Well, I finally corralled the whole family for test drives this weekend. Frankly, IMO there was absolutely no comparison between the Cummins and Duramax. The Duramax just felt like it didn't want to get out of1st gear. Best way to describe it was tight and sluggish. TheCummins (6.7, 6-speed)just seemed to get up and go. Why is that? I mean both of these trucks get rave reviews, and there was even some review in a magazine where the Duramax actually beat everyone up a hill with a trailer. Does the Duramax just require more pedal mashing? Anyway, I'm completely sold on the Cummins. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this with the Duramax. When I first test drove the Duramax about a year ago, this was also my initial impression, and I just chalked it up to a diesel thing. Until I drove the Cummins that is! Fast forward to the present (i.e. very close to actually buying), and I'm experiencing the same thing.

Next step is to wait for the rebates to deepen a bit more b4 pricing out onkelley blue-bookand calling the fleet manager. Worst part about the test drives are the salesmen and their BS.

 

The Duramax has aluminum heads. Overheat= warped heads = big $$$$ = easy to do towing a big load.

 

also the V8 design does not lend itself favorable to low end torque. high end power yea, but when you pulling a load up a grade the torque is where it is.

besides, most of the magazines are biased twards ford and chevy since they pay for alot of adds

 

This is definetly true..... also sad.

Also I thought I would point out that I bought my 07 in january of 07 and I thought they did a very nice deal. Just make and offer, worst they can do is turn you down. Or you can do like I did (and I'm sure others do also), and tell one dealer what another dealer offered you (of course you just make up a rediculous low number) and tell them you want to buy from them but they have to at least match the"other dealer's" offer, ahahahaha. I did this and it worked. I tried it on about 5 dealers, first four said I was crazy, so I left. Then the last one surprised me and said they would do it .

 

Rumpumpkin - I told you i drove both also because i couldn't decide, i took both a Duramax 2WD and a 6.7 Cummins 2WD. I agree with Drew - the Duramax seemed to have it higher in the RPM's where the Cummins had it off the line to mid range. I drove both extensively on the highway & around town, it wasn't untill you were crusing at speed & punched it some or off the line went 1/4 to half down on the gas pedal that the Duramax showed it's stuff. Off the line with the Cummins was "great", also at crusing speed. Tell me about the salesman BS!! MAN.
This weekend i took advantage of all the discounts Dodge is doing on the QC 1500, I just bought an '07 Sport listed for $39,000 for $25,000 inc. taxes & all that BS. They just weren't deep discounting diesels just yet and i had just sold my daily driver. Sorry - Hemi of course!

 

Listen to bob, u are asking for trouble with aluminum heads and the duramax isnt a cummins so u cant even compare the power and not to mention the price difference

 

But are there actually any issues surfacing in regards to the aluminum heads? I know this was brought up a lot when the Dmax first came out, but has it actually become a reality? Granted, I'm sold on the Cummins, but this type of info is always good to throw back at myGM buddies.

Waiting to see if the rebates deepen. The current incentives expire tonight at midnight. I'm guessing it won't be until late summer when the best deals come up.