I'm close to purchasing a new PU. I'm debating with myself over diesel vs. gas and full size vs, mid-size. I've narrowed my choices to 2. Unfortunately with what DCX did to the Dakota, I'll likely be looking elsewhere if I lean towards the mid-size.

I know the 2500 is a HD truck, especially when equipped with the CTD. Basically it's built to work. How practical is the CTD as a daily driver? I do not pull a trailer, plow snow, or haul anything heavier than your normal domestic stuff. It would be used 90% of the time for a daily 15 mile RT commute and the occasional Home Depot / Lowes excursion. I know the CTD is a $5500 premium over the 5.7. Beyond the price, is the long term (100,000+ mile) cost of ownership much different between the two? Assuming the rest of the truck holds together, this is something I would likely keep for 10-15 years and 200,000 miles.

Are there any pitfalls to using the CTD for strictly light applications @ 15,000 miles/year?

 

I drive mine everyday, I tow once a month. The oil changes cost more- 11 quarts as opposed to about 6. Better fuel mileage, I get 15-16 around town and I drive it hard!!

 

One benefit of the CTD is no tune ups or anything. No spark plugs, no wires, no ignition system, etc. Overall, my maintenance cost has probably been a little lower on my CTD over my last gasser, although not by much. Plus, I do all my own maintenace on the CTD and use lifetime air filters on everything.

It certainly doesn't sound like you need a CTD. You would be buying it because you want it. Absolutely nothing wrong with that though. It would take a long time to recoup the additional cost in fuel savings alone. Resale will be higher though, so you don't really lose the extra $5,500 you spend - at least not all of it.

If you don't tow or haul, it's going to come down to a personal preference thing. Which one do you want? The 2006 Hemi has the new MDS system to make it more fuel efficient. Supposed to increase mileage up to 20% depending on driving conditions. Might be a better option if you really don't need the CTD.

 

I would agree it is over kill for what you NEED.

But if you like it, and have the money, I would definately reccomed a Cummins to anyone...

 

Gasser`s only smoke when theyre broke, and try to squeeze 800,900,1000 ft lbs of torque out of a Hemi...and drive it everyday. I don`t "need" my CTD either, I also have a perfectly good gasser W250 wich just sits around now, no comparo IMO.

 

That's why I'm here.

Another factor was the price of Diesel Fuel when I got the truck.
I never saw it equal to the price of regular unleaded, was at least .25 cents cheaper.

Boy, that sure has changed in 3 years.

My last full size truck got 8 miles to the gallon, downhill, stiff tailwind.
This one is averaging 15mpg, theoretically I should be seeing closer to 20mpg.


phox

 

Holy smoke Phox! 8mpg? What kind of full size truck did you have?
I'm averaging 8.5mpg towing over 10k with my Hemi powered 2500. About 14 around town if I drive like my brake peddle is a land mine. Coasting helps mileage more than going easy on the loud peddle. You have to get up to speed sooner or later and it doesn't seem to make a whole bunch of difference how quick you get there as long as you feather the peddle once you're there and coast as long as you reasonable can to a stop. It's worked for my diesels and the Hemi.
Anyone who wants a diesel should just say... I want a diesel. Then go buy one if it's affordable. There is no savings. These trucks are expensive gas or diesel. I'm actually spending a little less each month with the Hemi powered Ram but not enough to make or break a decision either way. My next Ram will likely be another Cummins powered 6spd/3.73 or a clean '01.5 HO 6spd/3.55. I'll be spending a lot of money to enjoy what I enjoy. We only ride this dirty ball once. Don't hold back... Be impractical once in a while.

 

1974 Ford F250 4x4.
The one with the gas tank behind the seat


phox

 

I could have posted your note a couple of months ago. If the Dakota QC was available with a quality diesel, I would have considered it. If you're going to keep it for 10-15 years....go with the Cummins for ease & cost of maintance and resale value. If for some reason you find yourself selling it in the next couple of years, you won't lose much $$ (compared to a gasser) . Check out what 2-3 yr old CTD's are selling for. I did, before I bought, and they were almost as much and in some cases more than what I paid new.

With the deals that are out there right now, if you can find a truck you like, I'd go that route if you decide on a full size. I'd figure your cost for the Cummins @ invoice price, which is ~ $4800 for this reason (even less at the employee price deal they're doing), not the $5555 msrp. If you take the $4800, deduct what you'll save in tuneups, and figure in the better mileage and resale, at worst it's a wash @ 10 years, maybe less than 10 years, imho.

Ask yourself how much cab room you need? Often hauling passengers/kids or stuff you don't want to haul in the bed? If so, go with the full size. Having the room is nice. Without working the truck, it will just take longer to break it in. I'm guessing you have a place to buy diesel locally, or you wouldn't be thinking of the Cummins.

A midsize gasser's economy won't be much better, if at all, compared to the Cummins. I have 2K on mine and I've got 17, 17.5,17.62 and the last two tanks have been over 18 mpg's. As you can see, it's climbing and it's no where near broken in.

If you use parking garages regularly, the 2500 may be a problem so look at that too. Parking elsewhere and tooling around town is no problem with my 2500 QC. Good luck with your decision.

 

Get the Cummins. I have a 2004.5 2500 and get 17.5 mpg combined. Have a buddy with a Hemi 1500, and he's getting 12.5. The Diesel will do everything you ever might want to.... no sweat. And resale...... I checked the Kelly Blue Book for my truck... and get this, with 14,000 miles on it, the trade in value, yes.... what the dealer will give you for it as a trade.... is what I paid for it new. Show me a gasser that will do that! Not one. I read in a Fleet Mag of some sort showing that after 3 yrs, the diesel option on a truck was one that more than 100% returned the investment.
We could go into alternative fuels, biodiesel, LNG derived diesel, etc. and how they will affect the market during ownership but I won't.
Can't go wrong with a diesel in the present or future.
IMHO

 

I can tell you that if you go with the diesel that you wont be sorry, but a gasser, I cant say the same for that. wouldnt buy another, EVER.

Good luck in your new purchase, and stay safe.
Tim

 

Thanks guys! I knew asking the question here would generate some heavily biased opinions. Maybe that was what I was hoping for.

A couple of you mentioned resale. I checked on that and you are correct. I looked at the value of two 5 year old 2500's in KBB. Same identical equipment except one was the diesel the other the 5.9 gasser. Diesel value was $6,000 higher. I believe the diesel option was only around $4,000 in 2000.

Very little difference in fuel costs. Diesel here is normally the same as reg. unleaded +/- $0.02. Mileage with the Cummins is about the same as a midsize V6 gasser. Oil changes are about twice the cost - No biggy. That's more than made up with the savings on tuneups. Insurance for the diesel is about 10% higher. That's to be expected with the difference in value.

I really don't need a full size truck. I don't need a Cummins. Like someone said, "It's OVERKILL." The problem is I WANT ONE. Lets call it my refind 2nd childhood for a performance vehicle. Unless someone can talk me out of this, it looks like I'll soon be part of the "family."

Now if I can just figure out how to get the 79" height under my 72" garage door opening!

 

If the finances allow...

BUY THE CTD!

For the extra money you've purchased ABILITY. You may not need it now, but it's always there.
For a daily driver... Why not? You'll love it.

Then we talk about maintenance... My experience is that it's not much different from a gasser. A few extra quarts of oil, but oil isn't really an issue. A fuel filter once in awhile is necessary, but that's about it. (Air filter should be checked as in all vehicles.)

In cold conditions (below freezing), plug the block heater in. It's not necessary, but the engine will love you for being so nice to it.

Diesel driving is learning process. Learn to manage the tons of torque that the engine delivers. You'll fail to get the same feeling that a gasser gives on hard acceleration, but then look back and see a cloud of smoke where you're grinding the rear tires off.

Believe me, it's your butt and brain that will lie to you. They'll tell you that you're sitting in a slug, but that's not the case. After a bit they'll learn the truth.

Trade in is often a joke, but here's my experience for every truck since my '91 CTD... 2500's in good shape aren't often found on the lot. When a CTD turns up, it's usually sold before the papers are signed for the new unit. The '91 had a buyer at my dealer as I walked out the door with my '94. My '94 was sold at a premium before I bought my '99. My '99 was sold to a young man who drove almost 400 miles to get it a month before my '04.5 arrived.

Each and every truck sold for far over "book" because of the diesel... And the fact that they were 3/4 ton trucks in very nice condition with low miles. Other than for the initial outlay, I don't think the CTD's have cost me a cent. In fact, they've added enough value to the trucks to make it worth my while to own them.

Enjoy your CTD. It's a good move and you won't regret it.

 

A little Kia will get you from A to B..... is a CTD actually necessary for most of us... (honestly guys is it?) I will NEVER come anywhere close to using my truck to its maximum potential, so why did it get it? it's cool my friend! it sounds great and I take gerat pleasure in seting off car alarms in parking lots when I start up

I say get the CTD and smile daily!

 

Cummins Power..............................
I would venture to say that 20% of us "Need" it. (I for one LOVE it and likely will never go back to Gas).
Never know, maybe Diesel will get back into the real world below @2.00 a gallon?