I was reviewing my expenses for our automobiles for the previous year in Microsoft Money. I put on 15000 miles on the Silverado over the previous year and I spent $1700 on maintenance which includes oil changes every 3000 miles and maintenance on the Allison transmission. Fuel expenses were $1500. Very interesting since I am retired and no one is rolling up to my door with a wheel barrel full of money every month especially on a military pension. My wife's Honda, a 6 year old CR-V: we spent $780 for fuel and $325 on maintenance and she did 30000 miles. I question the validity of my purchase of this diesel with the exception of its exceptional towing. I also have to add, that after owning 3 Dodge Cummins diesel trucks, I did not spend this kind of money on maintenance. I should point out that these Cummins were a 98, 00, and 01 models without the enhancements that are on the diesels of today. Just a side note: I have had this Silverado into the Dealer for warranty work to repair the towing mirrors, replace the tailgate straps, replace the steering shaft, and replace the gear box. I did not have to do one repair, car or engine on the Dodge's. If I were going to buy a new vehicle today, I would look for an older Cummins, have it revamped by Cummins for 2K and get a 100k warrantee on it. And by the way, this engine can be modified many different ways without ill effect. Considering all of the reporting about injector failures on this and other web sites for the Duramax, it still seems that GM has a long way to go to build a good diesel engine and a just plain good truck. And, it seems that Cummins is killing a good engine with it's most recent changes. Toyota is coming out with a new Diesel Truck in 07 and Honda is introducing a half ton this year. Think I will buy a Honda.

Oil change every 3k is excessive..$$$

Allison maint? What maint? I have close to 50k on mine and have changed the spin on filter every 10k, that’s it. At 50k I will do a fluid & both filter change.

Sorry, I don’t believe you about your Dodges, I know too many Dodge/Cummings owners who love their Cummings motors but hate the truck, especially those with automatics behind the Cummings.
Your comparing a Honda Civic to a ¾ ton Duramax/Allison………….sounds like you deserve a Honda truck.

For a brief moment I was tempted to comment on your post veryolddog. Later! Frank

me too frank, then thought about the comparison and how my utility trailer and fifth wheel would look behind a civic and thought, no........:blahblah:

Well there is such a thing as over maintenance and you could easily double your oil change interval to 6000 miles. Filters will be more money for your current truck than the cummins based Dodges as well. Its not valid to compare fuel consumption to a CRV IMHO apples and oranges. I am also not completely sold on the cost to benefit ratio of a diesel powered trucks especially in light of the recent upward trend in my area of the cost of fuel to that equal of regular unleaded. There are cases that can be made stricktly on duty cycle and the application in favour of a diesel but they are becoming fewer and fewer. For the most part it boils down to preference.

I'm curious what was included in the $1700 for maintenance. I trie some math (hard to do) but got:

15k miles = 5 oil change at 3k for Filter $12 and oil $25 = $185
5 Tranny filters $12 + 2 quarts fluid $25 = $75

What other service did you have done? Not criticizing, trying to figure if I missed something. My truck went 22k miles last year. 4 oil filters (every 5k) and 2 oil changes (Synthetic) was $148
Tranny filter every 5 k and fluid top off was $73
Fuel Filter x 2 = $60

Windshield washer fluid is the only other thing I had to add to the truck. Oh wait - Edge with Attitude and all the other goodies!

Have you seen the new honda truck. Its freeking ugly. I mean come on I s~~t something last night that looked better than it. It only has something like 250 hp, and probally like 31 ft/lbs of torque. If you wanted fuel economy you should have got a moped. Its a sad day in america when a grown man wants to trade his big v-8 diesel for a rice eating p~~sy mobile.

i love the duramax i tow all the time from mass to upper parts of new england and iget better milage than ford or dodge ever though of getting and the duramax pulls better

I'm tempted, but won't say a thing.

Whatever. You'll find most Dodge truck owners don't hate their trucks just like GM and Ford owners don't hate theirs.... I said most. But you will find GM owners saying Dodges are junk and Ford owners saying GM's are junk blah blah

old dog.... I wish more on this site had the balls to just say what was on their mind that wasn't just ... "this is the greatest truck on earth and everything else is junk" You mirror my thoughts and experience with the simplicity of the Dodge.

Here's the Honda. Nice feature is there is a trunk UNDER the bed floor that also holds the spare. It's nice if you need to transport things and keep them dry but obviously you can't get to it if stuffs in the bed.

I took these shots at the car show the other day...

Very Old Dog,

Why do you figure that fuel is a maintance expense? The way I look at, it you only spent $200 for maintance, that's not bad.

Even if a cummins got 2 mpg better than the duramax, you would only safe about $150 on fuel ( at $2 per gallon.) I feel the GM is a better product than the dodge, and the $150 is worth driving a chevrolet.

It cost $1110 more in fuel to drive your Duramax vs the CR-V. Again the $1110 is well worth driving an awesome truck rather than a CR-V. You can do alot more with your truck, try loading 2000lbs of stone, sand, etc. in the back of your CR-V.

As far as the warranty work on your truck, yeah that sucks, but Censored happens. Go trade in the Duramax, you will lose on depreciation, lose on buying another truck (dealer profit), lose on the $2000 revamp, and then you will lose on a used truck, plus it's a dodge. If your real complaint is about gas mileage, go buy a rice burner.

The Honda will make an excellent choice if you only care to tow 5000 lbs. and don't have anything to put in the bed other than a couple of sandbags.

I chnaged my oil 3 times last year due to it brand being new and I spent ~$25.00 per oil change.

I changed the gear lube to Mobil 1 in both front and rear and that was $42.00.

I had the tranny flushed and fluid replace with Transynd by the dealer for $278.00.

I put New Rancho RSX9000 shocks on because I wanted to for $248.00.

I put on a Secondary Fuel Filter from Greg for ~$210.00

I put on a Fumoto valve for ~$22.00.

I put on a Pyro and boost guage from JK for ~$240.00

And, I dumped about $824.00 worth of fuel into it for the year. (I didn't drive much) and towed for about 2600 of the 7625 miles I put on the truck in 2004.

I spent $1040.00 in captial expenditures for the truck. I didn't have to spend that, it was just wise to do so. Had I had any other truck I probably would have spent a similar amount.

I spent $75.00 on what I call routine maintenance, (oil changes). That will probably be what the annual Oil cost will be for me when I shift to Synth.

I spent $824.00 in fuel which is a function of price and usage. This I classify as "The cost of owning a big truck to pull my trailer which costs me $200.00 a month whether I actually use it or not." Vacation time is costly.

Now I can pro-rate everything for the life of the truck in the capital expenditures with the exception of the tranny fluid change. That's good for 50K miles, which at my useage rate will be in ~7 years.

I expect to to spend about $175.00 a year in Routine maintenance items, (Oil and Filters all around). Obiviously, it would be more if I drove it more often. But I think I'm more than conservative enough.

That's not too bad in my book.

Oh yea, and the $800.00/yr in Insurance so that if a bonehead hits me, sometime in the future when I can have the baby fixed without a Home equity loan.

Otherwise, I would not have bought the truck, trailer, and poured all that money into a yearly cost of vacation, renting or buying a utility trailer, and not going camping anymore...

Kind of puts it into perspective, doesn't it?

In response to many of the comments above, I do not do the maintenance. I can hardly bend over anymore. I have all the work done by the local Chevrolet service and they are very fine people who, in my opinion, do good work. But, it is very expensive. It costs me $68.00 for every oil change including an oil filter. I have fuel filters changed every 10k, the spin filter changed every 10k, transmission fluid changed every 15k, installed a pre-filter (Racor) which I did not need in the Cummins($500.00 parts and labor), add Stanadyne every fill up which I did not have to do with the Dodge, and rotate the tires every 5k. I pay Chevrolet rates and I stay within the warrantee. And, this is not cheap. The Cummins was, without a doubt, less expensive to maintain and, I had the local Dodge dealer do all the work with one exception: I had Cummins overhaul one of my engines voluntarily when it went over 100k in miles and then received another warrantee on it from Cummins. And, I will tell you this: my 2001 Cummins was heavily modified with one of the modifications being the replacement of the stock filters with Bosch 275's for a cost of $600 including labor. I suggest that if you have not tried the other products with ownership, you only know the GM world. My experience between these two is: Dodge wins. I would also not preclude the new Ford Diesel. There are plenty of Ford owners out there that standby the 7.3 as well.

Why do you feel you must have the pre-filter and use Stanadyne?

That Honda isn't a truck it some thing at a yuppie soccer mom might drive and put a bike in the back. Let see it with a 9 foot V plow and pulling a skid steer. When a Honda can do that I might look at them. I looked at the new Nisson what a peace of **** that is. look at the side of the diff in it im might last 50 miles towing before it blows up.

So you spent 4 times as much for fuel in your pickup than a CRV. CRV's typically get about 25mpg tank to tank with an easy foot and a lot of freeway driving.

So your truck is getting less than 7mpg? I'd be pissed too! I get over 11 towing through the mountains at 17,000lb combined. I get significantly better unladen.

For a cute experiment, tow a light 2,000lb trailer with that CR-V and watch what happens to the mileage. Small high reving engines get quite a thirst going when you ask for torque that's not there.

As far as the older <235HP Dodge or Ford diesel engines being better than the 300/310HP Duramax? Well, they don't make them anymore because they were too dirty, so the point is kind of moot.


PS - Doing the math, you got about 17mpg, and the Honda got 65mpg using an average fuel price of $1.70 gallon for both. I might believe the first one, but I really don't believe the second one.

Old Dog,

Sorry, never meant to offend sir.

You are correct that I save a tidy sum by doing my own work. And yes, I agree that having dealer performed service is indeed pricey. That does add up quickly.

But I have had and still do have Chrylser vehicles, (albiet no Cummins equipped), that I have had to put some serious money into. Much more so than the GM products that I have owned. The most recent DC product that I bought is a very nice vehicle, (Jeep). Chrysler treated me like a king right up until the warranty ran out. Plus, they never did correct the warping of front rotors, the bad window regulator motors, nor the random stalling that's famous for just about all of DC vehicles I've owned. But strangely enough, I was able to have most of that stuff fixed completely as soon as I started footing the bill. Hum, imagine that?

However, I must respectfully add that I think the Total Cost of Ownership with any Current late model computer controlled, HPCR diesel systems will all cost about the same in routine maitnenance costs.

The new generation diesels from Cummins or CAT or Maxidyne or IH or Volvo engines will, no doubt, be more costly to maintain due to a lower tolerance to poor fuel quality, lubricant quality, or air quality.

The older diesels were far more hardy beasts than today's ECM controlled beauties. However, they did not have the power densities or the efficiencies of today's engines. Ah, the price for modern technology.

Old dog.
I would like to put my two cents in! First i own a wood remanufacturing plant. We genarate a lot of sawdust into a 37 cubic yard trailer. That i pull w/my 04 lly dmax. But before i had a 00' dodge 1 ton 4x4 diesel that i use to pull this trailer with. It. was auto tranny. The dodge did a good job pulling my 18.000- 24,760 Ibs trailer. But it would break down mostly tranny work or the motor would not start rearend went out. So i sold it and now i pull it with my d-max i started pulling it w/ 28.000 miles and currently it has 43.156. I have not serviced the tranny i did do the fuel filter and motor oil when my gauge tells me to change it. w/out any problems at all and this truck gets worked to death. Try backing a 20.000 + trailer through cow crap and mud. in 4x4 low it clanks and jumps and yet have had 0% problems w/this truck. I sell the sawdust to dairy for the cows.its a dump trailer and one time when i was dumping it i had it in park and 20.000 + Ibs pushing the truck forward is not good. All it did was bend the linkage (I think) IT kinda binds when shifting from park to drive. So anyways my piont is these trucks I.M.O. Have proven them selfs.(The Pickups).

I do have one problem w/ my truck. Yesterday when i got back dunping saw dust. its a goose neck. I raised it off the ball and forgot to open my tailgate. tore that thing off the truck like nothing. So now im tailgate less. Lots of money for new one.
:grd: With The d-max/allison, Cody

No comment - HOWEVER, IS SOMEBODY TROLLING FOR AN ARGUMENT.

Or is somebody just out to bash the general??????

My .02 worth.......

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

You mirror my thoughts and experience with the simplicity of the Dodge.

hoot,

simplicity ? you mean the CR injection and the injectors ? what is more simple in the dodge than others ? I for one like GM but would be willing to try others if comparable for my needs and I was in the market, which I wont be for a while. i bought my diesel to go the distance just like what they are advertised for, duty life. this post is pure and simple about comparing a compact passenger vehicle vs the top end light duty truck line. pretty rediculous isnt it ?

take current dodge vs current gm diesel truck and tell me the dodge is MUCH less to maintain, both vehicles being stock and per manufacturer recommendations.:rolleyes:

on edit, lets include gm ford and dodge dually crew cabs:o:

I am just a slightly old dog. One thing I learned over the years: When a brand loyal guy switches to another brand he will never be happy. There are exceptions of course. Later! Frank

Most guys buy a diesel for one of two reasons. 1) they just buy it because they want it....period and no it's probably not cost effective. 2) they have something that they want to tow and they need the power and the economy that todays diesel offers. I really appreciate the power a diesel offers when towing a 12,000 lb. 5th wheel up and down hills especially when I pass a gasser in the slow lane. I too get fustrated at the cost of diesel but its a trade off/compromise to get the power I need. I see signs of diesel coming down in price and will probably continue doing so as home heating oil season winds down.
Now here's another consideration no one has mentioned. I spend about 25-30 weekends a year going back and forth to my lake home..360 miles round trip and I use the truck not my smaller more fuel efficient van. Why, in a word, safety. If i'm gonna get hit, my chances of a successful outcome are going to be much greatly improved by that big 'ol 7000 lbs. pickup than a in small car and that partner is worth a whole lot more than the price of a gallon of diesel.
By the way my truck has been maintenance free except for routine stuff. My 2 cents.

Three oil changes would have been more that enough and what happened to the fuel filter change. If you don't need the diesel you should have got a gasser. Much less maintenance cost but a little more fuel cost and not as much prestige. I went from a gasser to the diesel and like it so far. Now if I have non warranty problems in the future I'll sell the diesel and trailer, atb 76 I don't need any problems. Only have 16k on the truck so have a while to go.

I too have mulled over my costs per mile. I replaced my hard-working, modded 1/2 ton '98 x-cab with an 03 CC/SB/Dmaxalli. For 50,000 miles I figure I've spent $6500 in fuel, oil changes, trans/fuel filters, etc on the Dmax. Based on current fuel prices I would have spent roughly $7600 with my old truck. When fuel prices were 20-30 cents cheaper my savings were adding up, but not anymore.

I know, it's somewhat apples and oranges, but what was originally a break-even at 75-80K miles is now looking to be somewhere in the 125K range.

Still.....I love my truck!

Fortunately, my dealer has a program of free lifetime oil changes if you purchase the vehicle from them. On a diesel, I get charged about $17. I have 66,000mi.

Oil changes @5000mi-$217.36
4 fuel filter changes @ 15,000mi-$337.44
Transmission Flush @ 55,000mi-$160.43
4 air filters @ 15,000-$50 (approx)
Allison Warranty work (TCC Solenoid) @65,000mi-$100

Grand Total 865.23
I have no idea how much I have spent on fuel....and really don't care.

That equates to 76.28 cents per mile.

I'm curious what was included in the $1700 for maintenance. I trie some math (hard to do) but got:

15k miles = 5 oil change at 3k for Filter $12 and oil $25 = $185
5 Tranny filters $12 + 2 quarts fluid $25 = $75

What other service did you have done? Not criticizing, trying to figure if I missed something. My truck went 22k miles last year. 4 oil filters (every 5k) and 2 oil changes (Synthetic) was $148
Tranny filter every 5 k and fluid top off was $73
Fuel Filter x 2 = $60

Windshield washer fluid is the only other thing I had to add to the truck. Oh wait - Edge with Attitude and all the other goodies!
strip club money can not be counted as part of the service interval fee):h

I am not sure what you were expecting from your reporting the amount you have spent on a vehicle you bought after having three other vehicles of the same type and was completly happy with.
Shut up and buy a Damn Dodge than.

Just a little more information on the Honda Ridgeline. It is based on a unibody structure, not a body on frame. It's rated at 255hp and 252tq. It runs 0-60 in approximately 8.2 seconds. They hooked up a 5000lb trailer to both the new Ridgeline and a new Ford F-150 5.4L 300hp. In that particular race, the Honda was just slightly slower than the Ford. Of course, Fords have always been overated in the horsepower dept. Their 300hp 5.4 is no match for a 295hp 5.3 GM. You can order the Ridgeline next month, in case anyone wants to trade in their Duramax for one. Hee hee.

I am a regional manager for an overhead crane company, travelling the midwest. I've had my GMC / D-Max for about 18 months and have 65K on it. I agonized over the same things, as my company gives me a vehicle and mileage allowance, so any money saved is mine to keep. Problem is, on the weekends I pull a 4000 pound bbq pit so the diesel is the most economical thing I can drive and still fulfill my needs. (Plus it's pretty cool, and beats the c**p out of the cummins I had previously with regard to comfort and noise levels.)

Friend of mine is a rancher and has over 400,000 miles on a beat up old Dodge with Cummins engine. His maintenance schedule is when something quits or breaks, fix it.
Almost everything on the truck has been rebuilt or replaced except the engine. This truck is not used, it is abused, but the engine is still good and strong. Engine is best part of Dodge.

Man oh man, the smart-ass in me wants to show itself so bad......:help2:

Then Go For It!!!!!!!!

We need to let loose once in a while. :grd:

I don't keep records of oil change and fuel costs. I know it's there but the difference from one vehicle to another really doesn't effect my choice that much. BUT I will not buy a vehicle that gets under 14-15 mpg again. Fuel prices are beginning to slow me down and reduce my joyriding some.

You guys that get your kicks slamming the competition with only blanket comments only make this site look stuck up.

I think you will have the higher maint. costs with any state-of-the-art diesel. Truth is, US fuel is dirty, and filtration and additives are part of the cost of maintaining the vehicle. And any well-maintained diesel should give you 2X the service of a comparable gas engine....if you keep it long enough!

All Diesels hold more oil, as well, so this cost is across-the-board.

We've also seen that every brand has it's share of problems and recalls.....

My only frustration is that diesel fuel prices have historically been 70-80% of gasoline, and are now pretty much even here in MI. The cost differential that helped me justify the truck has pretty much gone away.

VOD's high maintenance costs seem largely self-inflicted. For example: Except for a preventative short fill and drain oil change when new, he could have covered his entire 15,000 mile on one oil change using the factory schedule (and a synthetic oil to be prudent). The Allison should be on its factory fill, as well. His fuel costs are discretionary. You drive it, you buy it. If we're going to indulge in unfair comparisons why not compare the Duramax fuel mileage to a Toyota Prius, or better yet, to maintain sympatico with the mode and means of combustion, a VW TDI? But, to be fair, you've then got to turn around and hook the pissant car up to a 10,000 - 15,000 lbs trailer to emulate the realworld intended purpose of the D'max in its native element.

So is he the victim of GM's "inferior" product, or of clever dealer service department marketing?

TC

hoot,

still interested in the "simplicity" statement. I posted earlier. some will bash brands others like myslef do not but would keep comparisons on an even playing field.

Tsckey,

His dealership's clever service department marketing is just another example of them being called STEALERSHIPS! It looks like on most things, he's been hosed.

New Honda truck? Looks great....for soccer moms. -:t

I don't keep records of oil change and fuel costs. I know it's there but the difference from one vehicle to another really doesn't effect my choice that much. BUT I will not buy a vehicle that gets under 14-15 mpg again. Fuel prices are beginning to slow me down and reduce my joyriding some.

You guys that get your kicks slamming the competition with only blanket comments only make this site look stuck up.
I agree with you 110%. I would hate to see this site become like the Ford Truck Enthusiast site, it's very bad over there.

In regards to one of the posts, Ive also wondered what Dodge's sales would be if it wasn't for the Cummins motor. Its by far the best feature they have to offer.

Very Old Dog Does Not Deserve A Duramax . Not A Fair Observation , The Post Is Certainly Something He Regrets. Lets Compare A C4500 To A Hybrid.

If you had good luck with your 3 other dodge-cummins trucks then why did you buy a gm-dmax to start with?

They must teach math different where some of you guys live. My solo average for 49K solo miles is 18.54. Now any way you want to calculate that it is at least 75% better than a big block. The price of diesel in my area has been approximately 10% higher than regular gas for the last four months. Most of the year it is the same or less that regular. As the fuel prices went up in my part of the world the diesel has never been more than $.20 a gallon higher. Now the way I do math the higher the gas/fuel prices go the more I save on my fuel cost virus a gasser. Now if there is something wrong with my math please drop me a line. Later! Frank

Please dont put a "G" on the end of C-U-M-M-I-N-S.

An example of an example someone already posted. I was driving down the street in Shawnee today and was stopped behind another truck while it was waiting to turn. I was then rear ended by a very small Suzuki car, about the size of a Honda. The impact I felt in my truck was so minimal, it was like driving over a pothole. The Suzuki had EXTENSiVE damage and was not driveble. I had a little dent in my bumper. I filed the police report and went on my way. My wife complains about why I buy such large vehicles for the family. This was an example why. If you are in an accident, you are more likely to have good outcome and less damage. You can also tackle about any weather condition with ease and without worry.

If it's not an american made vehicle, it's an appliance.

Fortunately, my dealer has a program of free lifetime oil changes if you purchase the vehicle from them. On a diesel, I get charged about $17. I have 66,000mi.

Oil changes @5000mi-$217.36
4 fuel filter changes @ 15,000mi-$337.44
Transmission Flush @ 55,000mi-$160.43
4 air filters @ 15,000-$50 (approx)
Allison Warranty work (TCC Solenoid) @65,000mi-$100

Grand Total 865.23
I have no idea how much I have spent on fuel....and really don't care.

That equates to 76.28 cents per mile.
FYI that's actually 1.31 cents per mile, 76 cents per mile, even if you counted fuel would suck ):h

hoot,

simplicity ? you mean the CR injection and the injectors ? what is more simple in the dodge than others ? I for one like GM but would be willing to try others if comparable for my needs and I was in the market, which I wont be for a while. i bought my diesel to go the distance just like what they are advertised for, duty life. this post is pure and simple about comparing a compact passenger vehicle vs the top end light duty truck line. pretty rediculous isnt it ?

take current dodge vs current gm diesel truck and tell me the dodge is MUCH less to maintain, both vehicles being stock and per manufacturer recommendations.:rolleyes:

on edit, lets include gm ford and dodge dually crew cabs:o:

No I do not mean in the injection systen by itself but from a repair point of view the system looks to be much easier to work on than the Dmax... even the LLY.

There's room around the engine to work on it if need. Cummins has 100,000 miles longer expected life before major overhaul than the DMax or PSD so not only does it last a few longer, it's easier to play with when you need to. They are dropping twins in Dodge Cummins trucks at the snap of a finger. The GM/Ford crowd is scratching still scratching their heads.

I was reading Four Wheel and Off Road tonight at the bookstore. They put the Dmax last in hauling. They claimed it had no balls over 55 mph. True or false that's a heck of a review for the Dmax. They loved the Cummins and the PSD, commenting on the Cummins crude demeanor compared to the refined Dmax and PSD. They put Dmax last in diesels and called the buyers.... yuppies.

I don't agree with their review 100%. They claimed Dmax was a big jump for GM but the competition is pressuring them to get the pulling capability up.

If you are going to buy a diesel today for the simple reason of the fuel cost compared to the gasoline cost than you have already lost the battle.
These diesels have become a major trend and the oil companies know it now. I don't expect to see diesel prices ever coming down to half of what gasoline is like it was in the past.
I bought my diesel for the many reasons. Power to do anything I plan on in the future, longevity, size, function, creature comforts, and milage benifits.

Cummins has 100,000 miles longer expected life before major overhaul than the DMax or PSD so not only does it last a few longer, it's easier to play with when you need to

Hoot,

Could you please tell us the source of that figure; what is it based on (manufacturer technical releases, marketing claims, independent testing, etc?)

Thanks.

Hoot,

Could you please tell us the source of that figure; what is it based on (manufacturer technical releases, marketing claims, independent testing, etc?)

Thanks.

Cummins is rated at I believe 350,000 miles between overhauls.
Dmax ans PSD are at 200,000.

I believe if you do some researching you will find that to be the manufacturers claims.

It doesn't mean a Dmax or a PSD won't make it past 200,000 miles between major overhauls. Matter of fact I think we can all be comfortable knowing most will go way past if kept relatively stock. Part of the problem is driving habits. Engines driven as commercial haulers will get many more miles out of an engine than daily driver, start-up/shut down use. The engines that get the most use in the shortest amount of time get those miles put on while the components are relatively new.

Hoot in response to that article you read, you are familiar with more powers diesel page. You also have read what the stock trucks in the pulloff did and the modifieds trucks also. Dmax's are not what I would call a slouch.

:grd:I brought mine for towing our airstream. I considered confort, safety and thought of Cummins and PSD, naww GM for me.:ro)

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by jimbo521



Fortunately, my dealer has a program of free lifetime oil changes if you purchase the vehicle from them. On a diesel, I get charged about $17. I have 66,000mi.

Oil changes @5000mi-$217.36
4 fuel filter changes @ 15,000mi-$337.44
Transmission Flush @ 55,000mi-$160.43
4 air filters @ 15,000-$50 (approx)
Allison Warranty work (TCC Solenoid) @65,000mi-$100

Grand Total 865.23
I have no idea how much I have spent on fuel....and really don't care.

That equates to 76.28 cents per mile.



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

FYI that's actually 1.31 cents per mile, 76 cents per mile, even if you counted fuel would suck ):h
My bad. Never mind

If you want to lower your oil change cost and still have the dealer change it, go buy a case of rotella, then put the bottles in the passanger seat and tell them to use your oil. Dealer charges me 16.50 for filter and labor I supply oil.

Most of your maintenance is not a requirement! Yes you didn't need to do it to the dodge because it didn't have the extra trans filter but the Dodge trans won't last nearly as long either. Factor in the cost of transmissions you'll need to replace! I'm sure it will be two or three in the extended warranty you are going to buy for the old dodge you want back, there is another expense. And the comment about Dodge ruining the new cummins...not hardly, move with the times and technology! My friends have had the different generations of Dodges and you can't compare them. My only friend who likes his `97 is an ex Dump Truck Driver!

Hoot in response to that article you read, you are familiar with more powers diesel page. You also have read what the stock trucks in the pulloff did and the modifieds trucks also. Dmax's are not what I would call a slouch.

No slouch for sure. But we all know that to take advantage of the Allison you need a box. Otherwise she is a slouch with a load.

I never had a truck that could tow faster than 50. Any one town at 70 mph or fast is an idot. There isn't much hauling over 55. If I caught any of my employees hot roding any of my truck id fire them on the spot.

Please dont put a "G" on the end of C-U-M-M-I-N-S.
In my post, the G was added intentionally.

I never had a truck that could tow faster than 50. Any one town at 70 mph or fast is an idot. There isn't much hauling over 55. If I caught any of my employees hot roding any of my truck id fire them on the spot.

In many states it is legal to tow at 75mph. If you have the proper equipment, and check your rig at every stop, I don't see why that would make me an idiot.

Perhaps when I doing tuning runs and hit 175mph on empty highways makes me an idiot, but towing at 75mph is nothing special.

I usualy tow sometimes at 75-85mph...sometiems even 90...Just jump in between two trucks w/ big Cummins or Cats hollar on the CB..I'm cover your back door..and On we go..hehe

If conditions allow I'm always towing at the posted speed limit, whether that be 65 or 75. If my truck can't keep up, I'll make it stronger. If that doesn't work I'll find a truck that will.

I believe you got cought up in the board and INTERNET hype. You are over maintaining your vehicle. Dealers look for people like you to come in. You are their bread and butter. They over service you at your cost. You installed a 500 dollar pre filter because you have read about and bought the hype of this helping you. You don't know for sure if its needed. That cannot be credited against the Dmax as a maintenance cost. Thats an insurance policy for your benefit because you bought the hype. Fuel additives are another maintenance cost you don't need. Every diesel supplier adds their own package to them. Do you really think if they had something that they could add to make their fuel stand better than the other makers that they would add it to sell more fuel. The same goes with oil additives. They are not needed.

Listen very carefully my friend. If you need to save money on maintenance then regulate what the dealer does and when. They gave you a manual when you bought the vehicle. Nothing more is needed than what is printed in that for maintenance. Dodge makes a fine diesel. If you want the dodge then by all means get one. The vehicle you own now is a good one. The complaints on boards are far less on the Dmax sites than any other diesel. Settle down and enjoy your ride.

strip club money can not be counted as part of the service interval feehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/hihi.gifI wrote it off as an entertainment expense on my taxes..........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/hihi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/hihi.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/hihi.gif
Lunch meeting with clients...........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif

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Seriously though..........

I buy all of my WIX Filters online and my oil at Walmart........you can save a ton of money doing it that way........... if you supply your own oil & filters etc you avoid the stealers markup.........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

Have the dealer do the oil change.........book time is maybe .5 hours........and it is documented for warranty..........

Go to a 5K interval and I am sure you will be just fine..........or go synthetic and stretch it to 7500 miles...........

I don't know about you but when my 2002 truck came in diesel was almost $1.00 cheaper per gallon....or did you forget about the huge increase in fuel ????

I have 48K miles on my truck now........in that time I have probably spent $6-7K in fuel/oil/filters etc.......

I have owned my truck for 3 years exactly.........my injectors are fine........I had the steering rattle fixed and a block heater.........

I am brand loyal............and have owned a FORD........-:t -:t -:t

I also live near a DODGE dealership and have driven the Cummins........IMHO it is way too noisy and geared incorrecly for my liking.........since I like AUTO's a 6 speed manual in a truck is not for me...........

I am also not trying to argue, just being observant that the comparison is not truely the same.........

I am not knocking your DODGE you once had............just questioning why you would want another one............http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/help.gif

Thttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif NY

I am going to try to be objective about this post, as I have test drove all the diesels from the Big Three. Comparisons:

05 Ford PSD/Torqueshift was nice and comfortable. I actually really liked the truck, but the PSD is questionable at this point, not very proven since they changed over to the 6.0L. I found the interior to be decent, nothing special, but it is a truck and I don't expect it to be a Cadillac. Drivability was comparable to other manufacturers.

04' Dodge Cummins/auto was also nice and comfortable. Did not like the truck as much, no real reason, other than it did not give me a good feel... just one of those things, you either like it or you don't. I did like the Cummins, but not really the rest of the truck. Though the Dodge has come a long way with the actual truck. Drivability was also comparable to other manufacturers.

04' Chevy DMAX(LB7)/Allison. This is the truck I have and use as my daily driver. My evaluation will be my impression BEFORE I bought the truck. I fell in love with the DMAX/Allison combo. Interior was comparable to other manufacturers, slightly more simple and out of date, but easier to get aquanted with. Drivability was also comparable, but seemed to have more manners that the other two.

Conclusion:
I liked the bigger Ford and would definitely consider it when the quirks are worked out with the 6.0L. I liked the Dodge, loved the Cummins. Would consider one if they made some exterior changed, like the extremely slanted windshield and poor rear view mirror visibility. I also liked the Chevy, loved the DMAX/Allison. Slightly smaller than the Dodge and Ford, but better road manners. Liked the rear view mirror visibility, don't like the mirrors as they aren't meant for towing. To be honest, I would like to have all three, but that is impractical. There are certain things I like about all three, but chose the Chevy because it is what I had before and got a good deal on it.

As far as maintenance costs, I believe all three would be comparable. I'd feel comfortable in an accident with all three and could get the work done with all three. Veryolddog's maintenance costs are extremely excessive. tranny fluid replaced every 15,000 is out of this world. Oil and filter, go to wal-mart and buy your own to save some money.

Dan

The Chevy Interior is outdated? I love mine..Feels just like a Caddy..but w/ less woodgrain..Oh thats right.There all made by the same company..Its all good for me though..Plus the women like it..and thats all that matters,lol

Well, my truck gets an average of 11 - 13 mpg when towing heavy things, and 16 - 20 mgp when not towing. Compared to my Geo Metro I get 56 mpg all the time with 4 passengers to just myself. ):h With my 75 gallon tank on the truck, I think I spent more on one fill-up then I did all last year in all the fill-ups in the metro and it has a huge 8 gallon tank. I too live on a military pay but I think I will drive the DURAMAX MORE OFTEN. Love the power. Oh, mine is an 01 and I still have not had any problems with the injectors. :ro)

Jeff