new to 3rd gen-auto or 6 spd??????opinions please

[metwuk]

Pick your poison:

03 or 04 100,000 to 130,000 mile range w/auto for $ 20000 to 23000 and plan on ATS, DTT ... trans/converter, OR



05 or so with 35000 to 50000 miles w/ 6spd for 27000 to 29000 range.

adding e-brake to either case.



some towing, not much city driving.

Not up to date on how well newer autos in these years are.



HIT ME WITH YOUR . 02 AND HUMBLE OPINIONS!



Thanks.

 

[BHolm]

Decisions, decisions:-laf



The '03-'04 trucks with the HO engine and 48re get the best milage of any of the third gens. The auto has a taller OD ratio than the 6 speed, assuming all are 3. 73 rears. I wouldn't do the 4. 10s unless you towed heavy all the time. You do not NEED to upgrade the trans, unless you plan on adding 100+ hp to the truck. I have had four 48re trucks and really liked them.



The six speed comes in two flavors, the old very trucklike NV5600, and the newer G56. The NV box has a taller OD than the G56 but it is a hard shifting bugger, no fun at all to drive IMO. The G56 has a much lighter feel but runs more rpms in 6th than the NV box. The change came in mid 2005. Both are very durable, some think the NV more so but I have yet to see any proff of that.



At the milage you are talking about the early trucks will be out of warranty, the newer one will be in warranty. The '03-'05s had 7/70 powertrain, which is nice. I personally chose an '06 G56 truck because I think it is the best of the bunch. Mine had ~72k miles on it and I bought it for ~$26k. I am tall and the '06 has much better seats, longer thigh support. The headlights are a distinct improvement in performance over the early trucks too.



Personally I like either the early 48re or a G56 in an '05-'06 truck. I don't think you can wrong though. My favorite of the five I have owned is definately the one I currently drive, a G56 six speed truck. I can get 17-18 mpg with it. The early trucks though I could get 22-23mpg in the same driving with a stock '03 305/555 automatic QC SB 4x4.



Good Luck!

 

[Buffalo]

These are MY opinions, only.



If you're not doing too much city driving then, the 6-sp. would do just fine. Less likelyhood of problems, down the road. For towing, I really like the 6-sp.



The auto is definately faster if street/drag racing is on the menu. However, if you are going to "enhance" the power of the engine by quite a bit, then you will HAVE to address the trans. issues. That can get quite expensive!!!



If you are willing to spend $27,000-29,000 for a used '05, with 35,000 to 50,000 miles, I'd shop around for a brand new, '07 with a 5. 9. The reason I say this is that, not too long ago, you could get one, here in Phoenix, in the $29,000-30,000 range. So, for not too much more, you could have a brand new one. Check in your area for new 5. 9's at a good price.



If you remain stock, the stock auto trans. seems to be OK. I've heard of some folks nearing 200,000 miles on the trans. , towing & no problems. But, you can't put too much additional power to them.



It pays to do some shopping!!!



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[p-Bar]

03 HO auto

 

[metwuk]

forgot somethin'!!!!!

Sorry



forgot- lookin at QC LB SRW 4X4

Course, hard to control the ----BOMBin'!? OH NO!!!