Looking at 2500's
09-03-2017, 10:03 PM
#1
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Looking at 2500's
I'm looking to upgrade from my 1500 (leased - first time) and purchase a 2500. I get GM Employee pricing and I am willing to drive or fly to a dealership if they cut amazing deals on trucks. I drove 8 hours each way to get my wife's GMC Acadia from Laura Buick GMC and saved $10,500 off my local dealerships.
Does GM offer any (decent) rebates on the 2500's or is everything focused on the 1500's? Any dealerships I should take a look at?
I'm looking at 2500's because I can't stand how low the 1500's are. I live out in the country and I am sick and tired of worrying if a snow drift or driving around the farm, woods, etc will rip off my air dam. I will likely look for an aftermarket bumper or remove an air dam to gain clearance.
I don't put a lot of miles a year (6k or so). I might throw 1 ton of wood pellets in the bed a few times a year. I currently do not pull a trailer often, but would like my truck to pull a trailer with one of my tractors on it. Nothing crazy - probably no different than a car trailer and a car or truck on it. Having an 8 foot bed would be nice.
Additional thoughts, which could be completely wrong (I used to follow all of this, but have been out of the scene for a few years) - I am hoping a 2500 will last longer since I'm not working the crap out of it. I also remember how reliable the old 6.0's were and the 5.3's having issues once you start adding on the miles (oil consumption). Please correct me if I am wrong.
So all and all - do I need a 2500? No. Will the new 1500's do 99% of what I need - I'm sure.
Just looking for other opinions. I'm not in a hurry, but I like to do a lot of homework before jumping into a purchase.
Does GM offer any (decent) rebates on the 2500's or is everything focused on the 1500's? Any dealerships I should take a look at?
I'm looking at 2500's because I can't stand how low the 1500's are. I live out in the country and I am sick and tired of worrying if a snow drift or driving around the farm, woods, etc will rip off my air dam. I will likely look for an aftermarket bumper or remove an air dam to gain clearance.
I don't put a lot of miles a year (6k or so). I might throw 1 ton of wood pellets in the bed a few times a year. I currently do not pull a trailer often, but would like my truck to pull a trailer with one of my tractors on it. Nothing crazy - probably no different than a car trailer and a car or truck on it. Having an 8 foot bed would be nice.
Additional thoughts, which could be completely wrong (I used to follow all of this, but have been out of the scene for a few years) - I am hoping a 2500 will last longer since I'm not working the crap out of it. I also remember how reliable the old 6.0's were and the 5.3's having issues once you start adding on the miles (oil consumption). Please correct me if I am wrong.
So all and all - do I need a 2500? No. Will the new 1500's do 99% of what I need - I'm sure.
Just looking for other opinions. I'm not in a hurry, but I like to do a lot of homework before jumping into a purchase.
09-04-2017, 12:58 AM
#2
I just bought a 2017 double cab gmc 2500 4x4 6 liter truck. Got a decent deal as the dealer used it as a run around demo truck.. and it's a weird build from a fleet order you normally would never see. I don't haul tons of weight.. occasionally pull trailer and now have 3 trucks to choose from for it... I just like simplicity. This truck is really a 2011 underneath... and a powertrain proven reliable since 2007.. I had a 2015 6.2 8 speed half ton and it was just a piece of junk.. this on the other hand time will tell but should be fine. Where I work and the roads we see this truck will stand up better than half ton.. and that's what matters. It's proven by all the gas job hds I work alongside of.
09-04-2017, 06:35 AM
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I'd like to get a 6.0L but I'm sure i'll have the 6.2L (I think that's what they are switching over to when the 6.0L's run out?) next Spring when I start to shop. Sounds like you got a good deal.
I'd really like to have a crew cab with a full 8 foot bed, but I'm guessing it'll be so long that I won't be too happy with that. Maybe a double cab would help it some.
I'd really like to have a crew cab with a full 8 foot bed, but I'm guessing it'll be so long that I won't be too happy with that. Maybe a double cab would help it some.
09-04-2017, 12:22 PM
#5
Crew 8 foot trucks are a school bus lol... the guys all used to run those before they flipped companies and now run Rams. I don't think the 6 liter is going anywhere any time soon.. it's like their bread and butter for fleet sales that account for most gas HD trucks. I'm surprised mine isnt really that gutless at all for what it is... had an 09 new and it sure was a turd lol. Equal comparison too as they were both double cab 6.5' bed trucks and both 3.73 gears. The normal stock trucks will be 4.10 geared and not even show 3.73 as an option... but this fleet order stuff allows it still... just like my truck is dual full power heated cloth buckets, center console with wireless charger, 8" intellilink screen, Bose stereo with the sub, power pedals, command start and power rear slider... but manual climate control and no fog lights lol. Fleet order haha.
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09-08-2017, 11:00 AM
#9
Just get a 4x4 1500 with a leveling kit with some decent 305/55/20 tires and your just as high. Add a small 3-5 inch lift if you need more clearance, and dont want to lose height when you run shorter/narrower snow tires. The new 5.3 is rock solid imo, i have a 2014 with a blower, and 80k miles already, drive it everyday, tow a car trailer or other random thigs once in a while. And it gets 20mpg with the blower easy on the hwy.
The 2500 platform is nice if you want a diesel, dont see the purpose in running a gas HD with a gm brand unless you have a company gasoline card or diesel isnt avail. The HD trucks arent going to be much different other than, tow ratings. (heavier, have heavy-duty, brakes, suspension, axles (not much diff now, as both run 9.5ring gear), and e rated tires.)
The 6.0 isnt a turd, but its not anything special either. Also the 8ft bed on a crew cab would look pretty ugly to me also.
The 2500 platform is nice if you want a diesel, dont see the purpose in running a gas HD with a gm brand unless you have a company gasoline card or diesel isnt avail. The HD trucks arent going to be much different other than, tow ratings. (heavier, have heavy-duty, brakes, suspension, axles (not much diff now, as both run 9.5ring gear), and e rated tires.)
The 6.0 isnt a turd, but its not anything special either. Also the 8ft bed on a crew cab would look pretty ugly to me also.
09-08-2017, 12:42 PM
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I was consider modifying a 1500 to gain the height I'd like. Good excuse for GM to void some warranty issue that might come up.
I thought maybe the 2500HD parts would last longer with light use, since they are "heavy duty" but knowing how cheap everything goes - I was unsure if they were just...heavy (and more money).
I'd like a diesel, I keep diesel on the farm, just can't justify dropping the extra $10k for a motor and trans
I thought maybe the 2500HD parts would last longer with light use, since they are "heavy duty" but knowing how cheap everything goes - I was unsure if they were just...heavy (and more money).
I'd like a diesel, I keep diesel on the farm, just can't justify dropping the extra $10k for a motor and trans