I need some help making a decision as my wife, avid truck enthusiast, has found the ONE time in our 7 years she doesn't have an opinion.

I had a 6.0 PS....gone. I picked up a nice Big Horn Hemi 2008 in 2010. I'm done with it. Here is my dilemma. I want a Cummins, manual trans only. At first I wanted a 5.9 due to the 6.7 emission issues. I had a few in mind. As of now I sit with the following:

In Texas, ready to be shipped, a 2006 Red 2500 5.9 manual quad cab 4x4 with a 12 inch lift 100,000 miles - $37,000 before T+T+T and shipping

In the NC mountains, ready to go, 2006 red 2500 5.9 manual quad cab 4x4 stock 72,000 miles - $29,000 before T+T+T

30 miles away, ready to go, 2006 blue 2500 manual quad can 4x4 stock 75,000 miles - $32,000

OR ( And this is what I wrestle with)

30 miles away - a BRAND NEW 2012 Mineral Gray (Charcoal) quad cab 4x4 6.7 manual SLT 2500 22 miles (mostly mine) $39,000 out the door

I have been approved for pretty much whatever I want. What the hell do I want? Sure, a 5.9 gives me a bit better fuel and easier mod capabilities. But what happens if it breaks down and I end up paying out the nose for a POS that I have to fix all the time? And the 6.7 rides so nice, I love the exhaust brake. The exhaust and diesel chatter I love to hear isn't there, but with a cold air intake, I can at least get that lovable turbo whistle to ride a bit higher. Its new, warranty. And with some new wheels and tires, a nice, modest lift and some window tint, will prove to be a tough truck. And the kicker, its not much more expensive than the used, probably ragged out 5.9 that someone horsed and didn't take care of that was just cleaned up real good and undercoated by the selling dealer. Then again, I have a service truck for work, I don't drive it much. I average less than 4,000 a year on this Hemi.

This is driving me nuts. I'm about to say the hell with it and can the whole idea. Help!

 

in my opinion, those are some pretty outrageous prices... you can find the same mileage and year model of all of those for $5000-$10000 less...

 

I have been all over autotrader, cars.com, ebay, I've had anywhere from 7-10 dealers looking at the same time for months, TN, AZ, TX, PA, VA, FL, WA. Everytime I find one, I end up being to late. They said the prices will continue to rise as demand is up for the 5.9. They are definitely high compared to what you can get a brand new one for.

 

the 5.9's a good motor but theres no way in hell id pay 37 grand for something with 100k miles on it and no idea how it was treated.. id just get the newer one for the same price and have 100k of warranty repairs if needed... but thats just me

 

As far as those deals go I think I'd get the new one

 

New one for sure!!!!

 

I'd go with the new one to. I like the 5.9 to ,but like the others have said. you don't know how it was treated.
And a few thousand more you have a new one with a warrenty,and it hasn't been abused.

 

If you can afford the new truck, buy it.

 

if youd rather have the 5.9, definitely look around at different areas. texas has tons of diesel dealerships i've seen online, it takes a little bit of searching. i searched for a year and a half looking around craigslist, and found the one i wanted. you can find a 2006 5.9 6 speed with less than 100k miles for anywhere from 22000-25000 by looking around. whoever is asking 37000 doesnt have a clue