Eight miles per gallon. Thirty-three gallons per tank. One hundred and twelve dollars every two days. That’s not a math problem, but it is life with a 702-horsepower Ram TRX. The numbers on the gas pump keep climbing in a viral TikTok by Arizona resident Caden (@cadenterry) as he learns about the ongoing cost of owning a high-performance truck. At about $100 to fill up every two days, you’d expect him to become very familiar with the ritual of refueling the Ram after trips of even intermediate lengths. "We've had this truck for two days now. I'm on my second day coming to the gas station," he says in the clip that’s been viewed more than 56,000 times. Caden says that the tank cost him $112. In a follow-up where he talks about similar fuel costs for a Corvette he owns, Caden clarifies that he’s happy to pay the cost for a premium driving experience: "I like to drive fast. I like to have toys that are fast." Performance Comes at a Price The Ram 1500 TRX is built for brute force: a supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8 pushing 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, paired with four-wheel drive and a high-performance suspension. According to tests conducted by reviewers at Car and Driver, the truck averaged just 9 mpg during test conditions. The U.S. government ratings list 10 mpg city/14 mpg highway/12 mpg combined. Caden is likely consuming a tank of fuel within a couple of days. AAA reports that premium is currently $4/gallon on average in the U.S., meaning a full tank will cost approximately $100—or more, if, like Caden, prices in your area are above average. In his follow-up video, Caden addresses comments accusing him of whining about the expense. OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. "Buddy, nobody is complaining," he says. He points out that his Corvette runs about the same cost to fill every two to three days, underscoring that the cost isn’t the point. For him, the fun isn’t measured in mpg or cost per mile but in smiles per gallon. Viewer reactions spanned from admonishment to admiration. One commenter wrote: "You didn’t know that before you bought a 700 hp truck is not a fuel saver." Another, defending the owner, simply posted: "Hp takes fuel homie." Others sought context: "If it is not your daily, why are you filling it up every two days?" Meanwhile, hybrid owners chimed in with boasting: "I fill up about 6 times per year. Yes, per year. Toyota Prius hybrid." These comments illustrate the broader cross-section of the vehicle ownership world: those who buy for efficiency and those who buy for emotion. The TRX belongs firmly in the latter category. Gallery: Ram 1500 The Dude Concept Fuel Economy Trade-offs and Real-World Math Putting the numbers into perspective, at an average of 8 mpg—consistent with real-world TRX owners in enthusiast forums who report single-digit city averages—23 gallons will net around 184 miles of travel. Assuming $5 per gallon, roughly the price Caden was paying, that’s about 65 cents per mile in fuel alone. Compare that to a modern Ram 1500 with a V-6 or mild-hybrid setup, which achieves 20-25 mpg and significantly lower fuel costs. But while the truck is expensive to operate, in Caden’s view and that of many owners of high-performance pickups, that cost is the price of owning an experience rather than just a work truck. Even in an era obsessed with range and efficiency, raw horsepower still sells, especially when in a truck. Automotive analysts often point to what’s called the "identity halo": powerful vehicles project control, capability, and confidence, qualities buyers subconsciously associate with success. For many TRX owners, the exhaust note is as important as the 0–60 time. Industry analysis reveals that emotional appeal consistently outperforms fuel economy among full-size truck buyers, who view their vehicles as both tools and a means of self-expression. Caden’s video resonates beyond the shock value because it’s a statement about why people still choose mechanical theater over measured restraint. When 700 hp sits underfoot, reason can easily lose. It’s easy to scoff at $120 fill-ups, but run the math and the indulgence becomes clearer. At 8 mpg and about 1,000 miles per month, the TRX drinks roughly 125 gallons, or about $625 monthly at current Arizona prices. That’s $7,500 a year in fuel, roughly equal to the insurance premiums for two mid-size sedans. Factor in higher registration fees, premium-only fuel, and depreciation, and the total ownership cost can top $1.25 per mile, triple that of a typical Ram 1500 V6. Yet enthusiasts justify it as a luxury expense, and a recurring subscription to adrenaline. Motor1 reached out to Caden via direct message and commented on the post. We’ll be sure to update this if they respond. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team