Moving up from a Frontier.

[jreilly2120]

I'm beginning to shop for a full size to replace my 07 Frontier KC 4X4. I do about 35k a year in it (plus another 80k a year in a work truck, but that's another story) running from my home in NC, to Boston, and down to FL with trips to the mountains and the beach in between. I love the truck but even with a camper in the back it's just not enough space.

I'm looking at diesels for mpg and longevity (I'll burn through another new gas truck in 4-5 years at this rate) and a full size for the space. I'm shopping for a newer ram 2500 with the 6.7 Cummins, but I'm open to ideas. I've considered the older rams but my last 2004 1500 had some electrical problems I hear are contagious.

Anyone have suggestions for what might last the longest and fit my needs? Budget is between 18-25k. Possibly 30 for something that will last. Needs to have 4 doors, decent range and ground clearance, and enough reliability to survive the OBX or backwoods Maine logging roads.

Everything's better with pictures, so here's my Frontier....

 

[p nut]

With your budget and needs, I'd forget diesels. Too much money and won't be much financial benefit, if at all. Plus, modern gas engines will last a long time.
_
It sounds like space is the biggest (only?) issue. If I were you, I would look at either the Ram 1500 with the Pentastar V6 or the Ford F150 with 3.5L V6 (non-ecoboost). These will net the best MPG, better payload than the Frontier, and will be very cost effective. Friend of mine had an F150 3.5L V6 for a number of years and put over 250k miles on it. He's in construction, so not the easiest on trucks. It was running like a top when he sold it.

 

[js9234]

Can't go wrong with the Ram 2500 with a Cummins. I think mid 30's is the cheapest I've seen a new one go for. Sounds like you need a diesel with as much as you drive. You can fit 35's under it without a lift and decent mpg(17-22 depending on driving style and area) for a 8000lb truck. I've got a 2014 3500 with a Cummins and put almost 60k miles on it so far and wouldn't trade it for anything. Used Rams with a Cummins don't depreciate much so I would look into a new one for almost the same price as a used one.

 

[p nut]

Can't go wrong with the Ram 2500 with a Cummins. I think mid 30's is the cheapest I've seen a new one go for. Sounds like you need a diesel with as much as you drive. You can fit 35's under it without a lift and decent mpg(17-22 depending on driving style and area) for a 8000lb truck. I've got a 2014 3500 with a Cummins and put almost 60k miles on it so far and wouldn't trade it for anything. Used Rams with a Cummins don't depreciate much so I would look into a new one for almost the same price as a used one.

I'm not sure if you misread the guy's post, but would you really recommend a 3/4 ton diesel on 35's for someone that only needs to survive beach trips and logging roads? Mid $30k's will get you a diesel with 100k+ miles. Mid $20k, you've got a gas truck with 40k miles. $10k difference. He'd wear out both trucks before he broke even. Diesel and 3/4 ton just doesn't make sense to me in this scenario.
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He did mention "camper" and shows pictures of some DIY lightweight set up. That's what I assume he meant. If he's talking Alaskan or something else of that size/weight, then a 3/4 ton makes sense.

 

[Comanche Scott]

Old faithful?

What about a low mileage 2000-2001 F250, or a pre 2006 Dodge CTD?
If I remember right the Dodge had some transmission issues, and the Ford had some kind of an issue with the fuel filter housing, But the issues are well documented with "fixes".
If you could find one under 200K with good maintenance records, would that fit the bill for price and fuel economy?

Something like this would give you room to get a couple of dragon tatoos as well... Or you could tame the beast down a bit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Ford-F-250-LARIAT-/142234192689?forcerrptr=true&hash=item211dd18b31:g:FMQAAOSw-0xYbS1s&item=142234192689

On the Dodge side, maybe something like this more stock unit:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Dodge-Ram-2500-/162249034324?forcerrptr=true&hash=item25c6cbca54:g:ZGMAAOSwUEVYCnQm&item=162249034324

 

[jreilly2120]

Yeah, the campers will all be lightweight utility cap jobs. Most I'll tow is a horse trailer or a car occasionally. He's right about new diesels being in the 40k ballpark, used looks like even more expensive. The market is nuts right now.

With maintenance and fuel costs im considering mpg a wash, so I guess the debate is really whether the diesel will last so much longer that it's worth the extra 10k

 

[Comanche Scott]

"Want" is a good reason

The diesel market has been nuts for more than a decade.
The best reason to go diesel is the relaxed driving experience. On the freeway they just cruise so easily. it makes no fiscal sense to go diesel. But when you are putting on a lot of long distance miles every year, comfort can outweigh money.
I think you'll find everything about a diesel is more expensive. Routine Maintenance, Parts, etc..

As far as lasting longer, that is just the engine. You'll wear out things like the seats & controls long before the engine. Things like steering, brakes and suspension will wear faster on diesel compared to a gas rig.

So go diesel because it's what you "want" rather than "need".

 

[2025 deleted member]

Skip the diesel unless your pulling 10k plus trailers all the time. 3/4 ton I'd drive all the big 3 with gas motors and see which one you like best. For you budget and needs I'd probably get a chevy or gmc with the 6.0.

 

[p nut]

... so I guess the debate is really whether the diesel will last so much longer that it's worth the extra 10k

I don't think so. I've got family and friends in the construction industry. Most of them use gas 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. They ALL go 200k without a hiccup. That's both Ford and GM. They typically sell them at that point, as they've maximized depreciation. But 300-400k+ isn't unheard of. Not to say they won't have issues, but diesels don't carry a guaranty, either.

 

[jreilly2120]

Alright alright. I surrender. No diesel for me. Chevy vs Dodge 1/2 or 3/4 ton debate anyone? That Chevy mileage is pretty enticing but the Dodge.... Looks pretty.

 

[Comanche Scott]

When you walk out in the morning, and get a smile every time you see a vehicle, that is the right vehicle.

I haven't driven the new Chevy, but everything I've read, and all the videos I've seen, talk about how "car like" the Chevy is.
Then again the new Dodge interior in the Lariat is pretty awesome.
I'd go drive them both and see which is more comfortable for you. Chevy used to have a weird angle to the seat and steering wheel. It gave me a pain in the hip when driving for more than about 10 hours at a time. I saw that is now changed to more straight ahead.
I'd actually like to go drive one to compare with the new Dodge for myself.
All these new trucks are so darned amazing, it really makes a tough choice. That's really not such a bad thing.

 

[2025 deleted member]

How often are you driving more than 10 hours at a time???

 

[jreilly2120]

Yeah I think I'll have to drive them. I always mean to, I just never get around to it. And I hate going to dealerships. PlainjaneFJC I do 12-14 hours one direction, then back a few days later probably once or twice a month, plus 2-4 hour one way trips a few times a month. Live in the center of NC and spend a lot of time on the coast and back in New England.

 

[p nut]

The diesel market has been nuts for more than a decade.
The best reason to go diesel is the relaxed driving experience. On the freeway they just cruise so easily. it makes no fiscal sense to go diesel. But when you are putting on a lot of long distance miles every year, comfort can outweigh money.

This is all subjective, but I've not been in a modern day full-size truck that wasn't comfortable. 3/4 tons may ride rougher than 1/2 tons, and diesels had more cabin noise than gas, but they were all trucks I could drive all day in comfort. There were definite differences in seats, driving position/dynamics, etc. (in full disclosure, I am pretty tolerant and can be comfortable driving a Civic across country), but that has nothing to do with the type of engine.

 

[p nut]

Yeah I think I'll have to drive them. I always mean to, I just never get around to it. And I hate going to dealerships. PlainjaneFJC I do 12-14 hours one direction, then back a few days later probably once or twice a month, plus 2-4 hour one way trips a few times a month. Live in the center of NC and spend a lot of time on the coast and back in New England.

I grew up in East NC and loved to visit the coast. I miss the OBX--such a cool place.
_
One thought - Enterprise or other rental places have full size trucks. Mostly Ford's around me. You could always rent one and do an extended drive one weekend.