Guys-I need some urgent advise. I have a 1500 on order with Hemi and 3.92 gears in rear-all the bells and whistles. I have a deposit down on the ordered truck. It's an 8 speed with air suspension.
Today, another dealer I was previously shopping at called and advised he had something I might consider (was previously chatting with dealer about a diesel, as I had sold my F350 about a year ago). He wants to sell me a 2500 Cummins Laramie Longhorn, spec'd exactly the same as my 1500 on order. The Cummins is a 2012, however-no urea. I love a diesel, but have little need for one. I tow a (2) horse trailer about 6 times a year, and have a light camper (about 6500 lbs/7000lbs), which I tow about 4 times a year and not very far. Don't even leave the state.
I sold my diesel when fuel prices were high and told myself I'd not buy another one-just didn't need it.
Now, here is a Cummins with MSRP of 61,075, and they want to sell it for 49,735. They are giving me Friends/Family price (1 percent below invoice), all of holdback, rebates and my 500 dollar coupon from RAM.
Price differenc on monthly note between trucks is about 75.00 bucks. Then you have fuel price difference and maintenance. I know all that, but what do you do?
I believe the RAM 1500 can handle the horse trailer and camper with no problem, but the Cummins sure is nice and resale is far better.
That's a hard decision to make. I went through almost the same thing when I bought my '13 1500. I had a dealer markdown a '12 ram 2500 6.7ho crew cab big horn, msrp $54'510 down to $40'300! I was really tempted as I could use a hd truck, but I didn't absolutely need one. I tow a trailer with either 4 quads or 2 quads & a razor, I also haul pallets of wood pellets for half of my family. I almost talked myself into it thinking the 2500 diesel will hold it's value more than the gas 1500. But after factoring in the cost of diesel and all the maintenance involved, I opted for the gas 1500. My truck is my daily driver along with my bike and my job is only 8 miles round trip. That alone would kill the mileage in the diesel. Am I happy I went with the gas....yes, would I buy the diesel if I had another chance....maybe. That 2500 was a tough looking truck!
Personally I would buy the cummins. I've always wanted a diesel but I'll have to wait a while until I can afford one. I'd say if it's not costing you any more it makes way more sense. Like you said, it's worth more if you go to resell it. Plus if you plan on doing any mods like a lift or bigger wheels and tires a diesel will handle that a lot better. Plus for the few times you do pull the cummins will make it feel like there's not even anything back there which is kind of nice. And like Red devil mentioned, a 2500 is just a tough looking truck!!
Get the diesel. I wish I had everyday. Don't get me wrong I love my truck and I wouldn't use a diesel as much as I should but man do I want one. If you are a modder a few deletes and the cost of fuel will be offset by the gains in mpgs. I wish I had a diesel but I can't get a fair trade/price anywhere so I stay with my 1500
If you're going to make lots of short trips, where the engine doesn't get to temp, get the 1500. Outside of that, get the diesel.
Here's something you might want to ask the dealer. Ask the dealer if you can test pull your camper with a 1500. Being that you had a F350, you might never be satisfied with a 1500 pulling 7000 lbs.
I would stick with the 1500, hell of a nice ride and 6500-7000 is fine for your tow.Diesel is nice but if your not using it why get it.I just ordered a 3500 with hemi for the reason I won't use the diesel to half of its capacity.I will be towing a 8500 pound trailer about 5 times a year and I drive my co.van 5 days a week so the diesel won't pay for itself for a long time.I am trading in a 2012 1500 big horn,love it but I'm over my max tow and wanted a 2500, but the 3500 is only $1000 more and much more truck,jmho
Thanks all. The max tow on my 1500 would be about 9600 lbs. (I have the ram boxes). But once you pull with a diesel, nothing else works...at least that's what I'm afraid of.
Wouldn't the 3500 Hemi cost so much in gas that a diesel would be justified? Maybe?
I wouldn't have given this deal a second thought had this diesel deal not popped up...maybe the diesel is meant to be?
Gas milage won't be that far off maby a few mpg unless your towing a lot,that's where the difference is,plus diesel is 50 cents more a gallon,for me an 8000 diesel option doesn't pay unless you keep the truck 5-10
You didn't read the OP right. He's not paying an additional $8000 for a diesel. The trucks are the same price. Plus with what you can do to a diesel the better fuel economy will pay for the difference in fuel price. Especially if you plan on putting bigger wheels and tires on.
If your gonna keep a cummins 6.7 stock your mpg
And maintenance will cost a lot on the 2012 and below YM. Do some research and you'll see they are great truck but emissions system on them blows. I just sold my ram 1500 Laramie at a HUGE lose. However I'm going with no vehicle for a bit and getting a cummins. I've had two hemis they are good trucks. Little hard on gas especially depending on your foot, but reliable fun and lots of power. I'd go with the longhorn 2500 but my opinion is biased.
Yes I did read the post he was asking for opinions,I was stating my situation to his,my order will cost 8000 for the diesel upgrade,and I guess if you start adding upgrades,accessories ect the diesel will perform better but add all that cost in and what are your fuel savings,8000 and exhaust systems etc etc buys a lot of gasoline.All I'm saying is if your towing 11 times a year and doing short trips to work that's more money to spend. He is paying 75.00 a month more for the 2500, will he get the use out of it ? But i guess he can say hey I have a diesel.
At this point, the price of the Cummins and my incoming 1500 are so close, it's hard to pass up. It's the short trips that will kill the Cummins I'm afraid. Just don't know fellas!
I think I should get the 1500, keep it a couple years, then move up to the Cummins if I'm still towing much of anything. I like the new tech components in the 13 MY (radio, interior, etc). The 12 Cummins is nice, but I'm a gadget guy.
If your not going to be working the cummins a lot, then I would stick with the Hemi. 4th gen 6.7's, up until 2013 anyway, have had plenty of issues with the dpf when people are not getting them hot enough to start a regen cycle. Sure, you can delete it, but there goes your warranty. Also, tuners and the deletes are getting harder to find thanks to big brother.
Thanks everyone! I'm sticking with the Hemi 1500 for now. I just couldn't do the Cummins any justice with how little I would really use it. I'll reevaluate in a few years. I really appreciate everyone's insight!!
Check back with me in about 6 or so months and I'll tell you how the SCR equipped Cummins does, when running short distances and not really getting worked. 6 months should give me enough time to judge the new setup and because I work from home, I'll be doing lots of short and unloaded trips, until I can get a new 5th wheel.. Then again, I guess it depends on what one considers short... The closest fuel station is 5 miles from me... Grocery store is 9 miles away...
If you only tow a few times a year, the 1500 is going to be more practical. I tow a 32' fifth wheel trailer with my 05 hemi. It does a decent job with 3:92 gears. Fuel economy isn't great towing, but it's not nearly as bad as I had expected. I have had not 1 problem in 180,000+ miles. The Cummins are great, but every day driving, the hemi is way more fun to drive. Still, today, I saw a two tone green and gold 2500 4x4 mega-cab CTD Ram parked at a store and I nearly had a wreck gawking at it. Dayum, that was one beautiful truck.:smileup:
I see you are listed with a Ford Ecoboost...yet you made a respectable recommendation on the 1500 diesel. Not a bad idea. Thanks for not bashing Ram on this site!!
I've not studied the 1500 diesel, tho I believe the HP is far inferior to the Ram. Torque is good, but I don't know the numbers. If the 1500 diesel has an upgraded frame, coils or leaf springs, differential, etc., it may be a good idea. I think I'll stick with my ordered truck and give it a try.
CRAB on here has me convinced I must go back to a diesel 3500 SRW, 2013 or 2014 MY. I like the new 13 interior and 3500 upgrades. I'll be in one of those in a few years if CRAB'S truck holds up!!
Thanks again everyone.
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