Dodge 3.0 EcoDiesel ???

[wildwest450]

Anyone? Just found out I can get one of these for basically for the same price as the GMC Canyon i'm looking to buy. I'm not going to lie, Dodge scares the crap out me, I've seen a few of my buddies have problems, but that's been a few years back.

Obviously they will tow more, but the mileage is supposed to be around 30 on the highway, that's mighty tempting. I drive around 40,000 miles a year, that would save a lot of money on fuel. I'm also aware of the DEF and it seems that it would cost around $300 per year, along with mighty expensive oil changes.

Any input?

[DesertRat]

DEF sure wouldn't run you any $300 a year. DEF is around $2.65 a gallon bulk at most truck stops. Mine used about 2.5 gallons towing last year out to So. Dakota & back. That was over 4000 miles. My diesel Passat uses that amount in 10,000 miles. Of course it gets over 40 mpg.
With diesel being cheaper than gas for close to a year now, it's what I would recommend. Have you looked for a 2-3 year old used diesel truck. They should be in that same price range.

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

DEF sure wouldn't run you any $300 a year. DEF is around $2.65 a gallon bulk at most truck stops. Mine used about 2.5 gallons towing last year out to So. Dakota & back. That was over 4000 miles. My diesel Passat uses that amount in 10,000 miles. Of course it gets over 40 mpg.
With diesel being cheaper than gas for close to a year now, it's what I would recommend. Have you looked for a 2-3 year old used diesel truck. They should be in that same price range.

I've read that the ecodiesels are thirsty on the stuff, and I was shooting a little high because It isn't readily available here in the sticks.
As far as used, these have only been out for just over a year...i'm also not looking for a 3/4 or 1 ton.
The reason i'm wanting new is that I have zero trust when it comes to vehicle maintenance by others.

[DesertRat]

2 1/2 gallons of DEF is around $12.00 at Walmart. I just keep the container & refill it at my local Flying J or T/A truck stop. That way I always have it with me.

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

2 1/2 gallons of DEF is around $12.00 at Walmart. I just keep the container & refill it at my local Flying J or T/A truck stop. That way I always have it with me.

Good to know. I'm assuming that it's universal and not truck brand specific?

[DesertRat]

Walmart & Home Depot has Blue DEF made by Peak for $11.98 for 2 1/2 gallons. I also know Sam's Club has it. You can buy brand specific at the dealer for more than twice the cost.
If you didn't know DEF stands for Diesel Exhaust Fluid.

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

Walmart & Home Depot has Blue DEF made by Peak for $11.98 for 2 1/2 gallons. I also know Sam's Club has it. You can buy brand specific at the dealer for more than twice the cost.
If you didn't know DEF stands for Diesel Exhaust Fluid.

I'm just learning some new diesel lingo, DEF sounds better than urea.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by dawniewest

I'm just learning some new diesel lingo, DEF sounds better than urea.

Yes it is Urea but not the same stuff they use as a liquid fertilizer.
Reason I know this stuff is I work at a tractor dealership. We sell Kubota & New Hollands.
I'm not in sales, I'm the Service Manager. Most all that are over 100 hp require DEF now.

[ewarnerusa]

Comments I've read on the Ecodiesel are that they have very low payload ratings. When towing a camper, payload is always the first capacity to get popped for light duty trucks. So while the Ecodiesel has many attractive features, its low payload capacity makes it less than ideal for an RV tow vehicle. It makes sense that Dodge is offering the Ecodiesel aimed specifically at the light duty truck owner who wants excellent fuel economy, but they don't want to compete with their own heavy duty trucks for customers whose needs will land them there.

Nissan is coming out with a Cummins engine for their Titan and that looks interesting to me. They don't offer a heavy duty pickup, so they will be designing the diesel Titan as a heavier duty light duty truck. Perfect for those of us who don't necessarily need or want a heavy duty truck but need something stouter than a light duty one.

[wildwest450]

The payload is 1530lbs which isn't class leading, but more than enough for what i'm doing.


.

[ewarnerusa]

That sounds pretty high for what I've read on them, is that the actual number from the sticker on the door pillar? I only know what I've read on forums, I haven't shopped for one although they do pique my interest. I'm one of those who needs a little more truck than the light duty one I'm driving now, but not a lot. And I'm pro diesel after buying a new VW Passat TDI!

[DesertRat]

The new Titan looks nice. If it's as good as it looks it's going to sell. Fits a need that no other brand has now. My son is interested in it. He has a Ford 2002 F-250 ext. cab 7.3 diesel he tows his 5th wheel with. GVWR of the trailer is 9.5k
The New 2016 Nissan Titan | Nissan USA

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by ewarnerusa

That sounds pretty high for what I've read on them, is that the actual number from the sticker on the door pillar? I only know what I've read on forums, I haven't shopped for one although they do pique my interest. I'm one of those who needs a little more truck than the light duty one I'm driving now, but not a lot. And I'm pro diesel after buying a new VW Passat TDI!

That's off their website and confirmed from a dealer. I will say that number is for the regular cab long bed 2wd, the big crewcab 4wds may go down a bit.

[Alsdas88]

That 3.0 Diesel they are using is a transplant from the Jeep Cherokee offering. I am not sure of the manufacturer source of that engine, but heard some serious exasperation of an owner of one of those trucks at the dealer when he got handed the bill for his first oil change.

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by Alsdas88

That 3.0 Diesel they are using is a transplant from the Jeep Cherokee offering. I am not sure of the manufacturer source of that engine, but heard some serious exasperation of an owner of one of those trucks at the dealer when he got handed the bill for his first oil change.

Like $250+ for one. I was in the process of signing the papers on one when the salesman was called away from his desk, he came back looking like his dog had just died, a national stop sale was in effect for accidental side curtain air bag deployment.

I bought A Chevy Colorado 3 days later, couldn't be happier.

[ewarnerusa]

Any input on how they justify $250 for an oil change? Many more quarts? Lots of DEF to top off? Additional inspections due to it being the first oil change?

[DesertRat]

That 3.0 diesel is made by VM which is from Italy. Had a VM diesel in my 05 Jeep Liberty.
It was a nice running vehicle until my daughter got run off the road and totalled it.

[hddecker]

Apparently Ford is finally going to be put a small diesel in the F150.

It's only about 12-13 years since they announced it, I guess Ram must be taking some of the market share with their 1500 diesel.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by hddecker

Apparently Ford is finally going to be put a small diesel in the F150.

It's only about 12-13 years since they announced it, I guess Ram must be taking some of the market share with their 1500 diesel.

I want a Ranger crew cab with diesel! They have been making them for years, just not for the US/CN market. I had an Isuzu Pup diesel back in the day. Helluva great little truck.

Aaron

[DesertRat]

Back in the early 90's I went to the Ford Proving grounds in Az. They had a ranger with a diesel engine in it back then. Also saw a Expedition with a V-6 diesel. It was their 7.3 with two cylinders cut off. Ford does have a 3.3l diesel they put in their new Transport van.

I think Ford will stick with their Ecoboost engines for the F-150. Need to move up to a 250 or larger to get a diesel. I love my 6.7l diesel F-350

If looking for a 1/2 ton diesel I'd pick the new Nissan Titan