used duramax/ally vs new dodge? what to do???

I'm looking at used pickups. I don't think I can make the $$$ work for new.

I've found a 2003 Chevy 2500HD crew cab duramax/allison with 43,000 miles, equipped like I like it, including some bells and whistles I'd put on it if it didn't already have them, (bed liner, running boards, hard tonneau cover, brake controller), for $31,000. Nada says it should retail for somewhere around $35,000. Kelly is about in that range also.

Now in today's Sunday paper, near Minneapolis, I see an ad for a new 2005 Dodge 4x4 quad cab diesel, and the ad says that with all the discounts and rebates known to man I could get this one for $30,400.

I don't know if I qualify for all the Dodge rebates, but assuming I do, how foolish would I be if I passed it up just because I have my heart set on a a duramax/ally?

 

If you have your heart set on a GM rig than thats what I would get. Honestly, I would probably go with the used GM if it doesn't have too many miles. A low mile slightly used truck makes tons more sence in my book, let someone else pay dealer price and have to break it in.

The GM is a nicer truck than the 3rd gen Dodges IMHO, their drivetrain isn't any better, if not as good, but the rest of the truck is superior to the Dodge. I have a 2nd gen myself and prefer it over a 3rd gen greatly.

You will kick yourself in the end if you go with the Dodge and wish it was a Dmax, at that point I don't think the extra $5K will mean much when you are already spending $30K, and when the new Dodge is ready to go out the door I bet it's every penny that the used GM costs and maybe then some.

 

Just get what you like. It all boils down to personal preference anyway. If you have your heart set on a Dmax, dont kick yourself for the rest of the time you own the dodge because you didnt buy the truck you wanted.

 

You mean $500.00 not $5k ($5000.00) RJF. waytogo

 

Get whichever one you want more.. they are both good trucks.. although, Im very partial to my cummins
Scott

 

But what about the Dodge that's wrapped around it? rotfl

I'd get the GM if that's what you're heart is set on. You'll forget about the money within a year but you'll have the truck for a long time. That $30k Dodge is likely not nearly as well equipped as the used GM anyways, plus you said that you're going to be buying the extras anyways.

 

I to would go w/ the dmax, and you get the the allison which is a much better tranny IMO

 

Just to avoid the "kicking yourself" game later, if the Dodge dealer is close, go down with the ad in hand and go to a salesman, point at the ad and say, "I want to see this truck. Don't jerk me around, I want to see THIS TRUCK." If they do anything other than say, "Right this way, sir," then you're outta there, and rest assured that the Chevy is the right way to go.

If they actually have that truck, which I think is doubtful, it is surely a stripper contractor model. I would go with the Dmax.

 

At least there isn't a Ford wrapped around anything he's considering.

 

Thats funny.. Ive got about 20k trouble free, rattle free, comfortable miles on my truck, and I wouldn't buy anything else given the opportunity.. I like my dodge thanks

Scott

 

my 2 cents

I'll give u one reason to buy the dodge....your ready..... you sure you wanna hear this.....ok sit down to read this...... the chevy DMAX sucks and the allison is crap i know i had one for about 60k

 

just my .02

If it were me and the choices were chevy duramax or dodge cummins, Id go with the dodge.

FYI, a lot of people who think that they have a true allison are sadly mistaken and everyone who bought a chevy between 01-03 need to have thier tranny checked because chevy was using inferior overseas parts im them. Allison is actually sueing them as we speak, but of course its all hush hush. Do an internet search and you will see for yourself.

 

He's telling the truth, they are excellent trucks for the first 100k, but after that they go down hill fast!

 

I haven't really heard of inferior parts. What I heard was that the "allison" trans in the GM's had more in common with a 4l80E than an actuall allison. With it, a 4L80, and an actuall allison taken apart on a table the guts looked more like the GM trans. Basically that since GM owns allison they stuck the badge on the side of the truck to sell more pickups and give this "heavy duty" image.

 

Mine has never been back to the dealer since I took delivery on August 15, 2001. No warranty problems whatsoever, and it spends 90% of its time pulling our heavy 5th wheel (see signature).

Ya pays yore money and ya takes yore choice, I guess....

Rusty

 

I agree.

 

Pull a gm or a true allison mechanic to the side and ask him, seek and you shall find....In the meantime i will find a couple of the artcles i found and post a link

btw, dont you think its kind of wierd that the allison mechanics cant, wont and dont work on gm's version in the pickups :dunno: