Lets do a reality check for some of you guys shell we!
First, MOST of the buyers of the Eco-Diesel will not be towing anything with it other than maybe yard stuff and lumber for a weekend project myself included.
Second, The number one reason everyone has said they have or will bought/buy an Eco-diesel is the fuel economy the truck gets, yes myself included here also! The cost of the truck compared to the same gas truck (option wise) is within dollars of each other. So with the quality and option improvements under Fiat the Ram is as good as the Ford or GM products being built today.
Third, barring any major issues with the VM engine the Ram Eco-diesel will fetch a premium price when selling it used. Don't think so, well I got $18,500 for my 04 with 150K last month and could have gotten $19,500 or more if I held out!
The same truck with a gas engine was selling for $13,000 tops in mint condition like my truck was. I fully expect to do the same with the new truck when I sell it in 2024. Now if you sell or trade every 2-3 years then NO you will not recoup and make a profit off your truck as I did.
As for cost of ownership, a diesel truck cost no more or less than a gas if you do ALL the math. Fuel cost are less even with the cost of diesel. Are oil changes higher, yes but not by that much. You don't have those $800/1,200+ dollar tune ups with a diesel that you have with a gas engine. Plugs, wires and air filter on my DD 1998 2.5 Avenger ES just cost me $450+ had I not had my employee discount it would have been 25% higher!
Bottom line, if you need the status of owning a new vehicle to make yourself feel that you are something special then maybe a diesel is not the right engine choice for you.
If you need to be at the top of a long 6% grade FIRST than a LD/HD Ram is not the truck for you. We might be a minute or two behind you but you will be spending more in fuel and repairs in the long run. If you want top end speed then maybe you should NOT be towing an RV anyway!
If you want to tow a big honking RV around then NO the Eco-diesel is not the correct engine choice for you!
But if you want a truck that can make 30+ MPG solo on the highway and 14 to 17 MPG towing a 7000#+ trailer then YES the Eco-diesel is the right choice for you. GM, Ford and Ram ALL make great trucks so spend YOUR money on what will work best for you. That is what I'm going to do.
BTW if you look at any of my posts about what makes a good tow vehicle, all of you should have been able to figure out that I ordered this truck without the intentions of it being a tow vehicle. At least not towing a larger RV, it is a SWB Ram 1500 not the LWB. If I had thought for a minute we were going to get a 28'+ RV I would have went with the LWB and 17" wheels not the 20".
Don
