Yup, I agree, and here's my $0.02. Buy what want/like and can afford. To me, there is no way to justify all the extra cost associated with the diesel unless the vehicle is some kind work truck that is heavily freighted every day, or is used to tow heavy loads often.That is of course unless a diesel is what you like, and really want, and can afford...

 

I should of added in the extreme additional costs for the diesels, albeit that most say you will get most or all of this back on resale, it's still a HUGE chunk to add-on at sale time.

 

If you trade often this is true. However the diesel option seems to depreciate at the same rate as the rest of the truck. So drive 4 years and 100k miles and you lose about half the value of that $8k option.

 

I guess this in thought then that the gas engine is totally of zero value. I'd agree with this, especially in Texas where my good friend says a used gasser truck has to be almost given away.

 

NADA for a 2012 F250 diesel with 100,000 miles

 

Visual proof is always best, thanks! ... and Reps sent your way!

 

 

I bought a brand new F250 for $38,000. Those trucks are 5 years old. Pricing seems high. I get that diesel and high end packages cost, but $30,000 for a used truck has GOT to sting a bit.

 

When diesels got 20mpg or better pre-DPF/DEF and gassers had trouble getting 10mpg and still lacked power it was pretty easy.

Now that gassers get 12mpg or better with good power and diesels are lucky to get into the high teens it is not as clear a choice.

I'll completely agree with you that it costs a little bit more to drive a diesel, I just dispute some comments others have made implying there is a huge difference in the total ownership costs over 100k miles when all factors are considered.

 

Thank you!

 

If you want 20mpg, build a 275hp diesel, not a 400+hp diesel.

 

Yes, you would think there would be a big market for a medium sized diesel. Bigger than 3.0 but smaller than 6.7.

 

Nobody (and I mean nobody!) around here uses KBB anymore due to their inaccuracies. This has been now for the last several years or so. Before this they were a bigtime resource. ~Sad~

 

I'd wager good money the reliability would return as well.

 

I was thinking more along the lines of a lighter diesel, optimized for lower power levels. But about the same size. Get the BMEP down a bit, and optimize the injectors and turbos for the lower power level. To maintain greater towing ability than the gas engines, but slower. Maybe a 7.0L V6.

It's possible that the 6.7L already does what I'm asking, and making a wimpy version net's zero fuel economy gains. I just have a hunch that a slow version of these engines might be nice. As slow as the early turbo 7.3's. Even market it as the slow version. Cartoon turtle sticker and everything.

The old Cummins BT5.9 was a dog. Dogggggggg! Slow as pouring tar through a FL820-s. But it could still tow big loads. And had decent mileage unloaded. Everyone loves that engine, but it was a loud, slow, dog. A perfect tractor engine.

Then again, mileage is a joke. I can drive from mid-Ohio to Key West for almost nothing in fuel cost.