Is it worth it?

[ppfd]

With the sudden price increase in Diesel fuel it has got me wondering is buying a Diesel truck really worth it for me. I get the feeling that 99% of the members are just like me and use thier Cummins as a daily driver. Am I going to save that much in fuel costs and mileage to make buying this engine worth it over another gasser? What is the average mileage of the "Hemi"? For what I really do with a truck sliding into a 1500 may make the most sense for me. Though I do like that Power Wagon awful well!

 

[mattymac]

Your forgetting one other thing and thats RESALE. Its hard to say of diesels will be holding their value in the years to come but I think they will and in the long run your diesel will be worth just as much as you paid for the motor initially than the gas engine. As for the Hemi's I believe their mileage is low double digits to low teen's.

 

[ppfd]

Good Point, I forgot all about re-sale. I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time. I bought my 1995 F-150 new and to this date it has 161,000 and some change on the odometer.

 

[lil red cummins]

if you just look at the economics of the situation, that is comparing the same trucks - one gas, one diesel, the increase in mileage on the diesel will offset the current high price of diesel.



in my case, i wanted the cummins bad enough, that even the $4000 extra price of the engine did not scare me away. at say 15 cents/gallon more that diesel costs, that only represents $4. 50 more on 30 gallons of fuel versus gas. at approx 20 mpg, i will get 600 miles on that 30 gallons. that works out to . 75 cents/mile extra. that's less than 1 cent per mile - i think it is worth it. when you figure that the gas engine gets about 25% less mileage,(say 15 mpg) we come out ahead.



i hope this makes you feel better about owning a diesel



i sure love mine



jim

 

[Po' Riggity]

Im in the same situation as Jim. I wanted a diesel, but I did test drive a hemi before the CTD. I bought the CTD, because thats what I WANTED, and I didn't give a crap about fuel prices, or the extra coin the motor was going to cost.

Scott

 

[ppfd]

Thanks guys, what you all have said makes sense.

 

[klenger]

Gas vs Diesel prices are alway changine. Next week diesel may be cheaper than gas. Buy the diesel.

 

[MichaelWright]

PPFD,



My neighbor traded his CTD for an 03 2500 Hemi. He is kicking himself, 9 mpg best, avg. around 6 mpg. His truck now dictates what and where he goes due to mpg and fuel prices. He's got money, but does not like to part with it, thus he now limits his travels. I get 16 mpg, was getting 20-21 before the moding/bombing. I should be up to around 500+ hp here in the next few weeks, and I still expect to get 16 mpg. Try that with a Hemi.



Just to add. I have been looking at the new 300C and Magnum with the Hemi (lighter then a CTD). I have test drove both automobiles, more then once at different dealers. The CTD, with just a simple Edge EZ, still wins in the seat of the pants department, and better fuel mileage to boot. If I keep my foot out of it, I can still hit close to 19 mpg, hand calculated, with the CTD.



Another side note: My 98 Volvo (semi/tractor), with a little ol' M-11 Cummins, around 360 hp, with 700,000+ miles, dragging a 53' drop deck van trailer, roughly 32,000 lbs loaded + its own weight, gets a consistant 7. 9 mpg at an avg. 63 mph.



My above neighbor with the Hemi is kicking himself.



Get the CTD, you won't regret it.



Mike