3G's For Sale??? MPG? When and What to buy?

[kshimizu]

Why are there so many 3G trucks for sale? At this moment there are (17) 03-04. 5's for sale and (19) 89-93's trucks for sale. Is it the high cost of a new truck payment? Lower mpg then we're used to? Upgrading to the 600?



My parents have been thinking about getting a new truck but I told them to hold out and see if they ever improve the MPG on the 600's. We currently own three Dodge Cummins: 93 Ram 250 CC 2wd Auto gets 20+ mpg, 01 and 02 Ram 2500 QC 4wd 6spd both get MPG in the high teens and 20+ occasionally. Towing with the 01 and 02 the worst mileage we get is 12 when hauling a full truck and horse trailer to Colorado when we go hunting each fall.



Since the 3G trucks came out there has been a wide array of people claiming poor, average, and great mileage. Personally, I had the extended test drive of a great 04 Ram 2500 QC 4wd 6spd for a few weeks and put 2500 miles on it. In that short time the worst MPG was 17. 5 and the best was 21. I gave the 04 back and took my 02 after they couldn't close the deal at the agreed upon rate.



I know this has been discussed over and over lately but will they ever have the MPG on 3rd generations as consistent as previous versions? Right now it seems like a big gamble cause you don't really know what you're going to end up with. I know the 3G's are nice trucks but 12-15 MPG on the highway as compared to 18-20..... not worth it in my opinion. Hopefully they get things ironed out soon before my parents decide on something else.

 

[klenger]

I'm a bit confused. You claim that you drove a 2004 model 2500 miles and got 17. 5 - 21 MPG, but then state that the 3rd gens are only getting 12 - 15.



17. 5 - 21 MPG is on par with the 2nd gen 24 valve trucks, and my 04. 5 600 has 90 HP more power than my 01. 5.



Here is a link to a poll I posed on 04. 5 milage. 81% of those who responded are getting 15 MPG or better. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=103763&highlight=poll



As to why so many 3rd gens for sale, I suspect that some of them may be because of financial issues. Keep in mind there are over 20,000 members on the TDR.

 

[RTuvell]

I don't believe it is correct to consider the MPG issue to be a "3rd Gen" issue. My understanding is that the MPG problem did not really rear its ugly head until the 04. 5 trucks (Cummins 600) came out. Sounds like the truck you returned was getting good MPG, hardly seems fair to criticize 3rd Gen MPG after your experience with that truck.



So where are you seeing all the 03 and 04 trucks for sale? There may be others on this board interested in going after them.

 

[kshimizu]

I thought there might be some confusion after submitting my post. Sorry for the confusion. I was talking about a new truck purchase, so it would be strictly just the 600.



I have read the poll that you mention but I have friends with 600s and they all say the MPG has dropped off from what they were used to. Also, the poll does not take into consideration 2 or 4 wheel drive (usually about a 2 mpg difference, right?)



Yes, the stock power is impressive, double what we started out with back in the day.



The trucks I mention for sale are in the TDR classifieds. Also seen a few around on used lots around So Cal, probably all SO.



So my "concern" is, when will they have the 600 mpg consistent? When will you be able to go pick out any truck and have them all be within an "expected" range? You could buy a 1st or 2nd generation and have a good estimate of what MPG your truck should get. If it didn't, something was wrong with it.



The mileage and reliability of the Cummins is the main reason we've been so loyal to Dodge. Maybe they'll just wait til the 3rd generation is in its last year or two of production. That seems like a long ways away though

 

[scootergmc]

My friend and I bought our trucks 2 weeks apart...



His: '04 3500 Single wheel QC 4x4 SB auto CTD standard output CA model (235 hp??)

Mine: '04. 5 2500 QC 4x4 SB auto CTD (325/600)

Both trucks bone stock.



We're getting the same mileage. 15 mpg.

 

[sarj]

I just picked up my new 04. 5 from the dealer yesterday and put 420 miles in on the drive home. 18. 4 MPG on the first half (14. 7 on the overhead)... . and 19. 3 MPG on the second half (17. 8 on the overhead). The truck is a great truck and I recommend one to anyone. No hesitation. If you see one for sale, there could be several reasons, most financial, I reckon.

 

[milehigh.o.]

I would say that the milage on the new 600 is not that far outta line with any of the other models that I have had.



I had a 02 HO 6spd w/4. 10's and averaged 14mpg, the 03 HO auto w/3. 73 I averaged 15. 5mpg and on the new 600 auto w/3. 73 I am currently getting 14mpg, I am assumeing this will get better with more miles on the odom.



I drive this thing like I stole it everyday. The milage is not the best, but to drive it conservatively and only get a mile or 2 better, I would rather drive the way I like to. Love the feel of the turbo.

 

[RTuvell]

Originally posted by kshimizu

So my "concern" is, when will they have the 600 mpg consistent? When will you be able to go pick out any truck and have them all be within an "expected" range?

There will always be some variation in MPG even in identical vehicles.



IMHO the MPG issue with the 600 is a result of modifications required to meet the ever tightening air pollution regulations for diesels which culminate in the 2007 model year. I speculate that the manufacturers have not yet sorted-out the best ways to meet the standards. A classic example is the Cummins SO and HO in the 2003 model year, when the SO was needed to meet the stricter emission standards in some states. My concern is that all the diesel manufacturers will be "stumbling along" for a number of years striving to achieve a good balance of overall performance and low emissions from diesels. That's exactly what happened back in the early 70s with gasoline engines, performance suffered as emissions went down.



IMHO the moral of the story is, "if you want to avoid any surprises for the foreseeable future don't be the first to buy a new model year diesel vehicle, wait until you hear about the performance from other owners".

 

[stevenknapp]

There will always be some variation in MPG even in identical vehicles.



YES! Even on the older ones. I've seen MPGs on 2G trucks that are similar.

 

[Carlsummers]

I have the SO ( '03). I got it stictly for MPG... and longevity of the Cummins diesel..... I am extremely pleased. Over the last 5,000 miles, I have averaged 19. 3 mpg (hand calculated)..... I've never driven a bombed Cummins, nor have I driven a Hemi... . but, my ignorance of speed is somehow lost at the fuel pump..... it may just be an SO, but I love it.....

 

[JeffreyHahn]

04. 5 averaging 16 mixed driving. 97 3/4 ton, 5 spd-16. 4 stock, 18. 2 modified-mixed driving. I really don't feel the 04. 5 is out of line since the 97 got the same mileage.

 

[lawdog1]

Since I got my re-flash for my 315's I have been averaging 17. 5 to 18. 5. I drive mostly highway unloaded with some around town thrown in for flavor, the more flavor the lower mileage... I truely think the Edge gives you at least . 5 mpg. I love my beastly truck!

 

[jlwoodn]

#1 Driveng styles

#2 Transmision

#3 Rear end

#4 HP



All these things will make a differance two people can drive the same exact truck over the same course and get different MPG's. What must be taken into account is what the purpose of the vehicle is intended for. If you want housepower you Will give up fuel economy because if its there you will use it. If you want fuel economy get a bicvcle

 

[DocDetonancour]

My 555 gets better mpg that my 96 and is way quicker. 20 mpg at 70 is no problem on cruise and empty. A GREAT vehicle... Doc