opinoins/suggestions

kenmac · Mar 27, 2007

Looking for a new truck. I have narrowed the search to a dodge mega cab. would you buy diesel for the xtra $ ( about $9000.00 difference) plus diesel around here is about 20 cents more per gal. than gasoline ? Or, would you opt for the hemi ?

thanks,
for any suggestions guys

InlineDieselFan · Mar 27, 2007

Diesel is running just shy of $3.00 a gallon here. Sure it sucks but when it is time to do some towing or hauling a heavy load I'll opt for the diesel. Even though my truck is basically empty 90% of the time.

A $9,000 difference seems huge!!!!

As I recall on my 2003 the difference was about $3,000.

For $9,000 you would need to be hauling a load most of the time and putting on lots of miles. Do some shopping around and get some real numbers from the dealers, not just a MSRP. Edmunds and Kelley Blue book both have websites that give you the invoice price, I would be shocked if the real difference in price was $9,000.

good luck steve

RayH · Mar 28, 2007

It really depends on how much you tow. If towing is not something you will be doing alot of, I wouldnt spend the extra money for the diesel. The increased MPG is off set by increased fuel price. The increased purchase price probably wont be off set by the resale. The maintenance/repair cost of the diesel is higher than that of a gas engine. Sure, the diesel engine will last for 500000 miles, but in a truck that will last will last 250000.

Dozernut · Mar 28, 2007

What are your plans for the truck? If you are towing a heavy load and plan on going through the mountains, then you will want the turbo charged diesel. We had a gasser to tow our camper and the mountains were a challenge. Second gear with the motor screaming on grades, watching the fuel gauge go down and the temperature gauge go up. The higher the elevation the more power you lose on a naturally aspirated engine. We went with a turbo diesel and have not looked back. If you are not in the mountains and tow occasionally for a short distance, then the gasser would make more sense and be cheaper.

kenmac · Mar 28, 2007

The mega cab price with hemi list for around $38000.00 & I can get it for $270000. the same truck in a diesel list foraround $44000 & I can get it for around $36000. Most of the time I will just be drivind the truck only (no hauling) from time to time I will haul my tractor ,etc. I was just looking fror the pros & cons of both knowing what diesel fuel cost & the maintance of the diesel vs the maint ,etc, of the gasoline. I want the diesel . I'am trying to justfy the added expense & don't know that I can.

thanks

George2615 · Mar 28, 2007

Ken,
See the post "Diesel pickup or light duty van" in Oil and Lubricants thread. More info there to help with your decision.
George

Harvey7 · Mar 29, 2007

kenmac said:
Looking for a new truck. I have narrowed the search to a dodge mega cab. would you buy diesel for the xtra $ ( about $9000.00 difference) plus diesel around here is about 20 cents more per gal. than gasoline ? Or, would you opt for the hemi ?

thanks,
for any suggestions guys

With a difference of $9,000. I'd go with the Hemi.

inveresk · Mar 29, 2007

Not an easy equation. How long are you likely to keep the truck? What will the likely trade in or used value be for diesel/Hemi when you finally change it? What are the implications on service costs for each type of vehicle? How much mileage are you likely to do over the period you retain it and what are the relative gas/diesel costs likely to be? Any insurance premium implications? How much would the additional money for the diesel earn if it were invested?

They are the questions that should lead to the answer your head would tell you. Then you have to factor in what your heart is saying. Whatever way you go, enjoy the process. I love it when I can meaningfully take a few, new vehicles on test drives, instead of doing it to fritter away a few hours on a rainy day.

jinman · Mar 30, 2007

I bought my Cummins Diesel with a Dodge wrapper in '96. Since then, I've spent more for fuel than I paid for the truck. Figuring $1.50 per gallon average and my 25% better gas mileage over the gassers (I've averaged 21.5 mpg), I've saved about $6,250 in fuel alone. Now that diesel is more expensive than gasoline, that number would be considerably less.

Oh yeah...I've had zero tuneups - zip, nada, nothing. My engine has not been touched in 351,000 miles except for oil, filters, and cleaning by a guy with a smile on his face. I thought the fuel cutoff solenoid was malfunctioning once, but it turned out to be a $59 relay that was easily replaced on the firewall. My diesel starts even faster than our two gassers.

So, that $3000 seemed like a lot when I bought my truck, but it seems like "chump change" now for all the service that Cummins has provided. Your mileage may vary...

jmt1271 · Mar 30, 2007

I was in a similar situation as you last summer. Really wanted the diesel, but couldnt justify the price increase as I only tow my tractor 10-15 times a year on flat ground. The Hemi is pretty impressive in stock form, at least in my crew cab 4x4 Laramie. I got the Hemi in a loaded down quad cab for less than the diesel would have cost stripped. That said, if I pulled often or in hills, the diesel would be worth its weight in gold.

Again, I will praise the power of the Hemi. It really is impressive. I got the 3.92 gear, locker and tow package, along with the 5 spd auto. The trans is better than average but not perfect. It usually manages to find the right gear the first try. Mileage is the worst of the big 3, but none of them are good. Mine gets around 15 average city/highway. Drops to 10-11 consistently when pulling 7500lbs. Overall, I still feel the Dodge was the best buy. Hope this helps.