Alright I first want to say please don't flame me for asking this nor anyone else that chooses to answer my question. I am only looking for some opinions here.

My question is this. How many of you guys are driving PSD's, and you don't really need to. Now what I mean is that is, you aren't towing heavy loads, or something of that nature. You don't haul/tow anything that a gas motor couldn't handle.

Now again I'm not looking to get flamed or anything. I am just curious if there are other people out there that are driving PSD's just because they want to, and not because they need to type of thing.

I am asking this because I drove my first one a few months back and absolutely loved it. Ever since then I've wanted one, but I'm not to sure if it would be wise since I really don't need the extra power a diesel provides at this moment in time. Now I know of the add initial costs, and the higher maintence costs, but I still really would like one. Thanks for your input.

 

I don't drive one yet, but my next vehicle will 99% sure be a PSD. I want one because of the durability. I put a lot of miles on my vehicles, so I want something that's going to last a while. Also, while I don't have any need for one right now, I may have the need in the future. I definitely don't want to buy a truck now, and have to trade it in in a year because my needs change; that's the situation I'm in right now. I would also like to buy a camper in a year or two, so then I would need it. I'm looking more toward the future.

 

Mine is a requirement to my work. My main income is from carpentry and timber and log home construction. Heavy material loads in the box or on a trailer, plus all the associated tools. My other work requires me travel with ski related business, so generally long distances in snowy and mountainous terrain.

If you want it, and can afford it, buy it. No need to justify anything, especially when it comes to a PSD.

 

I got a PSD for three reasons:

1. I have the need for a large payload every now and again. Tractors, boats, car haulers, hotshotting, etc. I needed the utility of the diesel. My 5.2L Dodge 1/2 ton had the power, but lacked the chassis and brakes.

2. I was planning on getting a 3/4 ton for my next truck.

3. Katrina killed my last truck. Gasoline was virtually impossible to obtain. Diesel was plentiful. 400 miles/tank was reassuring, as well. Time to "move on up"!

So, I may not have needed the PSD, but I needed the 3/4 ton chassis. But why not? I say: Go big or go home.

 

I would be one of those people MADREDGT.
I dont need a PSD at all. The amount of work I do and the things I tow could EASILY be done with a F-150 or dare I saw even a ranger!

I got the PSD for several reasons...
Its AWESOME!
Diesel is less that gas here
My diesel gets better mileage than my F-150
This is the "main" vehicle so I wanted something big and comfortable to take people (I have faimly In town and they all fit fine)
I just want something that I can throw a couple mods on (exhaust, tuner) have enough power to kill ricers on the street, and drive daily in comfort and style.

If you like it and want one go for it, life is too short man.

"No need to justify anything, especially when it comes to a PSD."

^ Roger that!

 

I have a 2005 F-350 DRW Lariat FX4 w/the PSD, and I love it! I ordered it from Burch Ford in La Habra, CA, and it took 8 weeks to get to me and it has been the best truck I've owned so far (out of 4 others). In my opinion, Ford has the best heavy duty trucks out there today when compared to what the other manufacturers are making. When I first started shopping for this truck, I went through the whole debate just like you...gas vs. diesel, 3/4 or 1 ton, XLT or Lariat, etc. But in the end, it was was the test drive that sold me. After testing a gas v-10 back to back w/the PSD, the choice was easy. Who cares if it is overkill! It is always better to have a little more frame strength, power, and towing capacity than too little, especially if you are going to invest the kind of money it takes to get a decent truck these days. True, the PSD is probably more than most buyers will really ever need. I tow a 5000lb. boat, and the PSD pulls it with ease. Most of the time, you can hardly tell the trailer's there, and the trailer tongue weight makes the truck ride even better. I've bought enough vehicles now to learn that it is much more expensive to keep "trading up" to replace a vehicle that was underequipped or underpowered. Look at all the aftermarket stuff that's out there to make more power. I never heard of anyone wanting less power. If you are going to put a camper on your rig, then a dually 1 ton is the better choice. I plan to put one on my truck too. Otherwise, 3/4 ton is just as good for about everything else unless you pull a heavy trailer. If you can stomach the extra costs involved, go for the PSD. If nothing else, it's just plain fun to drive!

 

ALOHA FROM HAWAII;

I HAVE A 2001 F-350 CC SB 4X4 DIESEL W/ A 4'' PRO COMP LIFT AND 16X10 HELO RIMS W/ 33'' PRO COMP MUD TIRES.

I DON'T TOW NOTHING, I DON'T HAUL ANYTHING OVER 300 LBS. BUT AM SURE HAPPY WITH MY TRUCK

"IT'S BETTER TO HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT THAN NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT"

 

I could say this about EVERY truck I've ever owned...

I didn't REALLY need it. I never had the diesel, but a 250 gasser.

The reality is, that many folks buy a steroid laden truck and use it as an indestructible car.

What's wrong with that?

Not to mention that ONE time I needed that bed, and it was there....

I say: If you would enjoy it, can afford it, and really want it, BUY IT.

I agree with a comment above (can't remmber the author, but can't say it better either)

Life's too short, man.

GO for it. Buy it and enjoy it. Look at it this way:

of all vehicles on the road: If you REALLY find that you don't want to keep the diesel after buying it, it is ths ONE vehicle that

a) you'll have no problem unloading/selling for a fair price

b) will hold its value better than almost ANY other non-exotic vehicle

c) is desirable as a used vehicle

d) appeals to non-untility as well as utility buyers, i.e. people that NEED it as well as people that WANT it.

What the heck.... DO IT. (my $0.05)

 

I am what you seek.....

I have an '03 7.3 PSD long bed super cab.
I don't tow anything and once I put a load of dirt in the bed for home use.
Once I carried drywall and some 2x4's and that's it.

Why did I buy it?
I like trucks, the bigger the better. I love the sound of the diesel.
I get plenty of looks and compliments at how beautiful it is and how big it is.
One of these days (years?) I plan to put a camper on it so I wanted something beefy.

Maintenance is a breeze, I get 19.1 mpg combined and at the moment diesel fuel costs less.

But really, why did I buy it?

I have always wanted one and dammit, I GOT IT!!
And it's mine!

Ok, now I want a camper!
$$$$$$

 

Are you going to do any camping?

MATREDGT,
Get what you want. Just be sure what comes with the package...sort of like getting married, but can shut this dadgum thing off when you want to - and turn it on at any given moment...

 

I have a 2004, F-350, Crew, 4X4, Dually, Lariat (drum roll please......) PSD. I had a 2002, F-350, Crew, 4X2, Dually, XLT, V-10 and it was a very good truck. Very fast, quick off the line. I rent a 28' travel trailer twice a year, so I don't need the power or torque of a Diesel or extra cost of maintaining it. I had to get one because I like the extra power and torque and is funner to drive and to me is well worth the extra $$. Having a Diesel is fun and there are lots of mods out there that will get you lots of HP and torque, way more than a gasser (unless you put a $3500 supercharger, but then you have to worry about the bottom end) IMO, once you own a PSD you'll never go back to gas (unless you get a PSD lemon). My PSD pulls like a 12 legged mule on steroids, I don't need that every day, but when you do, it's there. I like to compare owning a 357 Magnum and a 44. A 357 will do the job, but a 44 will get it done right.

 

Every reason mentioned above, plus..... it's smog exempt in California. I currently plan on going my entire life without a smog check. I'm the only one I know who can say that!

 

i drive the most uneconomical impractical truck in here. my 01 F250 ext cab 4x4 psd with 8 in lift and 38 in tires gets 12 mpg if im lucky. i dont pull anything, i dont haul anything because i have a 38 in spare mounted in the bed. its my primary vehicle for carrying around my 2 1/2 yr old and 3 month old sons, im getting a suv in the future but anyway. its been babied the whole 55000 miles on it. i get compliments about it all the time. its my hobby, my money pit. why do i drive it? Because i can, you only live once, have a little fun.

 

I fit your description. In 32,000 miles the heaviest thing I have towed is a 5x8 uhaul. Here is my reasoning for the PSD.

1. When we travel (wife and 3yr old) we always take my truck (previous truck was Chevy 1/2 ton). A full size truck has larger seats and is just more comfortable for long trips for me. Whenever we go somewhere as a family, it is in the truck, so it sees a lot of miles for a daily driver. The PSD is dependable and is achieving 19+ mpgs as my daily driver with mix of city/hwy, my chevy got 13 on a good day. So I feel safe loading up the family and driving across the county knowing my engine is just going to rattle along and the turbo is going to whistle me a song while the wife and kid snore and drool in their sleep.

2. Endurance. I hope to keep this truck for half a million miles. I do as much of the maintenance myself and am somewhat **** about it, but if I take care her, I know it will last at least a few hundred thousand miles.

3. I'm a country boy and my family farms. So when I go home to Missouri I will be hooking up farm equipment and pulling, not often, but it will happen.

4. The smell of diesel gets me pumped, nothing like good ole diesel fumes, a dab of diesel on the neck makes the girls go wild too.

5. I wanted diesel, and life it too short to drive something you are not 100% happy with. Now I won't go back, they will bury me in a diesel.

Buy what you want, buy what makes you happy...Deac

 

I don't need it but I wanted it.

In an open pit copper mine, the 3/4 tons seem to require less maintanence. The 1/2 tons go through lots of ball joints and sit lower than the SD. Forget about a 1/4 ton. They have their place, it just isn't here.

I could perform my work with a 5.4 or 6.8 but the fuel economy and my long commute to work would have made that an expensive mistake.

I don't need the CC either as I am not married and have no family yet. MY friends sure seem to like it. The crew cab has also become the preferred car pool vehicle to work. $500/week from 3 riders. So that worked out as well.

Without question I need the 4x4.

So I bought it cause I wanted it and have found ways to justify the expense.

Its the truck I've always wanted, and now I have it! I rule!