I've been following all the threads about the new 6.0 PSD in various forums and have decided it's not worth it to me to go diesel again. I have a Chevy 6.2 I bought new in 85 and haven't had a single problem with the motor in 162k miles, but the body and interior have had it and are not worth redoing on a truck this old.

I lusted for the 6.0 but I can't take the risk some guys say is "no big deal - Ford will fix it". Right ... invest close to $40k in a new truck and not have any faith in it or lose it to repair for who knows how long - some guys for weeks. This is my only vehicle and I can't tow any distance on vac with a motor I don't trust.

So I'm ordering a gasser and saving myself apx $6k and unknown headaches.

Does anyone have any experience with a 250SD, 2wd, CC with the 5.4 motor? A 350 should have the ***** to do what I need but I could use some first hand feedback.

A reply to my email would be appreciated - I don't check the forums regularly and I'll be ordering this weekend. $31k for a fully optioned 250 Lariat CC 4x2.

Bruce
bemmott@optonline.net

 

5.4 isn't gonna have the power you need if you do alot of towing.

 

Alot of guys around here rag on the 5.4 as being under powered and the V-10 being only 600 bucks more. Well my 02 F250SC 5.4 gets an honest high 14 mpg around town everday driving, and 16 on the highway. I have also seen on this site most V-10's pulling at least 2mpg less than the V-8, and if you tack the cost of more fuel on to the 600 bucks, that number becomes alot bigger after 150K on the ticker.
I am not saying that the V--10 and PSD don't have more power, yes they do, but as long as you are not towing near the GCVW, the 5.4 is very adequate. Good luck

 

Go V-10. You'll probably like the extra power it gives. I deal with poor gas mileage, but the benefits of having the power when I need it far outweigh the mileage.

 

My truck has lots of power. BUT...I don't tow heavy. I'm willing to bet that most of the people who rag on the 5.4 have not driven one. Drive a V10 with the 3.73's and then go drive a 5.4 with 4.10's and the seat of the pant's feeling is really close. Just go drive a few and check'em out.

 

I'm still undecided about which way I'm going with the motor. I wanted the 6.0 but can't risk it laying down on me, plus the payback and extra note is a problem. Being retired I don't have the funds to toss around.

I can afford the V-10 but am unsure if I need it. I only tow a 5000 pound travel trailer 2 weeks a year and even that will be sold soon because I can't travel much anymore with a bad heart. So most of my driving will be around town, picking up stuff at the nursery for the yard, things like that. I'm sure the Triton 5.4 can handle that easily - I just wanted to be sure it had the ***** to get on the expressway without giving me another heart attack. People around here are plum nuts.

By tomorrow I have to decide which way to go, or if I should get a better deal at a chevy deal I have an in at. Ford is only offering me $1100 over invoice after rebates. I think I can do better than that with all the trucks left on the lots around here.

My dealer had no V-10's to try out, and only a few 5.4's - but none in a 4x2 CC. Hard to get a feel for it that way.

Thanks for all the help....

 

I'm sure you could get a good deal on a 2003 with the old 7.3 in it. Dealers seem to be almost giving them away.

 

$1100 over invoice? I could see that for a 6.0, but not a gasser. You shouldn't pay more than about $500 over...I paid $300. Maybe try a different dealer?

I could afford the V10 too...but they sound funny.

 

I don't think so!! $1100 over invoice and they keep the rebate,Damm, the rebate is $2500 and if you are a Veteran add another $750. I would find another dealer that will treat you with some courtesy and not try to r#pe you! I know you can do better than that. As far as the motor I would think the 5.4 would do everything you want it to do!! I have a V10 and really never use all its potential, I just wanted one, and I dont keep them that long so the resale is better for the short run!!

Just my thought's,
Lenny

 

In the case mentioned, gas mileage is really close to. Why not get the V10 have that torque when you need it?

 

Have you tried carsdirect.com? You spec out your truck and then they hook you up with the closest dealer that will give you their low pricing. $1,100 over invoice does not surprise me for the NYC area- I've talked with a couple people from the Poughkeepsie area, and the best they could do on an Explorer was $700 over invoice.

 

Taking a few replies in one shot ...

The dealer never mentioned a rear end option to 4.10's. The street/race cars I built and drove as a kid all had 4.11's or 4.56's and they kept the revs really up there cruising the parkways. I'd wonder about the gas mileage with those instead of the standard 3.73's.

No 7.3 PSD's around that meet my desires. A few XLT's, but in colors I don't want and all 4x4 - also not wanted/needed.
No Lariats at all and no CC/short beds. From what I've seen in my area the 7.3 are not going for much less than the 6.0. So many guys are gunshy about the 6.0's they are actually in demand around here.

I may well go for the V-10. They do sound weird alright, but power is power. Wish there was one I could test drive.

I agree with the $500 or less over invoice. I have to talk to this guy and see what's up with the numbers. From an MSRP of $34,445.00 as optioned, his quoted price is $31,415 out the door after rebates, and $33,915 before. That still leaves $1100 over the invoice price off fords website of $30,301. Gotta look into this or try another dealer. Only 2 dealers on Long Island who are big with trucks.

 

Hey Bruce,

Being a fellow Long Islander and one who special ordered his truck from Ford I have a few comments.

First, I went to Carsdirect.com to see the real bottom line in terms of costs. Once in hand I went to Tower Ford and made the deal. A few arguements and FUps on their end, which meant an extra $500 off cost as well as a free bedliner.

I like the look of the HDs, and I feel 4x4 would be the best choice for resale as well. I ordered the Lariat Crew with the V10 mated to the manual 6 speed with the rear geared at 3.73 along with clearance lights and telescoping mirrors and rear sensor backup.

Ride is great. Noise factor is nominal. The larger engine is definately worth it. I drove a two door F250 4x4 auto and it was slowwwwwwwww!. The V10 along with the 6 spd really is a great combo. I also ordered the package in the Lariat edition.

The only real after market I am currently shopping for are for larger tires, custom wheels and new shocks to accompany the whole new set-up.

If diesel is scaring you, then stay away from it. I would only buy it if you do alot of traveling every week, like from Southampton to Nassau and back. If not, stick to the V10 and save the extra $5k plus higher diesel costs along with maintenance. You can read my thread under tires load E or D.

All the best,

Tedmeister

 

Thanks, Ted.

I'm past the age where I want to stir a gearbox anymore, and having some physical limitation as well as a wife who refuses to drive a heavy clutch anymore that option is not open. Had enough of that in my race days - now I want to relax as I drive!

The 4x4 issue is also not on the table. My son has a jeep if I want to go off-roading, but in the almost 20 years I've owned my 4x2 diesel suburban I have yet to get stuck going anywhere a sane person would want to go, including heavy snow. ground clearance, tires, and knowing how to drive makes the difference, imo.

I love my chevy diesel and would buy another except I don't like the restyle chevy did on the new truck line. I have an excellent diesel shop who has handled all my heavy work over the years so that's not an issue. I just don't see fuel prices going down to where it pays to get the diesel package for close to $6000 anymore. I'm moving south by next year and prices are lower there, but so are gas prices. The problems with the 6.0 are what turned me off, in addition to the monthly note. Damn truck would cost me almost twice what I paid for my house!

 

I have driven a 5.4 in a '98 F-150 and in a '01 F-250SD. I notice a big difference. The 5.4 does extremely well in the F-150, but when I drove the F-250, it was completely the opposite. Also, the boat that we fish on in the Chesapeake Bay weighs 4,000lbs. and the 5.4 took it ok, but it didn't like the rolling hills of Southern Virginia too much. When we pull the boat in the F-150, it does fine. I think it has to do with the weight of the truck itself. I think that a 5.4 in a F-250 is too much truck and not enough engine.