Hi,I recently posted a question regarding used Diesel trucks and you guys were amazing with your 49 responses. Thanks!This is a related question..Can you outline the Pro's and Cons of buying a Used vs New Diesel Truck and what is the recommendation?We have the cash on hand for a new truck so no financing, but we are very careful with our money and spend it wisely.The feedback from my previous question on used trucks left me with a LOT of sometimes conflicting opinions. What I got from it was that if you buy a truck that's older than 3 years old with quite a few mile on it then:- You don't really know what people have done to the truck in many ways including tuning etc- In the past the different manufacturers went through periods when there trucks 'had issues'- That in the past 3 years they have made great strides in Diesel trucks which are now more reliable, cleaner and quieter.Basically It looks like that if I want to be reasonably sure that I get a truck that will take my family and 3 young children across deserts and mountains in this greta country that I should be looking at a truck less than 3 years oldBut then I look at the price of trucks that are less than 3 years old and I see that they really hold there price!!.. The difference between the 3 years old used truck and the new truck is not HUGE!So..It's a difficult decision!Any advice is welcome! but please no "My truck is 25 years old with 1 million miles and running great". As this doesn't really answer my question :BThanks Again!!!

One good reason is it's hard to find a heavy duty truck that wasn't used hard. They're often badly worn inside and out and you don't know what maint. was done.And the new ones are shiiinnnyy.

IMO buy a new one that's got the biggest discount. From reading some of the diesel forums it's disturbing what those guy do with their trucks. Especially when you get on the subject of towing or deleting.

For the money and options a new Tradesmen trim level Ram diesel is hard to beat. At our local Ram dealer I consistently see Tradesmen Ram crew cabs with diesels in the low 40k range. I've seen 2010 model diesels with 70k miles sell for 35k. The tradesmen can be as spartan as vinyl seats and roll up windows to power windows, back up camera, cloth, etc. So....If I were to spend the money on a Diesel I would take a hard look at the Ram from a cost and reliability perspective. Thanks!Jeremiah

If you could find a retiring RVer advertising a truck and trailer combination you could assume the truck was primarily used to tow a trailer instead of a 30,000 hay wagon. Seller's can produce fake maintenance records so if you get serious about one you could have an oil sample tested for wear.Of course if you buy new you'll spend more and worry less.

I don't think there has been huge increases in the price of a new truck for several years, but I do think there has been genuine improvements in them, both with reliability and sheer performance. Manufacturers seem to have settled on a good platform and improved it instead of moving on into the next level because the old platform wasn't working well.When one looks at car issues it always spikes high with a new model, then after a few years things start looking much better if they keep improving what is offered.Buy a new truck, but not a new model platform.

New vs Old Diesel Truck | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

BB_TX
Nomad
Mar 13, 2014
In this area Ford dealers regularly offer $12,000-$14,000 off sticker on new Superdutys. With that kind of discount you can get a basic XLT for under $40k or a King Ranch for around $50k+.
And, yes, 2-3 yr old used ones are pretty high also. But good ones can be had. I have no intention of selling/trading mine. But if I did someone would get an excellant 1 1/2 yr old truck with 17,000 miles and all required routine service performed by Ford dealer at or before required mileage. Only a about 2,500 miles towing my 5er and rest just generally running around as I am retired now.
diazr2
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Buy new that way you can ruin it yourself no middle man to deal with :)
donn0128
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2014
Used diesels command premium prices. In this case you might be better off buying new and ordering what you want. Dave Smith motors in Kellogg,ID seems to always offer some of the best prices in the country. They offer fly and drive deals.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
I don't think there has been huge increases in the price of a new truck for several years, but I do think there has been genuine improvements in them, both with reliability and sheer performance. Manufacturers seem to have settled on a good platform and improved it instead of moving on into the next level because the old platform wasn't working well.

When one looks at car issues it always spikes high with a new model, then after a few years things start looking much better if they keep improving what is offered.

Buy a new truck, but not a new model platform.
Boxer_Lovers
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
If you could find a retiring RVer advertising a truck and trailer combination you could assume the truck was primarily used to tow a trailer instead of a 30,000 hay wagon. Seller's can produce fake maintenance records so if you get serious about one you could have an oil sample tested for wear.

Of course if you buy new you'll spend more and worry less.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Mar 12, 2014
For the money and options a new Tradesmen trim level Ram diesel is hard to beat. At our local Ram dealer I consistently see Tradesmen Ram crew cabs with diesels in the low 40k range. I've seen 2010 model diesels with 70k miles sell for 35k.

The tradesmen can be as spartan as vinyl seats and roll up windows to power windows, back up camera, cloth, etc.

So....If I were to spend the money on a Diesel I would take a hard look at the Ram from a cost and reliability perspective.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
goducks10
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
IMO buy a new one that's got the biggest discount. From reading some of the diesel forums it's disturbing what those guy do with their trucks. Especially when you get on the subject of towing or deleting.
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 12, 2014
One good reason is it's hard to find a heavy duty truck that wasn't used hard. They're often badly worn inside and out and you don't know what maint. was done.
And the new ones are shiiinnnyy.

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New vs Old Diesel Truck

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