Hey everyone, the lease on my 06 Jetta is up in September and I'm starting to weigh my optilons as to what I should do next. I have 3 options get an 04-05 Ram 2500, keep my current 9000 mile Jetta or get a GTI MKV. I know the vdub's are fairly bulletproof but I'm a little nervous about the Dodge. It will come with the 5.9l Cummins diesel which is the most reliable but I've heard a few reports about the injectors cracking, the valve guides coming out and a few tranny problems. I'm pretty sure I can fix all that stuff because I went mechanic school. The Dodge is my affordable dream car and Volkswagen is starting to loose it's excitement to me. I'm just wondering if any of you guys have any experience with the Cummins and had any problems that I should know about. sorry if this sounds crappy, I'm really tired.
Ram 2500
- Thread starter thatguy1807
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My dream truck is an old school Dodge W250 with the Cummins Turbo Diesel so I say go for the Dodge. I've heard that the 12V Cummins are more reliable than the 24V.
I have a 2000 with the CTD and it is my dream truck. The engine has been great, although the VP44 has issues, replaced once, now have high flow lift pump. The common rail trucks are very nice, every type of truck has its issues and the CRs are not bad. Not like an injection pump anyway. Even the old 12V which are as close as you get to bullet proof have the killer dowl pin issue.
One of the nice things about them is ease of upgrades, I have done all my own work (injectors and turbo, etc), the inline 6 is great, lots of cheap power and it's still reliable. Not to mention, getting 22 mpg on the highway is nice, and when you need power it is all there, all 1100 ft lbs
The interiors on the older trucks are not so great, like mine, but that's not as high on my list as the engine. The newer trucks are nice IMO.
One of the nice things about them is ease of upgrades, I have done all my own work (injectors and turbo, etc), the inline 6 is great, lots of cheap power and it's still reliable. Not to mention, getting 22 mpg on the highway is nice, and when you need power it is all there, all 1100 ft lbs
The interiors on the older trucks are not so great, like mine, but that's not as high on my list as the engine. The newer trucks are nice IMO.
why not just getta toyota tundra?..more power, better Mpg?
Cause they don't come with a CTD.
If and that's a big IF I buy another truck it will probably be a Tundra. Right now I have a 2005 F150 that I love but the new Tundra is sharp and seems to best the current Fords in nearly every category.
check out the all new 2010 Motors Trend Truck of the Year.
If you work your truck, you may want to take note that the tailgate of the tundra can not be used as a loading ramp...it is very light and will bend in the middle or crack.
If you work your truck, you may want to take note that the tailgate of the tundra can not be used as a loading ramp...it is very light and will bend in the middle or crack.
If you won't be working it very hard, a small pickup is nice, as would be a 1/2 ton. But if you work it and tow at all, the diesel gets better economy than a big V8. I bet my 2000 gets similar mileage to a tacoma on the highway, 22.5 was my best, but that's under ideal conditions and diesel costs more usually. Keep in mind that's a 8000lb truck with a huge inline diesel though, compared to a tiny V6.
It depends on what you need from it. I am actually in the opposite position, I have a 2000 CTD and don't tow anymore and especially in the cold here without working it, it never warms up, which is not great on it. I am looking at a Tacoma and even a car, because the economy of a small pickup that's not a 4 banger is not that much better.
It depends on what you need from it. I am actually in the opposite position, I have a 2000 CTD and don't tow anymore and especially in the cold here without working it, it never warms up, which is not great on it. I am looking at a Tacoma and even a car, because the economy of a small pickup that's not a 4 banger is not that much better.
V
VR6ofpain
That is interesting about the cold and the CTD. Do they make those grill/radiator blankets you see on diesel rigs for the Dodges used in the cold? I remember rig guys would have to leave them on just to keep the motor from dying in freezing temps.
Oh and to the guy posting about cracked tailgates on the Tundra...ouch!
Oh and to the guy posting about cracked tailgates on the Tundra...ouch!
They do make winter fronts, I have one, and a piece of cardboard between the radiator and intercooler. The truck still barely warms up in the 15 min drive, even when parked in the garage. I also have in addition to the stock block heater a oilpan heater and trickle charger. It's -40F right now, just so cold things don't quite work right.
Anyway, I still love it, and after riding in my neighbors '05 they are much quieter and nice on the interior.
Anyway, I still love it, and after riding in my neighbors '05 they are much quieter and nice on the interior.
Just to let you know, I have been selling Chrysler Products for over 30 years now. I am the Internet Guy at our dealership.
at 40 below...nothing works expcept those artic rigs...that is dang cold...
what are cars like in that weather?
at 40 below...nothing works expcept those artic rigs...that is dang cold...
what are cars like in that weather?
Quite honestly VW's reputation for quality isn't the greatest either.
With teh CTD on the Dodge's I'd worry more about the trannies then the engines. With regular maintenance those motors should go a few hundred k, the trannies though
This is generally true IMO for most heavy duties, though it does depend immensely on what and how often you tow. Towing is really tough on trannies for these rigs. Not to mention the immense torque that all the TD's pull.
With teh CTD on the Dodge's I'd worry more about the trannies then the engines. With regular maintenance those motors should go a few hundred k, the trannies though
This is generally true IMO for most heavy duties, though it does depend immensely on what and how often you tow. Towing is really tough on trannies for these rigs. Not to mention the immense torque that all the TD's pull.
I know guys that have Cummins trucks with well over 300,000 miles on them, the motor never having been rebuilt. The transmission on the other hand.....opt for the 6-speed manual. I don't see myself ever trusting a Dodge tranny, not after all the ones I've seen bite the dust.
That being said, do you really need all that? If a GTI has been getting you around faithfully, why sacrifice that kind of fuel mileage? You may have your reasons that I don't know of, and that's completely ok. I don't want to talk you out of your dream car....er..um..truck. I'm just wondering. I could totally see myself buying one of those trucks without really needing it. I just love them. For most of us, though, there are far more economical options out there. I will forever be sold on the Chevy 1500. Good looks, bullet proof engine, totally reliable transmission, and very competitive fuel economy. Plus, I've seen tons of those things run completely ragged and just keep on giving.
The Tundra does not have more power than a Cummins. The Cummins has something like 650 lb ft of torque......that Toyota most definitively does not. Horsepower doesn't pull trailers or stumps, torque does. Even at that, I'm not entirely sure the Toyota has more horse power.
That being said, do you really need all that? If a GTI has been getting you around faithfully, why sacrifice that kind of fuel mileage? You may have your reasons that I don't know of, and that's completely ok. I don't want to talk you out of your dream car....er..um..truck. I'm just wondering. I could totally see myself buying one of those trucks without really needing it. I just love them. For most of us, though, there are far more economical options out there. I will forever be sold on the Chevy 1500. Good looks, bullet proof engine, totally reliable transmission, and very competitive fuel economy. Plus, I've seen tons of those things run completely ragged and just keep on giving.
The Tundra does not have more power than a Cummins. The Cummins has something like 650 lb ft of torque......that Toyota most definitively does not. Horsepower doesn't pull trailers or stumps, torque does. Even at that, I'm not entirely sure the Toyota has more horse power.
Block heaters seem to do the trick up here. There are tons and tons of diesel trucks here in eastern Montana, and I haven't heard anyone complaining about them being annoying in the cold. Honestly, though, does anything work right in -40? That's wicked cold!
The gassers work better for sure, just need to plug in, battery heaters are great, the cranking power is only a fraction of normal at that temp. They do fine, just need a front. The diesels just have a hard time warming up unless towing or going up a big hill.
Quite honestly VW's reputation for quality isn't the greatest either.
With teh CTD on the Dodge's I'd worry more about the trannies then the engines. With regular maintenance those motors should go a few hundred k, the trannies though
Yeah, the autos at least, I have the 5spd, NV4500, and besides the 5th gear nut issue (which I haven't had) it's held up to 500+ horsepower and 1110 ft lbs of torque on quite a few drag runs and also tows. Not to say how long it could take that, I also have a dual disv clutch, stock is not good for much more than stock.
I think he meant a compared to his current car, a taco would be a step up.
Those years had close to 300hp engines, might be less. Like you said torque does all the work....
Nothing works 100% how it should, my door seals are rock hard, sounds like you're breaking the door and I heard loud wind noise now, won't stop until April....it doesn't stay that cold for too long, this time last year it was in the -50s.
Back to the OP, sounds like you want the truck more than need, I think a Tacoma would be great, but if you get the CTD I bet you'll be happy.
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- #17
The thing I think I'm most worried about is the tranny because I want an automatic, if I have learn how to drive a stick shift then I guess I'll have too. Another thing I worried about is the shear cost of the repairs, I mean $3,000 for 6 injectors is a little steep.
Where did you get that? Injectors are more expensive for the CR years, that seems high. Upgraded ones were 800 for my truck, I installed them. Saved some there, but if you are mechanically inclined they are not bad.
The newer autos are not bad, you have to remember that what you read online are a small % of owners, the unhappy ones. It's like that for many vehicles, but largely they are reliable. The diesels largely need major parts less often but are more expensive when they do, that is not always true though. Cases vary often.
I think you should learn how to drive a stick regardless, it's important. Coming from a CTD owner, right now I'd go with the Tacoma. I love my truck and it does what it needs to, and more, but I don't have that need anymore.
Although, I will leave you with this, I was documenting my new exhaust...
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNcGKw9PhVo&feature=channel[/YOUTUBE]
What about a diesel Jetta? Then you get diesel and a car, and great economy too! I would trade for one right now.
+1 on the Jetta TDI
After watching the reviews/test drive on MotorWeek (also voted Driver's Choice best car of the year) I went to test drive one for myself. I was very impressed with it.
After watching the reviews/test drive on MotorWeek (also voted Driver's Choice best car of the year) I went to test drive one for myself. I was very impressed with it.
