Thinking again

[Slingblade]

I was sitting here thinking about the price of diesel and that I have to fill up tommorow. At 20 mpg avarage and almost 4. 00 a gallon now why do I drive a diesel? A v8 powered truck gets 20 mpg, cost less to fill up, not sure what else. I know the Nissan, Toyota, Ford, Chevy and Dodge have 1/2 ton trucks that get 20 MPG on the freeway wich is where I spend most of my time. I don't tow much anymore and if I did a 1/2 ton would do it, just not near as well. I used to like the sound of the diesels, but that went away with the third gen trucks. I could easily trade my diesel for a nice used gasser, straight trade in some cases. Any reason why I shouldn't?

 

[rbattelle]

I suppose that if you're not into diesels for mere infatuation, then there really isn't any reason not to move down to a 1/2 ton truck.

I think you've presented a very rational argument for switching to 1/2 ton.

Nevertheless, once you make the switch there's a good chance you'll quickly miss the diesel. Not for any economically rational reasons, but rather for more emotional reasons. Lots of people make the switch because it's the practical thing to do, then find they miss the old diesel.

Ryan

 

[Cattletrkr]

You say you're getting an honest 20mpg now? That's do-able with a gasser, but a crapshoot as to whether or not you'll get it.

How many miles/year? Do you need the longevity?

 

[BHolm]

They might say you can get 20 mpg with a gasser but I can't. Chevy is one of those claiming 20 mpg. I had a new silverado rental while my truck was having a dent removed. It was a half ton, 4wd, 4 door short box gasser. I had it almost a full week and seriously considered just what you are talking about, since I don't need a 3500 diesel truck right now.



The best I could do with the chevy was 16. 5 average where my G56 truck averages 17. 5. Believe it or not I drove the chev easier than my truck too. I have mostly two lane highway to drive and it just wouldn't pass like my truck, so I drove slower and sat behind traffic.



I had a hemi 2500 4x4 qc sb that would average around 15. 6 on the same duty cycle as the above. Now if you are getting 20, like some of my previous CTDs did, you are coming out way ahead on milage. Maybe a new 2wd gasser gets 20 in the real world, but then you might as well buy a car and really save on gas

 

[Slingblade]

Yup, I get 20mpg hand calculated. I drive mostly on the freeway. I ran some B20 last tank and it seemed as if it was getting even better mileage. I can't confirm that, just took longer to get down to 1/2 tank. I fill up about once every two weeks.



I am into diesels and have been for several years. The price of diesel is the thing really. I guess I might miss it, but might not too. I enjoy driving near everything.

 

[AMink]

You sig shows a 2004. If you got an 08 gasser, there's a good chance you'd have higher insurance rates. Of course, the maint on a diesel is more. On the other hand, you'd have a new warranty. I would also wonder how the values on diesels are now with this softening market. But the biggest question is, "what do YOU want"? I've thought about getting a commuter car, but for what I'd pay for extra insurance, extra maintenance, etc. , I could still buy a lot of fuel. I'd keep the diesel, get the proven better mileage, keep the towing capacity should I need it, and probably have a few extra $$ in my pocket in the end.



EDIT: Just reread your original post and saw the "used gasser" part. If you're going used for used, I'd definately keep the diesel, especially with all the extra parts that you have listed.

 

[barbwire]

I was sitting here thinking about the price of diesel and that I have to fill up tommorow. At 20 mpg avarage and almost 4. 00 a gallon now why do I drive a diesel? A v8 powered truck gets 20 mpg, cost less to fill up, not sure what else. I know the Nissan, Toyota, Ford, Chevy and Dodge have 1/2 ton trucks that get 20 MPG on the freeway wich is where I spend most of my time. I don't tow much anymore and if I did a 1/2 ton would do it, just not near as well. I used to like the sound of the diesels, but that went away with the third gen trucks. I could easily trade my diesel for a nice used gasser, straight trade in some cases. Any reason why I shouldn't?

How much do you want for your 2004? How many miles are on it? I have one similar to it, only mine has 3:73 ratio. With the good luck I have had with mine I would like to get another 2004, and put it away. Mine has almost 1/4 million miles on it, and I know it will get tired one of these days.

 

[Slingblade]

I just went and test drove a Hemi 1500. Actualy it was a 2500 as it was a Mega cab. My truck will stomp that thing easy. The trip computer showed it was doing at best 12 mpg on the freeway and 9-10 in town. The trip computer might read high on those too. No way could that pay off. Granted it was a heavy truck, not a real fair test. It looked nice so I drove it. There are really good rebates on those now. 4500 rebate. 500 customer loyalty, 995 rebate for the hemi, and a few other s too. Still no way could that ever pay off. Plus it would never have the resale price of the diesel. I guess I'll have to face it and pay $4. 00 plus a gallon like everybody else. :{

 

[jgillott]

I was actually just having this conversation with my wife. We have two trucks here that I use... . the '07 Ram and a 2005 Silverado 1500 WT 4x4 with the 4. 8L, 4-speed auto, and 3. 42 gear combo. On the highway, the Silverado regularly sees a little over 21 mpg where the Ram is very close to that under ideal conditions, but most often is in the 19. 5 range. In mixed driving, the Ram stays around 17. 5 mpg where as the Silverado ends up in the <15 mpg range.



We keep very complete fuel records on our trucks and tonight's fill up on the Silverado showed 14. 75 mpg, which works out to 21. 6 cents/mile with gas at $3. 19. The last tank through the Ram came in at 17. 5 mpg. At today's fuel cost of $4. 05/gal for diesel, that works out to 23. 14 cents/mile. In our case, that 1. 54 cent/mile savings for running the Silverado is negligible. I'll continue to run it as long as the overall cost of gas is less, but I'd never recommend going out to exclusively to buy one for the idea of fuel savings.

 

[JFought]

What about the comming smaller cummings in a half ton. . would'nt that be his better position??



Whats the estimated mpg on thoes??. .