I am shopping for a used TV. I have in mind to purchase a 2006-07 Chevy or GMC Duramax 2500HD, crew cab, 4WD, short bed, looking for stock, not lifted, not chipped, and so on. We tow a 28' TT which will weigh approximately 7500# loaded ready to camp. This will be a second vehicle for us, and will only be driven an estimated 5000 or so miles per year. However, the miles per year could approach 7000. Most of those miles will be towing in the summer, and the rest of the miles will be local errands as needed, year round. I know this is not many miles at all to put on a diesel per year, and I have strongly considered a gas TV, but I am fond of the towing ability of the diesel, the much better mileage, empty or towing, and the superior resale. I think many here might suggest I just buy a gasser, but I just have a strong desire to own a diesel this time.. For my usage, I wouldn't consider the newer diesels, as with so many systems on them, I would be concerned about putting so few miles on them. However, I am thinking that with the pre-2007.5 diesels, which have little emissions and fewer systems, that I might be alright. My questions are: Are there any concerns I should have, putting so few miles on this model of diesel vehicle per year?I understand gas vehicles very well, so am comfortable buying a used one and only checking it out myself. However, I haven't owned a diesel before. Do I need to take a prospective vehicle to a mechanic before purchasing to have checked out? If so, should it be a mechanic from a diesel shop and not a general shop? Or should I be OK to check it out myself, and if so, any tips on what to look for as far as the diesel drivetrain? Thanks in advance!

I have a 06 Dmax and that is what I put on / year. About 5K a year on vacation and 5K locally running around. No problems.I would have a mechanic look it over if I were you. I would also get a "diesel tech" to look at it. One that knows 06/07 Dmax'es.Good luck hunting.

Your proposed usage is almost a mirror image is how we use our 06 Duramax LBZ. It has given us flawless service since we bought it new in 06.Towing about 8000K +- and my daily driver. As long as we are RVing with a travel trailer, I wouldn't part with it for anything.

We have a 2006 Dmax, crew cab, short box, 4x4. Bought it new. Not lifted, but I do run a 50HP towing program. I get up to 20 MPG on 60 MPH freeways, and 16ish MPG around town. I get around 12 MPG towing a 30' Cougar bumper pull.The truck has 80k miles, so that's about 10k per year, but we put 14K on it in one trip. Try and get a Carfax report, have the oil tested, have a GOOD diesel mechanic climb all over your prospective truck. I love my Dmax, it can pull like a locomotive, is very comfortable to drive, looks good and doesn't have the reburn or DEF systems. So spend the money to buy a good one, and drive forever. There are three issues with this year GM trucks. The transmission lines will start to leak tranny fluid, mines been fixed twice. The transfer cases need to be pulled and modified parts need to be installed. We just had our fixed. Google Pump Rub and read the reports. And the steering jack shaft starts to clunk. Ours does, and hasn't been fixed yet.Oh, every now and then I get some kid in a rice burner with the megaphone exhaust next to me at a traffic light. Really pisses em off when grandpa, with the camouflage baseball hat runs off and leaves them when the light goes green... :)

Just remember the LBZ Duramax holds its resale value very well.If the prices seem higher than the competition there is a reason why.

My 08 Duramax was retired from daily duties 3 years ago this May. I've put 3-4000 miles on it each year since then, 95% towing. I have no doubt it will serve me well for many many moons. I parked it in the shop in early November with exactly 92,000 miles on it. Just getting broken in.

2006-2007 Chevy/GMC Duramax purchase questions

47 Replies

crcr
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Thanks to all! Very informative replies. I understand that I will have to pay up pretty well for a clean one, but like some of you, I plan for this to be our truck for many many years to come.
12th_Man_Fan
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Just traded in an 09 GMC DMAX with 29K miles mostly towing, no problems with it sitting most of the time.
msjdbman
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
My 08 Duramax was retired from daily duties 3 years ago this May. I've put 3-4000 miles on it each year since then, 95% towing. I have no doubt it will serve me well for many many moons. I parked it in the shop in early November with exactly 92,000 miles on it. Just getting broken in.
Engineer9860
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Just remember the LBZ Duramax holds its resale value very well.

If the prices seem higher than the competition there is a reason why.
Bull_Rider
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
We have a 2006 Dmax, crew cab, short box, 4x4. Bought it new. Not lifted, but I do run a 50HP towing program. I get up to 20 MPG on 60 MPH freeways, and 16ish MPG around town. I get around 12 MPG towing a 30' Cougar bumper pull.

The truck has 80k miles, so that's about 10k per year, but we put 14K on it in one trip.

Try and get a Carfax report, have the oil tested, have a GOOD diesel mechanic climb all over your prospective truck.

I love my Dmax, it can pull like a locomotive, is very comfortable to drive, looks good and doesn't have the reburn or DEF systems. So spend the money to buy a good one, and drive forever.

There are three issues with this year GM trucks. The transmission lines will start to leak tranny fluid, mines been fixed twice. The transfer cases need to be pulled and modified parts need to be installed. We just had our fixed. Google Pump Rub and read the reports. And the steering jack shaft starts to clunk. Ours does, and hasn't been fixed yet.

Oh, every now and then I get some kid in a rice burner with the megaphone exhaust next to me at a traffic light. Really pisses em off when grandpa, with the camouflage baseball hat runs off and leaves them when the light goes green... :)
downtheroad
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Your proposed usage is almost a mirror image is how we use our 06 Duramax LBZ. It has given us flawless service since we bought it new in 06.

Towing about 8000K +- and my daily driver. As long as we are RVing with a travel trailer, I wouldn't part with it for anything.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
I have a 06 Dmax and that is what I put on / year. About 5K a year on vacation and 5K locally running around. No problems.

I would have a mechanic look it over if I were you.

I would also get a "diesel tech" to look at it. One that knows 06/07 Dmax'es.

Good luck hunting.

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2006-2007 Chevy/GMC Duramax purchase questions

47 Replies

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