at NZ $5.30 per gallon =NZ$2544 fuel cost plus 4oil changes at NZ$250 each =NZ$3544 divided by 12000= NZ$0.295 per mile.I have not calculated in the NZ road user tax on diesel vehicles that applys sorry it isNZ$ 0.078 per mile

Gas model 3.l gets 15 Mpg average devided into 12000miles= 800 gallons of fuel at NZ$8.24 per gallon =NZ$6592 = 2 oil changes at NZ$ 130 each =NZ$6852 devided by 12000= NZ$0.57 per mile.
The gas version of the Ssangyong musso is very thirsty when towing these figures are from my own and a friends trucks.

Might look at some older diesels and keep the car

Unless you just really, really want the diesel, if you're thinking of keeping the car you probably should buy a gas truck. The point about how well the diesel keeps it's resale value works in your favor, because you're the beneficiary of the first owners eating the depreciation, and you'll get it for a lot less than an equivalent diesel truck. Drive the car most of the time and get much better cost per mile than even a chipped diesel truck can, and you won't have to worry about whether the original owner had already chipped and played drag racer with it. If you're looking at the economics of it, buying the diesel truck and keeping the car just doesn't make sense. You do have to consider the additional insurance and tag cost and how much you actually drive. I have a 2001 F-250 V10, and it does get some bad gas mileage, but it will pull most anything the diesel will, it cost me around $10k less than the equivalent diesel, and I have a paid for Lexus ES300 for my everyday driver, which is a lot more pleasant and easier to drive around town than navigating 7700 lbs of truck with the turning radius of the Queen Mary.

If you really, really want the diesel, and don't care about the economics, go ahead and get what you want.

Looking at an 05 gmc 2500 right now with 98k miles.anyone know of any issues with this year model?

There is an 07 classic GMC loaded with 75000 ish miles on eastern nc craigslist. Probably one of the best trucks out there with the LBZ and the 6 speed allison

or if you dont mind cloth, this would be the winner for me

http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/3084970489.html

Gotta 6.0vvt (gas) 2500HD, 2007. I tow a 3500# trailer every day, and 7000# Boat/trailer occasionally. I would NEVER consider a diesel for this use. Been driving pickups for 40 years, and have never seen the need for a diesel. If I towed the 7000 lb. rig everyday on the highway, I'd consider a diesel. but otherwise, no way.

or if you dont mind cloth, this would be the winner for me

http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/3084970489.html

Dang that's nice and I'd prefer cloth

There is an 07 classic GMC loaded with 75000 ish miles on eastern nc craigslist. Probably one of the best trucks out there with the LBZ and the 6 speed allison

Would you mind posting that link?

Just walked by ur boat...beast!

Gotta 6.0vvt (gas) 2500HD, 2007. I tow a 3500# trailer every day, and 7000# Boat/trailer occasionally. I would NEVER consider a diesel for this use. Been driving pickups for 40 years, and have never seen the need for a diesel. If I towed the 7000 lb. rig everyday on the highway, I'd consider a diesel. but otherwise, no way.

Trouble is every time I hook to the boat we tow a minimum of 100 miles one way. I want to be mobile with my rig. Is diesel 100% necessary no but it would sure make things that much easier.

What kind of fuel burn numbers do you get?

http://onslow.craigslist.org/ctd/3147106180.html.

It is a dealer. I had a truck identical to the grey one with more miles that I sold for 6k more. If you get one, I can give you the number to a guy in Columbia that is the best for performance parts. He knows what to do, how to do it, and is extremely reasonable on price. Exhaust, intake, and a chip will make it a freaking blast to drive. He did the work on my classic and there were many time I would pass people on 43 pulling the Regulator. The truck didn't know it's own strength.

What were you doing at Harborside? One of these days well will catch up down there over a beer.

Also, I scoured craigslist when I bought my last on until I found someone who needed money for than the truck. The 07 Classic will hold its value VERY well

Also, I scoured craigslist when I bought my last on until I found someone who needed money for than the truck. The 07 Classic will hold its value VERY well

Down here staying with my cousin tonight after working in new bern today. We went sight seeing this afternoon. I'm always down for a beer or three

Diesel all the way, you wont regret it. The gas engine will pull it fine but the diesel will do the same job idling. Also keep in mind the maintenance costs of newer gas burners rival the diesels. The diesel will outlast the gas also.

Diesel all the way, you wont regret it. The gas engine will pull it fine but the diesel will do the same job idling. Also keep in mind the maintenance costs of newer gas burners rival the diesels. The diesel will outlast the gas also.

Uh, no. Maintenance of gas engines is essentially zero. New diesels have exhaust scrubbers and run on fuel that, in our area, is $.50/gallon higher.

Longevity? Not much difference. ANY gas engine will see 300,000 miles with no problems. The new high output diesels won't do any better.

Fuel Mileage? There's a side by side test of a new GM diesel vs. a gas model. Surprisingly little difference in economy or speed, even towing. With my 6.0vvt gas I get 10 around towing with the a/c on and lots of idling..probably 12-13 on the highway with enclosed trailer at 70.

Uh, no. Maintenance of gas engines is essentially zero. New diesels have exhaust scrubbers and run on fuel that, in our area, is $.50/gallon higher.

Longevity? Not much difference. ANY gas engine will see 300,000 miles with no problems. The new high output diesels won't do any better.

Fuel Mileage? There's a side by side test of a new GM diesel vs. a gas model. Surprisingly little difference in economy or speed, even towing. With my 6.0vvt gas I get 10 around towing with the a/c on and lots of idling..probably 12-13 on the highway with enclosed trailer at 70.


Uh, what? The DEF that you are taking about costs me about $25.00 every 8000 miles. I just hit the 25000 miles mark on mine and i am getting better fuel economy than my buddies Vortec Max by fair amount. The truck he is looking at is the classic anyways so it has no emissions crap on it. My 07 with some add on ons not only got better fuel economy than my old 5.3 and my old mans 6.0, I could set the cruise at 75 with 12k behind it and never miss a beat. I just looked at going to the Ford F150 and by the time you put synthetic oil in it, it was almost the same price for service.

While nobody has to have a diesel, there are a lot of practical instances to have one. I will not be keeping mine for 300k, but i sure do love the power. The only downside to diesels today is the increased fuel prices over gas. The premim to get the diesel engine is returned when you sell it. Also, take 2 identical trucks, one gas and one diesel with 100k on them and see which one sells faster for more money. Gas motors might go 300k but you might as well part them out after that.

I'll admit the resale is higher, but so is the initial purchase cost. It's all relative. Pay $10,000 more upfront, get more at resale.

Gas engine at 300,000? Just broken in. New stuff runs so squeeky clean and with digital engine management you can't over-rev/overheat them. Drive to the moon on 3 sets of spark plugs and a few oil and filter changes.

What are spark plugs?

What are spark plugs?

They're like glow plugs which often have to be replaced too.

Diesels have come a long way, no doubt. The fuel has more energy in it, and the higher compression..the carnot cycle is more efficient, so they SHOULD go farther "per gallon". "Power" is all about fuel in, and older diesels were designed with more displacement so of course they were pretty strong, as the were able to burn more fuel. The new stuff, it's like a high performance gas engine..lotsa boost, higher revs. Requires forged components, sophisticated cooling, and VERY careful engine management.

But diesel fuel still stinks.....

I bought my 1st diesel almost 2 yrs ago right after I bought my current boat. Here's my findings. My 4000# 1/2 ton Dodge 4 door 4x4 got 15mpg highway and about 12 around town. My 7000# 3/4 ton Dodge diesel gets 19mpg highway and I don't know city. I had not sold my old 23' w/a yet so I was able to compare pulling it with the 1/2 ton gas vs the 3/4 ton diesel. The difference was night and day. The diesel doesn't even grunt with the 23'er (5500#). I brought my current boat (28'er) home with a 3/4 ton chevy gas van. I thought I was going to have to get a tow to get it up the ramp. That boat was more than the gas engine wanted. It ran hot (van is in good condition with only about 75k miles) and was very sluggish.

I looked at gas V-10's, 454's, and 6.0's and did lots of research on gas mileage. I came to the conclusion that I might sit at home some due to the thought of only getting 12mpg highway. I trailer store my boat so I have to drive 150 miles to the coast then have something able to pull the boat with.

I love the power of the diesel at highway speeds when you need to pass someone. It still amazes me how quickly a 7000# block can go from 60mph to 90mph.

Its going to be a diesel I have decided. I will probably save up and keep looking. I don't need the truck over the winter so ill be shooting for purchase around march-april next year in time for the fishing season.

If anyone comes across a good deal please pass it along. Ill buy earlier for the right deal

I might be ready to get rid of my Dmax by then.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii257/ytmorris/P2010005.jpg

I might be ready to get rid of my Dmax by then.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii257/ytmorris/P2010005.jpg

Im already interested just let me know when you decide to sell :thumbsup:

sell the car, pick up a TDI jetta/golf/wagon for 6k. 45mpg commuter, 80-100k timing belt changes and your golden, stay away from the auto's the trans doesnt last as long as the 5speeds.

then get an 04.5+ cummins. My 06 would average 26mpg at just under 65mph hand calc'd a bunch of times. Very reliable, would tow a house.

DIESEL. I have an 06 dura max and have never regretted it. Had it for about 3 yrs and my credit union had interest rates so low I had to refinance it. I bought it used for 31k, and 3.5 yrs later and sitting about 60 k miles it still booked out at $26,000. I looked up the same truck In Gas and book value was like $14,000. Sure it costs you in the beginning, but you get it back.
Before I bought the diesel, I compared mileage between gas and diesel, and determined that as long as diesel was not more than $.70 a gallon more than gas, the diesel was cheaper per mile for fuel. Not sure what the gas/diesel prices were at the time. After driving my diesel neatly 50k miles I am so glas I bought it. The key to getting good mileage out of it is keeping your foot out of it and drive the highway at 65 ot 70. It isn't eas to do but it is worth it. Set the cruise and forget it, while your looking down on all the little cuties passing you. Amazing what you see.
Maintenance on the diesel is a bit higher when you figure fuel filter changes, but it is minimal, and when that gasser needs plugs, wires, and what ever else they require at 100k, I bet you break even or get it back. it also helps if you can do oil changes and what not yourself.
Good luck and go diesel you won't regret it.