Ram 3500 DRW 6.4L Hemi "Game Changer"

spoon059 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Both figure $4.00 per gallon.

Except gas is about $3.30 gallon here, diesel is $3.89. Obviously the vehicle with the best mpg will be cheaper at the same price of fuel.

Reality is that diesel is more expensive. In my area diesel is roughly 20% more expensive that gas. If you are simply using "COST" as a reason to buy a diesel, you need to make sure you are getting 20% better fuel economy with the gasser. Even then, you are simply breaking even. When you figure higher cost to purchase and maintain, you need an even bigger delta to make financial sense.

I don't know how many times we can keep having this argument and keep having the same old tired clichés thrown out.

If you need a diesel due to higher weights or more time spent at higher elevation, get it. If you want a diesel because it makes you feel better, get it. If you are buying a diesel because it makes sense financially... double check your numbers.

If you don't need a diesel because you are towing at around 12,000 lbs or less, the 6.4 looks like a great engine. If you don't have an additional $8 grand to drop on a diesel over the 6.4 gasser, the 6.4 looks great. If you aren't constantly up in the mountains and worried about less oxygen and less engine output, the 6.4 looks great. If you don't feel the need to justify yourself to the diesel crowd, the 6.4 looks great. If you are satisfied with your love life, the 6.4 looks great. If you aren't towing exclusively with your vehicle and still use it as a daily driver but want a ridiculous amount of power to tow, the 6.4 looks great.

Lets not forget that 10 years ago in 2004, the MIGHTY DIESELS had the following numbers...

6.6 Duramax had 300 HP and 520 lbs/ft torque
5.8 Cummins had 325 HP and 600 lbs/ft torque
6.0 Navistar had 325 HP and 560 lbs/ft torque.

The 6.4 has 410 HP and 429 lbs/ft torque. This gas engine blows away those diesels. Technology is changing boys and girls. You don't need a diesel to pull the weights that you did even 10 short years ago. Hell... my Tundra engine has 380 HP and 400 lbs/ft torque.

Bottom line, buy what you want and keep your nose outta what your neighbor buys. Why do some people care so much about what other people drive? You want me to drive a Big 3 diesel truck... donate some money or keep your opinion to yourself. You don't like the 6.4 gas engine, don't buy it. You feel the need to compensate for other "shortcomings"... do what you have to do.