Gota question...

[plongson]

My son is in the market for new truck. He is 24 and this is a huge investment. He really wants a Dodge Cummins, but he may only be able to swing a Hemi-Magnum. There is going to be about $6k differance, which is near his breaking point.



Are there any issues with these trucks, engines and G56 transmissions that come with them? I hate to lead him toward a Dodge if it may have some issues that we have not considered.



ANY INFO would be great...



Thanks for your help...



Paul...

 

[JCrockett]

I owned a 03 2500 QC long bed Larimie HEMI before I traded it in for this Cummins. Overall it was a good truck, had plenty of power off the line. I could beat a stock Cummins off the line with it. Now I have the Juice on my Cummins that would not be the case.

The only bad thing about it was it sucked the gas, about 12-14 if you babied it, ave about 10-11. And with that 5 speed auto it was always looking for a gear, especially when towing. When the cruise was set and going up a small hill it would downshift into third and tack out about 5K, that was an issue on the slick roads up here, almost has it in the ditch a couple times.

The only other thing was it ride rougher than my new truck, probably due to less weight in the front in.

The only reason I traded it off was I WANTED a Cummins.

I think the HEMI would be a great start for a 24 year old, he can save the $6K for the tickets he will get.

Just my . 02

Hope this helps

 

[plongson]

Thanks for your help. He has a wholesaler, through our Credit Union, looking and going to give him a price tomorrow. Guess we will see how bad Dodge wants to sell a new truck. I herd the same thing about the gas issue too. With reg. unlead at $2. 50 here, that is an issue.



About the tickets... This kid has more tickets than I have in 34 years of driving. Glad I don't have to pay the insurance!!

 

[JHardwick]

The kids around here his age love the 1st and 2nd generation 12 valves, they have some nice looking rigs. I suspect that they have way less money and probably close to or more power than a new 3rd gen, plus better mileage ... ... ... . just a thought.

 

[tschwab]

My son is in the market for new truck. He is 24 and this is a huge investment. He really wants a Dodge Cummins, but he may only be able to swing a Hemi-Magnum. There is going to be about $6k differance, which is near his breaking point.



Are there any issues with these trucks, engines and G56 transmissions that come with them? I hate to lead him toward a Dodge if it may have some issues that we have not considered.



ANY INFO would be great...



Thanks for your help...



Paul...

Paul,



You/your son should be able to buy at invoice minus any DC rebates AND the Farm Bureau rebate. You can look-up invoice at NADA.com, KBB.com and Edmunds.com. DO NOT SETTLE FOR ANY PRICE OVER INVOICE AND MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR REBATES ALSO. If you can't find what your looking for on a lot, you should be able to order it and still get invoice minus rebates, I did on both of my CTD's.



If you decide to go for a gasser, I would go with a TOYOTA!

 

[Tomeygun]

My son is in the market for new truck. He is 24 and this is a huge investment. He really wants a Dodge Cummins, but he may only be able to swing a Hemi-Magnum. There is going to be about $6k differance, which is near his breaking point.



Are there any issues with these trucks, engines and G56 transmissions that come with them? I hate to lead him toward a Dodge if it may have some issues that we have not considered.



ANY INFO would be great...



Thanks for your help...



Paul...

I would be more than happy to fax a quote to ya for leverage on your dealer (cause you're not exactly close to StLouis, MO. . right?? :-laf )



PS - lucky you, you are close to Diesel Dynamics

 

[plongson]

PS - lucky you, you are close to Diesel Dynamics

I do feel lucky, When I was in the market for my first bomb, I just went over and talked to them and checked out the shop etc. They hooked up a TTPM to my truck and let me drive around town for about an hour to play with it (w/ security deposit of course!)



If you decide to go for a gasser, I would go with a TOYOTA!

His first choice for a gasser was a Tundra, but all you can get is an automatic. The only Tundra with a manual is a basic 2wd/standard cab/standard motor.



Farm Bureau rebate

WOW. . What is that about? I have not heard about it.

 

[DocDetonancour]

A few years back my son made the same decision. He now has 120 K of trouble free miles on his CTD and is very glad he didn't go gas. Truck still has good value and runs like new. Doc

 

[JVolpe]

I owned a 2003 1500 QC 4x4 Hemi for 1 year. Was not very happy with it. Nice for SUV type use. 10. 5 mpg city/13. 5 mpg highway. I was afraid to really take it off road, just to wimpy. It could not tow itself up a real grade, much less a load.



Now I have a 2004 2500 QC 4x4 Cummins HO 600. I now feel like I have a real truck. Dont buy the Hemi if you cant buy the Cummins. Just my experience and opinion.

 

[tschwab]

Farm Bureau rebate

WOW. . What is that about? I have not heard about it.

Paul,



When I bought my truck back in September, I joined the Farm Bureau for $20. 00 and I got a $500. 00 rebate on the truck, I believe it is still available.

 

[RMarkey]

Wish I would have looked into the Farm Bureau thing.

Anyway, If at all possible I would go for the CTD. I bought my first Dodge younger at the age of 20 and financed the whole thing, good for the whole resposiblity thing I guess. But I couldn't afford the CTD @ the time so I went the 5. 9 gasser. I like the truck, but it never really was what I really wanted. If he's gonna spend the money, spend a little more and get what you really want.



I am now about the age of your son and bought myself a CTD and love it, not the payments, but they are well worth it, would never go back to gasser. I still have my 01 ' 5. 9 gasser, and like it, but I love my CTD!



Put him in a CTD and he'll never get out of it, trust me! I've had a lot of vehicles, and still do, but I like my CTD the best of all.



I'll say it again, Well worth the money!

 

[Nyoest]

i had the same deal when I was 24, I bought the cummins. (25 now) I'll never go back I couldn't swing the brand new one but i've got an 01 HO I'm tickled pink with. The second gens still have a lot to offer with a few upgrades when it's affordable it'll be up there in the horse power of the new ones.

 

[plongson]

Well, he cut a deal with Dave Smith in Kellogg ID. Real sweet truck, just like he wanted it for $32K, HD 6sp, 4x4, SLT, quad, etc. His gf wasn't up to a road trip, so he and I are flying up and driving back to Las Vegas this weekend to get it. Hell, I'm as excited as he is... HOAA!!

 

[MFalkinham]

Congrats on the new truck. Another solution would have been to buy a used 2003 instead of new. That would have taken care of the $6k difference, and he'd still have a nice 3rd Gen Cummins.



- Mike

 

[plongson]

Picked up the new truck on Saturday and the 6sps was a NV5600! We feel lucky, with all the stuff going on with the G56. Lots of folks out looking specifically for a NV, and we had one drop in our lap!!