And, most of the time,<br>Diesel is cheaper per gallon than gasoline,<br>so factor that in as well.<br><br>Better mileage with Diesel.<br>Longevitiy of the Diesel engine.<br>Maintence costs lower with a Diesel (usually).<br>The smell of Diesel exhaust in the morning.<br>The sound of the mighty Cummins.<br><br>The Cummins has been around for a while and has proven itself<br>The Hemi is a fairly new design and might have unforseen problems.<br><br><br>phox

 

Let's do a break-even analysis.<br><br>You'll basically get back most of the cost of the diesel on resale so, for a conservative break-even analysis let's assume you get all but $1K of it back when you sell. The loan interest on the extra cost of buying the diesel will probably be $500 or so. Diesel fuel around here is $1.70 and regular gas is $1.60. Routine maintenance on a diesel is more expensive but probably is in the noise so I won't consider it here. Fuel mileage on the Hemi and the Cummins vary depending on what you do but let's assume they are 13mpg and 17mpg respectively. With this data, the break-even point is 65K miles as determined below.<br><br>$1,000 + $500 + ($1.70/17)*X = ($1.60/13)*X<br>where X = miles driven<br><br>This, of course, is a short-term analysis. It doesn't count the added benefit of the Cummins being a longer-lived engine. If you plan on keeping your truck for over 150-200K miles, there's no question which is the best in terms of price.<br><br>

 

I have put well over 300000 miles on three of these engines and have yet to do anything major to the engine in any of them. My current truck was four years old last month, has near 118000 miles and I have not touched the engine except for a lift pump. I have a friend that bought his the day before I did and he has over 160000 on his and no engine work.<br><br>What you buy is really a matter of personal preference and wallet supply in most cases. For me, there was no decision, I waited for years for Dodge to put a diesel in their truck and I bought on the first year they came out in 1989 and have had one ever since. <br><br>I would recommend that you go drive one of each and decide from there. The diesels are not for everyone for variuos reasons. Some don't like getting diesel fuel on their hands (I read that on a gasser site and laughed). Some don't like the smell of diesel smoke or the fuel (have you smelled gas lately). Some don't like the noise of the diesel even though the 03's are very quiet. Some don't like the performance issues relating to a diesel even though that gap has been closed up a lot and can be closed a lot more or eliminated with a little bombing. I heard test results from a friend right here on the site that out pulled a V10 up Afton Mountain with his basically stock diesel. They are kind of a hybrid truck and finding a competant shop to work on them can be a problem depending on where you are.<br><br>I believe their may still be a one time tax credit for buying an alternate fueled vehicle too. There was when I bought my 89, got back about $500 for buying it.<br><br>I'm sure the Hemi is a bad whammer jammer but it has been advertised as &quot;the most technologically advanced engine of it's kind&quot; as seen on tv and that would keep me from buying it right there. I bought a Toy truck the first year they came out and it was garbage. The V10 is pretty well proven if you can afford to feed it. The old 360 is very well proven and pulls well but it like to eat too. The old 318 is gone and I don't know about it's replacement yet.<br><br>Don't get me wrong, I am diesel through and through but this is a pretty big decision unless you have cash falling out of your er ah, wallet, yeah thats it, wallet, take your time to decide, drive both, and then do the sensible thing and buy the diesel......

 

[quote author=dieseldude4x4 link=board=8;threadid=10613;start=15#101940 date=1044652259]<br><br><br>I believe their may still be a one time tax credit for buying an alternate fueled vehicle too. There was when I bought my 89, got back about $500 for buying it.<br><br>[/quote]<br><br>I have also recieved this tax advance as well! I will find out next week!<br><br>KC

 

My '03 is the first diesel I've owned (other than a tractor). I love the low-end torque of a diesel but personal preference on the noise level kept me away until this year. Idling in traffic with the windows down was a deafening experience in the older Rams and that was an important factor for me. I jumped at the chance to get the '03. As a convert from having a gasser, I have the following observations: 1) you will notice the exhaust fumes but will get used to it and may even like it, 2) not all gas stations sell diesel and 3) the price of diesel varies immensely from station to station for those who do sell it.

The Cummins is one sweet engine and I am more than happy with my choice. The Hemi sounds like a sweet engine if quick acceleration is your thing but not for hauling.

 

This 99 I have now is the first diesel I've ever owned, I had a 82 1/2ton chevy with a 350 before I bought my Dodge and I can tell you one thing I wont ever go back. I've driven a new Hemi powered Ram and the power is awesome but it's just not the same. I can honestly say I will never own a fullsized truck with out a diesel engine. I'm looking at new SUV's for my mom and she said that after riding in my truck if she's getting something new she wants a diesel. 8) So it look like I'm waiting for the diesel Jeep Liberty's to come out. <br><br>What it realy comes down to is you need to drive both. Go to a dealer and test drive a few trucks decide which one you like the best and then make your choice. Something else you may want to think of is how far you drive to work everyday, if it's not more than a 15minute drive I'd by the gasser. Those short drives are a killer to a diesel engine because it never gets a chance to get up to operating temperature. I think you'll be happy with either choice but if it where my money (and it's not) it would only be one choice and that's Diesel power. 8)<br><br>DB

 

&quot;I believe their may still be a one time tax credit for buying an alternate fueled vehicle too. There was when I bought my 89, got back about $500 for buying it.&quot;<br><br>(Don't know how to add a quote to a post.)<br><br>This tax credit thing sound interesting. How do you apply for it? Can you give more information?<br>

 

[quote author=drafter link=board=8;threadid=10613;start=15#102282 date=1044736797]<br>&quot;I believe their may still be a one time tax credit for buying an alternate fueled vehicle too. There was when I bought my 89, got back about $500 for buying it.&quot;<br><br>(Don't know how to add a quote to a post.)<br><br>This tax credit thing sound interesting. How do you apply for it? Can you give more information?<br><br>[/quote]<br><br>My tax prepairer always new were to look! Sorry!<br><br>KC

 

If you use turbo tax they have something that asks you in the program about that. I chose no... OOPS.. I want an extra $500! I bought mine this year... ??? : :'(

 

The tax program I used in 90 asked me if I bought one.<br>My tax preparer asked me on the second and third one.

 

I love hearing you older fellas talk about buying your 2nd and 3rd...<br><br>I hope I have the chance to buy a 2nd 3rd.. 4th... etc cummins.... I think when I get married I will make a deal with my wife that I get a CTD for every child? :P

 

Hmmm.. that tax thing is interesting.. I would like to hear more information if anyone has some.. <br><br>I know the Commonwealth of Virginia considers alternative fuels to be propane, liquified natural gas, and compressed natural gas... Gas and diesel ARE NOT considered alternative fuels though.... Not sure if the IRS is different though..

 

[quote author=thatguy link=board=8;threadid=10613;start=15#102920 date=1044897625]<br>Hmmm.. that tax thing is interesting.. I would like to hear more information if anyone has some.. <br><br>I know the Commonwealth of Virginia considers alternative fuels to be propane, liquified natural gas, and compressed natural gas... Gas and diesel ARE NOT considered alternative fuels though.... Not sure if the IRS is different though..<br>[/quote]<br><br>I think it is federal only (im not sure) and I think it is a one time rebate. I will find out on Tuesday or so!<br><br>KC

 

If you forgot to claim it for 2002,<br>and its a &quot;one time deduction&quot;<br>can you claim it for 2003 if you bought it in 2002?<br><br>I just flew by that when I was doing mine with Turbo Tax, didn't even think that Diesel was an alternative fuel.<br><br>(if not, I guess I could file an amended for last year)<br><br><br>thanx<br><br>phox