evil thoughts

[new2dodge]

i recently came across tthe opportunity to trade my beloved cummins in on an 03 hemi 2500 a/t. my question is (aside from reliability&cool factor) is this a wise idea? i pull a 29. 5' 5th regularly & have a30 mi. commute. BEFORE!! anybody gets angry let me state again i love my ctd, it's just at optimum trade-in milage in this area(80,000) any input (good or bad) is appreciated.

 

[GAmes]

hmmm, lets see. Pulling the trailer you will get about 1/2 the mileage, less hill climbing power and less than half the service life. Sounds like a real good reason to go in debt to me

 

[thejeepdude]

I certainly would have never traded my '99 CTD for a '03 Hemi! I loved that truck. The only reason I really sold it was because the brakes were p!ssin me off, and the transmission was toast. To fix those things would offset a good chunk of the cost to upgrade. I would keep your truck, especially if you're going to have to pay MORE for the hemi. Now, if you find a sweet deal on a 3G CTD, I'd say go for it.



I will NEVER own a GAS truck again!!!!

 

[Jengle]

How's this for a three word story?



YOU'LL BE SORRY!!!

 

[DPelletier]

I find that whenever I buy or lease a gas powered truck for my fleet that it is worth much less than a diesel (more than the diesel engine option difference) when we sell or turn it in. In fact, if its a lease it usually has no residual value. The diesels always have residual value. Of course, if the price of gasoline were to plummet drastically, that could change.



Dave

 

[Carlsummers]

Personally, I would never consider going back to gas. But then, I think the CTD is the MOTHER of all engines.....

 

[Forrest Nearing]

not just "no", but "HAYL NO"

 

[GFritsch]

Keep your truck, 80k is nothing.

 

[SEmerson]

My freind just bought a 97 ctd with 408,000. Runs great and he loves it. My 97 has 238,000 my wifes 01 has 108,000 on it. 80k is nothing. Unless it is a hemi then it is almost woreout.

 

[crobertson1]

I agree. BAD idea.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

My thoughts...

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[HoleshotHolset]

It would be a snowy day in hell before I'd traded either of my Cummins powered trucks for a gasser...



Matt

 

[WyattEarp]

Hmmm no brainer here, no, nada, don't do it, gas is higher, less balls under the hood i could go on and on. Don't get me wrong the Hemi sounds enticing but the Cummins is money in the bank no out of your wallet down the road.

 

[HOCummins04]

BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID. YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE ASSIMILATED

 

[Yo Hoot]

Not to mention gas is significantly more expensive.



No..... it ain't a Hemi

 

[gitchesum]

Listen to a guy that did exatcly what you are thinking about doing.



Traded my 97 3500 for a 01 1500 with teh 5. 9 gasser. That lsted about a year and couldn't take anymore. 11-12 mpg at 30 cents more per gallon adds up for a guy that drives over 20K a year. Expect to double your fuel bill a year with the Hemi.



Traded the 01 for an 02 CTD a couple of weeks ago. Took a 3K hit on my trade, but it all worked out in the end. I'm much happier with the oil burner under the hood.

 

[Ncostello]

it's just at optimum trade-in milage in this area(80,000)

Ya... optimum trade mileage for a gasser. Average less informed folks cringe at the thought of buying a vehicle with over 100K. But Cummins owners know better as should you.



If you buy the Hemi... you'll be wondering where all you money and pulling power went. Meanwhile some guy who just bought a Dodge Diesel (yours) will be happy as a lark since the dealership just sold him a truck which they claimed was "barely broke in since its a diesel".

 

[HoleshotHolset]

... resistance is futile.



Matt

 

[dpuckett]

Evil thoughts indeed

new2dodge. Appropriate handle. The truck may wear out at 300-400K, but the engine will still be not quite to half its lifespan. Having the diesel in my 91 literally doubles its value. (which incidentally, still had the factory hone marks in the cylinders at 250K; most of the miles were pulling a G-N trailer with tractors on it) Every time I pull a load with a gasser (normally a big bolck V8), I wonder how the heck people got by with these gutless things (V8s) for 50 years before diesels grew cajones. The Cummins will literally go a million miles with no special treatment- change fluids according to schedule, and dont get her too hot. Dont have enogh power? For a LOT less than the same power increase in the Hemi, you can get twice the torque increase and about the same HP increase.



Keep the CTD. I wont own one that has less than 6 digits on the odometer.



Daniel

 

[SRadke]

Uh... you convinced yet or do you need my opinoin too? You'll have to pry my Cummins' keys from my cold dead hands.



-Scott