Here's a good example to prove my point. Here are 2 trucks I found listed on www.autotrader.com:

1999 F250 XLT
7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
Crew Cab
4x4
63,832 miles
$28,999

1999 F250 XLT
6.8L V10
Crew Cab
4x4
59,369 miles
$24,980

Even if you traded in a diesel after 60,000 miles you will get back more money at time of sale.

Diesel
Cost of fuel over 60,000 miles $5822 (3529 gallons x
$1.65/gallon-assumes 17 MPG which is conservative)
Additional cost at oil change $450 (assuming 4000 miles)
Additional fuel filter cost $60 (assuming 15,000 mile changes)

V10
Cost of fuel over 60,000 miles $7384 (4615 gallons x
$1.60/gallon-assumes 13 MPG which is liberal)

The Diesel has already saved $1000 dollars and this is a worst case scenario. Most areas of the country spend at least 1/2 the year with diesel fuel cheaper than regular gasoline. The mileage used for the Diesel is very conservative. I have even gotten 20 MPG on my 1997 4x4 with a 4.10 rear end on flat highway. People have gotten as many as 23 MPG with the new engine. The V10 mileage is quite liberal. A lot of people get far worse mileage with a 4x4 V10 truck than 13 MPG. When you take into consideration towing and hauling, the mileage gap widens even further. If you do your own oil changes, the additional cost of oil for the diesel is only about $20. Assuming 19 MPG and 12 MPG, the owner changes their own oil, and the cost of diesel and regular gas averages the same price for the year, the savings would be $2588 (doesn't take into consideration mileages for towing or hauling or the fact that diesel is usually cheaper than regular gas in most parts of the country).

I know this is rather lengthy, but I guess I'm still trying to figure out what these additional maintenance costs are that I'm supposed to have with a diesel engine. There aren't that many, and the engine can make it to 250,000 miles or more before an overhaul.