[A/S] Chevy Silverado-Duramax-QuadraSteer

["Richard McFarland" <estatewagons@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Patti - this is that time of year when it's interesting to plot and plan
for
next year...

I've been looking to replace my long sold  '79 Ford F-350 4x4 for some
time
.
I have an '01 Tundra which I love and a '77 Mercury Colony Park
which puts a big smile on my face every time I open my shop door...
but...I still think about a new heavy duty rig that could pull anything
at a moment's notice and allow me the peace of mind of "new" versus
vintage...

I like the sound of the Duramax/Allison combination.  My friends all
drive Ford/Powerstrokes - either in F-350's or Excursions.

I"ve always been a Ford fan - and still am - but after a lot of time in
them...they have their share of noise...and they do ride "firm".  In fact
it's only logical that they do...due to what they are designed for...but
I am intrigued by the noticeably quieter Duramax design and the
suspension design of the Chevy.

That is why I'd consider the Chevy's - at least in terms of thinking
"what if".

Have you gone to the www.chevy.com website and played around
with the "build it" feature.  It's quite interesting to see what you can
and can't put together in terms of features.

You mention you liked the OnStar feature - and you mention you
saw it in an LT trim package.  *Just to be clear - the OnStar feature
is available in other trim packages - like the LS trim package.

Also - I am very interested in the QuadraSteer system.  It is
worth noting that it appears that the QuadraSteer system is
only available in very specific model configurations.

As far as I can tell from the Chevy website - if you want a Suburban
with QuadraSteer you have to go with the 3/4 ton suspension and
the 6.0 V-8.

With the pick-ups - it appears that you can get it in certain models-
 I noted it mentioned a 1/2 ton configuration and then in the
3/4 ton configuration you had to go with the
2500HD Shortbox Crewcab with the 6.0 V-8.

So - it's not just a matter of what a person wants...it's a very
specific combination of features that one has to abide by if
one wants the QuadraSteer.

I think that for myself - if I had to make a decision between
the Duramax and QuadraSteer....I'd probably go for the
QuadraSteer.  I'm not a commercial driver - and so the
mileage factor of a diesel over a gas model probably
would not factor out.

As others suggest - it's not always possible to justify a
diesel on cost savings...it's more a matter of what you
want.

Finally...you mention you like the long wheel base
CrewCab design.  I believe that you live in a pretty
populated area of the country - and for that reason
alone - if your trailering needs don't require the
extra truck length....I'd suggest that manuevering
that length of vehicle around on a regular basis (if
it's your regular driver as well as your tow rig)
well....it will get old very fast.  Parking lots and
parking spots and tight corners just won't be what
you were used to ...if you are not used to that
extra-extra length.  You will find that the extra
long length will require you to completely
rethink all of your driving parameters.

You are used to your Suburban  - and in fact it
is longer than many vehicles by today's standards.
I quit driving my '77 Mercury wagon
in Seattle urban traffic years ago....as it was just
too big for my comfort level.  I'd swear that every
6 months they go around at night and shrink all
the parking spots and decrease the lane widths
in the streets!

Anyway - there you have my 2 cents.

Best wishes and happy shopping.  RL