new truck-diesel or gas?

[Byershome]

Last summer diesel was 10+ cents a gallon cheaper than regular unleaded for a while... . they have made it up now but it was fun rubbing it in to people running gassers that had higher prices and lower fuel mileage. :-laf



If you can afford it, the diesel wins hands down. If you keep it long enough(put enough miles on it) you can afford it.

 

[tazzen]

With the Diesel prices going up and up every day, I would consider a Gasser. . There is about $. 70 between Diesel and unleaded in my part of the state

yea but my 95 2500 single wheel gmc gasser took me 3 gallon of gas to get to work. now my 2001 CTD takes 2 gallon of diesel to go the same trip. heavier truck also 3500 dually. i think im still in the good even paying more for diesel. also when i come to a hill and want to go up it a little fasster. the gasser would make more noise but the speedo said the speed was not climbing.



i'm still happy and will never go back!!!!

ed

 

[rbattelle]

You know you're a dieselhead when you drive a diesel regardless of the fuel cost.



-Ryan

 

[WStoops]

If you are talking about getting a Dodge 3/4 or 1 ton, your only options are the Cummins 600 or the hemi. Trading from the V10 to a hemi for better fuel milage is a loosing proposition. If you could get by with a mini pickup, then you have a lot of options.

Me too, what he said. Words of wisdom for sure. Given the price difference of Diesel and Gas here in CT, I figured it would take 150,000 to pay for the diesel option. Only after that mileage would it start to payoff.

 

[Tim]

IMO this guy has no reason to pay for a Diesel. If you're not towing anything there is no reason to own a Diesel pickup.



Gas trucks will accelerate just fine with the bed loaded to max GVWR. As to with a 12,000 lb trailer behind them... well... . they just won't.

 

[Soelch]

As I read through the numerous responses they all have a point. IMHO sometimes you do something for yourself. Whether you need it or not is not the only reason you do or not do something. I have a 3500 QC DRW 4x4 on order that I have no immediate use for (as far as towing). I know that I could done with something less but I did not want something less. I do not believe that everyone who BOMB their trucks "need" to do so but choose to do so because that is what they want to do. If you plan on keeping it for awhile the diesel may pay for itself but if you trade after several years you get back part of the initial investment at resale. Only you can weigh the pro and cons of having a diesel over a gas. The other question that might be asked is what are the plans for the future? That answer may help sway you one way or another.

 

[Matt400]

Gas trucks will accelerate just fine with the bed loaded to max GVWR. As to with a 12,000 lb trailer behind them... well... . they just won't.

My 02 1500 wouldn't pull our 5K travel trailer on flat ground in 3rd at 55mph. It would keep loosing ground till it hit second on the freeway!

Overhead registered 4. 5 mpg

It was rated to pull 6500, what a piece that truck was.

 

[ppfd]

Interesting post, I think that the majority of Diesel owners of no matter what brand really have no use for them, they just want them. I would venture a bet that 80% of CTD owners do nothing but drive their trucks. I would fit this catagory perfectly. I'm still looking for a truck and contemplate everyday bewteen a 3/4 Dodge diesel all the way to a new Toyota Tacoma.

My present gasser has 165,000 miles and runs like a top! Its 10 years old and I have new truck fever. Some one replyed to a post I made similar to this "if you can afford it, and want it, buy it. " So if this fits you then by all means buy one. I know that unless fuel tops $2. 50 (which it looks possible!) I will be a CTD owner!

 

[Donn]

That my friend doesn't need a answer. I to have owned a v/10 dodge. I can make the truck payment with the fuel savings I get with the diesel

 

[ERohloff]

Quote: "I'm still looking for a truck and contemplate everyday bewteen a 3/4 Dodge diesel all the way to a new Toyota Tacoma. "



... ... Got the same issue. Have a 3500 4x4 CTD on order. No specific need other than to pull a 6000 lb TT. A gasser would do that (maybe not as well). Presently have a 99 Tacoma. Keeping it also. Told my wife that I gotta have something reliable to run for Dodge parts for (Flame suit on).

bob r...

 

[Byershome]

I am on my 3rd Dodge truck... ... . number of parts that I needed another vehicle to go get after putting 480000 on them between the two... ... ..... 0. I still own the 2nd and it has 260000 miles on it and going strong. No major work ever done on either one(transmissions and engines never touched except for fluid changes), nobody builds a perfect truck but you'll get no closer than a Dodge.



1985 1/2 ton

1993 RamCharger still own this one.

 

[champspa]

I pull heavy 14k not including the truck at 7200 get an average of 18 mpg empty and pulling 11. 2 not bad 188k on truck still runs super can't think of a gasser that will do that can you?

 

[NNelson]

my 2 cents

OK here is my 2 cents.



I was in the same situation you are in about a year ago. When the Hemi's came out I had to have one. I bought an 03 Quad cab, SWB, Laramie, in slate gray, 4x4. Basically it was loaded and the first new truck I have ever bought. After about a year of driving it and putting about 12000 miles on it, I started to get tired of NEVER seeing the AVG MPG under normal driving go above 9-10 MPG in town and 12-13 on the highway. I took very good care of the truck inside and out and spared no expense on maintenance. I even changed the Mobil 1 I was running in it about every 2500 to 2800 miles at about 60. 00 a pop. I got tired of seeing gas prices going up and thought about buying a diesel. I had never owned one, nor had my family while I was growing up. I had very limited knowledge at the time. Needless to say I spent many a sleepless nights doing research.



The things I came to understand are this.



Oil Changes = Hemi = 60. 00 every 3000 miles, Diesel = 55. 00 every 7200 miles. Cost difference = Hemi 120. 00 for 6000 miles, and the diesel still has 1200 miles to go on the 55. 00 oil change. And that is having the dealer do it. Savings over 14000 miles gas v. diesel = 240. 00 to 55. 00. I am not counting the initial oil put in by the dealer. Also at 14000 miles the Gas is 1000 miles away from another 60. 00 oil change and the Diesel is 400 miles. On average the gas is costing you . 02 cents per mile for oil. The diesel is costing . 00764 cents per mile.



100,000 miles

Gas = 2000. 00 in just oil

Diesel = 764. 00 (1236. 00 in savings)



Here is where I got hooked.

Gas v. Diesel Fuel



Shure diesel is more than gas. WHO CARES!!!!! I was getting 225 miles out of a tank of gas in my HEMI. It might have cost me 47. 00 to fill it up at 1. 79 a gallon and 26 gal. When the fuel light comes on in the Diesel it costs me 57. 00 to fill her up at 1. 90 a gallon which equals 30 gallons of fuel. This is only a 10. 00 difference at the pump. The real difference is how far can you go?



On average gas = 225 miles at a cost of 47. 00 = . 2089 cents a mile in gas.

On average Diesel = 500 miles at a cost of 57. 00 = . 114 cents a mile.



I have put 16000 miles on my Diesel since I bought it.



16000 miles diesel = 1824. 00 in Diesel

What it would have cost me in the Hemi = 3342. 40

Savings 1518. 40 divided by 12 months = 126. 53 dollars



Add that to the oil savings

Gas 16000 miles at . 02 = 320. 00 divided by 12 = 26. 67

Diesel at . 00764 = 122. 24 divided by 12 = 10. 19

Savings a month = 16. 48 saved a month



126. 53 + 16. 48 = 143. 01 a month in savings :-laf



Now I do realize that prices on fuel are constantly changing and my numbers might not be exact scientific calculations, but I know I am close.



If I remember correctly the Payments on my Hemi were about 550. 00 a month. The payments on my Diesel are about 720. 00. Difference = 170. 00 more for the Diesel. BUT you take the 143. 01 a month I am saving in Fuel and oil alone and it is only a 26. 99 dollar difference. I can take my lunch to work 3-4 days a month for 26. 99.



One other small benefit is RESALE VALUE and HOW LONG WILL IT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I figure it would take 2-3 gassers to last as long as my 1 diesel. Was it worth the switch? DEFINATELY!!!! I don’t think I will EVER own another gasser truck of my own free will. I have even thought about buying the wife a diesel VW Jetta. It is only a 100. 00 cost to upgrade the motor.



Just my 2 cents. (small voice inside that says GET THE DIESEL!!!!)

 

[JBlock]

I am going Diesel Mega Cab in 2005 at the end of the year. We will gamble that diesel fuel price gets sorted out, if not, I putting a 500 gallon tank, and will by in april and sept when desiel is lowest. Wife still on board and like the 2005 front end, but did care for 2003-04 I never figure that.



But Wa WHo, a two truck family soon,.

 

[rbattelle]

NNelson - excellent post!!



A friend at work has a 2500 Hemi. He flipped out when I told him I don't think about fuel until after 400 miles. He said he's lucky to get to 300 before needing fuel. Ouch.



-Ryan

 

[NNelson]

Jblock,



I am not trying to start a FLAMER, but the new Mega Cab is UGLY AS HELL!!! :{ JMO! At least you will have a CTD!!!!!! :-laf I am just glad to have my 2004. 5. Oo.

 

[HOCummins04]

IMO this guy has no reason to pay for a Diesel. If you're not towing anything there is no reason to own a Diesel pickup.

I beg to differ. I own a diesel because I wanted one most of all. It goes without saying that I can afford it. I want a truck that will be there for the long run. Buying a 2500 Heavy Duty and then using it as a daily driver does sacrifice a little in the "ride" department. I went through three half ton gassers over the years. It did not matter what you spent on them, once they have 80,000-100,000 on the clock their value is much less than what I thought they should be - regardless of how well taken care of they were or what kind of condition they were in.



I "Got Diesel", and could not justify the expense because I don't tow anything heavy on a regular basis - so I did not try to justify it. I don't haul anything big or heavy on a regular basis. I have a truck that is capable of doing anything I have any business doing, and when it is all said and done I will have much higher resale, and I will have been able to go Boogity Boogity Boogity anytime I want. Most of all, I am a proud Cummins owner. There is nothing like the smell of diesel on a cold morning. I like taking the road less traveled. I never have been a conformist. Ok, I am off my soap box.



The reasons for buying a truck are many and varied. No one can advise you what is best for you. At the end of the month (or whenever your payment is due), you are the one that better be happy with it, because you pay for it and drive it. As long as the Lord blesses me to be able to afford it, I will never be without a diesel truck ever again.

 

[tazzen]

HOCummins



Amen to what he said

 

[ppfd]

NNelson, HOCummins, great posts. Looks like you help ME make up my mind!

 

[EEdmondson]

I have 568 miles on the current tank and the gauge is about 1/8 tank. I'm trying to get it lower so I can install Spoolup's kit. That next fill-up is going to be expensive.