Duramax issues- need good news for new Buyer

I have always been a Chevy fan and have a '98 2500 4X4 pick-up. I love it but it's starting to get tired. I have always wanted a duramax but couldn't afford one when they first came out. Now, I am now looking at an '03 2500 LS duramax for sale. I spent over 2 hours going through this forum, doing my homework, and need some advice. Am I simply a fool for even considering buying this truck or is there good news from people who have NOT been plagued by so many unfortunate problems? Am I being a stubborn Chevy Lover by sticking my head in the sand and ignoring the overwhelming evidence?

Is there hope that I can purchase a used Duramax and have a reasonble expectation that I won't be kicking myself for doing it?  

Don't buy it. Get a Dodge! I too am a lifelong Chevy man but have had terrible experience with GM over my duramax losing fuel pressure and their inability to find the problem, and it is an 06 LBZ, supposedly the best Duramax engine! My brother in law uses Dodges in his construction business and gets 350000 miles on them!  

I have to admit I loved my Chevy's as well.  I grew up on them, driving the '78 half ton with a 5.7 Olds diesel and of course my personal favorite ..... the '85 Custom Deluxe with a 6.2L diesel, 700R4 tranny, and duel tanks.

Back in the day, Chevy was on the right path when they moved away from the Olds diesel to the 6.2L but now it seems innovation has gone out the window.

Now I own two Dodge trucks both with diesel.  I always talk about how good my trucks have treated me and about the benefits of diesel.  Cummins has done what the Big 3 should have done with a diesel engine a long time ago.



Kris  
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank Owner

I have been a Dodge fan and I bought a new one in 02, I drove it and when the tranny went bad at 104000, I traded it in for a new 2005 siverado 2500 with the duramax, This truck has been a nightmare, DON'T BUY ONE. electrically nothing ever works correctly, the windows have been popping out of the tracks since new(dealership's supposedly fixed), clear coat on wheels fell off in 6 months, turbo boost switch went bad after warrantee was over and that cost $1000. several problems with check engine light, interior fell apart, rear and front end have been rebiult, wheel bearing problems, I still have this truck because trade in value is crap, I also went back to Dodge last year and bought a chrysler buy back due to mechanical issues so you can only get a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty, I have had some problems with this truck but Dodge customer service has been amazing, no costs incurred by me, not even rental car, Chevy customer service has been non existing. The only good part of my chevy is the allison tranny, it now appears the head gaskets are leaking on my duramax and I wish I could trade it in, it has been the biggest junk I have ever owned in the 25 years of driving and buying new vehicles.
                                                                                                                                                                     2006 Dodge 3500 Mega cab 4x4, cummins--Very nice and very happy                                                                               2005 Chevy Silverado 2500 crew cab 4x4--duramx, junk-junk-junk, nery unhappy--junk  

Wow, I have an 05 Sierra with the Duramax and have not had a single problem.  I bet if you go to a Dodge forum you will find all kinds of problems with them too.  FWIW, my brother is a diesel mechanic and he sees more Dodges come in to his shop than Duramaxes.  

Here's an update,

I haven't checked this forum in a while and I just read the posts. I did end up buying a used '03 Chevy Silverado cc/sb Duramax with $110,000 miles. The price was great and I took the plunge; thus satisfying a long-time desire to own one. All the records were there and there was no sign of recurring trouble.

It's been almost a month and I love the truck.......but,

I already have a leak on the hydro boost. Coincidence? I don't know. I have a buddy who's a Service Manager at a local Chevy dealer and can get me a new Hydro boost at cost; apparently my only choice is to replace it before more damage occurs internally.
I'm not going to pass judgment on my decision just yet...I'm simply crossing my fingers at this point...hoping its just "one of those things"  

DON'T BUY IT!  I have a 2003 duramax and it sucks.  The injectors are terrible.  They only last about 45,000 mi and then it will cost you another $2400 to fix.  Thats almost $10,000 for every 180,000 mi.  NOT WORTH IT!  Wait untill Toyota comes out with a deisel.  Now that the government owns GM, we will all be screwed.  You will never be able to get the government to fix anything.  GOOD LUCK!  

Sell it while you can.  TRUST ME!  I know what i'm talking about.  You can't afford it, no one can.  GOOD LUCK!