Opinion wanted: 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD

[GMTruckGuy74]

Not that I'm ready to be in the market for a new truck right now, but two Sundays ago the wife and I went to a GMC dealership so I could look at some of the new 2014 Sierras they had. While I was driving around the lot soaking up the new '14s, my wife was more impressed with the 2013 2500HD Sierra crew cab models. Not that I need the capabilities of a 3/4 ton truck (nor really the 1/2 ton either), but I've always admired this generation of 2500HD/3500HD Sierra. I am more impressed with the ride & interior of the new 2014 models, but can you provide me with reasons/opinions on why I shouldn't consider a 2500HD?

For $hits and giggles, here are two I've looked at online:

[G. David Felt]

Go with the Maroon or garnet colored one.

Lovely look, plus big savings as they discount heavily to move the last of the 2013, lower insurance compared to the 14, While I do not know what the package includes, the discount for the 2013 just might get you more truck than a 14 would at the same price.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Thanks for your input, dfelt. Both of these SLE-trimmed Z71 4WD 2500HD trucks sticker (MSRP) at $47k and I know dealers are advertising easily $8k off. I know better than to trust those ads, so it would be better to actually have the dealer run me the numbers using my GM Supplier discount. I prefer the Sonoma Red Metallic one, though that dealer doesn't list the equipment the same way as my selling dealer does (the white one) so I can't be sure it has the minimum equipment I want. I have a refrigerator white Envoy now and my wife's car is White Diamond Metallic Tricoat, so I really don't want white again.

If money were more available, I'd love to go with this 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT Z71 4WD Crew Cab (MSRP $52K)

But going up another $5k in options/trim package is not ideal in any situation for me. However I'd really like the SLT model

[Robert Hall]

One consideration would be do you have a place to park a crew cab like that? Huge truck..

[GMTruckGuy74]

Yeah, it would fit in my driveway but not my garage. Same thing with a 2014 Sierra 1500 crew cab.

I found on both dealer's websites the window sticker link; here are the extra options on the SLE 2500HD Sierras:

Summit White 2500HD SLE:

Sonoma Red 2500HD SLE:

Anyone with any knowledge of the 2500HD's 6.0L V8 - power, performance, and fuel economy? I know I was extremely happy with the power, performance and MPG of the new 5.3L EcoTec V8 in the '14 Sierra 1500 SLT I drove two months ago.

Part of me thinks the 2500HD is just too much "truck" for me, and the other part thinks the 2500HD is just one helluva cool looking truck. There are several volunteers at my fire station that have 3/4 ton trucks wihout the constant need for such truck (one of them owns a very cool '13 Dodge 2500 Power Wagon, while another has a Regular Cab Super Duty F-250 with a mild lift kit and big ass all-terrain tires). I guess I'm looking for reasons why I should hold off on a 2013 2500HD and wait a little while longer for a 2014 1500.

Edited September 19, 2013 by GMTruckGuy74

[caddycruiser]

The HD's do look great, and it is a proven design. I think they are a bit too much truck, though, unless you really use them. The fuel alone will use more, with the 6.0L and that extra HD weight. The look is great, colors included.

Ever drive a new 2500HD like these, Roger? Seems I don't see as many 2500HD's anymore, or less and less of them.

[ocnblu]

I love the look of the upscale 2500 pickups. These are 20+ year trucks, unhurtable machines, especially for a suburban dweller. I still think about a blue, reg cab Sierra 2500 I saw at the local GMC dealership many months ago. It's the country boy trying to break out of me. But in the end I had to admit to myself that it was too much money to spend to purchase and run it, plus it wouldn't fit in my garage.

You have a family to haul around, so a crewcab would fit your situation better than a regular cab. All of the photos you've posted are of goodlooking rigs. It's a hard choice, if you have the means and are in no fear of future unemployment or other such difficulties.

Hmmm... I've muddied the waters, I fear, with this post. Good luck in your decision... oh, BTW, I would try not to worry about what the other guys are driving at your workplace... although that is a hard thing to do, as well, based on my own experience. Jeez, I am no help atall.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Hahaha, ocnblu!! I'm not worried what some drive at the fire house, just making a note that there are others that use a 3/4 ton as their daily driver without towing or hauling much.

I've loved the look of the 2500/3500HD's when they restyled them for 2010/2011. I much preferred the HD's to the 1500 (they looked "small" in comparison). However, the 2014 1500s have leveled the playing ground and I do love the interior of the all-new Sierra. Like ocnblu stated, the HDs have such a manly truck look to them over the same year 1500.

caddycruiser hits on the point that I fear - extra fuel usage with the 6.0L V8 (over the more fuel efficient new 5.3L EcoTec V8) and weight of the heavier truck will make this an expensive deal in the long-run.

My wife is the culprit here because she had to tell me she likes the current 2500HD look over the new 2014 1500 look. She asked me if I would still be happy with the '13 a year from now or will I be sorry I didn't wait longer to make a '14 purchase? (boy does she know me!) I really love the new interior of the '14 much more than the '13 interior and the '14s come standard with some options I wouldn't be getting on a leftover '13 HD. Of course if I'm patient the 2500HD retains its current look into 2014 until the new HD is released, so I'll assume that GM will put incentives on the '14s to move them once the '15s start arriving in the spring (assumption of that - GM hasn't said when the all-new HDs go on sale but rumor has them being revealed next week at the Texas State Fair).

[jwbouch]

Those 6.0's are gas hogs. My brother has an older (03) 1500HD with the 6.0, and when he's running around with no load he's only getting 12-14. I drive an '09 2500HD with a utility body on it and a lot of extra weight in tools, a 100 gallon off road fuel tank and parts (probably close to 11,000lbs driving around equipped as it is) and I can't even get 10, I average 9.6. My boss should have gotten the dura max for that kind of a truck!

I would personally wait a year on the 14 1500, and then it will have cash on the hood too. However, it's not my truck. The interior is so much nicer on the new trucks!

Good luck with your decision! Oh, and I like the red one! That color is one of my favorite colors, it's a beautiful truck!

[GMTruckGuy74]

I hear you, jwbouch. Thanks for the input on the 6.0L V8 MPG/FE. I've been patient this long, what's another few months until the time is ideal to go for a '14 1500? And I agree, Sonoma Red Metallic is the leading color choice for me:

[GMTruckGuy74]

So my salesman emailed me back on the Summit White 2500HD SLE... with a MSRP $47,855, factoring in the GM Supplier discount and all applicable incentives (including the $3,000 rebate instead of low interest rate), sales price would be $38,588 (not including tax & tags). Almost $9,300 off. I could forgo the $3k rebate for 0% @ 60 mos or 0.9% @ 72 mos financing.

Not sure what I want to do just yet. I think I'm leaning more towards the '14 1500 model more. Time will tell!

Edited September 23, 2013 by GMTruckGuy74

[Drew Dowdell]

need to figure out if you'd pay more than $3k at whatever interest rate you get. My guess is going with 0% @ 60 mo is the lowest total cost for you. Assuming no down payment, any interest rate above 3.0% @ 60 mo will cost you more than $3k

Edit: 60 mo @ 3% on $38,558 = $3,012 interest over the life of the loan, so that interest rate is your exact break even point for consideration of rebates.

but none of that considers the payoff of the Envoy.

[G. David Felt]

In regards to the 6.0L V8, around town I get 14.5MPH in my AWD Escalade ESV, On a recent road trip to Santa Barbra, I averaged 17.5mpg with an average speed of 78mph.

All depends on how you drive them, but for me it is roomy, comfortable, great view of the road ahead and I have no problem with that gas mileage.

[daves87rs]

I'd say no to the HD...too much truck.

Then again, this is coming from a guy who would be happy with a base model extended cab silvy....