The 2500 is no more?!?

APT wrote:

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
I don't fault Chevy for making the decision - if the market isn't big enough to sustain the production, then I understand their decision. For the small group of us who fell into this niche, however, it is a big loss.

Well said, Mickeyfan.

Agreed and this in fact is what killed the Excursion, not the environmental lobbyists as many like to claim. The Expedition competed with the Tahoe, but Ford had nothing that could compete with the Suburban. Not sure why they chose to enter the 2500 segment when that was probably less than 10% of Suburban sales...so now they have the Expedition EL that competes directly with Suburban which is where they probably should have started LOL.

To that PM asking why I dissed the GMT900...well just my preference. As dislike the 1K tongue limit on such a magnificent vehicle...and gone is the truck attributes
Hidden in ride quality stuff...and yes, am on the extreme minority there too.

Yep, the receiver (and the ridiculous $$$) is the reason I looked and moved on when they came after me to trade in the 04 at the dealership. I know you aren't a fan of the GMT800 receiver, but at least that was/is replaceable with multiple aftermarket options, and something I will finally be doing this year I think given history and the truck's age. So what is 10yrs in "truck years" anyway?

GM stopped building the 2500 PU in 2003, and that was a extremely versatile truck. I just traded mine in (214,000 miles) on the 2500HD and wish GM still built the 2500 (8600 GVW) version -- I'd ahve bought it again instead of the 2500HD.

GM has only built the 2500HD version since 2003, and of course, smaller niche, so we don't get it anymore. I suspect if more people drove it (very smooth ride compared to the 2500HD and the F-250) that niche would grow quickly. And with its 6.0L had no problems hauling my 3200 lb camper, including climbing the Rockies numerous times.

Same thing happened to the best van ever as well -- that Safari/Astro was it, and it stopped production several years ago ... and much better van than the mini-vans now more like station wagons. And its AWD system was excellent. But once again, a small market.

Guess we should have started a small market vehicle building business years ago and captured that niche market from all the Big Three (or is it four, or five now) ... and combined it into a 2500 and Mid-Van company. We have gotten them all - but probably a huge headache with it... :) :) :)

An extreme minority vs the fashion statement crowd that demands 'car' attributes
over 'ability'

Knew that when ordering my 1996 8.6K GVWR Suburban...dealers/sales
people kept on pitching the number of cup holders and ride quality.
They didn't know the difference between a 'half ton' and a '3/4 ton'

All of those salesman walked over from the 'car' side of the showroom
to service me. Had deposits at several dealerships (SUV's were a hot
item then) and when they started coming in...all half tons and they
truly did NOT know the difference, plus that the contract stated an
8,600 GVWR (I insisted that the write that)

Ordered mine from a semi-truck broker who also sold cars and light duty trucks

That salesman really knew his stuff and actually called the area whomever trying
to special order a manual for me, but they all told him not allowed.

To that PM asking why I dissed the GMT900...well just my preference. As dislike
the 1K tongue limit on such a magnificent vehicle...and gone is the truck attributes
Hidden in ride quality stuff...and yes, am on the extreme minority there too

Love all of my four vehicles. My first brand new car...a 2 seater rocket and still
have it. That one I'll keep forever. Between the 7 seat mini van, Silverado and
the Suburban...I'd keep the Suburban. Will also keep the S65 that is
on order a looong time

Again, speaking to the choir...as most do not understand the difference between
all half ton vs an 8.6K GVWR Full sized SUV

Hope you all keep yours a loooooooooong time, as there is nothing out there
except for Bryan's 1 ton full sized van and if my Sub should get totaled that
is what I'm going to replace it with

Value of our 3/4 tons goes up, or not down as much as the half tons.

I built and priced a 2015 half ton version of my 2011 3/4 ton, same trim level and options, although the 2015s include more stuff than available for 2011. $7k higher MSRP!

I guess that makes my 2001 Chevy C2500 w/8.1L 4:10 ratio, 12K towing capacity and 49K mileage more valuable. It has been used for towing only over the years as we have other vehicles for daily driving. I guess it is a real Classic. Extremely clean and always in a shelter. This will provide me with towing capacity for my lifetime.

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
I don't fault Chevy for making the decision - if the market isn't big enough to sustain the production, then I understand their decision. For the small group of us who fell into this niche, however, it is a big loss.

Well said, Mickeyfan.

Also, last I checked, there was a dealer in Ohio that had 3 new 2500 Suburbans on his lot. His website was selling them at sticker.

Its rumored that the Federal Government and Secret Service has decided that President Obama can not be driven around in an armored hybrid (not enough payload after armor added). Therefore, there is a chance that GM may make a fleet version of a 2500 Suburban. Or, the Secret Service will just get Quigley 4x4 conversions on 1 ton vans and armor them to drive the president!

BurbMan wrote:

....besides then I would need a new user name!

I think "Used Excursion Man" has a nice ring to it.

How about "New Crew Cab Man"?

OK, on 2nd thought just keep your current truck. The new names won't do!