The cost of a Diesel Truck

[schlep1967]

I often see discussions on here about gas versus diesel. Most will agree that diesels pull better and generally last longer. Then the discussion of cost comes in and everything gets messy.

I just wanted to share my recent experience with a diesel truck. I bought a 2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 in November of 2008. I paid $41,038 for it new. I drove the truck for 13.5 years and sold it last night for $25,500. My cost per year was $1,150. Yes there were 12 quart oil changes along the way that cost me around $85 each time. My typical mileage running around locally was around 16 and towing was around 11.

My point is, the towing advantage of a diesel really doesn't cost you all that much if you keep the truck clean and well serviced so you can recoup a good bit when it comes time to sell.

Oh yea, the replacement diesel cost me twice as much as the 2007.5 did. I'll let you know how I do on resale in about 15 years.

[valhalla360]

I get what you are saying and there is some truth to it...but there was also a lot of luck involved in your example (or your a genius at predicting the market)

We picked up a used 2008 V10 F250 4yrs ago for $10k. Looked up and similar trucks are currently going for $15-18k...truck prices are crazy high right now. In a more normal market, you used 14yr old truck might only be worth $8-12k (hard to say as you didn't provide mileage or condition info)

At the same time, Fall 2008 was in the middle of the financial meltdown and they were practically giving away new trucks. BIL picked up a binged out diesel F250 for $38k around that time. I think the MSRP was something like $65k.

The timing of your purchase & sale, could easily have saved you $30-35k.

Resale does play a factor but the folks saying you get 100% or more of the diesel upcharge back are being unrealistic. Particularly as you get into the 15-20yr old range, the body, suspension and little odds and ends are likely pushing most people to retire the truck...not the power plant.

[Grit_dog]

Durb wrote:
It sounds like you sold your old truck too cheap unless it had a kajillion miles on it or was rusted out. I think I could get that for my 2004.5 which is about what I paid 9 years ago.

PA is a long ways from WA. Market is strong for sales everywhere, thanks to....nevermind, not going there, lol.
But the PNW and some other areas are even higher. Unlike PA and other economically depressed and much lower cost of living states.
But that's still alot of money. Diesels retain value well, but a Ram unless a G56 trans from 07.5 is less valuable overall than any comparable 5.9 3rd Gen, unless it's deleted. So I'd say he got very good money for the truck and the location.

But your right, a cherry condition, sub 150k mile 6.7 4x4 quad cab would fetch a bit more out here.

[cummins2014]

schlep1967 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
OK, what is the replacement Diesel??????

Funny you should ask, I updated my signature about a month ago and it still hasn't showed up.....
2021 Chevrolet LTZ 3500

Nice !!!

[schlep1967]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
OK, what is the replacement Diesel??????

Funny you should ask, I updated my signature about a month ago and it still hasn't showed up.....
2021 Chevrolet LTZ 3500

[schlep1967]

Durb wrote:
It sounds like you sold your old truck too cheap unless it had a kajillion miles on it or was rusted out. I think I could get that for my 2004.5 which is about what I paid 9 years ago.

The cost of diesel in Pennsylvania right now is around $6.25 a gallon slowing down those that are interested. The KBB price on it was $25,200 at the top end of private sale. I did alright.

[Cummins12V98]

OK, what is the replacement Diesel??????

[Durb]

It sounds like you sold your old truck too cheap unless it had a kajillion miles on it or was rusted out. I think I could get that for my 2004.5 which is about what I paid 9 years ago.

[Lwiddis]

Good analysis. TY

[ShinerBock]

I think many people purposely do not include resale to help justify their choice. They only want to talk about recouping the upfront cost through fuel only.

The diesel engine option is one of the few engine option upgrades that actually pay for themselves and then some for most people. Other engine upgrades like going from a base 3.3L to the 5.0L in an F150 or the base 2.7L to a 6.2L in a GM will not only cost you over $2k upfront, but will also cost you more money the longer you own it due to the lower fuel economy of the upgraded engines yet no one ever seems to talk about recouping their money in those scenarios. However, any time a diesel is brought into the conversation then that is the only thing some seem to talk about.

Fact is, the diesel engine option is just like higher trim option like the High Country, Lariat, or Laramie. The $7k-11k you spent up front on these options will mostly be recouped at resale because they increase the value of the truck the same way a diesel (or any other engine upgrade option) does. At the end of 100k or 200k miles, the value of the diesel truck is not the same as the value of the base engine just like the value of a Laramie truck is not the same value as a Tradesman.

[midnightsadie]

nice write up. thats why I drove diesels for years always got a good chunk when I sold it.