darsben1 wrote:
I think you are young enough that the higher cost of the diesel will be okay. If you were late 60's then I would go with a gasser.
I don't follow your thoughts on this - I assume you are saying that as income shrinks (later in age) a gasser would be more affordable. But the Diesel generally gets better gas mileage. But maybe not better by enough to warrant the additional cost. Or maybe you mean being younger, I have more time to amortize the additional cost of the diesel.
Are you thinking pre DEF rig? I would think that. You know diesels so you are a leg up on that part.
No, I'm looking at 2010 and up, so it will have the DEF, SCR, and whatever else the EPA makes them install.
You are theoretically safer power train wise buying a used diesel. 100,000 miles on a good Cummins diesel Vs 100,000 miles on a gasser.
The "big semis" diesels will go 500,000 before an in-chassis overhaul is needed. But the gas engines would only get around 250,000 before they were totally wasted. Of course the applications are a little different (i.e. over-the-road semi versus city driven utility truck or bus).
When I was fleet manager for city, we needed to buy some replacement buses (small 20 passenger Turtle Top buses) they had the option of diesel or gas. I wanted diesel, but the sales guy convinced me to go with gas because "GM was still figuring out what to do with their diesel emissions (DEF was just coming out)", so we bought the gas. They didn't last 100,000 miles. Some of the engines failed during the warranty. These were GM chassis/engines.
A few years later we bought some diesel buses (same size) and those easily hit 200,000 with very few problems. The diesel buses were still running when I retired. So that's why I'm weary of going gas. but maybe the technology (and build quality) has improved.
But if you do not plan to keep the rig long then GASSER wins
I always buy with the intent of keeping it forever. Even if it doesn't turn out that way - that's just the way I think.
It should be about the floor plan and the features you want on the rig more than the engine that gets you there.
Now that is clear as mud ain't it
Agreed - that's where I'm at now. Features and Floor plan first, then engine type.
