Cost of owning diesel v. gas

WyoTraveler wrote:

MPG? Not sure it matters. Since price wise 8 mpg gas is about equal to 11 mpg diesel pump price. I would only prefer gas because no worries about cold weather, also the DEF. However, it doesn't matter what I think anyway because I can't buy a new V10 PU with a 4.3 axle except in a MH. Probably one reason I have a MH and not a 5ver.

I have no idea where you got that 8 mpg/11 mpg comparison, but that is a 37% difference, and I have NEVER seen that big a difference in the prices between diesel and gasoline anywhere in the country at any time.

I just looked on gas buddy, and in my area, diesel fuel is only about 15% more expensive than gasoline. This is in line with most of my experience over the dozen years I've driven diesels. So the breakdown is this: it costs 15% more per gallon, but a gallon of diesel drags my rig 30% further down the road. Sorry, man, I'll stick with diesel.

diver110 wrote:

joeshmoe wrote:
Also, there are many a good, used, lower mileage diesel rigs out there that people don't want anymore. That greatly lowers the overall cost of ownership. Let someone else pay for that initial depreciation.

Yes and no. Where I live, diesels are not easy to find generally, and 1 tons are especially tough. A 2007 Duramax with 70,000 miles goes in the high 30's, not exactly a steep discount given the age. Admittedly, less smog stuff to worry about.

That's because diesels hold their value far better than a gasser.
The premium you pay at purchas time is returned at resale time

Yes and no. Where I live, diesels are not easy to find generally, and 1 tons are especially tough. A 2007 Duramax with 70,000 miles goes in the high 30's, not exactly a steep discount given the age. Admittedly, less smog stuff to worry about.

Less smog stuff? HA! Not in California and certainly not the most recent diesels, at least 2008 anyway. EPA has crawled up the backside of the consumer diesel industry. There was a time, but those days are long gone and the added costs are passed on to you and I.

I'd love to have an 07 Duramax. I'd be happy camper for the next half a million miles. But, you're right. Hard to find at decent price which is why I had to settle for used, low mileage 6.0 Powerstroke for $12K. Yeah, I know. But I perform all my own repairs, so that's an additional savings and peace of mind. When I get to the point that I can't work on my own vehicles, I'll probably just buy a walker and commute around that way.LoL

joeshmoe wrote:
Also, there are many a good, used, lower mileage diesel rigs out there that people don't want anymore. That greatly lowers the overall cost of ownership. Let someone else pay for that initial depreciation.

Yes and no. Where I live, diesels are not easy to find generally, and 1 tons are especially tough. A 2007 Duramax with 70,000 miles goes in the high 30's, not exactly a steep discount given the age. Admittedly, less smog stuff to worry about.

Also, there are many a good, used, lower mileage diesel rigs out there that people don't want anymore. That greatly lowers the overall cost of ownership. Let someone else pay for that initial depreciation.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Doesn't much matter........gas won't do what diesel does for me and that is tow my 14K fiver and still get 11 mpg at 62 mph up 7% grade in cruise control.
Priceless :B

MPG? Not sure it matters. Since price wise 8 mpg gas is about equal to 11 mpg diesel pump price. I would only prefer gas because no worries about cold weather, also the DEF. However, it doesn't matter what I think anyway because I can't buy a new V10 PU with a 4.3 axle except in a MH. Probably one reason I have a MH and not a 5ver.

Doesn't much matter........gas won't do what diesel does for me and that is tow my 14K fiver and still get 11 mpg at 62 mph up 7% grade in cruise control.
Priceless :B

Cost of owning a Dodge 3/4 ton vs 1 ton diesel wouldn't be any different so that not an issue. I assume it's also based on dealer oil & filter changes. I've never been able to figure out why or how they got some much $$ on a diesel routine maintenance. Must be why I do it myself.