Considering selling the Hemi and getting a CTD, need opinions!

I have a 05 2500 QC Hemi with 125,000 mile on the the clock. I drive this as my daily driver and have a 60 mile around trip highway commute daily. I also use it to haul firewood and pull a small trailer. I am getting 12.5 MPG Hwy consistanly hand calculated. I only have 12 payments left on this truck but have considered trading it towards a diesel. I dont need a diesel but do need a truck and the room for my kids as well. Just thinking the mileage will more than make up the difference. Our Powerstrokes at work kill my truck in MPG's and it drives me nuts. Any opinions or comments appreciated.

The cash you save in fuel will not come near to making up for the new car payment. You said it yourself, you dont need one and you are 12 payments away from being free. Sounds like an easy choice to me, a simple case of the "wants".

Also will you want to pay the extra maintenance costs and pay more at fill up (even though it evens out because you'll be going farther per tank). I would love to have a CTD myself but I've realized that I just don't need it. Also 12.5 MPG on the highway means you have some issue with the truck you need to clean up. I get 17-18 on my highway journeys and I'm lifted.

A new diesel won't get much better than 12-15 stock usually

Originally Posted by 08HEMI1500

Also will you want to pay the extra maintenance costs and pay more at fill up (even though it evens out because you'll be going farther per tank). I would love to have a CTD myself but I've realized that I just don't need it. Also 12.5 MPG on the highway means you have some issue with the truck you need to clean up. I get 17-18 on my highway journeys and I'm lifted.

Your also I dont know a 2WD and a 1500. Yeah you will get better mileage them this guy. Wow.

I'm also lifted and on off road tires. I realized he has a 2500 and 4x4 but his MPG should still be around 15-16 if it's all stock. 12.5 is towing MPG for most of these trucks. He needs a tune up regardless.

Buy a diesel 1500 when they are available.

Originally Posted by 08HEMI1500

I'm also lifted and on off road tires. I realized he has a 2500 and 4x4 but his MPG should still be around 15-16 if it's all stock. 12.5 is towing MPG for most of these trucks. He needs a tune up regardless.

Yes he should be getting 15-17 mpg at 65mph ,is what my 2500 hemi is getting .

comp 260 cam,hemifever tune,shorty headers,87mm tb gtg....

5 to 6 years of payments monthly or new upgrades plus the best tune-up money can buy for your current truck. I vote to keep your current truck with these options.

There's something to be said about a paid-off truck.

Get what u need and be happy with it. That's why I changed.

Originally Posted by scatpack_69

A new diesel won't get much better than 12-15 stock usually

Your way off there. Mine when stock got around 20, but I agree with most. If it's almost paid for keep it.

Originally Posted by 08HEMI1500

I'm also lifted and on off road tires. I realized he has a 2500 and 4x4 but his MPG should still be around 15-16 if it's all stock. 12.5 is towing MPG for most of these trucks. He needs a tune up regardless.

nope, you're still a lightweight
if he is totally stock and empty, maybe 15 hwy at 60-65
you're underestimating the extra weight the 4wd 2500's carry in frame, HD axles, straight axle up front, etc.
i'm thrilled to get 12 hwy, granted i have 35's and several other factors
but even when all i had to hurt me was a set of 33's, i was barely 12.5mpg hwy with fresh plugs, clean air filter, good oil, new pcv, you name it


the cost of diesel is sky high, the cost of diesel maintenance is sky high, i'm sure insurance costs are higher for a diesel, you'll wear tires faster (unless you stay ontop of tire pressure and rotation, ball joint wear, etc) and the front end's require more upkeep than those under the weight of our hemi's

all that aside, a CTD will always be a wet dream for me. i'm sure the same goes for you. my truck's paid off and that's what keeps it in my driveway instead of someone else's, and i just drive a tired old honda to and from work
it's a coin toss

If you need a ctd get it, if want a ctd get it, you wont be disappointed ,but if your using it noncommercial ie'' lots of miles every day'' you will not be saving any money. I have seen mpg as hi as 21 with no load at 65mph with the ctd. I would see what is going on with that hemi first and go from there.

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Your way off there. Mine when stock got around 20, but I agree with most. If it's almost paid for keep it.

I agree! Mine 2008 With a 3" suspension kit, 35 inch tires, MUD TIRES got 23 MPH on the highway. I drove about 100 miles a day with it.

The CTD is a blast to drive if you go through hills and such. Cruise control locked at the speed.. and hills, what hills.. down hill.. exhaust brake.. freaking loved it.

I went from a Hemi to a CTD. It's very nice. The MPG is better. The fuel does cost more. But I think overall, you'll save a little. NOT MUCH.. but you'll save a bit on fuel. Not enough to make up a car payment.

I know have a Hemi and of course my Megacab is a big truck, but man do I miss the CTD.

Also, you've got a few things to keep in mind for the CTD.

You'll need to do a fuel filter every 15K miles.
Oil changes are a bit longer intervals which is nice, but can cost more.

But a paid off truck is nice.

Now that I am in a Megacab, I could never go back to a quad cab. With the kid, dog alone.. trips are so much better with the Mega. I have another kid on the way so I am going to LOVE the megacab!

Are you planning on getting a brand new CTD or a used one?

Thanks guys. Keeping the truck til she dies. Will get a tune up, put a few mods in her and enjoy it. Maybe look for a used commuter car for short money in the spring and still be free and clear!!

Originally Posted by 08HEMI1500

I'm also lifted and on off road tires. I realized he has a 2500 and 4x4 but his MPG should still be around 15-16 if it's all stock. 12.5 is towing MPG for most of these trucks. He needs a tune up regardless.

I can assure you my truck is getting nowhere near 15-16 I "might" see those numbers on the highway at 55mph but for an average MPG not even close. 12MPG towing? Towing what a wheelbarrow full of empty peanut shells. My truck will get 8-9 pulling my camper. Dont forget you have a 2wd 1500 that has MDS the 2500 does not have that. Fuel milage on a 3/4 ton gas 4x4 is horrid. With all this said the gas motor was fine for my needs.

Originally Posted by JFM-jr

I can assure you my truck is getting nowhere near 15-16 I "might" see those numbers on the highway at 55mph but for an average MPG not even close. 12MPG towing? Towing what a wheelbarrow full of empty peanut shells. My truck will get 8-9 pulling my camper. Dont forget you have a 2wd 1500 that has MDS the 2500 does not have that. Fuel milage on a 3/4 ton gas 4x4 is horrid. With all this said the gas motor was fine for my needs.

This is a correct post here.

The 1500 deisels come late 2013/14.

Originally Posted by JFM-jr

I can assure you my truck is getting nowhere near 15-16 I "might" see those numbers on the highway at 55mph but for an average MPG not even close. 12MPG towing? Towing what a wheelbarrow full of empty peanut shells. My truck will get 8-9 pulling my camper. Dont forget you have a 2wd 1500 that has MDS the 2500 does not have that. Fuel milage on a 3/4 ton gas 4x4 is horrid. With all this said the gas motor was fine for my needs.

I actually don't have MDS, I turned it off and got better mileage by doing that so the MDS argument is useless. Also, I wasn't talking average MPG I was talking highway. If he said 12.5 average then that's accurate. But yes the towing claim was a little optimistic. But I still have to argue that if you can't get at least 15 mpg highway on a stock 2500 4x4 gasser then something is wrong. Weight be damned