A 1500 Chevy or GMC with the 3.0 Duramax really does interest me, as far as a daily driver lite towing truck. Changing the oil pump belt at 150,000 to 200,000 miles really doesn't bother me. Heck, no more than I would be driving it, that would be 15 to 20 years from now, I'd be in my mid to late 70s, might not even be still on this Earth. I guess though they reccomend changing the belt at 7 years or so regardless of miles, that might not be as fun. So, that might be the deciding factor, heck I might just get the 1500 with the 6.2 Liter gas engine and say the heck with it. Don't think the 6.2 Liter gas is going to be much worse than the 5.3 gas and it would be better towing.
My biggest hang up with it is that unless it gets a bunch more miles per gallon, fuel mileage then what's the advantage over a gas burner other than a possible towing advantage. The closest gap on fuel, diesel versus gas right now is 40 cents per gallon. At one time I had all that figured out as to at what point you would about break even, on the fuel cost.
I watched a guy on the internet the other day, he test drove a Chevy with the 5.3 Liter gas and then he drove a Chevy with the 3.0 diesel. Both trucks were brand new and were identical, 4 wheel drives, same rear gears and all. Somehow he got the dealership to allow him to do a fuel mileage test. He probably worked there and they wanted to drum up some business. He left the parking lot, hit the interstate and probably drove 10 to 15 miles one way, turned around and went back to the dealership. On the interstate he was driving at 70 and 75 mph, sometimes slower according to traffic. He did do a 70 to 85 mph acceleration test also with both trucks. He tried to duplicate the second run which was with the 3.0 Liter diesel truck and was getting slowed down in heavier rush hour traffic. If all things had been the same it could have been a more accurate test? He got held up at a few traffic lights more with the 3.0 Liter diesel truck. Also his MPG figures were strictly based on what the trucks computer was telling him. I like the old method of filling the tank, running a decent route and refueling again method. Don't know how accurate the computer calculations are? Since he only drove a short distance I figure he had to rely on the trucks calculations.
Ok, by now you are saying cut the bull crap, what was his results.
3.0 Liter Duramax was 24.3 MPG.
5.3 Liter 5.3 Liter gas was 18.3 MPG.
I'm sure there are more accurate test out there on the net. The TFL guys are doing those test all the time, one just has to do a little searching.
It is great that Marty and other guys on here can give us some great honest feedback on those trucks, Thanks Marty and
@BoostN .
www.musclecarsandtrucks.com
