I am currently looking for a used truck to buy. I would like at least an F-250, 4x4, extended cab. But which engines should I consider? Diesel? Gas? It will mainly be used to commute to work (30 miles on the insterstate, one way). But will see weekend duty as a work truck. Are there engines to avoid? Is the routine maintainence on a diesel much more than a gas? What kind of gas mileage can I expect? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Scraper,
Welcome to the site, you'll find many more replies after mine I'm sure. Here's my 2 centz: 30 miles one way is not a long commute; if you go across country you'd prefer a PSD (16-18mpg in my'99). If you are just driving "around town" within a 100 mi distance, go for the gasser because maintenance IS cheaper. Keep in mind what you may want to do with your truck 5 years from now. How heavy are loads or anything you are pulling? The 5.4 is a good work horse for weekend stuff, V10 more so but is very thirsty . I purchased my PSD when I just had the 5K lbs boat to pull, now getting a camper for the bed. Good thing I got the F350 PSD . If you can afford, go PSD power!
From Babylon, Iraq
Semper Fidelis
Jerome

 

dude go diesel, thats what i would do. with that much driving diesel is gonna get much better mileage, and maintenance isn't that much more than a gas engine. you'll be ahead in the end with the mileage gains. and the diesel will tow and haul better. and who doesnt love the sound of a turbo diesel!

in my opinion the 5.4l is too small for a truck that size, the v10 is big but a gas hog, my dad has one in a 1 ton van and its gets about the same mileage as my old suburban on 36" bias ply tires. so if it were me i'd get a powerstroke.

 

Yours is not a new situation. There are tons of other very lengthy threads that address the same question. If you don't mind paying an extra $5 up front, go with the oil burner. After about 200,000 miles, it will have paid for itself in fuel savings.

Or, you can put your $5K into gas for a V10 and at $1.5/gal that should buy you... 3300 gallons and at 13 mpg... WOW, you could drive for the first 43,000 miles FREE!

 

Everyone has their own thoughts about which engine is right for the masses but it all comes down to "what do you want?".

Get what you want and then you'll never have to worry about whether you made the right decision or not.

One thing is for sure, and most, if not all, will agree: You will love a Ford Super Duty. They are great trucks!!

Best of luck and welcome to the Forum.

 

I would personally look at the maint. factors, around here gas is ~1.40 a gallon and diesel is like 5 cents cheaper, sometimes 3 cents more. Also think about this a gas motor hold 6 qts oil at 1.17 a quart for the cheaper stuff, the diesel holds much more something like 8-9........ (could be wrong been a while since we owned a diesel) But It was almost 3 quarts more. I say go drive all the possible combos for engine/tranny/truck and see what you like, then talk to the dealer service manager about issues with the trucks that may come up.

 

Ford makes great trucks and I doubt that you could make a bad decision. However, I would like to offer a couple of thoughts on buying used:
If you are looking at at pre 2000 4.6 or 5.4, consider getting an extended warantee. There have been issues with the engine - I have heard that engines of questionable quality were produced for months. My 5.4 was purchased new and was covered under warantee, my employee bought at 99 F250 w/5.4 and was thankful that I had suggested he get the warantee as he had the cylinder head problem 2 months after purchasing the truck.

If you are looking at a PSD, make sure that the maintenance history is there and pay special attention to the coolant additive to prevent cavatation and resulting damage to cylinders/block.

Good luck and let us know what you get :-)

 

I have a 7.3L diesel, and I would much rather have a diesel, preferably the 7.3L right now, but you gotta realize what you're getting yourself into. Sure the benefits of the diesel are obvious, but there's a price to be paid in higher maintenance costs. You've got to weigh your options. Sure the fuel mileage is better, but you must remember that the $50+ fuel filter must be changed often (well, I did find one for <$30 on the Internet). Also, when buying oil, you buy gallons, not quarts. The Motorcraft filter is $10 at Wal-Mart instead of 2 for $5. An oil change on my old F-150 costs about $13, whereas changing the oil myself in my PSD cost me about $35 (my local oil-change place wanted $54 to change it, and they didn't offer Motorcraft filters). The coolant must be maintained properly with FW-16 additive, or whatever they're calling it now. So there are a few things you have to consider. The maintenance is crucial to the life of a PSD, so it has to be done, or you can kiss that $5,000 option goodbye in only a few years. I can tell you this, however. There is nothing like cruising down the highway, sitting tall and proud in the cab of my big Ford diesel....listening to that turbo whistling....catching the occasional aroma of diesel smoke....just looking for some dork in a Chevy to bust.... To me, it just doesn't get any better.........

 

Scraper,

I've got both a V10 and A 6.0L PSD. I wish I had 6.0s in both. Nuff said.

 

Thanks for all of the info, but the decision will still be tough. While I would love to have the PSD, the sound alone would be worth $5k, it might not be the best decision for current financial position. And since I didn't win the PowerBall I can't afford new, so I guess I will see what I can find out there used. Thanks again.

 

redtaurus is right about checking the DCA level on the 7.3's. If you buy used, check the DCA level in the coolant. I bet 99% have never been checked. This is cruicial in diesel engines. If it is off, you may suffer problems later. The 7.3 ( we call them 444's) have been good engines in the meduim duty trucks ( up to 30000 GVW).