Ram 2500 5.7 hemi mpg.....a bit disappointed

spoon059 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
Why are people fixated with the cost of the diesel option?

A better question... Why are people fixated with what somebody else drives?

A lot of people, myself included, have this thing called a BUDGET. We have a certain amount of money that we can justify to spend based upon wants versus needs. Truth be told, having a truck and a camper is a WANT for my family and I, not a NEED. We NEED a house, food, electricity and clothing. We WANT to be able to go camping for recreational reasons.

I bought a gas engine truck for $30K that was plenty of truck for my trailer at the time and is plenty of truck for my current trailer. There was no sense to me to pay significantly more money up front for a truck that has more expensive fuel for marginally better towing capabilities; for a truck that isn't conducive with daily driving short distances more often than towing; for a truck that MIGHT garner a higher premium when I sell it (although not likely high enough to cover the cost of the more expensive engine, fuel or maintenance).

The gas engine was a great option for me. 5 years later it still meets my needs and hauls my trailer without a hiccup.

For people that tow heavier weights or routinely tow at higher elevations than a diesel is an obvious choice. If you want to go out and drop $60K on a loaded diesel truck, have at it. For me and my family, a $30K gas truck was the right match.

I don't look down upon you for a diesel, not sure why I get looked down upon for owning a gasser.

Lots of gems in here. My favorites are marginally better towing, a diesel "might" have better resale or the notion that the choice is between a $30k gas truck or a $60k diesel truck.

Look, I could care less what you drive, but a big diesel tows substantially better than even a heavy gas truck (let alone a half ton) and will have much higher resale value. As far as comparing $30k to $60k, you're comparing apples to oranges. At the same trim level the difference is more like $6-8k in the real world.

The overall cost of ownership difference is largely immaterial. I happen to think a diesel will cost slightly less in most cases but relative to what you'll spend on the truck, fuel, maintenance, tires, and etc, it's a minor difference either way. So really anybody making this decision ought to base it mostly on preference. If paying a little more up front is a problem, go gas. If it isn't, pick what you prefer.