Fuelly mileage of the big three diesels

ShinerBock wrote:

32vld wrote:



Comparing apples to oranges.


Numbers for an example:

Base model pickup $25,000 gas, $35,000 diesel option

Mid model pickup $35,000 gas, $45,000 diesel option

Top model pickup $45,000 gas, $55,000 diesel option


The base model truck is not a better truck with a diesel then
the mid model truck because it still has less features.

Three identical mid model pickup trucks, one has a 4.8 V6, another a 5.3 V8,
one with a 6.0 V8. None of them is the best. Depending what someone
values/needs such as purchase price, fuel economy, power, is what
makes that truck perfect for them.

I did the math many years ago when a diesel option would cost $5,000.
If you drive a diesel pickup 100,000 miles a year in one year it would
pay back that $5,000 higher purchase price based on better mpg even
with higher fuel costs

If you drove that same truck 10,000 miles a year it would take 10 years
to pay back that $5,000 higher purchase price based on better mpg even
with higher fuel costs.

Though those numbers did not include higher diesel maintenance and
repair costs.

Then there is the high wear and tear from high mileage and the high
wear and tear from age.

You bought the diesel, used it 10,000 miles a year. It's now 10 years old with 100,000
miles. The AC stopped working, the power seats are broken, interior worn,
seat fabric has some splits, tears, power door locks some times work, LF power
window won't go down. Fender has a ding, Got some rust starting. Truck
developed rattles (must be a Ford) creaks ad clunks (must be a Dodge)

Now what would be better to keep that 10 year old truck because it as just past
the break even point for buying a diesel. Or to of not spent that $10,000 on
the diesel option back then but use that $10,000 now as a down payment on
a brand new pickup (Chevrolet)?

And when you traded that truck in, you would get over $5,000 more for it than you would the gas option. Just like the Lariat/Laramie trim has a higher resale value than an XL/Tradesman option and you get most of that money spent up front back. Would the Lariat/Laramie trim save you money in fuel along with the a higher resale like a diesel would?

Spending $5,000 more plus the added interest on the higher overall price for a diesel
to sell a vehicle for $5,000 more minus the added interest leaves one with getting
less than $5,000 back at resale.

spending more so sell for more 10 years later, incurring higher interest charges
is not smart financial planning.