[balance156]

Hi everyone. In the market for a used diesel pickup. Need at least 5 seats, 4wd and to stay under $13k. I have an A3 TDI, but lacking experience in the diesel truck world. Your recommendations are much appreciated!

[quagmire]

Avoid the Super Duties that have the old Navistar Powerstrokes. They have had some serious quality issues. Find something with the newer Scorpion diesels if you go the Ford route.

Really, can't go wrong with any of the HD's from the Big 3. But, I would recommend the GM HD's as the Duramax is a good engine along with the Allison transmission and my family has had nothing, but good experiences with our GM products( including two Suburbans).

[Digital.James]

Older Cummins model Dodges have the best engines, but worst everything else like electronics. I had a 7.3 liter power stroke F250 which i had no issues with except alternator and power steering rack.

[hellrotm]

New Silverado is getting a lot of praise. 100,000 mile powertrain warranty is nice, also include 2yr free maintenance now.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

New Silverado is getting a lot of praise. 100,000 mile powertrain warranty is nice, also include 2yr free maintenance now.

Might have some trouble staying in the $13,000 stated budget with a new Silverado....

[Twix]

I'd say stay away from the 6.0L Fords. They can be troublesome. The Cummins in the Ram is a really solid engine, and with a manual trans will be pretty reliable. I've never heard much about the Duramax GMs. Neither good or bad news.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Might have some trouble staying in the $13,000 stated budget with a new Silverado....

Ha, completely overlooked that.

[balance156]

I understand to stay away from the 6.0 powerstrokes, which is unfortunate since they are in my price range. I read up at the 7.3 powerstrokes and 12v cummins' are bulletproof, although these are typically older trucks.
I'm leaning towards the 6.6 Duramax due to a nice balance of power vs fuel mileage as well as interior comfort/ amenities.

The reason for the truck is to allow myself to do my own work on the house, pull the 135i to the track, have something to camp/raft with and to give my boy a bigger back seat. Truck will be my daily driver since I'm turning my 135 into a track/ canyon animal

I originally wanted a Titan, but gas mileage is horrendous.

[MisterSkiMask]

It can not be said enough, do NOT NOT NOT NOT get a Ford 6.0l

Just about anything else will be fine. For what its worth I (in the construction industry) see more old Dodges with a Cummins then any other old truck. Almost every new truck is a Ford Super Duty.

I've got a customer who loves his old Cummins trucks, just got rid of one with 300,000 miles on it, the engine wasn't burning oil but the trans was starting to slip. He bought a 'new' one with 100,000 miles on it. He has it fully dressed out as a work truck, rack, box, welder, and he pull a trailer everywhere he goes. Close to 12,000 pounds 'empty' he averages 16 mpg, not bad.

[Twix]

No offence, but if you're towing an 1er with some tools etc, a diesel is pretty overkill. You could probably get something like an Avalanche for the same price. It will more than easily pull and haul what you're going to do with it and will be newer or more well appointed for that price range.

I work in the oilsands in northern alberta and see all different types of trucks haul loads up here, and honestly, unless extremely high mileage is what you're after, a gasser will do the job more than well enough.

[Sniz]

GMC or Chevy, do it do it

[balance156]

Originally Posted by Twix

No offence, but if you're towing an 1er with some tools etc, a diesel is pretty overkill. You could probably get something like an Avalanche for the same price. It will more than easily pull and haul what you're going to do with it and will be newer or more well appointed for that price range.

I work in the oilsands in northern alberta and see all different types of trucks haul loads up here, and honestly, unless extremely high mileage is what you're after, a gasser will do the job more than well enough.

None taken... I've looked into all types of trucks. 4cyl, 6, 8, (no thanks v10), and diesels. 4cyl is just pathetic and won't pull my ass. 6cyl, such as the Ridgeline, Tacoma or frontier get gas mileage on par with a lot of the diesels, so why not have the exponential power advantage to boot? Had my heart set on the '07+ Titan (wanted to do full cam/ tune/ exhaust in order to keep up with LS1's AND pull my 135) but it's going to get ~13mpg. I'd rather get ~20mpg and have 500+lb/ft torque. Also, will be towing up mountain grades.

I'm really leaning towards the Duramax. It wins almost every comparison I've seen.

[balance156]

I ended up getting a Jeep Liberty CDI 4x4 with the 2.8L 4cyl turbo diesel. Getting 25mpg city and 35hwy. Digging it.
Plus it tows the 135i like it's not even there. Rated to tow 7,000lbs. Just need to upgrade the brakes.

[kawasaki00]

Originally Posted by balance156

I ended up getting a Jeep Liberty CDI 4x4 with the 2.8L 4cyl turbo diesel. Getting 25mpg city and 35hwy. Digging it.
Plus it tows the 135i like it's not even there. Rated to tow 7,000lbs. Just need to upgrade the brakes.

Finally they are getting smart about putting diesel engines in American cars. Cleaner, more efficient and way more power. With the new dodge and Nissan trucks getting the diesel the chevy and ford will have to finally step up.
That is incredible 7k tow with a 4 banger.