Ram Truck Purchase Decision - Need Someone to Kick Some Sense

[DHC]

I have been struggling with making a choice of a pre-owned 4WD pickup truck. I need someone to kick some sense into me, so I figured who better than the rowdies here at this site . So my invitation to you all is to challenge my thinking and tell me where I am screwed up. Here ya go . . .

Based on a similar price-point, the comparison comes down to:
Ram 2500 with Cummins turbo-diesel in model years 2003 - 2007 with fewer than 100,000 miles | VERSUS |
Ram 1500 with gas V8 (probably 5.7L Hemi) in model years 2008 - 2010 with fewer than 50,000 miles. The pickup will be a quad-cab 4WD with automatic tranny.

Some of my considerations are:

* I live in the Denver metro area and the truck will be a daily driver. It will NOT be a work truck. I expect to put maybe 10,000 miles per year on the truck.
* My primary reason for wanting a pickup is the utility of having a bed - especially when hunting season rolls around (think bloody carcasses and oozing guts all over the place ).
* I do not have a camper or trailer to be towed, although it is something I've been thinking about.
* Never owned a diesel before making it difficult to compare to a gas-powered vehicle.
* I am not a mechanic. While I can do all the routine maintenance, anything 'involved' requires me to hand it off to a real mechanic. Actually, as I write this, I am not even sure I know what the "routine maintenance" is for a diesel, so am unsure if I really can do it.

My focus has been on the Cummins diesel models, but when I really think about it, I am not sure this is the best choice. Much of my reservation stems from my ignorance of, and lack of experience with, diesel engines. I worry about things like; maintenance and repair costs, diesel fuel cost and availability, fuel economy.

On the subject of fuel economy, the diesel in those model years is NOT equipped with all the emissions garbage that kills fuel economy in later models. I understand that 20mpg is fairly common in the 2003-2007 model years. If true, this is considerably better than the gas V8 mileage which I understand is about 14mpg.

Maintenance and repair costs is a tough one for me to evaluate. The Cummins diesel has a rated life of 500,000 miles before needing an overhaul. I am not sure the gas V8 has an equivalent rating, but would guess it to be half that, or less. However, in reading about the Cummins diesels in those model years I find a number of fairly common issue with injectors needing replacement and there are frequent comments about the Dodge transmission not being very durable.

Reading about some of those problems with the Ram 2500 lead me back to looking at the Ram 1500 with a gas V8. Fuel economy sucks (literally and figuratively) with the Hemi engine, but the Ram 1500 line is definitely less expensive than the 2500 with a diesel engine, so I could buy a newer model with fewer miles for the same $$. The Ram 1500 satisfies the basic criteria of a 4WD with the utility of a bed for hunting season, but I lose some flexibility in that it cannot support a full camper like the 2500 can.

So what do y'all think? Should I go ahead with finding a decent turbo-diesel or opt for a more familiar gas-powered pickup?

Let me know.

[MarkCO]

You will spend a LOT more on mainteance on the diesel for a very minimal savings in fuel costs. For a DD, a Diesel makes no sense for you.

[brianakell]

20mpg is attainable, though not stop/go city driving, and maybe not at all with an auto. Expect closer to 16-18.
Normal maintenance is pretty much the same, oil changes, filters etc. Oil changes run more, as youre needing 10-12 qts. Typical oil change interval is 5k instead of 3k.
Dodge autos are not the greatest, but likely with what youre talking about, no towing or occasional real light towing, it should be fine.
Fuel availability is really not an issue. More the issue is the other tards who will go to the diesel pumps when there are a dozen gas only pump available.

My own thoughts, owning a diesel because its cool is kinda silly, parts for diesels are much more expensive, ie wastegate actuator for 250 on that vintage. So the diesel will cost more in parts, and certainly paying for repairs. The trick being you shouldnt need big repairs for a long time, unless the tranny goes. Myself, so a driver, almost always empty, rarely if ever towing, go 1/2 ton gasser, but Id find something getting better mileage than 14. If in 96 chevy could get 18mpg in a 1/2 ton gasser, no excuse for not getting that or better a decade later.

[MarkCO]

You are not going to get 18 mpg is a 350 TBI Chevy without about $500 in mods. Once they got into the 5.3L (327LS) engines, 18mpg or better is probable, 2001 or newer.

[Wulf202]

I just went thru this. I picked up a diesel powerstroke. Without the need to tow or haul heavy loads the diesel is wasted.

My friend has a dodge 2010 1500 v8 and gets 14 city. 19 highway. This should more than meet your needs

I haul maybe %10 of the time but when I do I hit overload weight.

[Ronin13]

DHC- the V8 1500 will suit you perfectly. Have had an '05 that I share and drive about 2x a month... it does fine, sure it doesn't get the best fuel economy, but if you don't have a heavy foot you'll be okay. The only hurt is each time you fill up- I drop $60 and the tank is just over half full- it's a big tank. Those Hemi's won't run you into too many problems until around 100K... but my '05 1500 did have the radio go out at about 85/90K.

[Bailey Guns]

A 3/4 ton truck is great if you're going to use it as a truck with hauling or towing. Otherwise, all it translates to is higher fuel costs and repair costs. Remember, with a heavier truck you need load-rated tires, etc... Much more expensive. And you will go through tires much quicker with a heavy diesel truck. Fuel will be more expensive, too, because the mileage between the 1/2 ton gas vs 3/4 diesel will most likely be negligible. Other things like ride quality will suffer, too, with a heavier truck, though that may not be important to you.

If it's gonna be your daily driver/commuter I'd recommend the 1/2 ton gas.

[cofi]

no love for the diesels here

im in the process of swapping out my 454 for a cummins i cant handle 8-9mpg anymore

[MarkCO]

Nothing to do with love...it is about reality.

If you bought a 454 for towing or hauling, you made a bad choice in the first place...there a diesel is a good idea. For a DD, again, a waste of $.

[Ronin13]

no love for the diesels here

im in the process of swapping out my 454 for a cummins i cant handle 8-9mpg anymore

I never said I didn't love diesels- but unless you actually get use out of them, I use the same logic Bailey just explained. I would love to have a diesel, I like the 94-02 Cummins body style, but I don't haul or tow often enough to really justify owning one.