2008 Chevrolet/GMC 3500 - Montana Owners Club

Buffpilot · 11-08-2008, 11:35 AM

Looking at replacing the 99 Ford V-10 next spring and have been interested in the Chevy/GMC with Duramax. My brother has the classic and really likes the Allison, with its manual feature. Question is what do owners of the 2008 think of their truck and would you purchase again or go with some other vehicle? We do a lot of mountain travel in the northwest and British Columbia. Thanks, Bob

jjackflash · 11-08-2008, 12:04 PM

Bob,we have the 2007 GMC with Duramax and absolutely love it. I've had P/U's all my life and this one is the best so far. The power and Torque is unbelievable and it's so quite compared to the other two,if you know what I mean.
We load up our 3400RL and our two 80 lb labs and that truck pulls like there's no tomorrow,on the hills I have to watch my speed, I forget what I have behind me.
We only use the GMC to pull our Monty and only have 4800 miles on it and I am getting over 12 MPG.Not bad for a low mileage diesel.
My wife and I took a trip over to Europe last year and that's all you saw were the big Isuzu 22 wheelers, Isuzu which is Duramax have been over there for years.
I LOVE MY DURAMAX!

Delaine and Lindy · 11-08-2008, 12:06 PM

Buffpilot you can't go wrong with the Duramax/Allison they are a proven combo. In the last few years I have owned 5 Duramax/Allisons and think the 2008 is best by for. The NBS and the interior upgrades are awesome. Fuel mileage is as good if not better that the competition. The most HP and Torq of the big 3. Good Luck with you decision. GBY....

clutch · 11-08-2008, 02:20 PM

Go to this site and see what the Dmax guys have to say. http://www.dieselplace.com

HughM · 11-08-2008, 03:45 PM

I would not trade my Duramax/Allison for any other truck and I've had all of the big 3. The power and easy shifting transmission is unbeatable.
Try one and you'll love it.
Hugh

exav8tr · 11-08-2008, 04:18 PM

I have an '08 3500 DRW LTZ and love it. 16k miles and getting around 12.6 towing 15k trailer. I really think all three would do a good job. It comes down to personal preference. This is my third diesel, 1 dodge and 1 other Chevy. I like mine and would not trade it. No problems with it so far......

DONnANNIE · 11-08-2008, 07:16 PM

I have the 2006 Chevy Silverado 3500 DuraMax Ext cab, long box. I agree with what the others have said.

mail2us · 11-09-2008, 12:34 AM

Bob, now's the time to buy if you're serious about a new purchase. I'm not a salesman but gotta believe they're giving them away now. We have the 2007.5 new body 3/4 ton diesel and love it. It's a workhorse in many ways and easily handles our 3400 Montana. Good Luck. Dennis

Montana Sky · 11-09-2008, 01:50 AM

Bob,

Be sure to check out Dave Smith over there in Kellogg. I bought my last 3 Duramax Silverado's from them and will be making a trip back from Iowa to buy my 4th. If you need the name of a sales person to help you out, let me know.

MIMF · 11-09-2008, 02:31 AM

Bob,

Mine is an old '05 SRW. It has 67K miles on her and she has never had a problem. It gets to running better as time goes by.

Gail and I will have this truck for another couple years. At that time, we will be at retirement and will most likely up grade the Challenger to a Big Sky and the Silverado to a dually. Until then, I don't anticipate the '05 is going to have any issues.

She plays nice and works hard, when you want her to.

OntMont · 11-09-2008, 03:42 AM

We agree with the sentiments above. (See sig. line below). Some of this is just personal taste on our part, but although there are other good trucks out there, as things stand now, we would not trade our Silverado.

Dmaxdon · 11-09-2008, 04:28 AM

I bought new Fords for 35 years but after having a troublesome 04 PSD I decided to try a new 08 Chevy LTZ dually and so far absolutely love the thing. I still prefer the looks of a Ford on the outside but the LTZ black leather interior feels like you are driving a Bentley and the seats heat your back as well as your butt which feels so much better than my Ford Lariat's seats.
The outside looks are growing on me and I have put chrome grill bars and chrome bug deflectors on the front and they tame down the massive chrome bumper corners on the new style Chevy front end. In fact I get more compliments on this rig than any Ford I ever drove and it rides better for sure. This is my first dually and the mirrors on all trailer tow pickups are still the widest part of the truck so the extra width is very easy to get used to. Good Luck in whatever you buy.

rickety · 11-09-2008, 05:06 AM

We have the 2007 Dura with the six speed Allison tranny and it's GREAT!!!

This is my second Duramax and it's even better than the 04 was, (if that's possible). I am getting 15.9 on short non towing trips and up to 20mpg on the highway and 11-13 towing the 3400 on trips. Uphill no problem, down hhill no problem. I son;t use the paddle shift much, as the transmission with the engines variable vane turbo really handles the down grades well. set your speed witht he brake and let her go. You only have to touch the brakes perodically. We pull the Syskious (between oregon and california at 55 mph with no problems.

LOVE THIS RIG!!!!!

Buffpilot · 11-09-2008, 05:40 PM

Thanks All, good information. Was worried about the new regeneration process and using more fuel. Now is a good time to buy but need to wait until after the first of the year to move the old income tax bite to next year. looks wise I prefer the GMC, but price will be the factor. Dave Smith in Kellog, ID will be a player on my list. thanks again, Bob

rames14 · 11-16-2008, 11:32 AM

Bob -
We bought our '08 3500 LTZ SRW, Crew Cab in March. We towed from Wisconsin to Colordo and then up through Glacier National and back. Plenty of wind, hills and weather. It did a great job. We had an '04 2500 before that and did almost 100k trouble free miles. The new one seems to be better with some nice new features including the 6 speed Allison. Good luck on your decision.

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