Ok my question is i really want to get the diesel because i like the power and how well it can tow and i want to keep it for a good 15 years. I only drive 1/2 mile to work a

day and maybe put 100 miles on on the weekendsd only about 2000 pounds when i do . will the short trips cause the engine to not last as long even though i drive w/ a lead foot.

 

1/2 Mile?? I would go to wal mart and buy a bike. If I worked that close to home I would either ride my bike or walk, I mean that's only a 10 min walk. That short of a distance will deffinatly not be good for a diesel, there meant to be driven. I only drive about 50 a day (round trip) but in the winter (not sure where your located) your grid heater won't even turn off, and when it's that cold and go and park it?? I wouldn't recomend a diesel for that short of a drive. I mean even for a gas engine it's not that great. If you get the diesel, go get a junk car, that short of millage on anything will hurt it.

 

get a bike yeah right , i get up a 2:30 in the morning to go milk cows, i'm not walking to work when i got a 16 hour day in front of me. besides, i also let my trucks warm up about 10-15 minutes before i go to work.

 

Get yourself one of those fat knobby tired scooters & a skull cap. You can ride it to work all choppered out. LOL

 

Nah I like having a cab to ride inside when its like 2 degrees outside since i live in pennsylvania. But seriously how bad would it be for it.

 

I'd like to say get the diesel, but... In cold weather, you will NEVER warm that truck up. If you idle it for 15 minutes to start with, that is not good for the new CTD's either(ok-I know some people do it and will disagree.) To idle it 15 minutes, it will not throw any heat, period. Then drive it 1/2 mile and shut it down everyday, and you will wreck it. The 100 miles on the weekend is ok, but not exactly a long haul anyway. If you plug it in 5 hours before you drive it, it is a total waste of money for a 1/2 mile drive. I could see if you were going to use it for heavy work on your farm. I hate to say it, but you don't drive enough to warrant the diesel, and your not going to waste fuel in that short a drive, so- I would buy a Hemi, and fix it up nice. It will warm up great, and you won't worry about expensive gas prices because you don't drive much anyway(not meant to be a criticism). Then let it "rip" on the half mile stretch, cause after 15 minute warmup it's ready to rock!LOL!!

 

yes, it's cold

and I can't even jokingly say 2:30 in the a.m. is not that bad, cause that's downright no fun.

but a 1/2 mile drive to work...hmmm...the problem with an old beater is it may not start in the cold weather.

take the tractor...then it'll be warmed up for the day...better yet, why not the combine...it is only a 1/2mile in the early morning!!

 

Just find you a good used 3/4 ton or 1 ton with a gas motor and a stick and you'll be ok.

 

Not trying to make fun but SYNDICATE really made me laugh, that visual was funny,sorry.

 

Sorry if I sounded funny, or sarcastic, wasn't meant that way. People that drive thousand miles a month, are getting crap at the dealer for excessive idle time on there trucks. If you idle it all the time, trust me you'll have issues when it comes to injecters. That really is way too much time to idle a diesel. They are built do work, and work all the time. I would honistly buy a gas truck (those 6.1L hemi's have power, and the displacement on demand for good millage, up to 20mpg) and you'd do good. Less maintence, cheeper fuel, this and that. Go spend the 5 you saved on a ATV or something and ride it to work. I agree it gets cold up here in New England and Maine also, trust me. But it's tough on a diesel to not run long, or hard.

If I was in your shoes, go get the hemi, possibly even the 1500 as why get a 2500 and have to move all the extra weight if your not towing, or hauling anything heavy. If I didn't pull the heavy trailer, I would have gotten a 1500. I kinda wish I had, but then again when I do tow, I'm glad I got the diesel.

that's the best answer. You'll find this forum very informative. If you ask, you will get an answer. Most of the time when people ask something and do something else, they'll find out on there own that "man these people know there stuff" i feel that way everytime there right and I'm wrong (of course that's never happened)

 

Frankly, my $1500 Honda Accord takes me the 14 miles to work each day, and 14 more back; and at 27 mpg, I fill up about every week and a half. The 96 12V takes me anywhere I need to go more than 30 miles away, and rests otherwise, as at 300k, it might even need to now and then??...

Seriously, though, taking ANY new vechile 1/2 mile to work is hard on it, and really [if it were my money] it would be invested somewhere instead. My Dad drives about 1/2 mile to work in a Toyota pickup, and he goes through an exhaust system every two years. I know you work long hours and start early/end late, but I would try driving "the long way home" - 3 or 4 miles at least. Just my $.02

 

HELL, its almost 1/2 mile to the main road here, but serioulsy, if you want a diesel for that short a ride get an old TDI or an old mercedes turbo diesel. These trucks will soot up in a heartbeat if you domt DRIVE them and keep the injectors clean. Then it will run llike crap and you will be unhappy.

Just my opinion

 

Maybe i'll get the hemi, but i might still get the disel b/c i'm planning on getting 2 mules to go on wagon train w/and i just bought a new trailer and everything totalled up the weight will be about 9000 lbs.

 

That kind of use will hurt any motor in a car or truck.Buy a clunker for that 1/2 mile.If you NEED a truck for travel or vacations etc.let it SIT until you really DRIVE it and buy a clunker for your trip to work.

 

Couldn't agree with you more, Hounddog.