Help a Newbie, question about gas vs. diesel

While the cost does matter to many, when buying a new truck...need and type of most use of truck is what really matters. IMO, gas is fine for many of us towing under 12K.

Just for the record...who is richer/poorer...the man that has/does little, but has a million dollars in the bank, or the man that owes a million, but has everything/does everything he enjoys???

Jerry

There are people who find it kind of tough to put much money into savings without a little financial self discipline. Doing without the new diesel in favor of a gasser would not equate to living like a pauper.

You go Lantley!! Words of wisdom there.

4x4ord wrote:

blt2ski wrote:
Dan,


At the end of the day, figure $.50-.75 per mile or more in actual costs of a vehicle. Cost of vehicle, insurance, fuel, tires, maintenance etc. If you can write it off, great, if not, buy what pleases you, you're spending hard earned funds for fun!

Marty

I figure the cost to own and drive a new diesel vs an old gas powered truck is about $3k per year. (Based on 20k miles per year) $3k per year invested in something that earns a 10% return would result in a $172,000 pot of cash at the end of 20 years. That might be a reason enough for some people to make do with an old gas powered truck.

Yes but some are more obsessed with saving than living. The $172K in cash won't tow my RV! I have to spend it to for it to be beneficial.
An old beater gasser won't reliably tow my RV either.
Comparing spending to saving is pointless.
Maybe I should live on the street like a homeless person in order to save more for my retirement? I could sell my house and live in a tent?
My cost of living would go down and I could have more in the bank

What's the point of living like a pulper and having $1 mill in the bank?
If you need/want a tow vehicle buy it. Saving/investing money is a totally different subject that has nothing to do with tow vehicles.

blt2ski wrote:
Dan,


At the end of the day, figure $.50-.75 per mile or more in actual costs of a vehicle. Cost of vehicle, insurance, fuel, tires, maintenance etc. If you can write it off, great, if not, buy what pleases you, you're spending hard earned funds for fun!

Marty

I figure the cost to own and drive a new diesel vs an old gas powered truck is about $3k per year. (Based on 20k miles per year) $3k per year invested in something that earns a 10% return would result in a $172,000 pot of cash at the end of 20 years. That might be a reason enough for some people to make do with an old gas powered truck.

Dan,

Hence why using and buying a vehicle from a personal standpoint, buy what you want, as it will not pay for itself! You have the same dollars and cents equations to figure out the actual cost of things. For me, by the time I drive my rigs for 10 years, 150,000-200000 miles, if I get 2000 in trade in, be it gas or diesel, Im doing good! Then again, if you put two to three loads of gravel in the bed of a pickup on a daily basis, it gets body damage so bad, it will not matter what drivetrain you have at the trade in or sales time!
At the end of the day, figure $.50-.75 per mile or more in actual costs of a vehicle. Cost of vehicle, insurance, fuel, tires, maintenance etc. If you can write it off, great, if not, buy what pleases you, you're spending hard earned funds for fun!

Marty

blt2ski wrote:
Cost $2000 for six years.....hmmmm...
Let's assume you paid cash, interest you could have earned on $8K at 3% or about $240 per year, time 6 years = $1450 in lost earnings, or potentially interest paid. I'd say said $8000 option cost you $3500 or so. More if interest income is better, less if lower.
Another way to look at costs...
Plus and minus between the two, their is a sticky post at top, read the twelve some odd years of comments, you will see what is good or bad about the two, time frame also can change which is better vs worst as far as fuel costs mpg savings.
You an auto worth $8000 more, comp and collision insurance will be higher, not major $$, but higher.....
Lots of ways to look at costs. It Will take many miles to pay for that $8000 difference.
Turbo part of diesel at 5000+ feet elevation is really nice. An eco boost or equal Will net the same grin factor at elevation!
Choose your poison. Don't look back!
Marty

Marty, I though about that as I was typing my last post and you can't figure out every penny on what something is going to cost over the life of a vehicle. Yes I paid $8000 more for my diesel but it will give me a much bigger down payment on the next vehicle when I trade someday whether it a gasser or diesel. So I saved by not having to borrow as much I guess on the next one, right?

Everybody's needs or wants are different. I could make the same cost analysis on buying a High Country or a Denali and investing the cost difference between them and my lowly LT trim. I just rather have the diesel than a higher trim package. My towing comfort is more important to me than air conditioned leather seats and 15 camera views.:)

Dan

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I did not separate out engine maintenance--but it was all mechanical issues. For example a power steering repair, and a transmission repair.

I didn't see this post, so your cost was based on repairs as well, not just maintenance.
And power steering or trans repair isn't the cost of running a diesel engine, it's the cost of running a vehicle.
That be like me saying a gas engine costs more because the trans just get replaced in my half ton.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Hammerboy,

My diesel class c cost, on average, $0.25 cents per mile over a 9 year period. My V-10 costs about $0.05 cents per mile over a 10 year period.

This was for all maintenance expenses.

There were no "major" repairs to either. (crossing my fingers)

Speaking maintenance only, that doesn't make sense. There's some extenuating factors, service interval, low miles, something. Unless you were paying $2000 for a normal oil/filter and fuel filters change.

Hammerboy wrote:
Its always funny listening to the arguments of gas vs diesel costs. I paid 6 1/2 years ago an extra $8000 and change for my diesel. Today that truck Bluebooks for $6000 TRADE IN value more than the gas equivalent. So I look at it this way, for 6 1/2 years it cost me $2000 to own that diesel if I were to trade it in today. Fuel costs are a wash as diesel cost more but gets 25-30% better mileage, maintenance is slightly more, nothing to complain about. Barring nothing catastrophic happens its not the huge cost difference some people make it out to be.

Dan

That's what I was trying to get at, in my area you wouldn't even have the 2 grand loss in the real market.
Pay the diesel tax once and then enjoy the benefits of diesel trucks the rest of your life.
Everybody is different though and I have nothing against gas trucks, just disagree it's a huge cost every time you trade.