Anyone driving the Duramax in New England? Determining whether it's worth it when prices are sky high.

[WalleyeMikeIII]

For reference, today in Minnesota:
87 Octane Gas: $3.49
91 Octane Gas: $4.29
Diesel: $4.89

 

[navyseal334]

I owned a diesel BMW when I lived in Boston for a bit more than a year in 2014-2015. Diesel price was always much higher than gas, negating any benefit. Then I sold the car taking a $35K depreciation hit over 4 years. I vote for the 5.3 and if you can wait a couple of years, you’ll get a daisy of a deal on a used one.

That's my concern on the resale; out here in the west, it seems you can often sell back/trade in for higher than paid. In the northeast, low demand will likely exacerbate any depreciation hit.

Many places still have favorable economics with the diesel vs gas mileage given the current diesel vs gas price; the northeast is the exception to this. Prices in Boston and NJ are the two potential landing points with the worst economics for diesel fuel.

Built the table below comparing the premium on diesel fuel to compare against the premium on diesel mileage.

Summit, NJ

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Chicago, IL

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Price

4​

5.8​

1.45​

Bad

Price

4.79​

5.49​

1.15​

Good

Combined

16​

0.25​

22​

0.26​

1.38​

MPG

Combined

16​

0.30​

22​

0.25​

1.38​

MPG

City

14​

0.29​

20​

0.29​

1.43​

City

14​

0.34​

20​

0.27​

1.43​

Highway

19​

0.21​

26​

0.22​

1.37​

Highway

19​

0.25​

26​

0.21​

1.37​

Phx, AZ

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Boston, MA

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Price

4.79​

5.3​

1.11​

Better

Price

3.49​

5.49​

1.57​

Worst

Combined

16​

0.30​

22​

0.24​

1.38​

MPG

Combined

16​

0.22​

22​

0.25​

1.38​

MPG

City

14​

0.34​

20​

0.27​

1.43​

City

14​

0.25​

20​

0.27​

1.43​

Highway

19​

0.25​

26​

0.20​

1.37​

Highway

19​

0.18​

26​

0.21​

1.37​

SLC, UT

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Yorba Linda, CA

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Price

4.08​

5.13​

1.26​

Ok

Price

5.99​

6.59​

1.10​

Best

Combined

16​

0.26​

22​

0.23​

1.38​

MPG

Combined

16​

0.37​

22​

0.30​

1.38​

MPG

City

14​

0.29​

20​

0.26​

1.43​

City

14​

0.43​

20​

0.33​

1.43​

Highway

19​

0.21​

26​

0.20​

1.37​

Highway

19​

0.32​

26​

0.25​

1.37​

 

[DarkHorizon]

diesel prices are playing the market too... In a year or 2 you could end up owning a duramax with lower than average diesel prices...

 

[ktpinnacle]

You're going to see a hit this winter anywhere that uses fuel oil. Most heavier distillates are going to that instead of diesel, thus the higher price. Tough to prognosticate on next winter. I'm a real fan of the baby duramax. I'd probably have a new Yukon today if I could get one in an AT4.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Now, if you were thinking Denali w/ the 6.2…Diesel probably wins all day, since you need Premium in the 6.2.

 

[Stbentoak]

I've had one almost 2 years, winter and summer, short trips and long. Not a whimper out of it in any climate. maybe put 20-30 dollars of Wal Mart DEF in it a year.... Not an issue. Spend more than that eating out 1 meal. Never gets below 20 MPG (Although in winter it WILL be less due to winter diesel mix and a little more warmup time.) 550–600-mile range, won't ever have that in a gasser. Won't drop a lifter at any moment. Station out of fuel for any reason? Not with a diesel... proved that with IAN.... Maintenance costs? If you are a savvy shopper, you can do your own oil change with proper approved materials for 60-80 Dollars and go up to 7500 miles on it... Change fuel filter once a year. 25 bucks... Thats it really....
Fuel price difference, well that's an uncontrollable that I'm willing to deal with for the smoothness and Touque of the diesel. Best road trip vehicle I've ever had. Any issues I've ever had, had nothing to do with the engine. Resale? These are super rare and there have been people in line for one for years. If you don't want it, take delivery and sell for a profit, then buy something else. If I couldn't have a Yukon with a Dmax... I probably wouldn't own a GM product...

 

[bunky319]

Or....you could just stay in AZ. Problem solved.

But I realize I biased since I love it here.

 

[B-train]

And, you'd have a truck that would still look AWESOME in 10 years.......effing salt states.

Just got done doing my annual blast a gallon of fluid film on my 2017. 2008 gets it tomorrow. Stuff works good against salt, but it's still one more thing to contend with.

 

[navyseal334]

And, you'd have a truck that would still look AWESOME in 10 years.......effing salt states.

Just got done doing my annual blast a gallon of fluid film on my 2017. 2008 gets it tomorrow. Stuff works good against salt, but it's still one more thing to contend with.

I hear you on the salt.

How much does your annual fluid film application run you and do you do it yourself or take it to a shop?

 

[Seamus]

There is no downside to the LM2 3.0. Oil change is 75 bucks, rockauto oil and filter. Fuel filter once a year at 20 bucks. Sips DEF if not towing maybe 30 bucks a year. I get 24 MPG constantly without trying. Roadtrips with AC on 27 mpg. The upside is they are still dropping lifters and bending pushrods on the 5.3 and 6.2. No way I am paying 80K and cross my fingers. The Yukon with the Duramax is highly desirable to many. Easy flip if you dont like it. After over 18 months in the 3.0 I would not own anything but the 3.0.