Preview: 2003 Dodge Ram 2500

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NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
48
91
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: NFS4
21% (according to the article) != "the bulk"

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=09565237

Dodge expects 75 percent of buyers to choose the diesel and 70 percent to take four-wheel drive, said Klegon.

Any other questions? :D

from the original article:
purchases of heavy-duty pickups with a diesel motor have increased to 21 percent from 2 percent in recent years.

The article is mistaken. I mean, look at the sentence. Rose to 21% from 2% in recent years. Since when have you known for diesels to only account for 2% of HD pickup sales. That is ludicrous. If Dodge is predicting 75% diesel adoption rate with their HD trucks, Ford and GM should have similar figures for their diesels. If LAUST's comments about Duramax demand are correct, then they would corespond to my comments. Think about it...these are heavy ass vehicles, and diesels provide the most torque and best fuel economy.

You want even more proof:

http://www.dieselforum.org/inthenews/detfree_052802.html

Ford sold a record 360,000 Super Duty trucks in 2001, accounting for roughly 40 percent of total F-Series production. About two-thirds of the Super Duties sold were equipped with the 7.3-liter diesel.

66% diesel adoption rate for Ford. I rest my case. Any OTHER questions? :D

 

Francodman

Diamond Member
Dec 11, 1999
4,965
0
76
Too bad they can't come out in CA yet. Something about not passing emmissions :(

(Brother works @Dodge dealership)
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
8,595
126
my disclaimer was in my original post. 21% according to the article. you should email the author this thread, since now you've spent a few minutes researching it :D

PS- you haven't disproved that the article stated that. i win :D:p
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: NFS4
21% (according to the article) != "the bulk"

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=09565237

Dodge expects 75 percent of buyers to choose the diesel and 70 percent to take four-wheel drive, said Klegon.

Any other questions? :D

from the original article:
purchases of heavy-duty pickups with a diesel motor have increased to 21 percent from 2 percent in recent years.

The article is mistaken. I mean, look at the sentence. Rose to 21% from 2% in recent years. Since when have you known for diesels to only account for 2% of HD pickup sales. That is ludicrous. If Dodge is predicting 75% diesel adoption rate with their HD trucks, Ford and GM should have similar figures for their diesels. If LAUST's comments about Duramax demand are correct, then they would corespond to my comments. Think about it...these are heavy ass vehicles, and diesels provide the most torque and best fuel economy.

You want even more proof:

http://www.dieselforum.org/inthenews/detfree_052802.html

Ford sold a record 360,000 Super Duty trucks in 2001, accounting for roughly 40 percent of total F-Series production. About two-thirds of the Super Duties sold were equipped with the 7.3-liter diesel.

66% diesel adoption rate for Ford. I rest my case. Any OTHER questions? :D

 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
48
91
Originally posted by: ElFenix
my disclaimer was in my original post. 21% according to the article. you should email the author this thread, since now you've spent a few minutes researching it :D

PS- you haven't disproved that the article stated that. i win :D:p
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: NFS4
21% (according to the article) != "the bulk"

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=09565237

Dodge expects 75 percent of buyers to choose the diesel and 70 percent to take four-wheel drive, said Klegon.

Any other questions? :D

from the original article:
purchases of heavy-duty pickups with a diesel motor have increased to 21 percent from 2 percent in recent years.

The article is mistaken. I mean, look at the sentence. Rose to 21% from 2% in recent years. Since when have you known for diesels to only account for 2% of HD pickup sales. That is ludicrous. If Dodge is predicting 75% diesel adoption rate with their HD trucks, Ford and GM should have similar figures for their diesels. If LAUST's comments about Duramax demand are correct, then they would corespond to my comments. Think about it...these are heavy ass vehicles, and diesels provide the most torque and best fuel economy.

You want even more proof:

http://www.dieselforum.org/inthenews/detfree_052802.html

Ford sold a record 360,000 Super Duty trucks in 2001, accounting for roughly 40 percent of total F-Series production. About two-thirds of the Super Duties sold were equipped with the 7.3-liter diesel.

66% diesel adoption rate for Ford. I rest my case. Any OTHER questions? :D

LOL, full reverse!!!!!!!! :p
 
Apr 5, 2000
13,256
1
0
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Originally posted by: NFS4
The base price for a heavy duty truck is $27.5 - if you don't have enough money you shouldn't be buying a truck that expensive. A light duty (1500 series) would be cheaper and can do almost everything the HD can.

What's your point?? You can't get the Dodge 1500's with a diesel engine. Diesels make up the bulk of heavy duty sales. If a company wants a cheap diesel truck, this is the way to go.

Also, the 1500's can't tow and haul as much as the HD series trucks...

I just built a F350 Supercab w/ 7.3L diesel "cheap" truck for $29,675 on Ford's website. A regular cab would probably be less than that. Options are nice but I still don't see the point of it. (Not to mention the 7.3 outperforms and hauls more than the "base" diesel)

The Dodge HD's START at $23,000. I think you could squeeze in the HO diesel for ~ $30,000.

You can get the current HO 2500 Ram Diesel for $27,925. The Autoweek article says that prices will increase $980 for 2003 models. That brings the price for a HO $2003 2500 RAM to $28,905

Start at $23,000? Not for the new ones. Taken straight from your link: (for a quad cab though)

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty
Model: Four door Quad Cab with Long Box and seating for six
Base price: $27,500 (est.)
Engine: 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8, 345 hp/375 lb-ft
Drivetrain: Five-speed overdrive manual or automatic, two-wheel or four-wheel drive
Length x width x height (inches): 249.7 x 79.9 x 78.4
Wheelbase: 160.5 in
Curb weight: N/A
Trailer tow rating: 15,000 - 17,000 lb GCWR
EPA City/Hwy: N/A (Not required for HD trucks)
Safety equipment: Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Front driver and passenger airbags, center three-point safety belt, LATCH child seat tether system
Major standard equipment: Manual adjusting, fold-away sideview mirrors; air conditioning; interior assist handles; cargo and glove box lamps; cigar lighter; AM/FM cassette; full size spare tire and steel wheel.
Warranty: Seven years/70,000 miles

I'm pretty sure both diesel engines will cost more than $2k as an option
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
48
91
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Originally posted by: NFS4
The base price for a heavy duty truck is $27.5 - if you don't have enough money you shouldn't be buying a truck that expensive. A light duty (1500 series) would be cheaper and can do almost everything the HD can.

What's your point?? You can't get the Dodge 1500's with a diesel engine. Diesels make up the bulk of heavy duty sales. If a company wants a cheap diesel truck, this is the way to go.

Also, the 1500's can't tow and haul as much as the HD series trucks...

I just built a F350 Supercab w/ 7.3L diesel "cheap" truck for $29,675 on Ford's website. A regular cab would probably be less than that. Options are nice but I still don't see the point of it. (Not to mention the 7.3 outperforms and hauls more than the "base" diesel)

The Dodge HD's START at $23,000. I think you could squeeze in the HO diesel for ~ $30,000.

You can get the current HO 2500 Ram Diesel for $27,925. The Autoweek article says that prices will increase $980 for 2003 models. That brings the price for a HO $2003 2500 RAM to $28,905

Start at $23,000? Not for the new ones. Taken straight from your link: (for a quad cab though)

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy Duty
Model: Four door Quad Cab with Long Box and seating for six
Base price: $27,500 (est.)
Engine: 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8, 345 hp/375 lb-ft
Drivetrain: Five-speed overdrive manual or automatic, two-wheel or four-wheel drive
Length x width x height (inches): 249.7 x 79.9 x 78.4
Wheelbase: 160.5 in
Curb weight: N/A
Trailer tow rating: 15,000 - 17,000 lb GCWR
EPA City/Hwy: N/A (Not required for HD trucks)
Safety equipment: Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Front driver and passenger airbags, center three-point safety belt, LATCH child seat tether system
Major standard equipment: Manual adjusting, fold-away sideview mirrors; air conditioning; interior assist handles; cargo and glove box lamps; cigar lighter; AM/FM cassette; full size spare tire and steel wheel.
Warranty: Seven years/70,000 miles

I'm pretty sure both diesel engines will cost more than $2k as an option

Straight from my Autoweek which has MUCH more info on '03 Ram HD pricing:

The redesigned models, which go on sale in mid-September, start at $23,280, including $740 destination charge for the 2500. The top-of-the-range 2500, a Quad Cab with four-wheel drive and diesel, has a sticker price of about $41,000.

Prices for the 3500 start at $25,165, including freight, and increase to $42,000 for four-wheel-drive and diesel models.

Stickers for the two-wheel-drive models of both the 2500 and the 3500 increased $980 for both models.

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=09565237
 

LAUST

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2000
8,957
1
81
I got $10 says a good haggler can go down to all 3 dealerships and get a better deal on a powerstroke 10 fold then a Max or a new Cummins.

Like I said guy down the street brand new 4x4 not that 2wd cheap good for eastern flatlanders crap, crew cab PS for $32,000.... I already talked to the guys at Suss about a Duramax, the Demand is so high per volume they are not cutting near as good of deals.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
81
I am annoyed that I can not configure a 2003 model on Dodges web site yet :(