2500 or 1500?

Charlie Mike

Charlie Mike

Sober since 1-7-14 (still a Paranoid Nutjob)
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Nov 1, 2000
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GMC Sierra short bed extended cab. Is there any advantage to going 2500?
 
Is it going to be a sole purpose towing vehicle for 5th wheels and large trailers and the like? Or a best of both worlds everyday vehicle type thing.
 
City driving. Reason I ask is because I heard the 2500 is better built as far as transmission and axels.
 
Check the GVWR, many neighborhoods have a 3 ton vehicle limit and you may get ticketed for parking or driving somewhere. Not likely in fres-tucky but it has happened.


-X
 
Well the 1500 is gonna ride smoother and be able to turn tighter in general for city driving than the 2500 with its heavier suspension and frame. So I think the benefits side with the 1500 for your purposes. Not to mention better mileage.
 
I was gonna go with the 1500 for those reasons. I'm buying a 2014 and paying cash. I want to have possession of the MSO.
 
For city go with the 1500. It will suit you. And yes the 2500 will be better equipped as far as you transmission, suspension, gearing etc. In a lot of cases the engine virtually makes no difference compared to the gear ratio and transmission for large loads.
 
The 1500 is a fine truck. The 2500 is heavier, stiffer, more expensive, and probably gets worse fuel mileage. If you aren't going to regularly exceed the cargo weight capacity of the 1500, that's what I'd recommend.

Not as much with the GM trucks, but there are huge differences in the F150 and SuperDuty 250/350 trucks beyond the simple hauling capacity; the 150 trucks have tiny beds, smaller interiors, and significantly different styling inside and out. I'd trade my F350 for a 250 in order to have a softer suspension, but no way I'd trade for a 150.

Not sure about GM or Dodge, but if you want a diesel in a Ford, it's only available in the SuperDuty trucks. Might be a factor for some shoppers, although I prefer gasoline anyway.

Good luck shopping!
 
If you aren't hauling much, really no need to go 2500. You won't need the bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, and extra cooling for the engine, as well as a bigger price tag.
The only real plus in your case might be resale, if you decided to sell it 5 years down the road. Then again that is purely speculation, so just get what you enjoy driving the most.
 
Unless you plan on pulling a good sized trailer or hauling around a bed full of B.B.W. I would stick with a 1500. The 1500 will still pull a smaller trailer and haul a good load all the while being more comfortable and economical. I know everybody likes to buy a brand new vehicle at one time or another but I would suggest looking for a 2 or 3 year old one owner, Low mile, always been garaged truck. It's gonna save you a lot of money. The other thing is go and buy a nice car that gets 35mpg and watch for a late 90's truck that is in good shape and buy it and drive the car 90% of the time. It's going to be more comfortable, and a be cheaper even with buying two vehicles. You will rarely use a truck for something that you can't use a car to for. Of course, on the other hand I'm a tightwad and never have much fun.
 
Charlie Mike said:
City driving. Reason I ask is because I heard the 2500 is better built as far as transmission and axels.
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I heard this also, I have a Chevy express 1500 had the trans rebuilt last year for $2,200 and it's winding out again, looks like I'll need to get it rebuilt, again. It was at the 150,000miles when I got it rebuilt the first time
 
I also vote for an early 2000's 1500, they have a good tranny and are great trucks. Will save you a ton of money, a low mileage truck in great shape can be had for 10-15K and not give you any trouble. My dad has had two now, the first one was totaled by some idiot driver, but it was in great running condition. He got one year newer on his next one, 65K miles for $14K otd. Z71 package LS.

The only annoying thing about these trucks is the tailgate handle, the trim ring and the little keepers that go on the rods break from time to time and are stupid expensive for little plastic parts. I think the clips are like 15 bucks and the trim ring close to 30.


-X
 
The 4L60e transmission is fine if you don't beat the hell out of it every day. It's not a good transmission for towing or racing, but it'll get the job done for a daily driver. It's not as heavy duty as the 4L80e, but it transfers power more efficiently and is lighter.
 
1500. I've done enough driving in empty heavy trucks to never want to do that again. The only way the bigger truck would be worth it would be if you were planning on running it all the time with at least some load, like a topper and toolboxes. maintenance with the 1500 is going to be easier as well.
 
I've got two 2500's. A 2009 and a 2013. Both with a Duramax. My 2009 makes 500rwhp 950rwtq. Gets 18 in the city and 24mpg on our last trip. I don't know how anyone can make blanket statements about gas mileage, comfort etc. The 2500 is a more powerful package and has a higher resale in the diesel configuration as well as going 500k miles no problem. If you're getting a truck for truck reasons, go with the more capable truck
 
The Dude1 said:
I've got two 2500's. A 2009 and a 2013. Both with a Duramax. My 2009 makes 500rwhp 950rwtq. Gets 18 in the city and 24mpg on our last trip. I don't know how anyone can make blanket statements about gas mileage, comfort etc. The 2500 is a more powerful package and has a higher resale in the diesel configuration as well as going 500k miles no problem. If you're getting a truck for truck reasons, go with the more capable truck
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You've also got to consider maintenance costs for a diesel truck. Oil changes are much more expensive, fuel filters are more expensive and need to be changed more often, tires are going to be more expensive to replace, diesel fuel has been more expensive than gasoline for a while now, and any type of engine repair on a diesel is going to cost substantially more and takes a more skilled mechanic. Now purchasing a brand new truck with a warranty will help with some of that, but you're also spending ~$20,000 +/- more for a decently equipped diesel 2500HD.

If you've got the need for it (commercial business, construction, towing) then by all means the 2500 may be a smarter option, but buying one to buy one sounds like something a high school kid would do. Otherwise, hell even the <1500 trucks (Colorado, Canyon, Ranger, Tacoma, Frontier, etc) would do for most things you'd need a truck for other than towing.
 
1500 sounds like it will more than meet my needs.

Next question... V6 or V8? I'm guessing there is a decent amount of bolt on stuff that can boost the performance of a V6?
 
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