Ok, I don’t drive my ‘06 crew cab Duramax LBZ all that much. I should have never bought it in the first place. Hearing people say how great the fuel mileage was, I asked and asked everybody I ever ran into that had any connection to a Duramax “What is your mileage on the diesel?” Id get vague answers, never anything to judge by.
At the time I ordered this truck, diesel cost less than regular gas at the pump. I got employee pricing and zero % financing, but still had to pay over $43,000.
I installed a bed liner, a bed cover, otherwise fully loaded except for cold weather block warmer and rear DVD player (had one in my ‘04 GMC truck and wasn’t that impressed for a $1000 more!).
So enough for the back story.
Let’s see, I’ve had it for about 15 years and today it has a true 72,066 miles without ever an accident, collision whatever you want to call it.
I just don’t have any need for it. Used it a few times to travel far and wide with my trailer to pick up or take my cars to auctions and such, take home some furniture bought at the auctions and few other easy duty tasks.
The past 5 years and I’ve been in the hospital more than being home so I don’t drive it much. A harsh ride, lousy stereo and the inspections!
Ok, so It sits a lot. Why is it throughout my life I have restored field and barn finds, old wishful project cars, some cars parked 5 years or more without any care what so ever. I’ve put air in flat tires, flushed out old gas (if any), dropped in a new battery, new oil and maybe some fiddling around with the carb and few other items (if needed), but I’ve had a few of these cars start up and run. Some of these cars needed the obvious items any car sitting so long wold need, but nothing really big.
My truck sat for 3,4 maybe 6 to once it sat for nearly 8 months between its annual state inspections and when I take it in for these inspections, It’s always a list of expensive repairs needed to pass. Two years ago it sat for the longest, nearly 8 months. Both batteries dead and won’t hold any charge, all brake rotors too rusted (inside) to pass, brake lines rusted, brake calipers (2) leak, new tires back when parked were dry rotted And a tension pulley seized (about $2,000 in repairs and the shop doesn’t honor my request to save old parts).
This year it sat for 3 months, the last remaining brake line not replaced rusted and leaks, the line at the fuel tank leaks, the steering gear leaks like a sieve and a few bad light bulbs ($1100 to repair). Why does it seem the Older cars can sit and the floor, rockers and quarter panels rust out but everything else just needs a good cleaning?
Can you possibly imagine how frustrated I feel, aside from everything else, it wasn’t that long ago this work was an easy and satisfying job for me to do in my own garage fully loaded with tools and a two post lift? It pisses me off I lost the physical ability to do anything and I have to rely on others and I feel like I’m constantly being taken.
I have to get rid of this truck! I’ll work a price this weekend that will be too good to diddle around with anybody. The last vehicle I sold was so dam cheap I told the guy On the phone, if it’s not all that I said it is and you offer me a lessor price, just say goodbye, you can’t have it at any price. He came over and took a one minute look and handed me the cash.
At the time I ordered this truck, diesel cost less than regular gas at the pump. I got employee pricing and zero % financing, but still had to pay over $43,000.
I installed a bed liner, a bed cover, otherwise fully loaded except for cold weather block warmer and rear DVD player (had one in my ‘04 GMC truck and wasn’t that impressed for a $1000 more!).
So enough for the back story.
Let’s see, I’ve had it for about 15 years and today it has a true 72,066 miles without ever an accident, collision whatever you want to call it.
I just don’t have any need for it. Used it a few times to travel far and wide with my trailer to pick up or take my cars to auctions and such, take home some furniture bought at the auctions and few other easy duty tasks.
The past 5 years and I’ve been in the hospital more than being home so I don’t drive it much. A harsh ride, lousy stereo and the inspections!
Ok, so It sits a lot. Why is it throughout my life I have restored field and barn finds, old wishful project cars, some cars parked 5 years or more without any care what so ever. I’ve put air in flat tires, flushed out old gas (if any), dropped in a new battery, new oil and maybe some fiddling around with the carb and few other items (if needed), but I’ve had a few of these cars start up and run. Some of these cars needed the obvious items any car sitting so long wold need, but nothing really big.
My truck sat for 3,4 maybe 6 to once it sat for nearly 8 months between its annual state inspections and when I take it in for these inspections, It’s always a list of expensive repairs needed to pass. Two years ago it sat for the longest, nearly 8 months. Both batteries dead and won’t hold any charge, all brake rotors too rusted (inside) to pass, brake lines rusted, brake calipers (2) leak, new tires back when parked were dry rotted And a tension pulley seized (about $2,000 in repairs and the shop doesn’t honor my request to save old parts).
This year it sat for 3 months, the last remaining brake line not replaced rusted and leaks, the line at the fuel tank leaks, the steering gear leaks like a sieve and a few bad light bulbs ($1100 to repair). Why does it seem the Older cars can sit and the floor, rockers and quarter panels rust out but everything else just needs a good cleaning?
Can you possibly imagine how frustrated I feel, aside from everything else, it wasn’t that long ago this work was an easy and satisfying job for me to do in my own garage fully loaded with tools and a two post lift? It pisses me off I lost the physical ability to do anything and I have to rely on others and I feel like I’m constantly being taken.
I have to get rid of this truck! I’ll work a price this weekend that will be too good to diddle around with anybody. The last vehicle I sold was so dam cheap I told the guy On the phone, if it’s not all that I said it is and you offer me a lessor price, just say goodbye, you can’t have it at any price. He came over and took a one minute look and handed me the cash.
