Looks like we're in for higher gas prices in the foreseeable future. Does that make the Duramax an even better choice?

[playadude]

I bought the Duramax Tahoe because I loved the motor. I didn't really care about gas milage.

Now that I own it, I love the gas milage (and massive range on a full tank).

Big gas prices have to make more demand for the Diesel.

What do you guys think?

 

[Bill 1960]

I like diesels, and if I will likely buy another one soon. That said, I don’t see fuel cost being much of a motivator for buyers of this vehicle class.

I had a little rental this week that was giving 40mpg at 80 mph. But I would never buy that car.

Inflation probably will -or maybe already is?- pushing some buyers down market.

I guess what I’m trying to say is fuel cost might move some drivers away from a gas guzzler, but a cost sensitive buyer probably won’t take the diesel route.

 

[TollKeeper]

I think certain select diesels are going to be the way to go.. But the diesel selections are confusing.

GM 2.8 I4 diesel available in the Canyon/Colorado get worse fuel mileage than the 3.0 diesel I6. Is this transmission related, as the Canyon only has a 6 speed, vs the 10 in the Sierra/Silvy? or are there other variables involved?

Further, the pricing has to make sense. The 3.0 I6 is only 900-1000 bucks more over the 5.3, and 2400 more than the 2.7 gas, and 1400 CHEAPER than the 6.2 V8. But its 4800 more in the Canyon. That doesnt make sense..

Next you are fighting the stigma of black soot belching diesels of yesteryear, and the mindsets of Diesel=Bad.

GM has a bigger hill to climb.. The 6.2 left a bad taste in everyones mouth. The 6.5 was no better. The very rare 4.3 diesel is Meh at best. And should I even mention the gas converted 350 diesel.. Boat anchor anyone?

GM hit it out of the park with the LBZ in 2006-07.. But then came the EPA shaking their little finger.

So the issue evolves, for GM anyways, how to entice your average joe into buying a diesel. You dont have to look further than the 2014-15 Chevy Cruze Diesel, which bombed something fierce.

 

[OR VietVet]

Back when the war in Afghanistan started, I bought my first Duramax, think it was an 2003 or 2004, and the war had been going on for a little while and because of all the diesel fuel usage overseas, the price of diesel was higher than premium fuel. Plus, now some states, like Oregon is trying to shut down diesel fuel by 2006 to 2008.

 

[TollKeeper]

I assume you mean 2026-2028?

Oregon is trying to shut down diesel fuel by 2006 to 2008.

 

[OR VietVet]

Yep, 2026 to 2028. Good catch and dumb on my part.

 

[playadude]

I think certain select diesels are going to be the way to go.. But the diesel selections are confusing.

GM 2.8 I4 diesel available in the Canyon/Colorado get worse fuel mileage than the 3.0 diesel I6. Is this transmission related, as the Canyon only has a 6 speed, vs the 10 in the Sierra/Silvy? or are there other variables involved?

Further, the pricing has to make sense. The 3.0 I6 is only 900-1000 bucks more over the 5.3, and 2400 more than the 2.7 gas, and 1400 CHEAPER than the 6.2 V8. But its 4800 more in the Canyon. That doesnt make sense..

Next you are fighting the stigma of black soot belching diesels of yesteryear, and the mindsets of Diesel=Bad.

GM has a bigger hill to climb.. The 6.2 left a bad taste in everyones mouth. The 6.5 was no better. The very rare 4.3 diesel is Meh at best. And should I even mention the gas converted 350 diesel.. Boat anchor anyone?

GM hit it out of the park with the LBZ in 2006-07.. But then came the EPA shaking their little finger.

So the issue evolves, for GM anyways, how to entice your average joe into buying a diesel. You dont have to look further than the 2014-15 Chevy Cruze Diesel, which bombed something fierce.

That's an amazing response, thank you.

 

[playadude]

Just read all of the responses. I always wondered why GM still makes the 5.3 which is 30 year old technology (early 90's).

The answer is, because people buy them.

I bet after R&D, a 3.0 Duramax total cost for GM (including the decade of R&D) is 4 times (or more) than the 5.3.

And, they charge $900 more for it.

Actually, what is the in-house cost for a 5.3 and a 3.0 Diesel? That would be interesting to know.

 

[TollKeeper]

Continuing..

Adding more insult to injury, the diesel, for all intensive purposes, should be a cheaper engine to make... Well that is, at least, until the EPA gets involved. True, back in the day, some diesels (Ford 7.3 PowerStroke comes to mind) was the cats meow. Break downs were minimal if maintained correctly, and repairs were expensive.

Now we are 3-6 gens later from that diesel. Diesels are expensive, no matter what you do.. DEF, EGR, SCR, DOZER, Injectors, 30 computers, and the list goes on.

Diesel Fuel, a Bi-Product of gasoline, should be insanely cheap. Again, the EPA comes in shaking its finger, and demanding more, out of what came down to a near free product from the gasoline producer. Now it costs as much to make, as gasoline, because of further refining processes.

Dodge doesnt make their own diesel (Cummins, or EcoDiesel/Nissan?).
Ford doesnt make their own diesel (International/VW)
GM technically doesnt make their own diesel (Isuzu)

So because the engines come from a third party, the engine becomes more expensive.

Some manufactures have completely staved off from the diesel (at least in the US), to streamline, and for profit (Volvo).

And then you have to add in the Electric Future, the complete, and utter, --LIE-- given to us about its "greeness", and The relative cheapness of the vehicles (Ford Maverick, at 40ehMPG) at 26k.

When you add all these obstacles that diesel faces, its really hard for it to make sense.

The tuner market is going to hate these new "high stress" diesels, as every available HP and TQ is likely already being squeezed out of it. Leaving very little for the tuners.

 

[Stbentoak]

Now we are 3-6 gens later from that diesel. Diesels are expensive, no matter what you do.. DEF, EGR, SCR, DOZER, Injectors, 30 computers, and the list goes on.

Diesel Fuel, a Bi-Product of gasoline, should be insanely cheap. Again, the EPA comes in shaking its finger, and demanding more, out of what came down to a near free product from the gasoline producer. Now it costs as much to make, as gasoline, because of further refining processes.

Dodge doesnt make their own diesel (Cummins, or EcoDiesel/Nissan?).
Ford doesnt make their own diesel (International/VW)
GM technically doesnt make their own diesel (Isuzu)

So because the engines come from a third party, the engine becomes more expensive.

You say that diesels are expensive, but mine was a $1500 discount on the Denali I bought. It is evidencing to be the very best choice for this vehicle. My 17 yr old Cummins I have done nothing to except change oil and fuel filters, in 17 years. Probably one of the most cost efficient vehicles I have ever owned.
You say diesel should be cheaper, and I will agree with you that it is near the bottom of the barrel in the fuel separation process….
but they seemEd to figure it out that they could get more for it, refine it a little more and put the price up near gasoline. Not much we can do about that, but it’s still a superior fuel mileage wise.
While many manufacturers don’t make their engines, that’s not necessarily a bad thing as these other manufacturers absolutely specialize in diesel light and medium duty engines and are engineering years ahead in their expertise. Although the new LM2 in our SUV’s is a 100% GM product. I’m not really worried about that because we are hardly stressing these engines just doing our daily business.
Although they won’t be in vehicles, diesels will still be around many many years into the future. Of the many years I have had them, they have served me well and paid me back in spades in fuel economy…. Not to mention when people get their fuzz up over an economic crisis, or there is a hurricane in the area and stations are empty, I buzz right by the lines, hit the diesel pump and I’m on my way while the other people are in lines around the block…
Sadly, I could be driving my last one right now….