Ram Truck Purchase Decision - Need Someone to Kick Some Sense

[Tinelement]

Unless you are pulling., buy a gasser.

Straight forward.

[DingleBerns]

I was in the exact same boat in June of last year. I wanted to trade my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited that was getting 12mpg. I too wanted a bed to haul my dirt bike (so i didn't have to get a trailer). I was weighing the gas vs diesel options and all the points stated above are valid. After a while, I set my sights on a 5.9 vs 6.7 cummins because I didn't want all the emission components and the 5.9 has been proven itself over the new 6.7. Then I wanted between years 2006 and 2007 (the first half of 2007 was 5.9's, the last half was 6.7's).

I know that the diesel will get better gas mileage, I can haul most anything, It will last longer, it will retain it's value, I've not heard of (and now experienced) any major issues, and the 5.9 only requires regular maintenance just like any other car (however it does require more oil). This is my DD too. In summer I get around 23-25 mpg (half city/half highway) and in the winter I'm around 20-22 mpg due to the cold and it not being able to warm up fast enough (I work nights and it sits outside and I don't plug the block heater in).

I'm very happy with my truck I don't regret anything. This truck is a blast and I will not be getting another truck until this dies.

[sturn18]

I drive an 05 Ram 3500 with the cummins and I do like it quite a bit. It is the first diesel that I have had, always had compact pickups before. Having the big truck has given me opportunities to haul big trailers and lots of weight that I would have had to pass on before. You will likely find that once you have the bigger truck you will wonder how you lived without it before.

That said, they do cost a lot more to maintain. The savings in fuel economy is also offset by the higher price of diesel. If I didn't have to haul big loads sometimes I would get another Tacoma. They get 18-20 around town on summer gasoline, tires last 50% longer and you don't need 3 gallons of oil for an oil change. Much easier to park as well.

[jreifsch80]

if you're a gear head that loves horsepower then get a diesel

[Bailey Guns]

if you're a gear head that loves horsepower and torque then get a diesel

[Great-Kazoo]

I'll be the voice of discourse here and recommend a Mid Size Toyota or Nissan Frontier . Or the dakota with V8, You want a DD with good to decent MPG. You're in the city (parking) and only going to use for hunting, not pulling or hauling. Mid Size works very well.
Why full size other than Just Because? I am also suggesting Import because of this one sentence.

* 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.

If you have no clue, buy the best bang for the buck, overall lower maintenance cost and almost bullet proof. The UP / DOWN dise to metric UP= resale Down = resale. You'll pay more for a used import, then a big 3 unit.
Eventually we will sell the silverado and replace it with an import.

[cofi]

I'll be the voice of discourse here and recommend a Mid Size Toyota or Nissan Frontier . Or the dakota with V8, You want a DD with good to decent MPG. You're in the city (parking) and only going to use for hunting, not pulling or hauling. Mid Size works very well.
Why full size other than Just Because? I am also suggesting Import because of this one sentence.

* 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.

If you have no clue, buy the best bang for the buck, overall lower maintenance cost and almost bullet proof. The UP / DOWN dise to metric UP= resale Down = resale. You'll pay more for a used import, then a big 3 unit.
Eventually we will sell the silverado and replace it with an import.

x10000

if your willing to look at other trucks most of the midsize import stuff sounds like it will be a much better fit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnWKz7Cthkk

[XC700116]

Not much love for fords around here eh hahaha.

I drive an 05 F150 Crew cab, It averages about 16-17 MPG, and I can still tow well with it, there's tons of room in the cab for road trips and bringing groceries home, etc.

I have a 22 ft enclosed trailer for snowmobiling and I still get 11 MPG towing it with 3 sleds, 3 guys, and all our gear and gas for riding and camping for the weekend (I've set the trailer up for winter camping) It's got the power needed to do some pretty impressive towing, nothing crazy but not just little open trailer either. The cab is the best part, Since having a crew cab, I'll NEVER go back to an extended cab.

Would I like to have a diesel? yeah, do I need one? nope and the fuel costs when you calculate it, you'd have to tow ALOT to ever justify it financially.

So in summary, IMO, go with the half ton gasser for your purposes, and when needed you can still tow a considerable load.

[Stevensje]

I have an ecoboost and like it. I get around 16-18 around town and can be tough to park on an occasion. Tacoma's are hard to beat as a daily driver.

[BushMasterBoy]

Heres a work truck, will burn moonshine if the price of oil goes too high. Yeah its a Chevy...but look at the price! Only thing I would add to this truck is a super large transmission cooler in front of the radiator and a drain plug to the transmission fluid pan.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3657049528.html