2008 F250 4x4 Diesel or V10?

[beefeater]

Gents,

I just test drove this beast and really liked it. I was very surprised at the improvement in ride quality from year's past. I compared it head to head with the new Tundra and I prefer the F250 for everything except acceleration. The Tundra does ride just a bit smoother, but not enough to matter much to me. The pricing is going to work out the same for either truck. I very much prefer the interior of the Ford.

I plan to tow up to 10,000lbs 2-3 times a year max. Otherwise, this would be a daily driver for work and play. The towing is less than 5 hours one way and mostly flat, with a few random hills. Elevation is around 700ft.

So, knowing the diesel option is $5500 extra and that diesel is currently 50 cents a gallon higher than regular unleaded, doesn't it make sense to go with the V10 in my situation? The new Ford diesel is much smoother and quieter than years past, but still not at the level of a gas engine. Thoughts/comments?

 

[Diamondpilot]

For you I would go with the V10 and thats coming from a guy who owns 3 Powerstroke Diesels. I have 2 F-350's one a 7.3 and one a 6.0 and a F-250 that is a 6.0. The one thing I would recommend is get the F-350 not the F-250. Most guys I know who have a 3/4 ton wish they would have spent the few extra $$$ and got the truck with more payload and towing capability.

Chris

 

[chh]

My Dodge 2500 is getting to the age that I am considering trading it in on a 1 ton. I am really leaning toward going to a gas truck this time. I almost traded for a low mileage(under 20,000 miles) V-10 last summer and the saleman, of all people, talked me out of it. I tow heavier trailers than you do, but average less than 10,000 miles a year on a truck. For me the $5500 or so difference is really too much.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I am in agreement with Diamondpilot, I would get the V10 for your needs, for all the reasons you state. You won't be towing very often or real long distances, both of which are important. I have a 2006 Ram diesel and it was the right choice then, but if I were buying today I would probably choose a gas engine (personally I would be getting a GM 6.0L with the 6-speed, but that's just me). Between the higher price of diesel and of the engines, and uncertainties about mileage and durability with the new emissions standards, I think you have to do a LOT of towing for the diesel to make sense.

I would look at the 1-ton SRW but wouldn't automatically get it, as your towing plans don't require it and I think it would be a disadvantage for the 99% of the time when you're not towing or doing heavy work.

 

[JiminGa]

I have an 04 F250 4x4 KR crew cab with the v-10. I too contemplated the cost of the engine and fuel, and spoke with several friends that have the v-10. I bought the truck used with 83k miles in Aug of 06 and it's at 171k now. I do alot of driving, pull a trailer occasionally with atv's or my JD2305 with attachments. At this point I have been very satisfied with the truck and have had zero problems with it. I'll be doin a tune up next Tues. which my mechanic says will run between $200 and $300, but he's giving me a very good rate on labor. The one thing I will say about it, is the mileage is a 3/4 ton truck mileage. on the highway I get about 14 1/2 mpg running 70 and not trying to race anybody. i've looked at the chip tuners and exhaust mods and some folks will try to lead you into thinking you can pull 20+ mpg, that ain't happening unless maybe you drive 55 on the interstate, in which case you'll probably get run over.

 

[Diamondpilot]

There is no comparison when you look at the GM 6.0 and the Ford V10. The Ford will tow up to 16,300# with a 4x4 extended cab V10 SRW. The GM will only do 12,600# in best configuration, 2 wheel drive, dually. There is no comparison when it comes to gas towing, the Ford V10 wins hands down and will hang with most others diesel offerings.

Chris

 

[beefeater]

I think a lot of f250 buyers are in a similar situation.

However, you just don't see any V10's in the dealer's lots. My local dealer has two f250 V8 gassers and 10 diesels, but zero V10's. The V10 is only a $600 dollar upcharge on the V8. I can't imagine buying a V8 when the V10 is available at a reasonable upcharge. I doubt the V8 gets much better mileage.

 

[Builder]

There is no comparison when you look at the GM 6.0 and the Ford V10. The Ford will tow up to 16,300# with a 4x4 extended cab V10 SRW. The GM will only do 12,600# in best configuration, 2 wheel drive, dually. There is no comparison when it comes to gas towing, the Ford V10 wins hands down and will hang with most others diesel offerings.

Chris

You can't be serious. A V-10 won't hang with other diesel offerings. Compare the torque and what torque is available at lower RPM and please rethink that statement. There's no way a V-10 engine making ~450 ftlbs at higher RPM can pull a trailer like a diesel engine making ~650 ft lbs at lower RPMs. No way. Basic physics. And when it comes to fuel economy, the heavier the trailer gets, the more the diesel shines in fuel economy.

 

[Builder]

Gents,

I just test drove this beast and really liked it. I was very surprised at the improvement in ride quality from year's past. I compared it head to head with the new Tundra and I prefer the F250 for everything except acceleration. The Tundra does ride just a bit smoother, but not enough to matter much to me. The pricing is going to work out the same for either truck. I very much prefer the interior of the Ford.

I plan to tow up to 10,000lbs 2-3 times a year max. Otherwise, this would be a daily driver for work and play. The towing is less than 5 hours one way and mostly flat, with a few random hills. Elevation is around 700ft.

So, knowing the diesel option is $5500 extra and that diesel is currently 50 cents a gallon higher than regular unleaded, doesn't it make sense to go with the V10 in my situation? The new Ford diesel is much smoother and quieter than years past, but still not at the level of a gas engine. Thoughts/comments?

It's no longer worth it to buy a diesel unless you'll be towing heavy & often or expect to keep your truck beyond 200K.

Heavy & often will offer a greater level of fuel $$ savings over gas. Empty or light trailers are fine for gas. Certainly you'll have plenty of power from the V-10 for a 10K trailer. . If you keep the truck for 200K or more, chances are great you'll replace the gas engine, but the diesel will still be running on its' original motor if given average care.

Also remember Wards automotive determined that based on their statistics, a diesel will get an average of $5,000 more at trade than a comparable gas engine if it has over 100K miles. This is because the common perception that gas engines are on borrowed time when they hit 100K. Even if that's not true, it's the perception that counts, I guess.

 

[Builder]

I think a lot of f250 buyers are in a similar situation.

However, you just don't see any V10's in the dealer's lots. My local dealer has two f250 V8 gassers and 10 diesels, but zero V10's. The V10 is only a $600 dollar upcharge on the V8. I can't imagine buying a V8 when the V10 is available at a reasonable upcharge. I doubt the V8 gets much better mileage.

They are hard to get. Ford makes it that way so you'll be inclined to buy a more expensive diesel. They make a lot more profit selling you a diesel.

The V-10 is living on borrowed time. Look for a gas 6.2L pushrod (not overhead cam) big block called the "Boss" to appear in about 6 months to replace it. That will drop Ford's gas tow ratings, just like GM when they dumped the 8.1L gas engine from their lineup down to the 6L gas.

The thinking behind all this is to force buyers into diesel power over big block gas so they can make more money off us and drop another gas engine from their lineups.