[Mick]

Hello, I believe its time to retire my 94' Silverado. Bought it new and 350,000 miles, its been a good truck. Lately I have been putting a lot of miles on it for work and I can no longer depend on it, the trans is beginning to slip. A diesel 1/2 ton is something I have been wanting for a long long time. According to my calculations if I amortize the truck over ten years and 300,000 miles I come out to .34 cents a mile, identical to the gas V6 model. That includes $100 a month for maintenance and repairs or $12000 over the life of the vehicle, maybe that's high, I don't know, but I would rather overestimate than underestimate.


Removing the performance edge and the simple fact that I just really want a diesel any thoughts on lost cost disadvantage/advantage of owning the diesel over the gas? Is it true that oil changes cost $200+ at the dealer? I have also read some issues on this and other forums regarding issues with the motor. Is this a new motor? Are the problems simply related to being new or indicative of design issues that are going to pop up down the road? With the mileage that my job is paying me, I am already going to be upside down on cost at the very least until I pay the loan off (five years)


I keep trucks a very long time and I expect them to hold up. What do you think? Can I reasonably expect this vehicle to hold up for 300,000 miles? I appreciate any thoughts anyone here may have on this. Thank you

 

[zoomie]

Welcome to the forum, lots of great people and information here.

I just picked my up last week and I expect to have it for 10 years and 300,000 miles.

 

[Haulin]

A lot of people i know that have some real seat time recommend it and these are folks that have not only driven it but did towing as well.

 

[sabmgb]

I have had mine just over 2 months and love it. No problems at all. I have heard of some issues from others and feel bad for them, if you look at how many have been sold what is the percentage of problems. I would wait another year, if your old truck would run that long, just to give another year. From those that have had problems, seems like there are not parts to fix them. If your truck won't make it, than go for it. Cost of ownership will be high I figure, oil change and other who knows what as they are really new. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mick]

Thanks for the replies. I am in somewhat of a spot being that this is a work vehicle and down time is not an option. When the trans goes, I will be scrapping it, not before then though. I can say with almost certainty that the trans is not going to last another year. Awful timing because I really prefer to give the manufacturers a year or two to get the bugs out before purchasing.

 

[zoomie]

Thanks for the replies. I am in somewhat of a spot being that this is a work vehicle and down time is not an option. When the trans goes, I will be scrapping it, not before then though. I can say with almost certainty that the trans is not going to last another year. Awful timing because I really prefer to give the manufacturers a year or two to get the bugs out before purchasing.

Keep in mind that the 2015 is the third year for this version of the RAM. The 3.0l Diesel is manufactured buy an company that specializes in engines, and it has been used for several years in other industries. It's also been in the Grand Cherokee for two years already.

I'm am also against buying a car in it's first model year. The 2015 Ram with Ecodiesel is definitely beyond that in my opinion,.

 

[Accused]

quite agreed with zoomie, this truck and its components have had a long lead time already. Besides even if you were to purchase now, you're getting the second model year...

 

[10%More]

My thoughts are a bit different than others. I DO NOT think it will last because of government regulations and the build response. Emissions require lots of sensors and systems to deal with it. The DEF and DPF systems are unbelievably complicated and computer controlled. I do not think it's reasonable to expect that stuff to last without lots of issues. Couple that with the complicated turbo design, intercoolers and wanton electronic gizmos people want today and you have a recipe for trouble.


As that stuff ages it will also become obsolete by design. Out of warranty repairs will not easily and cheaply be able to be handled by shade tree mechanics or small shops. Huge equipment investments will have to be purchased for shops to deal with all that stuff.


Then you will also have to deal with not only diagnostic issues but parts availability at some later date. If you can't get parts now it's not going to get better.


ALL the diesel vehicles from all the manufacturers have to deal with the issues of emissions. Volkswagen is doing it WITHOUT all the computer emissions add-ons that plague Ford, GM and Chrysler/Fiat.


Unless the "big three" can figure out how to do it also, it's just not going to work over the long haul. Then, if they do, what we now have will be further obsolete.


When mine goes out of warranty I will get rid of it. I really think this rampant technology is unwarranted as it's unreliable by design.


For long-term use, I would NOT recommend any of the diesel pickups as made today.

 

[Mick]

Thank you for the responses. The complexity of the systems in modern diesels is a concern for me. I cringe at the thought of what a dealer will hose me on when something goes wrong. My chevy has never seen the dealer except maybe once for some warranty work, other than that I have done everything myself. I Have grown accustom to everything being so easy to work on, except lately as everything is seizing under there due to rust. I have a hard time accepting that I will have to take it to a dealer for service, (I despise them)

 

[zoomie]

I don't want to start an argument here but here's some facts.

I have a 06 jetta with a 2.0l turbo gas engine with 212,000kms that's 131,000miles and I drive the snot out of that thing since I got it. Not a lick of engine trouble.

All of the big diesel trucks have turbos and they're getting DEF systems too and they run a lot of hard miles.

I think the technology is sound and every year there will be more ED on the road and, yes, parts will catch up. Chrysler has already doubled the orders for ED's in Rams after one year. That means they are selling more than they expected. Spare parts go right along with with that. The banks will be built, the parts will be in the dealers in time.

Remember when electronic ignition came out and we were all worried about it? I used to put in new points and plugs twice a year. Can you imagine installing point and condenser in an car these days? Plugs now last 10 times longer.

Remember when fuel injection came out? We used to have our carbs rebuild ever five years or so.

Technology is something to be aware of and chosen wisely but we shouldn't be afraid of it.

 

[sabmgb]

I have to be honest here, I have an ED and love it. I think it is time to just stop reading this forum and any other ED forum as it seems they are all going down the dume and glum road. Did I make a big mistake, I don't know, but I will find out in a few years. Untill there I'm going to enjoy my truck. I traded a 13 pathfinder that I had for a year and regretted owning every minute I had it.

 

[zoomie]

I have to be honest here, I have an ED and love it. I think it is time to just stop reading this forum and any other ED forum as it seems they are all going down the dume and glum road. Did I make a big mistake, I don't know, but I will find out in a few years. Untill there I'm going to enjoy my truck. I traded a 13 pathfinder that I had for a year and regretted owning every minute I had it.

Sure lot's of people come here when they have trouble, and the ones that are happy with their trucks are out enjoying it. Start a good news thread, we would love to hear how you use your truck, what you love about it, what you would change if you were the designer, and of course lots of pictures. Action Shots!

This post has 400 views and 11 posts. I believe there are lot of people out there watching and looking for first hand experiences to help them make a decision. If you love your truck, start a thread and tell us why!

I've had mine for one week, and 1600kms and I love it. No issues so far.

 

[Accused]

I have to be honest here, I have an ED and love it. I think it is time to just stop reading this forum and any other ED forum as it seems they are all going down the dume and glum road. Did I make a big mistake, I don't know, but I will find out in a few years. Untill there I'm going to enjoy my truck. I traded a 13 pathfinder that I had for a year and regretted owning every minute I had it.

13 pathfinder, now THAT is a nightmare. Did you have the judder LOL?

 

[sabmgb]

No mine never had any major issues. Just didn't like the dealership or nissan. They both lied about things or had no idea about the options on the vehicle. There were things in the owner manual that were not on my vehicle, even though it was supposed to be. nissan just said oh that was a mistake should be in manual, even thought that option was one of the reasons I bought it. I got tire of having to figure things out for myself than tell them so they could fix others. My RAM also gets about 10 to 15% better mileage. Had my RAM now just over 2 months and am so happy now. Even people at work have commented on how happy I am with me ED.

 

[Haulin]

I'm not surprised at all, i have a friend with a new pathfinder that has had some problems with it and his frustration from dealing with Nissan and the dealership he went to was enough to keep me away