I had the oil changed in my truck this week and drove a new 2500 with a diesel while I waited. I have owned diesels in the past and this one brought back memories. So here are some thoughts on both engines.
The diesel is very smooth above idle. It delivers a "turbine" like acceleration, very smooth, but seems slower than my gasser. My guess is that it is not slower, but seems that way due to the smooth quiet pull when accelerating. This truck did have an annoying vibration at idle....I would not buy this particular truck because of this.
My truck is much more responsive to throttle input unlike the diesel, which was a bit lazy. Every diesel I've owned has felt this way. Interestingly, my truck is noticeably quieter at idle. At highway speed, the diesel wins easily.....much quieter. However, the Magnaflow muffler on mine has something to do with this! Under acceleration, my truck sounds like a 60s muscle car....it wails. I'm a kid again every time I merge onto the interstate....and that is a good thing.
Both trucks are 2500s with 4wd. Mine is a Tradesman and the loaner was a 4wd Bighorn. The diesel was noticeably shorter and much easier to get into for me. Part of the difference is my tires, I have 35s and the stock tires are 33s. That results in a 1" difference in height, but the diesel was easily 2" lower. Maybe all diesels are shorter than gas trucks? Dunno.....
I reset the fuel economy when I got in the truck and after 30 miles or so of combined city/highway, it was indicating 17.5 mpg. That seems a bit low from my diesel experience, but I will attribute that to the truck being new and not loosened up yet. My Fuelly average is 15.4 mpg after 16,000 miles.
After 16,000 miles, I am used to the rotary shifter on the gasser. It was a pain reaching for the shifter on the steering column. I am not saying I like the knob better, but once getting used to it, it is harder going back to the column shiftet. If I had my choice, I'm not sure which I would pick.
So.....I think these 2 different trucks are both tools for different jobs. If one is going to tow heavy, over 13,000 or 14,000 pounds, the diesel is the logical choice. Hands down, the diesel is a better tool for heavy towing. For day to day driving and towing up to 11,000 or 12,000 pounds, the gas truck makes sense to me. I prefer the way the gas truck drives unloaded.
So the loaner confirmed to me my voice of the gas truck was right for me. But I'm not everyone.... If you are someone who likes diesels or you just want one, then the diesel is right for you. The choice boils down to individual needs and wants. What is best for me may be completely wrong for you.
Enjoy your trucks!
The diesel is very smooth above idle. It delivers a "turbine" like acceleration, very smooth, but seems slower than my gasser. My guess is that it is not slower, but seems that way due to the smooth quiet pull when accelerating. This truck did have an annoying vibration at idle....I would not buy this particular truck because of this.
My truck is much more responsive to throttle input unlike the diesel, which was a bit lazy. Every diesel I've owned has felt this way. Interestingly, my truck is noticeably quieter at idle. At highway speed, the diesel wins easily.....much quieter. However, the Magnaflow muffler on mine has something to do with this! Under acceleration, my truck sounds like a 60s muscle car....it wails. I'm a kid again every time I merge onto the interstate....and that is a good thing.
Both trucks are 2500s with 4wd. Mine is a Tradesman and the loaner was a 4wd Bighorn. The diesel was noticeably shorter and much easier to get into for me. Part of the difference is my tires, I have 35s and the stock tires are 33s. That results in a 1" difference in height, but the diesel was easily 2" lower. Maybe all diesels are shorter than gas trucks? Dunno.....
I reset the fuel economy when I got in the truck and after 30 miles or so of combined city/highway, it was indicating 17.5 mpg. That seems a bit low from my diesel experience, but I will attribute that to the truck being new and not loosened up yet. My Fuelly average is 15.4 mpg after 16,000 miles.
After 16,000 miles, I am used to the rotary shifter on the gasser. It was a pain reaching for the shifter on the steering column. I am not saying I like the knob better, but once getting used to it, it is harder going back to the column shiftet. If I had my choice, I'm not sure which I would pick.
So.....I think these 2 different trucks are both tools for different jobs. If one is going to tow heavy, over 13,000 or 14,000 pounds, the diesel is the logical choice. Hands down, the diesel is a better tool for heavy towing. For day to day driving and towing up to 11,000 or 12,000 pounds, the gas truck makes sense to me. I prefer the way the gas truck drives unloaded.
So the loaner confirmed to me my voice of the gas truck was right for me. But I'm not everyone.... If you are someone who likes diesels or you just want one, then the diesel is right for you. The choice boils down to individual needs and wants. What is best for me may be completely wrong for you.
Enjoy your trucks!