Thinking of Trading for Ram 1500 Diesel. Talk me out of it? Into it?

This summer I just sold my 96 Cummins after I broke the input shaft in the tranny and bought the DCSB stick. FWIW, you can't compare the two. Each is built for a different purpose. Now to the new 3.0L. First question in my mind is: Would it start when it's cold out? The ol Cummins used to start like a champ in any weather but some diesels will leave you out in the cold. Also the heat plain sucks in the diesel. You have to put a good load on the engine to warm it up; idling does nothing.
Are you going to tow? If so, the tow rating on the new Ram is probably light in what it really can do. My 96 had a rated 180Hp/440ft-lb output (when it was stock) and was listed to tow 18k. The 3.0L is 200 something HP and 420ft-lb. and is rated to tow 9k. Not sure why it's so low. Only other negative I see is that it's only available with an 8speed automatic. Dodge historically has had very poor life with the diesel (cummins) mated to the automatic. I ate 4 of them - 2 with stock HP, 2 with a lot more HP. The auto is nice when towing a diesel as you don't loose boost when it shifts - hence the life issue. A manual will loose boost each time you let off the skinny pedal. My old truck pulled a 6K car trailer like it wasn't there.
The Tacoma is definately a better truck if you plan on 4 wheeling, driving in the snow or rain, etc as there isn't a ton (or literally two) sitting over the front axle. Fuel mileage is worse on the tacoma vs my old truck both around town and highway. I have yet to crack 20mpg in the Taco but the Cummins turned 24mpg on the highway all the time - even better than my wife's Forester XT. But (in CT at least), regular gas is significantly cheaper than diesel fuel making it essentially a wash in dollars out at the end of the month.

 

i hate these threads. why? because there is no talking these people out so why bother? get your ram and have fun just like the guy who just got that JGC!

 

Few articles saying they are getting the 5.0 V8 Cummins Diesel in 2015.

 

So a tundra with the 5.7l is a turd, compared to your taco?


I just traded my Tacoma for a tundra cm, with the 5.7l, and the 6 spd, 4:30 rear end, and can tell you that you are incorrect.

 

I would say go for it, but who knows when they're going to actually have them. January '14? I'm also surprised no official mpgs have been released - but it seems like in excess of 25 on the several articles from magazines/truck review sites that were given one for a few days.

Hard to find much bad about the ram 1500 over the last few years, and hard to imagine that all of these review sites/mags are paid off

Even the 3.6L 4x4 1500 is tempting, 16city/23hwy/19 combined, 305hp, 269tq. Not a fan of the whole truck rivalry/hatred all over the internet forums. Obviously you get that on a make(or model) specific site and it's to be expected. Buy what makes you happy and feel confident in your purchase if you research the living shit out of it. You won't have much to go on in terms of reliability with a new engine however.

 

I'm seeing more and more Tacomas in my area then ever before. Something is up. Either people don't want to pay $45,000 for a 2014 silverado or any other full size truck that have gotten rediculous in price. I also woukdnt trust that that new diesel from Dodge simply because it's not a Cummins. Prove it to me first that it'll be worth a shit. If I ever need another diesel it won't be one made before 2008 you can bet that.

 

I'll never own another Chrysler product. I've owned two, purchased both new and ended up knowing the service manager by his first name in both instances before the first year was out. Maybe I just chose poorly. But it won't happen again.

 

Some threads that are being made as of late are rather dumb.

 

it is amazing to me how everyone gets so butt-hurt when someone wants to leave the tacoma.

we dont drive down the street giving stink-eye to every other make of vehicle on the street do we? hmm...maybe we do.

let the guy go..wish him luck. done. trust me, right now there are a bunch of RAM guys on some RAM forum telling him.."DO IT!" "welcome aboard"..

different strokes, different folks.

 

I'm not going to talk you out or into anything. You can make your own decision. Maybe you should have an adult help you with this process since you're asking strangers.

You should ask us our thoughts on not having your headrests installed.

 

I have been watching for the release of the diesel Ram also. 8 speed auto, active grille shutters, air suspension/load leveling - all features that a 2014 Tacoma is seriously lagging in. Only thing the Tacoma has is runtime since 2005. Although the VM Motori diesel they are putting in the Ram doesn't seem to be a garbage design. You are going to pay a premium for this option so plan on calculating how many miles you will have to travel before you start to recoup money. Hoping to see 29 or 30 highway mpg. I test drove a Ram 1500 with the pentastar V6 and was seriously surprised at the power train. Only thing that scared me were the rear brakes weren't operating properly. They would lock up when coming to a complete stop.

 

I'd rather have the Grand Cherokee diesel.

 

5.9 cummins is the only way id trade the taco for a dodge lol
but its your choice just do whatever makes you happy

 

Its a dodge, do you really need more of a reason then that?

 

Tundra's have good power, and they are fast for what they are.

Probably even faster 0-60 etc than the tacoma. And some of the tundras out there are downright fast.

BUT the tundra, deffinately feels like a big turd in comparison to my tacoma.

it is as Auto, it shifts slow from coasting/cruising to floored.. Its fatter than hell and the traction control wont let you play.

You are perfectly welcome to have your own feelings on whatever you like, but you can't even begin to tell me my feelings are incorrect.

 

Plenty of people could say the same after dealing with frame rust or going through three 3.0L Toyotas. Consider that technology moves forward and companies progress, often for the better.

I've read a lot around the internet stating similar. I don't think anyone saying this has bothered to take the 45 seconds and look in to the diesel engine RAM is to offer. While it is a new motor, it isn't some side project slapped together by amateurs. VM Motori has been around for almost 70 years and produces diesel engines used all over the world. It could wind up being a great motor.

If nothing else, we should all wish Ram the best success and encourage as many sales as possible. This would put some much needed pressure on other manufacturers, specifically Toyota who doesn't seem too terribly motivated. And before it's said, using "tried and true" technology isn't really what you'd expect in 2013 - you make it better while maintaining reliability.

 

Get the extended warranty and go for it. My work has dodge trucks and I used to think they were junk until I saw what these guts do to them and how little issues they have had.

 

from what ive read I don't believe that 3.0L is a cummins so id be cautious

 

Idk, I've never been impressed with dodge's quality. Drivetrain wise, or interior wise. And you don't know what the 2015 tacoma will bring! Could be a big change with better mpg's