Quote:
Originally Posted by woodman
$200k+....right... 
I love my 08 GMC Crew Cab Long Bed Duramax/Allison 6spd.
Highest quality car I've ever owned. Launches off the line like a rocket, hauls like a freight train. When I'm cruising 18-24mpg.
Plus people get outta my way  |
That's one hell of a nice truck!
Actually all of them are really nice if he's talking about buying new or slightly used. They are crazy expensive new if loaded, (Fords are up to ~$60k top-of-line), but there are hefty discounts on everything these days.
If he's thinking used there are crazy deals on pristine trucks that are 2 or 3 years old and barely broken-in. I've always had Ford trucks but I'd own any of the 3 in a diesel HD truck. The Dodge has arguably the most bullet-proof and efficient motor but is slightly less truck body/interior-wise, IMO. Still pretty nice though. All of them are incredibly luxurious and comfortable as an over-the-road machine. I did 7k miles in my '99 F-250 4x4 Power Stroke from coast-to-coast in 2007, it was a relatively plain truck with some miles on it and still drove like a dream. There is nothing better than a diesel PU when you set the cruise and just eat up the miles. They ride like a dream.
A couple years ago I test drove all 3 back-to-back in loaded, 4x4 trim, brand new. All were excellent if slightly different but the Chevy won hands-down. The duramax+ 6-speed Allison is an absolute bullet. I can't for the life of me fathom why anyone would chip one of those, it was almost too fast. Amazing power train.
As for the gas vs. diesel, I think that gas engines are not nearly as well-suited for a PU truck. I just rented a new Dodge Ram with gas V-8 and it was a nice truck but you needed to step down hard to make power and just waste fuel. Plus the torque is not in the same league as a diesel. If money is a consideration, he could get a steal on a late model truck and sell it for the same price when he's done with it, or close. If $$ is no object, buy new but he will pay a lot of depreciation in the first year. Maybe $1k @ month or more.