Diesel vs Gas

[JDGREEN4ME]

Looking to buy a bigger truck. Interested in diesel due to durability and lower fuel cost per gallon. Is the extra 4-6K for a diesel worth it? Currently looking at a F-250SD. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

Depends on what your needs are. If you are going to be doing alot of towing then it's definitely worth it. If you are going to keep the truck for a long period of time again it's worth it. Resale is going to be much better with a diesel as well. Usually not too hard to get rid of a good used diesel pickup for a good price. Not always true with a gasser.

If you're just looking for a truck to drive back and forth to work and no real towing then a gasser would probably be better.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I am planning on using it as a tow vehicle for our tractor and future boat. Building a home in a few years so most likely would be keeping it longer than I normally would.

 

[F350Lawman]

Sounds like you answered the question.

towing =diesel
durability=diesel
cool=diesel

Alright, the last one is subjective /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

And dont forget the Fuel saveings both in cost per gallon and Fuel economy. My 2500Hd no load gets an easy 19 mpg. I bet not too many can squeeze that out of a big block HD gasser. Besides Diesels are more fun /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Dave

 

[dmp437]

The F250 SuperDuty is the bomb, diesel or gas. If you're going to go diesel though, I would consider the F350 for the increased payload. The weight of the diesel cuts into the payload of the F250.
As far as the fuel savings, that is eaten up with increased maintainance costs of the diesel. Example: the V10 takes 6 quarts of oil and a $3 oil filter (at China-Mart), the diesel takes 15 quarts and a $10 oil filter plus a fuel filter. Taking everything into account, the payoff of the diesel over the gas happens around 100k miles.
All things considered I would spring for the diesel if you have the money. Fuel economy and fuel price, along with increased towing capacity make it the best choice. I have a F250 V10 I picked up in March 1998, build date January 1998, and durability is awesome.
For the best website about these awesome trucks check out The Diesel Stop

 

[jyoutz]

The towing performance of a diesel is much nicer than any big block gasser can do. Not only do you get the torque at low-strain RPMs, but the engine compression braking is a big stress reliever on your brakes. For even better braking you can get an exhaust brake for a diesel, which will really cut down on your brake wear if you're towing alot. The fuel mileage is also a huge advantage. I'm always amazed to be getting the same mileage with my 3/4 ton while towing that a small block 1/2 ton truck gets under the best of driving conditions.

 

[cowboydoc]

The increased maint. is one of those urban legends. About the only thing that is increased is about 9 quarts of oil. With the new diesels you up your changing to every 7k miles so it's really a wash. About $15 more for an oil change but you don't change oil near as often so a wash. Fuel filters only need changed about every 15-20k. I do the same thing with my gas engines too. A $7 fuel filter is very cheap insurance. Aside from that there isn't any routine maint. on a diesel. No spark plugs, dist., etc. to deal with. Also the 100k deal is based solely on the purchase price of the diesel. If you consider at 100k a diesel is still considered low miles and a 100k gasser is considered high mileage you have a signifcant resale value differential that in my exp. is always more than made up over the initial purchase price. That 100k break even also assumes only highway driving. Hook a trailer to the truck for most of the miles and that break even price drops about half.

 

[InlineDieselFan]

I'll second most of what dmp437 said, but instead of the F-350 look at the Cummins (ie. Dodge) 3500. I suppose that while you are at it you might as well look at the GM also.

All three are good truck it will come down to personal tastes and preferances.

steve

 

[F350Lawman]

Just got my 100K oil analysis before I go out of warranty (anyday now).

The analysis came back perfect, no change from a new truck essentially. There's the difference, I doubt that if my truck was a gasser the results would be so rosy.

My motor is only 1/3 through it's reasonable life before it's time for a first rebuild. That is probably conservative, with continued good maintenance I may do better.

I change my dino oil every 4500 miles and the oil still has plenty of life as reported by the analysis. That is with either Delo or Delvac dino oil.

The other obvious benefit is that you can tow with these diesels in 100 degree weather and lift the hood and it is so much cooler than a gasser would be. The cooling systems are so overbuilt you think the guage is broken, it NEVER moves. Stop and go traffic when towing is a non-issue, just crank the AC and relax /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif