http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050302/dew019_1.html
I was considering waiting for the 2006 models to get the Duramax diesel, which the local dealer said he will begin taking orders for in June, and they will begin arriving in September. However, now I'm wondering if the logbook requirement for vehicles over 10,000 lbs will eventually begin to be enforced on the GM diesel vans once the DOT and LEOs start to learn what the GVWR is. I'm sure most officers wouldn't think twice about logbooks when they see a van, but how serious is the violation for not keeping a logbook? I don't want to jeopardize my CDL and clean driving record for an extra 4 mpg over the gas models, which are all below 10,000 lbs GVWR.
The dealer said the Duramax diesel engine will cost about $6000-7000 extra. When I ran the numbers, I found that between 12/02 and 12/04 the national average for diesel was $1.67 per gallon and gasoline was $1.69 per gallon. The diesel model will get about 20 mpg overall versus the usual 16 mpg, so over the useful life of about 400,000 miles/5 years I figure the total expense is about $8000 less than the gas model. This comparison factors in the difference in purchase cost, fuel price, MPG, and one gas engine replacement over the course of 400,000 miles, which the diesel engine would not need. The dealer said a replacement gas engine would run about $4500 installed.
What do you guys think? Is saving about $8000 over 5 years worth the risk of running without a logbook in a van with a 12,300-lb GVWR? The LEO issue is one thing, but do you think that your carrier would insist that you keep a logbook, since they know exactly what kind of van you are driving and they don't want to put themselves at risk during an audit?
I was considering waiting for the 2006 models to get the Duramax diesel, which the local dealer said he will begin taking orders for in June, and they will begin arriving in September. However, now I'm wondering if the logbook requirement for vehicles over 10,000 lbs will eventually begin to be enforced on the GM diesel vans once the DOT and LEOs start to learn what the GVWR is. I'm sure most officers wouldn't think twice about logbooks when they see a van, but how serious is the violation for not keeping a logbook? I don't want to jeopardize my CDL and clean driving record for an extra 4 mpg over the gas models, which are all below 10,000 lbs GVWR.
The dealer said the Duramax diesel engine will cost about $6000-7000 extra. When I ran the numbers, I found that between 12/02 and 12/04 the national average for diesel was $1.67 per gallon and gasoline was $1.69 per gallon. The diesel model will get about 20 mpg overall versus the usual 16 mpg, so over the useful life of about 400,000 miles/5 years I figure the total expense is about $8000 less than the gas model. This comparison factors in the difference in purchase cost, fuel price, MPG, and one gas engine replacement over the course of 400,000 miles, which the diesel engine would not need. The dealer said a replacement gas engine would run about $4500 installed.
What do you guys think? Is saving about $8000 over 5 years worth the risk of running without a logbook in a van with a 12,300-lb GVWR? The LEO issue is one thing, but do you think that your carrier would insist that you keep a logbook, since they know exactly what kind of van you are driving and they don't want to put themselves at risk during an audit?
