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2014 Dodge 1500 Eco Diesel

Things are looking good with these trucks. 31mpg at 50mph trip is unbelievable. I have bought 3 new rams since 2002 and a couple new Silverados also . I like the ride and better towing of the Silverados but the Rams always out performed with less trips to the shop for warranty work. My 2013 Ram with the 5.7 Hemi is getting some great mpg around 20+ with 390hp v-8 makes me happy on the highway. My favorite part of this Big Horn is the big nav screen and the back up camera is the bomb.
 
Yeah. Right now I have three vehicles in my garage: wife's 02 Tahoe, My 12 CTS AWD (for work) and my 98 Diesel Suburban for play. Between my CTS and the Burb, I put on about 35,000 miles a year. The Ram would get better mileage than my CTS and I could still tow the Fishin' Boat (20' Alumacraft), which weighs about twice as much as my Checkmate, haul the Fam, go hunting. Plus the interior of the Ram kicks the hell outta my CTS. FWIW, I have never been so underwhelmed by a vehicle as the 2012 Cadillac CTS AWD. Big time buyers remorse. Big time. I could sell the other two vehicles and get the third stall of my garage back. That would be awesome.

The Ram Eco Diesel looks legit.
 
It sounds like a great plan Sam. The only thing that we did not get on this 2013 is the longer cab . Im a little long legged and feel sorry for whoever rides behind my seat and I also think the full quad cab looks a little nicer. I wanted to take a new truck home the day I went shopping and either bought an air ride model or the Big Horn truck I picked . They wanted me to pay another 1500 buck to get the longer cab and wait about 10 days so I settled for the better deal now truck. The air ride was a cool feature but had 17" wheels and a corny paint scheme. That gives the truck quite a bit of lift when needed instantly.
 
Chris said:
It certainly looks like a winner on paper. :)

-Chris
Click to expand...

The International made 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel looked good on paper also..... reality was a tad different.

Personally, a few years down the road is the only way I'd even consider one. Even then, a 3/4 ton with a tune done will still yield mid 20's MPG (50ish mph) - highway speeds would be interesting @ 75+ though.... Plus the 3/4 ton will tow twice as much. I guess, for me, with the $ difference between gas and diesel, if you're gonna be a bear, be a grizzly.
 
This 3.0 walks all over the old 6.5 TD I have in my Suburban. I'm lucky if I'm getting 200 HP out of my engine...more like 190 I think but I'm only getting 20 mpg on the highway...if I'm gentle. Towing...don't ask, it's thirsty.

This Ram will pull any of my boat's like they're not even there. Plus it's QUIET. I love a quiet ride. Europe figured out this diesel stuff a long time ago. A friend at work has a Mercedes diesel in his 9000 pound motor home and gets 22 mpg with that engine while cruising down the interstate.

I don't need to roll coal or put 700 ft-lbs of torque to the pavement...I have reeeeeally high hopes for this Ram. We'll see.
 
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BADBK said:
The International made 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel looked good on paper also..... reality was a tad different.

Personally, a few years down the road is the only way I'd even consider one. Even then, a 3/4 ton with a tune done will still yield mid 20's MPG (50ish mph) - highway speeds would be interesting @ 75+ though.... Plus the 3/4 ton will tow twice as much. I guess, for me, with the $ difference between gas and diesel, if you're gonna be a bear, be a grizzly.
Click to expand...
I hear ya, that's why I said it looks good on paper. ;)

We'll see how the engine holds up in a pickup over the next few years. Supposedly they've used versions of this engine over in Europe in various vehicles for quite awhile and it's also been in the Grand Cherokee the last year or so.

When I was in getting an oil change at the Chrysler dealership in early January, I asked about the Ram Eco-diesels and they told me they were now taking orders but they didn't expect to have any on the lot for at least a month or two.

It's hard to quantify what the savings are with a diesel as you've got so many factors involved. Extra cost of diesel versus gas, DEF, repairs, resale not to mention the extra cost up front.

But it's hard not to be attracted to a half-ton diesel that will get close to 30MPG, or up here with our Imperial gallons in the range of 35MPG.


-Chris
 
All these new trucks sound nice. I like the look and Eco-boost power in the new F150, and I really like the idea of the Ecodiesel Rams. But close to, if not over $60K for a new half-ton truck is hard to swallow no matter what kind of mpg it gets. It just feels like they have priced the average blue collar guy like myself out of the new truck market.
 
I know the sticker on the Ram Crew Laramie is 50-52K ish up here, but they actually sell for something in the high 30's if you nogotiate hard and make yourself a good deal.

That's not too bad really, but yeah, all these vehicles are getting pretty expensive when you really think about it. :eyecrazy: :yell: :)

-Chris
 
I'll play devil's advocate here....

Note 1) 31 MPG at 50 MPH is almost completely irrelevant. Who tows at 50 MPH, much less drive at 50? 50 MPH is the best speed for ANY vehicle to get its best MPG. It only takes 15-20 HP to push a vehicle at 50 mph on a level grade.

Note 2) I hope people who buy half-ton trucks aren't towing 9-10k on a daily basis. There's no way a half-ton will hold up to that. It might make it out of warranty, but not much longer.

Remember, there are no federal standards for light truck towing capacity. It is a number decided on by the manufacturers.

That being said, I think right now the Big 3 are all making good pickups. Way better than what they used to make. At least Dodge appears to be making some effort on front end aerodynamics.

Jeff
 
fox88gt said:
I'll play devil's advocate here....

Note 1) 31 MPG at 50 MPH is almost completely irrelevant. Who tows at 50 MPH, much less drive at 50? 50 MPH is the best speed for ANY vehicle to get its best MPG. It only takes 15-20 HP to push a vehicle at 50 mph on a level grade.

Note 2) I hope people who buy half-ton trucks aren't towing 9-10k on a daily basis. There's no way a half-ton will hold up to that. It might make it out of warranty, but not much longer.

Remember, there are no federal standards for light truck towing capacity. It is a number decided on by the manufacturers.

That being said, I think right now the Big 3 are all making good pickups. Way better than what they used to make. At least Dodge appears to be making some effort on front end aerodynamics.

Jeff
Click to expand...


Those are legit comments. I agree that 31 @ 50 is useless, but 25 @ 75? You got my attention. In a strong head wind, my AWD CTS doesn't even get 23. Regarding the towing capacity, I agree as well, 9000 pounds behind that thing is ridiculous. BUT, if it can tow a 5,500 lb fishing boat all day long at 70 and still get me 20 mpg...I'm all over that. Plus, I really dig the fact 4 corner air bags are available. The price concerns are totally legit too.

This truck could hit a nice sweet spot with me. It's not for everyone, but...we'll see. If I could get into a nicely equipped one in the low 40's...I would do it, provided I can get rid of my CTS without taking a bath (not likely).
 
Rob B said:
That's why I buy used. I'll let others take the hit on a new truck, then in couple of years buy for about $10,000 less. My 2012 Silverado priced out at @45,000 new, bought for $26,000 with 11,000 miles on it.
Click to expand...

I'll probably be playing that game too. It might be three years down the road though, when everyone returns the leased trucks.
 
I hear and see some pretty high prices on the new trucks but I never buy until the price is down . I just paid 31k in June for my brand new loaded up Hemi Big Horn that stickered for 41.5k . my last Silverado I picked up for 12k off and 0% interest. I paid 26k after all said and done and all payments made. I have never considered a Diesel or 2500 yet for a tow rig but when I upgrade my travel trailer or boat I will have to pay to play. Ouch that hurt just thinking about it. I have not owned anything to tow more than 7000lbs. so far. I will more than likely get a gently used Duramax at that time.
 
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