re: What y'all know about the Ram EcoDiesel?

Been like that since 2009. They switched the 2500's to the same set up in 2012/2013.

I am trading in my VW and it looks like December 15th will be the buyback date. I've been shopping for cars to replace it, but am really underwhelmed by the car options. I stopped and looked at the Canyon Duramax yesterday. People claim 25 mpg average. I think my mostly highway commute can get closer to 27-28 mpg. But the 42k price tag is hard to swallow. If they can get it closer to 35k with rebates and stuff, I may be sold. Not that it's the most attractive purchase in the world, but I need all the mileage I can get and just have no desire to be in a Dodge. Plus the towing on the Colorado is like 7k lbs, so it's decent for a mid size.

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Yea the fact that it's coils isn't a bad thing.

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The coil rear suspension in and of itself isn't a bad thing. What sucks about the 1/2 ton Rams is that they used really weak coils. They're tuned for ride quality, at the cost of towing ability. Other than their abysmal reliability record, the thing that keeps me from getting a Ram is that they are less capable towers than Ford, Chevy and Toyota due to the weak arse coil tuning they chose. It's too bad they don't have a towing option with stiffer coils.

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It's too bad they don't have a towing option with stiffer coils.

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It really only affects payload and improperly balanced trailers. You can get air assist from the factory for extra $$$...or just get stiffer rear coils for under $200, though I realize the inconvenience of that. Truck is fine for me though...I also don't do a whole lot of towing or hauling though.

Could always do leather seat covers, don't think they are terribly expensive to do after market or negotiate through the dealer.

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42k is high

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It's not just merely high, it's ridiculous. If a truck that size was $30,000, fully loaded, ok. But $42 gets you a pretty stinkin nice (not luxury liner, but well equipped) 4X4 V8 full size. A full size is SO much bigger inside and more comfortable to drive and it has a bigger bed and tows more too. I just don't get it.

I drive 70 miles a day. 18 mpg adds up fast. I don't really need a full sized truck. If I can push 30 mpg and still get some benefit of owning a truck, that's what I'm paying for. 42 makes it not worth it. Mid 30s starts to make it attractive. Low 30s basically is a slam dunk for me, in my situation, with my trade in ,etc..

I've had a full sized Z71. I just don't need that badly enough right now to justify the horrid fuel mileage. If I get another boat, I can pull anything I'd buy with the Colorado. I can fit my bikes in the bed. I can get my dog to the camp. I can drive 4 grown men to lunch at work. Can't see the reason to justify an unnecessarily large truck. My manhood is not defined by what I drive.....I'm in a damned VW jetta right now so that's obvious

Coils are used on rail car undercarriages. That's all ram has to say to squish that misconception.

There is definitely an issue with EPA ratings and "eco" diesel engines. I know I don't have stats to back me up, but I always believe the average will lean more toward the "city" mileage on a gasser and more toward the "highway" mileage on a diesel. My VW is rated for 29/40 if I'm not mistaken, and I AVERAGE 43 mpg. As it gets older, it's only going up in mileage.

I have a spreadsheet and at a 7.5 year ownership, it's definitely still a little more expensive to own the diesel version (like 1400 bucks), but I think I could get better mileage, I wouldn't have the same power, and I trust the lifespan of diesels. Although it is a bit of a risk buying such a new option in a vehicle.

There is nothing manly about the diesel in a Canyon/Colorado. I agree with you in regards to 50%+ people driving around in F250's. I know this is a Ram EcoDiesel thread, but that's the engine I'm personally looking at to clarify my previous posts. There was no economic justification of my VW diesel either when I made my spreadsheets 5 years ago. But I'm getting far better than expected and driving much further now mostly because of the mileage.

The towing/etc. on the Ram may be diminished with the EcoDiesel. But on the Canyon/Colorado the diesel (7,700 lbs) out performs the V6 (7000 lbs) option and blows away the 4 cylinder (3500 lbs) option all while getting significantly (although not astonishingly) better fuel mileage. I'll pay 2k more over the life of the vehicle to know that I can pull a ~20' bay boat if I decided to get another boat. Plus, you also get to play off of the fact that some people do get their rocks off to diesel, so the value does stick around a little longer, even if gas engines now last as long as diesel.