Buying my first Ram. All advice welcomed

[Senzapaura]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a new truck after an expensive three years with a 2008 Tacoma and I’m strongly leaning towards a Ram. I have a test drive scheduled with a 2019 classic V6 with less than 10k on it but I just came across a 2018 ecodiesel with less than 30k for nearly the same price. My question to the group is this: Would it be worth my while to consider the diesel? My understanding is that it’s expensive to maintain. Is that true? I’ll bullet point my situation below. Thank you for your time and consideration!

My daily commute is 50 miles round trip including 36 at highway speeds in Massachusetts.

I’m a home owner and my truck is the designated dump runner and/or leaf hauler for the family.

I’m not towing anything at the moment (the hitch on my Tacoma was unusable) but I do have a double axle cargo trailer and I’d like to have the flexibility to borrow a friend’s travel trailer from time to time.

Reliability is huge to me. This would be my only means of transportation.

The first photo is the 2019 and the other is the eco diesel. Thank you again!

 

[Dave2018]

WELCOME TO RAMFORUMS!

There were some issues with ecodiesels. The biggest one being chrysler cheated and got caught like VW did on not running the emissions system correctly.

I have the v6 gas engine. It really depends on where you are for performance and power. Trailer towing, light hauling or a grocery getter occassional towing or hauling. I wanted the best fuel economy the diesel gives it to you but for a rather large premium in acquisition cost.

 

[Quyonmob]

I’m 40mi each way to work and love my gas V6. Only thing I would change would be to get 3.55 gears.

 

[Senzapaura]

Thank you both for your replies.

 

[MAJ_Charlie]

Welcome to the RAMILY!

 

[Halligan]

I'm not an ecodiesel fan so I vote V-6 gas. I did notice between the two truck you posted pictures of one is a crew cab and the other a quad cab. Does cab size matter to you? How about bed size? It appears the crew cab has a 5 foot bed vs. the quad cab 6' 4" bed.

 

[Senzapaura]

I should mention that both trucks are under $30k. My concern is the unknown regarding the maintenance costs of a diesel and their performance in New England winters.

 

[Senzapaura]

Bed size is important (bigger is better) but I think I could live with 8” difference if it came down to it.

 

[Burla]

dyi fluid film

see the tests of two new trucks, one was fluid filmed and one wasn't, 4 years later one was dying of cancer one was like new.

 

[Burla]

 

[Senzapaura]

I plan on it! My father just did this on his F250

 

[CamperMike]

If you want reliability get the gas truck. There are issues with the diesel especially after the emissions update. The v6 is a solid motor and probably the most reliable in these trucks... But I do still love my hemi.

 

[tron67j]

I had the gas 6 at one time, loved it. As long as you are not towing much the setup is fine. But cargo trailer, depends on what you put in it and if you will wish you had at least 5.7. Which was my last Ram and had 16 great years with it (parents loving it now). I now have 6.4 2500, needed the extra. I will say I am glad I have crew cab now over the quad, just so much better for the family. For me I have 8 foot bed, but would not go less than 6.4. good luck and welcome to the family.

 

[CVX20]

I'd be leary of both these.Pretty low mileage on both to already be traded in.I'd be thinking they both has some issue the previous owner was sick of dealing with already.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

If you want reliability get the gas truck. There are issues with the diesel especially after the emissions update. The v6 is a solid motor and probably the most reliable in these trucks... But I do still love my hemi.

have heard many say do not buy a diesel truck after the 08 model year as that was the last year without all of the emissions crap.

 

[indept]

Welcome to the forum.
You spoke of 2 trailers, is the gas version rated to tow both weightwise? The diesel will tow more weight most likely but I've seen some ecodiesel owners say that the acceleration isn't very good for merging into traffic. Some have claimed that it's so bad that it's a safety issue. I've never driven one myself so I can't chime in 1st hand.

V6 gas owners seem to be very happy with their trucks. So if you're going to tow occasionally then get the gas version. As for the cab size I would never get the quad cab, I like the larger crew cab myself.

 

[rule18]

I'd be leary of both these.Pretty low mileage on both to already be traded in.I'd be thinking they both has some issue the previous owner was sick of dealing with already.

Not if they were lease returns. Also, ask how many owners trade in/up after only a few years, you'll be surprised.

 

[rule18]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a new truck after an expensive three years with a 2008 Tacoma and I’m strongly leaning towards a Ram. I have a test drive scheduled with a 2019 classic V6 with less than 10k on it but I just came across a 2018 ecodiesel with less than 30k for nearly the same price. My question to the group is this: Would it be worth my while to consider the diesel? My understanding is that it’s expensive to maintain. Is that true? I’ll bullet point my situation below. Thank you for your time and consideration!

My daily commute is 50 miles round trip including 36 at highway speeds in Massachusetts.

I’m a home owner and my truck is the designated dump runner and/or leaf hauler for the family.

I’m not towing anything at the moment (the hitch on my Tacoma was unusable) but I do have a double axle cargo trailer and I’d like to have the flexibility to borrow a friend’s travel trailer from time to time.

Reliability is huge to me. This would be my only means of transportation.

The first photo is the 2019 and the other is the eco diesel. Thank you again!

View attachment 229475

View attachment 229476

Welcome to RamForum. I've had the V6 for three years with no issues. I pull a two horse trailer from time to time with no problem (figure 4k lbs all in). I can't speak to the EcoD for myself, but a good friend has one and has had no issues. That said, I believe there are some known issues with particular model years.

 

[Travelin Ram]

I love diesels. However reliability and the Ecodiesel do not intersect.

I’ll suggest you also shop new trucks, buying a 1 or 2 year old you often pay just as much, considering new have incentives and low or zero finance.

 

[ChevySlayer69]

Go for the 2019