Should I buy a new 6.4 Hemi

[jperry1290]

Been looking to buy a nice used truck for about 6mos. I can't find any decent deals on dealership or private party trucks, everyone want way too much and trucks have too many miles.

Was looking at the 2016 2500 gasser with either the 5.7 or 6.4. I tow 8000lbs 1-2 a year and only drive about 5k miles total a year. I found a few chrome package tradesmans in northern CA for 3200 4 door cab 4wd 6.4 short bed. I don't care for bells and whistles or leather, just want a good truck. I am having a hard time swallowing the 400/mo payment but I can easily afford it. Just not sure if new is worth the money for what I use it for.

 

[drittal]

Welcome.

6.4 will tow 8,000lbs without much ado.

If MPG and empty ride is important I wouldn't rule out a 1500 with the right options.

 

[Jerry1984]

If you only tow it once or twice a year I agree to look into a half ton that's properly equipped. 8 speed, 3.92s and add bags or stiffer coils if needed. Then you can enjoy the truck more the other 99% of the time.

 

[jperry1290]

Forgot to mention that I will be towing up steeps grades in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The 2500 isn't much more than 1500s. Rather have too much power etc.

 

[drittal]

8 spd behind 5.7 hemi with 3.92 will tow 8k as well as 6.4l because of the gearing. If you don't need the extra payload of a 2500, or crew cab with long box option, a 2500 6.4 may not be the best option.

 

[KarL45]

I would agree that towing only 8k, the 1500 and 3.92's would do the job. Again, if you were to want to tow larger in a couple of years you would be at max with a 1500. Also wonder if Ram is planning to do anything different in the 2017 model with the 6.4 as far as transmission and or available gearing. Was hoping in the future that an 8 speed would be available behind the 6.4. At least the AISIN. Ether sure would be a huge improvement.

 

[CMil527]

the 1500 seems to suit your needs and will be easier on the wallet!

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

I would agree that towing only 8k, the 1500 and 3.92's would do the job. Again, if you were to want to tow larger in a couple of years you would be at max with a 1500. Also wonder if Ram is planning to do anything different in the 2017 model with the 6.4 as far as transmission and or available gearing. Was hoping in the future that an 8 speed would be available behind the 6.4. At least the AISIN. Ether sure would be a huge improvement.

If the 8 speed winds up in the HD's I'll be on my way down to the dealership........heck, in the HD's, I'd take a 5.7/8speed combo over the 6.4/6 speed in a heartbeat!

 

[reek]

I went from a 2014 1500 4x4 QC 5.7 with a 6 speed to a 2015 2500 6.4 4x4 CC. I'd have to agree with most who already stated the 1500 is probably a better bet for you. if you only tow 1-2 times a year, you'll enjoy the 1500 much more. I added the Tuftruck stiffer rear coils to my 1500 and even with the 6 speed it did ok towing about 6000 - 8000 lbs about twice a month. But with the frequency I tow, I wanted something more substantial and the 2500 definitely feels more secure. when driving empty, I miss the 1500, the 2500 is heavy and will beat you up on occassion. If I was only towing 1-2 a year, I'd have kept the 1500, even with the 6 speed.

 

[Skrap]

I'll be the guy that says to get the 2500. If you go 2500 I would go with the 6.4 over the 5.7. You will get better performance for what you do with a 3/4 ton truck over the 5.7 and for me whenever I decide to sell mine and get another new one I'd much rather be marketing the 6.4. Will buyers really want to buy a 3/4 ton with a 5.7 gasser in 5 or 10 years? I'd say very few.

What are you towing that's 8000 lbs a couple times a year? If a travel trailer is there a chance you may end up going bigger? Also, a travel trailer that is 8K and maybe up to 30+ feet may tow quite a bit different than an 8k lb utility trailer. Just food of thought.

 

[Dodgetk81]

I was looking at barely used trucks for about 3 months. I ended up with a new 15. By the time you get the rebates and negotiate, you are pretty close in price. I was shopping for a 6.4 2500. The 5.7 was not an option for me.

 

[jperry1290]

Trailer is a car trailer with lifted 70 Bronco and spare parts. Plus all camping gear and 2 adults and 2 kids. So I guess total weight is around 8000lbs, trailer and bronco around 7000.

 

[mtofell]

Trailer is a car trailer with lifted 70 Bronco and spare parts. Plus all camping gear and 2 adults and 2 kids. So I guess total weight is around 8000lbs, trailer and bronco around 7000.

That's a lot of weight for a 1/2 ton so you're on a good track looking at a 2500. But, it is doable with a capable, properly equipped 1500. It's a really tough situation as HD trucks are not nearly as comfortable of a daily driver as half-tons. You hate to be bounced around with a stiff ride 363 days a year just so you can tow nicely for 2 days.

One thing to keep in mind is you mentioned power - the 5.7 Hemi is a very capable engine and when towing you would be hard pressed to tell the difference with the 6.4. Where the HD truck shines is with the stiff suspension, bigger brakes, etc, etc.

I daily drive a 6.4 Hemi and have largely gotten use to the bounce. But I certainly do miss the smooth ride of my old 1/2 tons.

 

[Riccochet]

I'd look at the 2500. You'll be beyond payload capacity on a 1500 with 2 adults, 2 kids, gear, full tank of fuel and 800-900 lbs tongue weight.

 

[chris1965]

I was looking at barely used trucks for about 3 months. I ended up with a new 15. By the time you get the rebates and negotiate, you are pretty close in price. I was shopping for a 6.4 2500. The 5.7 was not an option for me.

I can not agree with the price factor. I was now also almost 6 months on search and I also weight all my options- from 1500 quad cab to 2500 6.4L new and used I went through all possibilities.
A brand new blank 2500 with 5.7L engine and plastic floor cost at least $35000 + tax and fees, adding up to $37-38000. And we are talking about a base model here. No extra farts. If you get a deal on a 6.4L, you'll be around $40K + tax and fees. a 1500 is $10K cheaper.
Used- if you find something feasible, mostly they where work trucks and look like those- you will never get rid of the dirt inside and out. bed has dents, dings and scratches and if you're lucky, you find one below 50000 miles, which blows the price up again.
I also checked the prices for the 1500 and my has to was the tow package with brake controller. this limits the variety significantly. New you also end up all inclusive at least at $35K and I did not want to spend that kind of money.
I finally found a crew cab with 6.4' bed (the bed was another requirement) for good piece below $30k incl. tax and fees.
Another reason why it was a 1500 at the end was, that I drive a lot and the gas mileage of a 2500 is around 15-17mpg empty. the 1500 gives me 21-22mpg on highway and also the maintenance and cost are way lower in a 1500.
When I also see the capabilities of a 1500, especially with the 8-gear transmission, if I would just pull the weight twice a year, I'd go with a 1500. because the 1500 has more every-day driving qualities than the 2500.
If the load is bigger, well- than it's not a question. but my trailer has 6000lbs and we're planning next year a new one and it will be probably 1000lbs more. I'm confident, the 1500 will tow this one, too then.
What you do is your business- at the end it will be, what you like and what you are happy with.

 

[firemedic10584]

I did this exact thing. Go for the 1500. I bought a 2015 2500 with the 6.4. MPG was horrible. I went back down to a 1500 with the 8 speed and love it! Get about 15-16 MPG in the city and I forgot how fast this 5.7 was. I pull my 5500 pound boat just fine with my 1500 truck.

 

[Hootbro]

I did this exact thing. Go for the 1500. I bought a 2015 2500 with the 6.4. MPG was horrible. I went back down to a 1500 with the 8 speed and love it! Get about 15-16 MPG in the city and I forgot how fast this 5.7 was. I pull my 5500 pound boat just fine with my 1500 truck.

If gas mileage was a big factor for you, why get the 6.4 in the first place? Must have been some creative math in the deal to trade that quickly back to a 1500 5.7 and not loose a **** ton of money that probably would have bought a lot of gas for the 6.4.

 

[reek]

still don't understand all this gas mileage talk and concern. it's a truck

 

[drittal]

And we are talking about a base model here. No extra farts. If you get a deal on a 6.4L, you'll be around $40K + tax and fees. a 1500 is $10K cheaper.

I can say I got my 2015 2500 6.4 4x4 Crew Cab Bighorn new for 40,500 before T&F. Not a base model. Last May with only 2500 rebates.

Truecar says you should pay 36,508 for a 2500 tradseman with no frills, 6.4, C.C. ,SB, 4x4.

1500 with same except 5.7, 3.92 and 8sp is roughly same exact Truecar price.

 

[reek]

I can say I got my 2015 2500 6.4 4x4 Crew Cab Bighorn new for 40,500 before T&F. Not a base model. Last May with only 2500 rebates.

Truecar says you should pay 36,508 for a 2500 tradseman with no frills, 6.4, C.C. ,SB, 4x4.

1500 with same except 5.7, 3.92 and 8sp is roughly same exact Truecar price.

that's why I went to dennis Dillon. about 38000 +TTL for a 2500 4x4 6.4 with 4.10 rear end SLT/big horn. around here (sacramento), a tradesman 4x4 with not much added to it ran 36000 -38000 +TTL. of course, you have to put a value on a day of driving, for me, in laws live down the street from Dillon so was not a wasted trip.