My neighbor told me that one of our local Chevy dealers is not ordering any diesels. They say they just are not moving.I guess only the people who need them are buying them,like in the past,when diesel was .40 cheaper then gas.

 

It doesn't help matters that GM can't build any new HD's right now because they can't get any axles because of the strike. Ford is probably loving it though, all the fleet guys are buying fords simply because they are the only HD pickups still being produced right now, and even when AAM starts producing again it'll be a few months before the trucks start trickling into the dealers again.

 

The big three only need to get more realistic on their pricing........50-65K for a truck, when the people can't just hit that home equity atm, just doesn't cut it anymore.

 

I also forsee the light duty diesel trucks taking a backseat until diesel starts coming down or stops going up.

I dont see any company investing millions in a vehicle whose fuel cost more, regardless of MPG.

 

Also, from what I understand all 3 had a MPG drop to meet 07 emissions.

I think that motivated a lot of people to drive what they have longer, or look used or whatever.

 

Could be that people are also looking to see how all this emission crap handles (buggy or not).

My uncle drives a 6.0 and wouldn't consider anything other than a 7.3 after his lemon experiences.

Lastly, look for the older diesels, I can't find many in my area right now, and I've seen more and more farmers driving 1st gens since prices starting going up (and I've seen their big blocks parked or for sale)

 

I paid my 02 off a year ago, and nomally I would be looking for a new truck. I'm not because I drive an 6.7 cab and chassis for work and do not want to deal with all the emissions components. So, I'm keeping the 02 for a long time or if I find a 06 or 07 5.9 in good shape for a good price I may go that way. I guess round aboutly my decision is effected by fuel prices, but really to me it's the emissions.

 

I think in some ways modern times for diesels are almost like the 70s were for gassers. 1) new fuel to allow emissions components (unleaded then, now ULSD). 2) Manufacturers struggling to come up with creative ways to meet an EPA mandate. 3) Loss of MPG from fitment of said emissions devices.

Compare the 440 mopar in a '71 Charger to that in a '78 Dodge Magnum-- you wouldn't even know they were the same displacement. The Magnum had way less power and lower MPG too (lower compression ratio).

 

I hope the number of people who did this is small, because it's generally not advised to dip into Home Equity to finance a depreciating asset like a vehicle.

Those who did are now facing a double whammy of hurt, I suspect.

jmo

 

My tax guy told me Home Equity was the best way to finance my new truck, I dont really know anything about it thats why I pay him.

 

Tax wise, I suppose if you have to have debt, it may as well be where the interest is deductable... I think too many people gambled that house values would continue to rise, though, and they didn't intend to end up with no equity or upside down but didn't count on property values reversing...

Anyhow, on the topic of trucks, I sold the 03 Laramie I bought new to a friend to get an 06 used Laramie dually. I'm not all that pleased with it (don't care for the G56 or clutch), but I'm not about to buy a new one with the mileage people are talking about.

I'm kind of hoping the Urea injection might live up to the hype... I'd love to have the mileage close to what the 12 valves got, in a new crew cab with the 6 speed auto...

If that happened, and they extended their life time power train warranty to cover diesels, I'd be down buying one.

 

Some people may benefit from the tax breaks in some cases, but it's a minority and not all HELOC loans have deductible interest.

jmo

 

The big thing is not to take out a 30 year Home equity loan on a truck. I know of a few people who have done this very thing. The truck is worn out, but you are still paying for it. In centain situations it makes sense to do it with home equity. Just put you loan terms to match or better the depreciation of the vehicle.