I am looking at a used truck to purchase.
Going to go with a 2005 and up Dodge 2500.
I am looking at going diesel, but I have a few questions.
I currently own a 98 ram 1500 with a 5.2L.
I literally only live 4 miles from work and in 2010 I only put 5600 miles on my truck.
Is it not good to have a diesel if I live this close to work?
Too short of a run time ?
My gas engine barely gets warm by time I get to work.
Will the short run time be bad for a diesel.
I was only looking to go diesel for better mileage.
Should I look at a gas instead ?

 

Getting a CTD wont hurt you driving it short distances. If you feel bad about it and put a remote start on it and let it run a while before you get out there to it

The only way I would have a 2500 is with a CTD.

 

If you're looking to save money with the better fuel economy, you should remember that a diesel usually costs more outright.

I looked at buying a diesel before I bought my Hemi. But I only put on a few more miles than you, and don't have a drive to work at all. The diesel would have taken years (I forget how many) to pay for itself. Plus, I'm not sure how much better economy they get, especially when you let them idle so long before driving them. And, diesel is usually the same price as gasoline around here now, crazy...

 

most places diesel costs more than gas...the only reason ide get a CTD over a hemi is if I towed most of the time then it would pay for itself other than that a diesel is more expensive to upkeep than a gas motor..and more expensive to fix if it breaks

 

With the style of use your truck is going to see a diesel wont be your best bet. You are going to spend at least a couple grand more than a comparable gas truck (year, mileage, condition, etc) and with the miles your truck sees it will take YEARS in order to get any of the benefit of it.

Is a truck really what you need to be looking at (let alone a 3/4 ton)?

 

I have to agree a diesel probably isn't the right motor for you. Two identical trucks one diesel the other gas. The diesel truck cost several thousand dollars more.. If you live in a metro area you are suppose to change the oil more oftn in the diesel that if you live in a rural area. This ment for me I had to change the oil every 3,000 miles rather than the 7,000 mile oil changes dealer tell you about to help sell the diesel truck. Diesel fuel cost more per gallon than high test gas. When fuel prices rise for some reason gas prices drop faster than diesel prices. Parts and labor on diesel motor cost more than on gas motors.
Yet if you need a diesel there just isn't any comparison. It will last longer under hard use and tow more weight. But if you don't need it. A diesel is a lot more expensive. The above reasons are part of the reason I got rid of my last truck which was a 06 Ram 2500 CTD.

 

Well this is my current truck.
1998 Ram 1500 sport I purchased new in February 1998.
It now has 95,000 miles on it. ( 7300 miles a year )
It has 6" of lift and 35" Goodyear MTR Kevlars.
I get 10.5 miles per gallon now.
I do snow plow my family members and my own home.
I am not plowing for money and I am the guy driving the truck.
I wanted a 2500 for that reason, having the snow plow.
I do a yearly hunting trip to Ohio and that is about the extent of long hauls with my truck.

 

Like I said, the 2500 is more for the snow plowing.
Heavier trans, rears, and so on.
If I get a new truck, I am not going with any lift.
If anything, it would just be a leveling kit and slightly larger tires.

 

I would say that if you go w/ the hemi you won't be dissapointed. It will give you more than enough power to do what you need to do it sounds like. You will prol see a slight increase in mpg's from your current truck(which looks like a nice 2nd gen by the way) Your $$$$ though get what you will be happier with

 

I recently bought my 2006 QC 4x4 with the 4.7l Magnum after doing some very in depth research and found the comparable truck with the diesel engine to be anywhere from $3000-$4000 higher. I know in this neck of the woods people are really sold on the diesels but they also do alot of towing. Not to mention that diesel is normally $.20-$.30 more per gallon.