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Do Diesel Pickups Make Financial Sense?

redriderbob

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Do Diesel Pickups Make Financial Sense?
Posted by Mark Williams | August 12, 2018


Automotive research firm Vincentric has released its latest study, this time focused on whether a diesel engine for vehicles makes monetary sense.

Of the 419 models available in the U.S. with a diesel engine option, Vincentric found just 76 had a lower cost of ownership than their gasoline counterparts. Vincentric's statistical analysis assumed the vehicle was owned for five years and was driven 15,000 miles annually. It then used eight cost factors — depreciation, taxes and fees, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost and repairs — to measure total cost of ownership.

The study divided 2018 diesel vehicles into four categories: passenger cars (23 diesels), SUVs/crossovers (22), pickup trucks (324) and vans (50). Of these four categories, vans — compact, full-size, passenger and cargo — equipped with diesel engines stood out in the study as strong values. Buying the diesel engine made financial sense in 49 of the 50 models. As you might expect, these evaluations are dependent on the cost of the diesel engines along with maintenance costs over five years. According to Vincentric, diesel van engines cost an extra $1,700 compared to gas options, and they cost an extra $540 annually in maintenance fees over gasoline engines.

Before we get to how pickups performed in this study, here are the top three performers in the non-pickup categories.

Passenger Cars
  • Jaguar XE 20d R-Sport
  • BMW 328i xDrive
  • Jaguar XF 20d R-Sport
SUVs/Crossovers
  • BMW X5 XDrive35d
  • Land Rover Discover SE
  • Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
Vans
  • Chevrolet Express G3500 cargo short wheelbase
  • GMC Savana 3500 cargo SWB
  • GMC Savana G3500 wagon SWB
As to pickups, not a single truck met the study criteria for being cost effective when equipped with a diesel engine. Today's high fuel costs combined with price premiums for diesel engines and heavy-duty transmission options meant Vincentric did not find a diesel pickup configuration that had a lower total cost of ownership than the gas version. However, we do have Vincentric's list of the top 10 pickups that almost make monetary sense as diesels when compared to their gas counterparts. We should note that there several averages built into a study like this and if diesel fuel prices drop, gasoline prices rise or diesel engine prices come down, the list could be dramatically different.

We also should note that, on average, the cost of diesel fuel across the nation is less than gasoline, so it's the cost of purchasing the diesel engine and the higher maintenance expenses that keep diesel pickups from making monetary sense. If studies like this covered a time-span of 10 or 20 years (meaning 150,000 or 300,000 miles on the odometer), diesel options would far outweigh their gasoline counterparts in terms of savings.

Here are the 10 pickups for which diesel engines come close to matching the costs of gas engines, according to Vincentric.

Pickup: Diesel Cost/Gas Cost
  1. Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn crew cab 4x4 long wheelbase: $66,310/$65,399
  2. Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4: $61,636/$60,465
  3. Ram 3500 SLT Mega Cab 4x4: $60,214/$58,756
  4. Ram 3500 Tradesman crew cab 4x4 SWB: $54,202/$52,741
  5. Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn crew cab 4x4 LWB: $63,858/$62,140
  6. Ram 2500 Laramie crew cab 4x4 SWB: $59,383/$57,638
  7. Nissan Titan XD SV crew cab 4x4: $48,869/$47,060
  8. Ram 2500 SLT crew cab 4x4 LWB: $56,826/$54,858
  9. Ram 2500 Tradesman crew cab 4x4 LWB: $52,921/$50,936
  10. Ford F-350 XLT SuperCab 4x4 LWB single rear wheel: $61,456/$59,447
Cars.com photos by Mark Williams





http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2018/08/do-diesel-pickups-make-financial-sense.html
 

Ryan

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Unless you are going to be pulling very heavy loads constantly, no they aren’t worth it IMO. People in my area buy diesel trucks because they think it’s cool to own a huge truck, not because they need them. Ridiculous.
 

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Exactly why my 2013 Cummins is gone and a 6.4l hemi will be replacing it very soon.

Just can't justify it. I will be towing at the 10000lb mark at best, payload is more important, and the shorter trips I do warrent me making the switch.

Cool article though
 

Jared B

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I gotta agree with @Ryan here. To be completely open I was looking at a 2018 Ram 3500 with the HO Cummins and Aisin trans awhile back and considering it. Cummins equipped Rams are appealing as they have insane resale value and they are nice to drive with that boat load of torque.

On the flip side modern diesels are hampered by all the new emissions requirements that have killed 2 things, reliability and fuel economy. Due to all the newer emissions standards diesels have to be worked hard, if you are just driving around using them as a commuter a lot of issues seem to start popping up and this is true of all brands. A good friend of mine is a red seal heavy duty mechanic and has been in the trade for about 15 years. 99% of what he works on are of course diesels and he was just saying the other day that for personal use he wouldn't go near a modern diesel unless you are actually going to work it or delete the emissions stuff with 1) Is illegal, 2) Expensive and 3) Voids your warranty.

Diesels are appealing but generally unless you plan on working it, it's better to stick with a gas motor.
 

Ryan

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Exactly why my 2013 Cummins is gone and a 6.4l hemi will be replacing it very soon.

Just can't justify it. I will be towing at the 10000lb mark at best, payload is more important, and the shorter trips I do warrent me making the switch.

Cool article though
Payload not enough in a 1500?
 

Ryan

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I gotta agree with @Ryan here. To be completely open I was looking at a 2018 Ram 3500 with the HO Cummins and Aisin trans awhile back and considering it. Cummins equipped Rams are appealing as they have insane resale value and they are nice to drive with that boat load of torque.

On the flip side modern diesels are hampered by all the new emissions requirements that have killed 2 things, reliability and fuel economy. Due to all the newer emissions standards diesels have to be worked hard, if you are just driving around using them as a commuter a lot of issues seem to start popping up and this is true of all brands. A good friend of mine is a red seal heavy duty mechanic and has been in the trade for about 15 years. 99% of what he works on are of course diesels and he was just saying the other day that for personal use he wouldn't go near a modern diesel unless you are actually going to work it or delete the emissions stuff with 1) Is illegal, 2) Expensive and 3) Voids your warranty.

Diesels are appealing but generally unless you plan on working it, it's better to stick with a gas motor.
In general, I view diesel as an antiquated technology. That may or may not be reality, but it is my perception. And deleting makes them more polluting, rough, and loud than they already are.
 

Jared B

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And deleting makes them more polluting, rough, and loud than they already are.

Absolutely true and not something I personally would ever do.

I used to share the same thoughts as you about Diesels being antiquated. I thought they were rough, noisy and basically not appealing at all. That is until I drove some modern diesels, I found them to be quite smooth and enjoyable to drive. That said I still wouldn't buy one for the reasons I mentioned above. They also have much higher maintenance costs than a gasser.
 

Ryan

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Absolutely true and not something I personally would ever do.

I used to share the same thoughts as you about Diesels being antiquated. I thought they were rough, noisy and basically not appealing at all. That is until I drove some modern diesels, I found them to be quite smooth and enjoyable to drive. That said I still wouldn't buy one for the reasons I mentioned above. They also have much higher maintenance costs than a gasser.
Another interesting article would be a 1500 vs HD gas article. I might write something on that topic when I get my computer back.
 

devildodge

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Another interesting article would be a 1500 vs HD gas article. I might write something on that topic when I get my computer back.
Over at 5th Gens I have an ongoing debate with myself about this. The 1500 is real close, but at huge compromise, the 25OO has room to spare. I do not advise nor agree with people who work their truck at limits.

I use my trucks all the time. 1500 just can't compete...although I am trying very hard to convince myself that a 2019 Rebel will work.;)
 

Ryan

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Over at 5th Gens I have an ongoing debate with myself about this. The 1500 is real close, but at huge compromise, the 25OO has room to spare. I do not advise nor agree with people who work their truck at limits.

I use my trucks all the time. 1500 just can't compete...although I am trying very hard to convince myself that a 2019 Rebel will work.;)
I think in a lot of situations, people don’t need more than a 1500. Not saying that it’s true of you - you don’t sound like the average customer!

We just got a 2019 Rebel in. Haven’t got to look at it in depth yet though.
 

devildodge

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I think in a lot of situations, people don’t need more than a 1500. Not saying that it’s true of you - you don’t sound like the average customer!

We just got a 2019 Rebel in. Haven’t got to look at it in depth yet though.
I think you are very correct. If you get a chance check this out

https://5thgenrams.com/community/th...et-my-needs-or-am-i-waiting-for-the-2500.437/

https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/please-post-your-tire-and-loading-sticker.374/page-5
 

devildodge

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Like @Jared B current truck and a 5thGenRams member with a 2019 limited...payload is only 1252 and 1270 for payload.

I weigh 285lbs. So down to under 1000. My family consists of 4 other people, my wife, 17 year old daughter and 2 still growing daily, 12 year old daughter and 5 year old son.
Our 200lb St.Bernard passed away, but we miss him greatly so possibly another friend someday.

Our current avg passenger weight is 117lbs. My son has gained height and weight since I posted that and between his sister and him probably 25 more lbs.

So passenger weight is 585lbs...so family in we have 685 lbs left. Our current camper has a tongue weight of 600ish...so less than 85 pounds yet.

Not much left...and we are getting a bigger camper.

My dilemma...even with the 1603 lbs that the Rebel had at truck nationals, not enough. Unfortunately
 

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