Diesel vs gas......................
OK folks, there have been a few to many diesel vs gas threads that have shall we say gone to "Hell and a hand basket"! So if all of you would put in you BEST, no flaming reasons for going gas vs diese...
Forum Discussion
I have owned numerous gas vehicles over the last 30 years from older 454 Chevy's, 440 Mopar's to 8.1L GM and V10 Excursions. Last year we bought our 04 6.0L Excursion diesel. I also am 44 and have been towing trailers small and large, open and enclosed up to 8,000 lbs in the summer and winter, flat land and mountains. As a result I have a pretty vast experience with gas engines and so far 19,000 on ouor diesel 6.0L Excursion.
Gas Pros:
Quiet.
Great high rpm power - good for passing at highway speeds.
Less expensive when purchasing.
Never an issue with how cold it is out in winter months.
Little smell from exhaust.
Can fuel up at any gas station and usually find regular grade as the lowest priced of all fuels.
Gas Cons:
Less torque but large motors much better than a few years ago.
Poor fuel economy, especially when towing heavy loads and trailers with lots of wind resistance. Typically single digit numbers even on the highway.
Poor fuel economy if driven around town frequently
Need higher RPM's for highway trailer towing so either no overdrive use or frequent hunting in and out of gears. Causes excessive transmission wear.
Lower resale value than diesel.
Diesel Pros:
Fantastic torque, great for towing large trailers and heavy loads.
Dramatically improved fuel economy versus gas vehicles. My results are 40% better in town driving & up to 60% better on the highway vs. gas big blocks!
100,000 mile warranty
Towing in overdrive at highway speeds never a problem, regardless of the weight or size of the trailer.
Higher resale value versus gas.
Our Excursion has an 800 plus mile range PER tank non-towing and around 500 when towing our camper. VERY nice...
Diesel Cons:
Noiser than gas motors - some almost as quiet as gas engines so that varies by brand. Not an issue at all if used mainly for highway driving. Can be a problem locally at a drive through with some - Fords seem to have the most noise at idle and low speeds.
Diesel fuel not sold at all stations.
Diesel often more expensive than regular grade gas.
May (not common) but may have starting or running problems if used in extremly cold climates (i.e. sub zero daily).
Not essential but they do like to have block heaters plugged in during winter months overnight.
Smell with windows up or while hooking up trailers. Never an issue on the highway or with AC on.
Now, for just a personal view. If you tow large and heavy loads nothing compares to a diesel, nothing. That's because of the high torque at very low rpm levels. The are also great for highway towing because of hardly any trans downshifting in winds or on hills. The fuel economy is fantastic.
Would I drive one daily around town? Yes. Will my wife? No. She hates the smell, noise and not being able to run the kids through the drive thru's. But, she LOVES it on the highway. If we never towed we would use gas. Even with the lesser mileage it's pretty even cost since they are less expensive to buy. IF you tow - go diesel!!!! You will NEVER go back.
Gas Pros:
Quiet.
Great high rpm power - good for passing at highway speeds.
Less expensive when purchasing.
Never an issue with how cold it is out in winter months.
Little smell from exhaust.
Can fuel up at any gas station and usually find regular grade as the lowest priced of all fuels.
Gas Cons:
Less torque but large motors much better than a few years ago.
Poor fuel economy, especially when towing heavy loads and trailers with lots of wind resistance. Typically single digit numbers even on the highway.
Poor fuel economy if driven around town frequently
Need higher RPM's for highway trailer towing so either no overdrive use or frequent hunting in and out of gears. Causes excessive transmission wear.
Lower resale value than diesel.
Diesel Pros:
Fantastic torque, great for towing large trailers and heavy loads.
Dramatically improved fuel economy versus gas vehicles. My results are 40% better in town driving & up to 60% better on the highway vs. gas big blocks!
100,000 mile warranty
Towing in overdrive at highway speeds never a problem, regardless of the weight or size of the trailer.
Higher resale value versus gas.
Our Excursion has an 800 plus mile range PER tank non-towing and around 500 when towing our camper. VERY nice...
Diesel Cons:
Noiser than gas motors - some almost as quiet as gas engines so that varies by brand. Not an issue at all if used mainly for highway driving. Can be a problem locally at a drive through with some - Fords seem to have the most noise at idle and low speeds.
Diesel fuel not sold at all stations.
Diesel often more expensive than regular grade gas.
May (not common) but may have starting or running problems if used in extremly cold climates (i.e. sub zero daily).
Not essential but they do like to have block heaters plugged in during winter months overnight.
Smell with windows up or while hooking up trailers. Never an issue on the highway or with AC on.
Now, for just a personal view. If you tow large and heavy loads nothing compares to a diesel, nothing. That's because of the high torque at very low rpm levels. The are also great for highway towing because of hardly any trans downshifting in winds or on hills. The fuel economy is fantastic.
Would I drive one daily around town? Yes. Will my wife? No. She hates the smell, noise and not being able to run the kids through the drive thru's. But, she LOVES it on the highway. If we never towed we would use gas. Even with the lesser mileage it's pretty even cost since they are less expensive to buy. IF you tow - go diesel!!!! You will NEVER go back.
