I think the title should be more for older diesel trucks, because the new ones are like luxery cars compared to the older trucks no matter which brand.

There's time when the noise gets to me, but others when I look forward to hearing it. So yes, its a love hate relationship for me at times to but I wouldnt sell it for a gasser anyday. I would like to have another small car like a 280z to have the option to take out, or a small early 90's toyota pickup. But I cant complain to much, I love my truck.

 

i have noticed (where i live anyways) the bigger the vehicle you drive-the less likely idiots will mess with you-tailgating, pulling out in front of you,etc,etc,etc. i prefer driving my "big ole" truck everyday over anything small. after owning cars and trucks over the years- the wife and i will never go back to a small car that sits 4 inches off of the ground. just personal preference, i guess.

 

Are you crazy?

YES

But thats coming from an insane person. Yea, a gasser is cheaper, yada,yada,yada, but I spent 10 years driving gassers dreaming of the day I could get another diesel, not just ANY diesel mind you, but the perfect diesel.

You will pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

If you have not emotionally bonded with her yet, you may not hear the song though man.........

 

Interesting thread! "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." Don't remember who said it, but it sure is true.

All the things you list in the first post are probably good observations for a first time diesel owner, especially if it's your only driver!

It's important to make a logical, not an emotional, decision when making a major purchase. Once the deal is done it's WAY to late to do your "due diligence" decision making. So you now have to live with your decision, or find another vehicle.

For me it's easy. I don't make a lot of changes quickly! I've still got a '76 Chev 4x4 I bought in 1980.

 

Seems the high price of diesel is making alot of people who have diesels and don't really need them reconsider their purchase. I see a few posts like that on here and talk to a few people who are considering the same thing. I've got a friend who bought a 05 3500 dually new in 05. He doesn't even own a trailer. There's never been a hitch in his reciever. I told him at the time it wasn't a good idea in his case, but diesels are cool and he had to have one. Guess what? Now I hear the same complaints: expensive maintence, loud engine, not all stations have diesel, ect, ect... The funny thing is these are the reasons I gave him NOT to buy a diesel in 2005. Funny how things work.

 

Don't get to down on your self I understand where your comming from.

I got my truck when I was 17, I graduated highschool and was working a full time job making decent money at that age, everything was cool as an ice cube then.

Im now 20, go to school full time and work 2 part time jobs to bust my hump for truck notes and bills, ect. I've often thought about getting rid of my truck but I know at the same time it would be the dumbest decision I have made. I have to much time, money and love in this hunk of metal to see someone else driving it around.

Not to mention, this truck it's self has distilled so many morals in me. I don't see to many kids my age driving a truck like mine that they pay/maintain for.

I often think it isn't worth it sometimes but then I just reflect on what i've said above and it makes sense to me.

Not to mention the fact that I see all these people on here who have 600+hp trucks. I know what it takes to get to that point, money. I would love to have a signature about 10 lines deep in mods and the last line saying 1/4 mile time =12's. I can't have my cake and eat it to but I sure try. lol

 

I don't regret owning a diesel. I do regret trading in my previous vehicles and rolling over more and more negative equity. I miss my Jeep Wrangler and Mustang GT. I should have paid each of those vehicles off and kept them around. I would be much happier having the option to drive a different vehicle as my mood changed.

 

I thought I was alone, but it's good to hear that a lot of people on this board have similar feelings. We're like a team. lol...

I totally agree. From the initial price tag, to maintenance costs, to fuel consumption, these trucks really are like luxury cars. Luxury cars also take premium unleaded which is more than regular, just like diesel is these days, except now diesel is like super premium unleaded at the cheapest being 45 cents more.

Yup, too much time, money, and love in a hunk of metal to see other people driving it, just how I feel. I too worked throughout high school and college in a crappy (but fun) fast food job to pay for my truck. Then during school while I sat at my desk to study for exams I'd get side tracked and visit these forums. Why do you think I have so many posts! Now I'm working again and I thought all would be good but it sucks throwing hard earned money at something that really shouldn't be priority at this time.

haha, that's true. I sure like the feeling of being able to OWN anyone on the road. Hummer? Chain it up and let's pull!

 

I bought my 05 CTD to pull my 5th wheel RV. I bought the Laramie so it is loaded with leather and power everything. I use it for everything from hauling wood to pulling. You would have to pry it from my cold dead hands. I love that truck. It gets over 20 MPG as a daily driver and 14.7 pulling. I put the Bilstein shocks on it and it rides as good as a 1/2 ton.
I would rather drive it then my 05 CTS.

 

I'm in the same boat, I traded in my wrangler for the truck I have now, and at first, I was completely happy. Now I'm not so sure...I've sunk so much money just into the front end of this thing, not to mention the IP I had to replace. Then there was the lift pump, replaced that with a FASS system. I spent so much just getting it to drive right, havn't been able to spend a dime on the fun stuff yet.
Then theres the super short commute to work. I have to let it sit and warm up for 10mins. just to have descent heat till I get to work. And thats after its been plugged in all night...its even worse if I don't. And its driving me nuts doing this cause I now its not good for it. Ofcourse, I didn't foresee this problem when I bought it cause i was living at home, 30mins. from work. Now I moved in with my gf and live 5mins. away. A gasser would be nice just to jump in it and go.
I don't mind the added maintnace costs to much cause I know its gonna last. I'm just tired of replaceing stuff in the front end that should have been built stronger to begin with. Then theres the fact that I'm gonna need a new paint job in a few years as the paint on my hood and roof are getting bad and theres a crack in my rr quarter panel.
Theres also those days where I just feel lazy and wish I had an automatic.
summer is really tough for me. I miss the jeep...taking the doors and top off, being able to take it offroad almost anywhere, taking it where most vehicles wouldn't dare go.
But...then I jump in my CTD, take it on a long trip, and I remember why I still keep it around Nothing sounds sweeter than a straight piped cummins Except maybe a 2 stroke detroit wound out for all its worth Well, that, and I'd loose my butt if I got rid of it now

 

Bravo to you, Wcbcruzer! Way to go on having the wisdom to think clearly and exercise logic and reason.

Each vehicle is a combination of compromises. I frankly pay more for a capability that I don't need by driving a CTD. I don't own anything to tow. A little Tacoma or something would work just as well for my usage.

My truck also "replaced" a 1969 Dodge Coronet project car. So my truck is multiple vehicle rolled into one: commuter, "project truck", tow vehicle, grocery getter, Home Depot hauler, etc.

I'd prefer to keep my truck as long as I can handle the discomfort (yes, discomfort) of driving it and can afford the cost of operation and maintenance.

Mine is paid for and I'm not yet in the poorhouse, so I'm keeping it as long as I can. I'd rather get a cheap beater as a second alternative than get rid of my truck.

jh

 

I sometime start thinking that I should get rid of the Dodge and get a 1/2 ton gasser. All it takes is a quick drive towing the RV or one of the work trailers to snap me back to reality. Yes the diesels cost a little more to maintain but the positives outweigh the negatives. The other issue to think about is the replacement cost. If you sell the truck how much will it cost to replace it if you change your mind. Might be better to just get a small beater car to drive around town and keep the truck.

Mike

 

My thoughts, exactly. Better for me to hold onto the truck (given how much it would be to get one later) and buy a small beater.

I'l park my truck LONG before I sell it.

JMO

 

You guys are all right. I think part of the reason I've kept the truck till now is because, like Mike and Hohn said, it would be harder to get it again later. Yesterday I told my mom on the phone that maybe I should sell the truck and she responded by saying... (in a scared voice) "Oh no, what are you going to get next? You better just hold on to the truck..."

 

Hey man let me tell you, I am 27 and have had a diesel pickup for the last 8 years. Trust me I can't tell you how many times I thought about getting something more economical or smaller to run around in. Its not worth it. Even after all the trouble I had with my PSD. My truck on average nets me 17 mpg which is great for the weight and power it has. Plus all the fiddling and fixing things just helps you keep interest in it. Sit back and think about all the mods you have done and how long it would take you to get a newer vehicle to where you would want it. Put some money in yours, keep your turbo, and forget that other vehicles exist other than the CTD. Only look at other vehicles if your wife or girlfriend needs one. Plus your frantz is keeping your oil so clean.