I've been all over the place with my decision. Looked at new and used in Ram, GMC, Ford. All have their good and not-so-good points. I've come around to knowing that I want an F250 or F350 (insurance is actually lower on the 1 ton...go figure).

So, the question is probably going to get me my share of "If you want it, buy it." but I wouldn't mind saving some money if the rationale is there.

My use - Rarely tow, will add low-profile Four Wheel Camper (12 month wait!!) for heading out into no-man's land. Have never owned a diesel but drove truck for work 35 years ago. I am mesmerized by the power in the new PSD engine. Just so impressive. But I definitely don't need it. Hence, the gasser call on the '21.

I guess it boils down to this...is the '19 PSD going to be a reliable and fun (subjective, yes) drive in the same way the Godzilla motor will be? The idea of modding that V8 and getting even better sound out of it is pretty appealing. The diesel thing is mostly a seat-of the pants thing and a bit of nostalgia, honestly. Which will likely wear-off. And as has been run into the ground, the used market is so damn inflated...well...I think I'm answering my own question, please pardon me.

Option 1: 2019 F250 PSD w/ 22K miles, Sport Appearance, Lariat "Value" pkg, all options I'd choose if ordering except the "Value" package as I'd order the Ultimate pkg. It has a leveling kit and is exceptionally clean. $63K

Option 2: 2021 F250 - OR - F350 (???) 7.3 gasser, Lariat Ultimate, Black appearance (formerly known as "Sport"...sheesh), all other options the same. ~$67K or $71K (Tremor or not to Tremor). I'd order or wait till one arrives equipped like I want.

This a my latest thinking to get away from my initial plan to order a 2021 $84K MSRP F250 PSD that I could buy at roughly 7% discount. That gasser saves a lot of cash...yes...I know the multitude of threads on that topic. Not going there with this post.

What would you choose given how I describe my use and want.

 

Go with 7.3 gas.
if you check the profiles of most customers having trouble with their powerstroke
they are usually only putting 10k miles on a year.

These new engines want to run across country and back.

 

While I won't be towing often, I will be making 3800 mile round trips 6x/yr one way empty, one way hauling up to 3000 lbs about 50% of the time. Still, as others have said out there, the ~$8000 delta gas to diesel buys a lot of gas.

 

My 17' 6.7 is the third diesel I've owned. Having a diesel never gets old to me! With that being said, let's crack open the can of worms!

 

Ha, yes. I've read plenty. No shortage of threads. Good stuff.

Both the diesel and the big V8 are appealing to me. The grunt in that '20-'21 PSD does put an immediate smile on my face though. I just don't "need" but if I needed to justify to myself, it'd be for the long hauls on the slab. The gasser makes more sense for when I try to get away from the masses clogging-up my state these days. ;^)

 

Rarely does it come down to needing a diesel. My dads 2019 3.5 Ecoboost tows my 3500lb trailer with my Pioneer, 4 wheeler and mower(6800lbs ish) just fine but it revs much higher, especially on hills. While not a direct comparison to the 7.3 gas the torque numbers are similar between the two. The 6.2 would pull what you have just fine also. For me, the high revs fatigue me, especially on long trips. We're camping right now and on the way here we had a very strong headwind. I can only assume a gasser would have been running 3k rpm or more compared to 1600 rpm with the diesel. That's the decision maker for me. They are all very capable engines.

 

Thats a lot of highway miles. I would do an F250 7.3L/3.55 gear or 6.7L/3.31 gear.


Diesel seems to do about 20% better mpg if you want to do some rough math.

 

I'm and old guy and thrilled to be having the amazing experience with my new 2020 F350 PSD. What an awesome vehicle it is!

 

Oh yeah...you went there with this post. This is clearly a gas vs. diesel thread.


Gas is cheaper to buy, cheaper to own, cheaper to run down the road, and will be more reliable. It will do everything you want it to do and beg for more. Is the bigger grin on your face of the diesel worth the extra expense and possible hit to reliability? That's your call...no one on here is going to make a single payment towards your truck...it's very easy to spend other peoples money on the internet ignoring all rational discussions. I ditched my diesel after emissions issues and went back to gas. There's still a big smile on my face every day I fire it up
Also, it sounds like you'd be getting a brand new truck for the price of a used diesel...

F150 2.7L The ride will be so much better on your long trips than a SD, and better mileage to boot. Less wear and tear on cheaper components too.

 

Keep in mind forums are places for people to come bitch about their problems. I will say in my experience my 2017 6.7 is absolutely amazing and trouble free (knock on wood). I pull a 16k 5th wheel regularly and daily drive her. She has never let me down. My next truck will be another diesel without question.

 

If you want to modify it and make it sound better, you can do so legally with the 7.3, or you can delete the 6.7. Different sounds, obviously.

Between those two trucks, my first choice would be the new 7.3. If for no other reason than the LED headlights.

 

the 7.3 will give you more payload for the camper. If you are going into the sticks, it will be a lighter truck for the job.

 

Asking some other person on the internet which truck to buy............just like asking the whole world which girl to go with.


Send 3 or 4 little boys outside to play and it won’t be long before they line up to see who can pee the furthest!


In the end, YOU still have to decide!!!!

 

As you have probably read on this forum, the 2019 F250 with the PSD is anemic with regards to payload. The lift kit on the used truck likely reduces payload even more depending on how many added parts.

Hmmm...A brand new SD built exactly the way you want, and with the gas engine that will more than meet your needs, for a few thousand more than a 2 year old F250 that isn't fully equipped the way you want? Seems like a no brainer to me. Go with new.

It appears that you have visions of PSDs dancing in your head, though. If you really want a PSD, and can afford it, then get the 2021 F350 with the PSD. It doesn't make sense to me to get the power of the PSD and then limit the trucks capabilities by putting it in an F250 rather than an F350 (for not much more money).

If the used truck is the only way for you to get into a PSD at this time, I would go for the 2021 with the 7.3. Being able to have all the features you want in an ordered truck will probably be more satisfying in the long run than having the PSD over the 7.3.

 

Full disclosure, have never owned a Diesel. But I have owned alot of different vehicles an one thing I have found about myself and like many others is if you have a hinkling that you want something, you may be better off just getting it. My point is you seem to have an eye for the Diesel. If you "settle" for a Gas you may end up a few months down the road still having that itch an find yourself discontent. It may be worth just doing it even if you don't need it.. Heck I'd say 70 percent of bro dozing mall crawler diesel drivers I see on a daily basis don't NEED a diesel, it's become more or a status symbol .. I fell into the Diesel trance an researched for several months, almost pulled the trigger a few times. Ultimately I went with the new 7.3 mainly because I am familiar with gas engines an it more than fit my needs.. I am happy with it so far..But time will tell if that Diesel itch comes back..