First drive Ram 1500 diesel

itguy08 wrote:

wilber1 wrote:

If you compare the EB's EPA highway mileage of 21 MPH to Motor Trend's observed mileage for the ED of 28 MPH, that is a 33 % difference.

Using these numbers, the EB would require 143 gallons more to go 12,000 miles than the ED, whereas a TDI getting 50 MPG would only require 118 more than a gasser getting 33% less. Clearly, the more fuel a vehicle burns, the greater the saving if you can reduce its fuel consumption by the same percentage.

So let's put some numbers to it.

15000 miles:

Ecoboost 715 gallons @ $3.369 = $2,408.84
Ecodiesel 536 gallons @ $4.259 = $2,282.83

So given the $2k over the Hemi the payback period is 10 years.



That's why I'm not at all excited no matter the manufacturer.

Of course you are comparing at a time of year when the spread between gas and diesel prices is at its greatest.

That's why I say it depends on the season and where you live. The economics of owning the diesel work quite well where I live. Now that a TDI is available in my daily driver, that will be my choice should I trade it in on the same model.


Diesels also have a reputation of recouping more of their up front cost on resale.