2003 duramax vs 2015 dmax

Have you had issues with your injectors yet?

About 500 dollars worth of work and your issues would probably be fixed. Cooling system flush, new belts and hoses, new thermostat, possibly a new fan clutch. Plus a full transmission service would still be a lot cheaper than 7 years of a grand a month payments. Now, if you want an excuse for a new truck, thats a different story.

I use about a gallon of DEF per 1000 miles. When the warning comes on I go to WalMart and grab a 2.5 gallon jug for $12 and I'm good to go. Pretty much a non issue. My truck is a CCLB, weighs 8000 lbs. and i easily get 18-20 mpg empty and 10-11 towing on flat ground. If that is a fuel economy penalty over the older trucks,I'll take the power.

mamasmax wrote:
A buddy of mine with an '02 F250 is going thru the same kind of thing as you. 200,000 miles, the truck is not wore out, but is having A LOT of age related issues. He loves it and is determined to keep it, but he's no mechanic and between what he has been offered and what he's poured into it in just the last year would pay for more than half of a new one. I have a 2016 3500HD and feel the power, fit and finish, and upgrades are light years ahead of yours. 97 more HP and 245 lb-ft. more torque. A 6 speed tranny vs 5(?) speed, exhaust brake (an incredibly wonderful thing) stronger frame,bigger brakes and wheels. I pull a 14,000 lb fith wheel and the truck does not struggle. At all. Don't mean to demean the older trucks at all,but my opinion is, if you can afford it, get a newer one. And there are several small upgrades done over the model years you mentioned, so get as new as you can.

Must agree with this gent. Though mine is a '13, and is minus some of the tech-y type things like on board wi-fy, DEF level gauge, newer interior and just little niceties like that, I just think the new trucks are amazing. New trucks have their issues too, but I prefer to move forward rather than stay in the old days.........except for my dirt bike......still love 2 strokes!

Keep in mind you have to deal with DEF on the newer trucks....
Check the fuel economy ratings too. More power consumes more fuel.

A buddy of mine with an '02 F250 is going thru the same kind of thing as you. 200,000 miles, the truck is not wore out, but is having A LOT of age related issues. He loves it and is determined to keep it, but he's no mechanic and between what he has been offered and what he's poured into it in just the last year would pay for more than half of a new one. I have a 2016 3500HD and feel the power, fit and finish, and upgrades are light years ahead of yours. 97 more HP and 245 lb-ft. more torque. A 6 speed tranny vs 5(?) speed, exhaust brake (an incredibly wonderful thing) stronger frame,bigger brakes and wheels. I pull a 14,000 lb fith wheel and the truck does not struggle. At all. Don't mean to demean the older trucks at all,but my opinion is, if you can afford it, get a newer one. And there are several small upgrades done over the model years you mentioned, so get as new as you can.

Duramax overheats are usually a dirty cooling stack. Crud builds up between rads and intercooler. Have to be separated and washed clean. Trans overheat is likely due to over filled. New trucks are better of course.