With the complexity of modern emissions laden diesels, it would take a real serious situation for me to even consider one. I get enough grief from my heavy truck commercial diesels that I sure don't want one in my pickup if I can avoid it.
While I hope that this new 3L diesel is a great hit, if I was inclined to consider it I would wait it out for a couple of years while they get the bugs worked out of it. Problem is, even that diesel doesn't change the dynamics. It is still a 1/2 ton pickup. My 2500 6.0 gasser has significantly more capability than any 1/2 ton running around, and this diesel 1500 will be no different.
Some would argue fuel economy of the diesel, and that could be true. But right now, E85 is going for $1.70 in my area, and diesel is going for $3.15. I get about 11-12 mpg average on E85 in my 2500. For a diesel in my 2500 to break even, it would have to get 21-22 average. Possible, but not probable. Remember, that is average.... city, rural, highway, etc. The numbers work similar for a 1500, just a little better since it is 1000 lb lighter out of the gate. So while the new diesel 1500 might be able to pull off some nice fuel economy numbers, it probably will be in the range of the other brands.... about 5-6 mpg better across the board compared to the gas versions in the same pickup. That isn't good enough for me. I would much rather have a flex fuel gas engine. For a diesel to come close to matching my actual cost per mile on E85, it would have to get a minimum of 75% better fuel economy at today's prices. And even better than that for any hope of recovering the initial cost of purchase. Not going to happen.
Seems like more of a status symbol / social statement to me than any appreciable benefit of getting the diesel in the 1500.
