Diesel vs gas......................

carl2591 wrote:
so now back to they main attraction ,,, Diesel vs gas.

I have been going over the same issues for the past several months my self in trying to determine which is better in the long run. While it true the gas are lower cost up front when buying new you loose more value with them quicker with miles from towing.

A diesel on the other hand is higher cost up front but a diesel with 150K vs a gasser with 150 will garner more dollars as used trucks on resale market.

THis is why i am looking at 2002 ford f-250 SD PSD 7.3L XLT supercab 2 wd version with 152K miles for my future towing duties. this unit already has a elec trailer brake box and mounts for 5th wheel in bad along with air bags so i know it done some towing. In checking the carfax it appers the truck was taken care of for the most part..

It runs good, does not show any smoke at start up, when you open the oil filler cap there is no pressure. for the most part if OEM stock.

The stealersship is asking $13995 and nada is listing it at $11,925..
I plan to take it to a local diesel performance shop close by to check out and they take oil, trans, rearend, and antifreeze samples to send off for analyst for $125..

My point is I feel from reading all the posts in this thread, or almost all of them, the diesel is better suited for full-time use in pull a TT, especially out west, which is where we plan to go in some 5 yrs when we start to full-time..

in the mean time this will be an occasional driver with us getting a TT in 2-3 yrs for weekend, short week etc use.

I am not able to afford a new or almost new truck at some 28-35K. The difference between a 2002 and 2012 will buy a lot of diesel no matter what the price.

It was a tough and hard thought out process that lead to this point..

I do appreciate all the comments both for and against each type.. that is what make a forum like this so fun and interesting.

thanks a million and keep the comments coming..

You'll probably like the new truck. My next truck will most likely be a diesel as well. (Unless someone puts out a 5 liter or so DI turbo gasser, then it will be tougher choice.)

Don't get hung up on the "recoup additional cost at resale" baloney. Take your lumps and understand that added cost is just that, added cost. If you pay a $2000 premium for a diesel truck (4x4, whatever) now and sold it after 10years you would have to get a $5000 premium then to break even in a 10% economy. The value of money is time dependent.

And keep in mind it takes time to get fluid samples analyzed. You may wind up spending money on that only to find the vehicle has been sold before you find out if they tested good or bad. If your mechanic thinks it checks out, and you agree on a price with the dealer, just buy it.