Id stay with the hemi. a CTD is meant to work. Without loading it, its not going to perform the way you want it to economy wise.

 

The new hemi with mds gets decent milage. Can get 22mpg at 60mph on flats.

If you are really driving 1 1/2 hours and fuel costs are killing you, get an early 90s honda accord or civic4-banger as a backup to you truck. Probably cost the same as diff between your truck and ctd.

 

1 other thing to think of is, you are trading backwards. You have an 04 now and considering of going to a 99. That alone doesnt make much sense. Low retail on that 99 is 11,575 clean retail is 13,000 and high retail is 14,000 based on 50,000 miles (not sure what you have) clean trade is 13,100 and clean retail is 15,650. This is based from nada.com. In2 years that 99 wont even be listed on any value guide making it only worth what someone is willing to pay. Your 04 is still worth a certain amount on paper for a few years to come at least...just something to think about.

 

Have you driven the 99? I would think there is a big difference. I wouldn't do it.

Rick

 

The stacks would have to go.

 

i agree w/ CMA...if it's just for transportation, get a small car...even a vw tdi. your total fuel cost between gas and diesel between the 2 trucks will probably be higher w/ the ctd, then there is the cost of maint. how many quarts of oil does that ctd take...how much are the filters....how bout fuel filters...will the ctd eat through brakes quicker...tires quicker?
don't try and convince yourself it's gonna be cheaper to own a big diesel over a smaller gas. only get the bigger truck if you need it....or if you just wanna compensate for something else.

 

There are many variables here.. you are going from a 1500 to a 2500, you are going from a 99 to an 04 from a truck with possibly less than 40k miles to one with over 125k Miles (not much of an issue with a Diesel).

You have to look at worn components (suspension, pumps, coolers, brakes). Price out maintenance (remember a Diesel engine is made to work much heavier duty than your standard gasser but way more expensive for regular maintenance). Is the 99 an automatic? (if it is, I would move away from that) remember second gens had even more tranny issues than the 3rd gens (specially on automatic).
My sugestion to you would be to not make the trade, like some of the guys sugested, get a little car, a daily commuter on the long run you will feel much better about it. Good luck.

PS - The stacks really do have to go.

 

id say stick a 4 cyl in there.....its obvious you dont need a diesel and ur gas mileage isnt gonna change that much....**** if ur gonna spend the money get urself a 6 speed tranny manual ull get way better gas milage.......

 

nice avitar.....

 

I got no complaints about my hemi, BUT i love CTD. Keep the hemi and buy the TD and drop the Banks Twin Turbo diesel engine in it. Well if you got 10k to spend, it has over 800hp.....You gotta love those TD engines!