Duramax Buyers BEWARE !

[Docsknotinn]

Well its 6 am and I have smoke rolling out of my ears /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I was going to go pick up a new '04 GMC Duramax today that the dealer traded from another dealer 200 miles away. I thankfully have not signed anything. I was tradeing in a 02' max. GM is advertiseing all theese great new engine features for the '04. It is supposed to have 40-60 more hp in gears 2-4, upgraded Bosch fuel injectors, A Garrett Variable vane turbo and scalloped valve covers with the return fuel lines outsed the engine. Essentially all of the fixes and upgrades I was tradeing for. Heres the fun Part. That 04' engine that GM is advertiseing for the '04 models is NOT in the '04 truck untill Jan or Feb. Instead it has a '03 engine ( LB7 ) Not the new one ( LLY ). So if your looking at a new Chevy or GMC Diesel make darn sure you look under the hood or at the invoice so you dont wind up with a '03 engine in a '04 truck or smoke comeing from your ears at 6 am !! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Dave

 

[MJB]

I'm planning on getting a new Duramax/Allison in the spring. I was aware of the new engine and transmission changes that are due to arrive arround next January. If you have not discovered it yet there is a pretty good forum for Duramax/Allison truck over at The Diesel Place. Lots of good info over there, and probably way more than anyone would want to know about secondary fuel filtration. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

Thanx for the link. Apparantly this year their will be a '04 and a '04 1/2 model. It will be interesting to hear the stealers spin. Right not they are $750 over invoice with a bed liner. I might re-consider if they come down $1500 or get me roughly 2% under invoice but short of that I am really very happy with my '02. Now I know why the dealers didn't have any duramax brochures. Dave

 

[Docsknotinn]

Well I received a partial cenfession from the stealer. They were completely aware of the new engine and can take orders for it within the next four weeks. They do however claim that the ONLY GMC to get the engine will be the new 3500 4x4 Single rear axle. Now call me crazy if you like but I find that impossible to believe that only 1 configuration of the entire line up will get the new engine. They refused to budge on price so I walked. I figure they are about 1k under the best price for my trade in. Their were a couple of polishing compound swirls in a rear quarter panel that they were makeing a big deal about so I polished them out this afternoon. What really upset me the mosty was I went looking for a 3500 and all I heard was they weren't available yet. shhhhhh dont say a word /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Oh well, now they have another one in their inventory. Interest was 4.49 % with a $2500 rebate. I cant bring myself to pay interest after 2 0% auto loans I think their gonna have to cough up some better deals to sell me. Dave

 

[MJB]

I don't know for sure, but what I have read about the new engine seems to indicate that it will be an across the line replacement for the existing LB7 engine. In other words, once all the existing stock of parts for the LB7 engine are used up, all engines will be of the LLY design. There are rumors about the horsepower being bumped up to around 340 from 300, and the Allison transmission further strengthened to handle the additional torque. I can't wait for spring to get here. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

I agree. I cant believe for a minute their will be only the new engine in one Body style. I think their order books are only giveing the LYY code for the new engine on the SA 3500 because its not out yet so it will be the first to hit the lot with the new motor. Man am I glad I found out about that one in time. In our are we have a dealer that is advertiseing the new max motor ! They did the same stuff when the Keep America Rolling promotions started 2 years ago. They kept adverstiseing 60 months no interest even though that program wasn't available for several months later. Not sure if they are clueless or just ahead of the curve. Either way I saw that ad and I though all the '04s had the new engine. I was a little miffed the sales guys new about it and tried to play dumb and wouldn't budge on the price. Of course they were peeved at me because I backed out of buying a truck they traded for and tried to re negotiate the price after they got it. Definately NOT the way I would weant to do things but with a $6600 option I want it right. I dont see any reason to trade a '02 for a '04 if I'm just getting the same engine. I mostly wanted those new injectors and clutch packs in the Allison. I think the HP gain will be lost on the new emissions EGR and cat. Dave

 

[jwstewar]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( They do however claim that the ONLY GMC to get the engine will be the new 3500 4x4 Single rear axle. )</font>

I'm assuming you mean single rear tired, GM doesn't over the 3500 w/o dual rear wheels - at least according to their website and GMBuyPower.

 

[cowboydoc]

If you want to go Ford you can get $500 under invoice and all the rebates.

 

[jwstewar]

But who wants a Ford? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif When you ask my 2 year son what he thinks of Ford, his reply is "Yuk" Like Father Like Son. I know I own a NH tractor, gave my dealer some grieve and told him to get the Ford logo off of his business cards as it was hurting his business. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

The NEW 3500 is a single axle ( not Dually ) this is how GM refers to it. You will not find this on the GM site except if yopu go to the 3500 and on the build it main page you will see that configuration but thats as far as you can get. Richard, as much as I like Ford I cant bring myself to buy a diesel that loud with as many problems. Not referring to internet hype but Detroit paper has been printing how many they have had to buy back. Even so here the dealers order the King ranch ucket seats and lighted running boards. I'd have to pass on that but they are better on their priceing although they are not currently offering the same rebates on their diesel as the other HD's. That was one of the reasons I steered around Ford befor as they did not offer 0 % on their diesel. I can get friends and family 1 % below invoice on the dodge but I do not like that quad cab at all. Besides the highway ride on my wifes Hemi is nothing short of miserable compared to the GM. Dave