new truck-diesel or gas?

[ERoss]

It's time for a new truck. I am selling my 97 v-10.

Part of the reason for the change is the poor mileage (10 mpg)

that i get with the v-10. I don't tow anything but I want a truck that

gets better mileage, is dependable, and will last for a long time.

Should i get a gas truck or a diesel?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

I drive about 10,000 miles a year of combined city and highway travel.

thanks.

 

[GFrance]

Advantages : engine will last 2 or 3 times longer than gas engine

fuel milage empty 15 to 20 mpg (depending on driving habits & mods)

If you ever do get something to tow, you'll have a rig that can do the job & get better mpg doing it.

Resale value much higher

If your mechanicaly inclined the Cummins motor is easy to work on

Disadvantage: Diesel fuel is running higher than premium unleaded right now (maybe subject to change in another month I work for an oil co. )

 

[KevinO]

10k a year not towing i don't think i would worry about the mileage too much as a cost of a diesel probably wouldn't pay off for you JMO

 

[EEdmondson]

Tundra, F150, Tacoma, Titan, Fronteer. Do you need or want a heavy duty?

 

[WMcGuire]

This looks like one of those "loaded" questions, you didn't say what you use the truck for so only you know what size truck you need, at only 10K miles a year any of the small gas trucks will last for 20 years without much problem, unless you are doing some heavy duty towing the diesel will never pay for itself, if I was in the market for a lightweight economical truck, I would go with Toyota, they seem to have the best record for durability, but if you are set on a diesel, it might be best to wait a year or two for the new half ton diesels hit the market, that's my 2 cents.

 

[macdaddy]

Shame on me but!

I have to admit that the Ford F-350 single,extended,and Crew Cabs wit the V-10 with its new power 362HP and 470 lb ft torque is an attraction. Their Triton is an excellent motor.



Mac

 

[Matt400]

Their Triton is an excellent motor.

Until you have had the opportunity to change the spark plugs on one of those you might say otherwise, time consuming task for sure plus Tritons have had trouble with spark plugs pulling the threads on removal, next step of correction is a new head at mega bucks so most Ford Dealers simply sell a long block when all you wanted was a tune up at their recommended 100K.

 

[Matt400]

I want a truck that

gets better mileage, is dependable, and will last for a long time.

For mpg I think the 03/04 Cummins model, 2wd, 3. 73 geared auto trans would be a good combo for you, maybe even a little taller than factory tire if you drive much above 70. The last 2 items are a given if you don't modify it and you keep up with services.



I had a Ford Ranger 4. 0 V6 that didn't do as good on mpg as my QC Ram so I can't recommend a gasser of any size. Oh... well maybe a 4cyl Toyota Tacoma 2wd 5 speed which fits your 3 needs but going from a Big truck to a smaller one is tough. I went from a 10 mpg F-350 to an 18 mpg Ranger and was thrilled for a while but the size got to me, I hung in there for 10 yrs with the Ranger, then got the Cummins and wondered what was I thinking

 

[GFoley]

I once figured that it took me about 100,000 miles tor each the break even point of the diesel option. At 159,000 I'm getting my money back now even though my average annual mileage has dropped significantly.

 

[GTani]

I think the answers you get here will be a little bias. We all own Cummins diesels.

 

[klenger]

If you are talking about getting a Dodge 3/4 or 1 ton, your only options are the Cummins 600 or the hemi. Trading from the V10 to a hemi for better fuel milage is a loosing proposition. If you could get by with a mini pickup, then you have a lot of options.

 

[bmoeller]

Really depends. Do you intend to get a brand new truck, or "new" to you? The current fuel prices may be a factor for you, don't know.



My co-worker has a '02 Ranger, ext. cab, 4x4, V-6, 5spd. truck. Gets 18mpg highway. My dually got about the same, with the dually box still on it (70mph and 4. 10 gears). Flatbed knocked it back some.



Now, if you WANT a diesel, that is a different thing. I've been around quite a few Ford (69/7. 3 IDI and 7. 3 PSD) and GM (4. 3 V-6 (car), 6. 2/6. 5L) trucks with V-8 diesels. This is the first Cummins I've owned, but have run many others, in different applications.



I prefer my Cummins over the other pick-up diesels. If nothing else, they start much better in the cold. The raw power is great, too. It is a VERY reliable engine. Easier to work on.



The grid heaters on the Cummins work MUCH better than the glow plugs in the V-8 diesels, and more reliable.



Ultimately, only you can answer that question, on what best fits your wants/needs.



Good luck in your search.

 

[gsbrockman]

Buy a gasser. Diesels are smelly, take too long to warm up, are slow, noisey, cost too much in maintenance, but mostly, are frowned upon by tree huggers.

Greg

 

[rbattelle]

Diesels are smelly, take too long to warm up, are slow, noisey, cost too much in maintenance, but mostly, are frowned upon by tree huggers.

Greg

All very good reasons to own a diesel! :-laf



-Ryan

 

[klenger]

Buy a gasser. Diesels are smelly, take too long to warm up, are slow, noisey, cost too much in maintenance, but mostly, are frowned upon by tree huggers.

Greg

So, what's your point? :-laf

 

[DocDetonancour]

It's time for a new truck. I am selling my 97 v-10.

Part of the reason for the change is the poor mileage (10 mpg)

that i get with the v-10. I don't tow anything but I want a truck that

gets better mileage, is dependable, and will last for a long time.

Should i get a gas truck or a diesel?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

I drive about 10,000 miles a year of combined city and highway travel.

thanks.

Bought my first CTD in 95 and the 04 in 03. Wouldn't even consider a gasser. Son has a 98 with 120 k that runs like the day he bought it. He is not a maintenance type guy so the diesel has been great. I do tow some and the current price of diesel sucks. Will it come down? I thought of the V 10 when I bought, but another son sold thel and he said "they get 10 mpg!". I have gotten 23 on the 04 and the 96. Good luck, Doc

 

[Neibe]

If you have to ask you better get the gas.

 

[MFenza]

You are better off with a diesel due to the fact that besides better fuel economy you will get better resale value also for example I had a 1997 ford F-350 dually 4x4 with 85,000 miles on the clock and a dealer gave $26,000 for the truck that was 5 years old with out batting a eye and if this was a gas motor I would have to apologize to sell it to someone with a diesel you never have to a apologise especially if it is a cummins diesel motor and after driving a diesel you will never want to drive a gas motor again and beside this gas motors are real Pigs my sister has a HEMI 1500 QC and it is awful on milage 9 to 10 mpg MATT 2004. 5 RAM 3500 silver dually Laramie 4x4 with to much toys to list

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Fuel and maintenance savings may not pay for the diesel option very fast, but resale value is higher on the diesel. Also, when you try to sell a used gasser with 80,000 on the clock, everyone says "it's worn out"--and they're right. With a Cummins, they say "wow, it's just broken in for me!"--and they're right! So, it is easier by far to sell the diesel later when you have some miles on it.

 

[PJ]

With the Diesel prices going up and up every day, I would consider a Gasser. . There is about $. 70 between Diesel and unleaded in my part of the state