V6 8 Spd vs 5.7 6 Spd MPG...Is Dealer BS ing Me? Help!

[ExpressRules]

My 5.7 crew cab 6 speed with a 3:55 gets between 18 and 19 mpg in mixed. On the highway doing averaging 65 to 75 mph I get just over 21 mpg. I actually think the Hemi mileage is great.

Drive both and I bet you end up with the Hemi!!!

 

[Hemi395]

^^This

 

[cdhd2001]

Commuting my 12 sbrc express hemi 6-speed 3.55 has never gotten better than 18 mpg. Normally avgs 16 mpg. Hand calc, no mpg computer.

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[Esgordon123]

Yes I have the Hemi and the 3.21 gear ratio. I have gotten 23 mpg at 75 on the interstate going thru ga and South Carolina.


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[JasonK94Z]

At 60 yrs old, no towing or heavy hauling, get the v6. You'll appreciate the fuel economy, and it will have plenty of power for you and your wife around town.

Try to find a truck with the regular sized bed. Your wife will thank you when backing out if parking spots, etc. the ride is the same.

Sorry to mention your age. It's just everyone here assumes you'll be drag racing, off roading, or hauling the Empire State Building behind ya.

PS- I have a quad cab 4x4 with the hemi and 6 sp. in town I got 13 mpg and on the interstate at 70 mph I got 17 mpg.

 

[csuder99]

I'm not quite 60 yet but I agree with Jason above. With infrequent towing or hauling the current V6 does pretty well. With a 0-60 in the low 8s (some magazine test claimed high 7s) it is still faster than a lot of current economy sedans (Corrolla e.g.) or even many 80s or 90s sporty compacts. Check here http://www.autosnout.com/Cars-0-60mph-List.php in the 8-9s range.

My V6 quad cab 4x4 with 3.55 gearing gets 20+ MPG in mixed driving, 22-23 MPG on the Interstate at California speeds (eighty-cough... . Don't have any real city driving around here, I've seen it around 19 MPG if I don't get out of town for a week.

 

[GreenClassic]

Why not try to find one with the hemi and an 8-speed? From what I've seen on here, the 8-speed is a nice improvement from the 6-speed.

 

[gunner1374]

If everyone had this philosophy trucks would still be getting 12 miles per gallon.

And truck lovers, like me, would still own one!!! You don't buy a truck for mileage. Everyone knows that!

 

[2015er]

If pickup manufacturers want to keep their base market group - the hard working guy who needs his truck - they'll keep their focus on the mileage issue. The hard working guy cannot afford to pour his paycheck into the fuel tank of his truck every week.

 

[gunner1374]

If pickup manufacturers want to keep their base market group - the hard working guy who needs his truck - they'll keep their focus on the mileage issue. The hard working guy cannot afford to pour his paycheck into the fuel tank of his truck every week.

Exactly why I bought a Hemi instead of an SRT10. If you can't afford the gas in a truck, lose the truck or find a better job haha.

 

[loveracing1988]

Exactly why I bought a Hemi instead of an SRT10. If you can't afford the gas in a truck, lose the truck or find a better job haha.

Or the auto companies can make a truck that gets good mileage while also having good power, which they are starting to do. Even if I get a better job or make a million dollars per year from lottery winnings it doesn't make a difference. There should be some sort of progress shown for mileage, which there is now.

 

[smiley]

I must say also consider resale. Any loss in mileage you had with Hemi would be gained back should you ever sell. I like the Pentastar but sales seem to be by far in favor of the Hemi. It is iconic and just sells better. If it were me in your shoes I would find an 8 speed someone will deal on. The 8 speed has changed the game in the 1500's and with the Hemi just makes it a great combo. If you don't have your heart set on a regular cab I would suggest a quad or larger because you will appreciate can space more than bed space unless hauling a lot of plywood or an ATV all the time. You could wait a little longer to get a screaming deal on a end of year one with better setup and I think you would be happier.


$miley

 

[dRAMbuie]

Completely agree with smiley.
Definitely get the Hemi and try to get an 8spd if you can.
Better built tranny, better mileage, and unlike someone else said, my MSDS regularly kicks into Eco at highway speeds.
I've even seen it kick in a few times with my trailer hooked up on very flat ground.

Much better engine/transmission combo if you ask me.

 

[smiley]

I wish I had the 8 speed I had to go up to 4.56 gears to enjoy the 5 speed. The 6 speed is basically identical with some programming changes. It is good in my opinion to insist on what you want. Tell the dealer and they will find one for a dealer trade or lose the sale.


$miley

 

[NYCruiser]

I have the hemi with 6 speed in a 4x4 crew cab amd 3.55 gears. I get about 15mpg commuting to work. I took a 160mile road trip last weekend all highway and the evic said I was getting about 21mpg for the trip. I also made the entire trip, almost 400 miles, without stopping for fuel until I got home.

Dealer recently lent me a hemi 8 speed while my truck was in the shop. It was different, but not so much better that I'm not happy having the 6 speed. It took some time, but the 6 speed seems to have adapted to me and works fine.

Don't get the v6 IMO.

 

[Typetwelve]

I have the hemi with 6 speed in a 4x4 crew cab amd 3.55 gears. I get about 15mpg commuting to work. I took a 160mile road trip last weekend all highway and the evic said I was getting about 21mpg for the trip. I also made the entire trip, almost 400 miles, without stopping for fuel until I got home.

Dealer recently lent me a hemi 8 speed while my truck was in the shop. It was different, but not so much better that I'm not happy having the 6 speed. It took some time, but the 6 speed seems to have adapted to me and works fine.

Don't get the v6 IMO.

I'd say the same thing...

I've had many auto trans vehicles over the years and some are good...some not so good. A few have been extremely "dumb" with that "always looking for the right gear but never finding it" performance.

I have a '14 6-speed-5.7-3.55 combo and I'm perfectly happy with it. It always finds a home, shifts well when I need it to and doesn't do the "looking for gear" thing some do. I can't complain.

 

[dRAMbuie]

There is another thread that covers mileage with the Hemi as well...
http://www.ramforum.com/showthread.php?t=52967

I've posted pics in there before of my EVIC to show the mileage I'm getting with the hemi and 8spd (3:92 rear end).
Check it out if you think the info might help with your decision.

 

[Hemi395]

I've always been impressed with the Hemi fuel economy. My father had a 78 Suburban when I was a kid. Carbureted 350, 4 speed auto, with 3.73 rear. It got 8mpg city, 11-12 highway on a good day. It maybe had 170hp and 275ft/lbs. These Hemis have 395hp and 410ft/lbs and they get the mileage they do. Truck fuel economy has come a long way.

 

[loveracing1988]

I've always been impressed with the Hemi fuel economy. My father had a 78 Suburban when I was a kid. Carbureted 350, 4 speed auto, with 3.73 rear. It got 8mpg city, 11-12 highway on a good day. It maybe had 170hp and 275ft/lbs. These Hemis have 395hp and 410ft/lbs and they get the mileage they do. Truck fuel economy has come a long way.

That would have been a 3 speed. 1982 was the first year for the 700r4.

 

[Hemi395]

That would have been a 3 speed. 1982 was the first year for the 700r4.

That's right