I am a 16 yr old looking at gettin a new truck. I dont tow hardly anything and dont need a diesel for power. The only reason i would consider one is because, i love my 6.9 & gas mileage & b/c they're just cool. Can anyone tell me which truck i should get. I live 14 miles from school and 4 from work. The driving to school is some city some highway. To work its mostly city. I filled up my 6.9 today and it got 14.3 & at 4.11 per gallon thats kinda expensive. I thought if i got a gas that got the same mpgs it would still be like $0.70 cheaper than what i have. I've found two on autotrader that i can afford. one 6.8 & one 7.3. Any comments on the two trucks will be greatly appreciated. I've noticed that diesels are more expensive initially....is it worth it if im not towing anything???
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=181

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=142

 

My opinion,fwiw, would be the 7.3. Not saying there is anything wrong with the 10 cylinder, I just prefer the diesel over the gas. I know you are probably wanting the pros and cons of each, but I don't have much knowledge about the 10 cylinder. I know that I have the 7.3 and truly am satisfied with it. I haven't heard any negatives about the gas engine and have ridden in one. It does seem to have plenty of power, but I don't think the mpg was really any/much better than the diesel. I guess it would come down to personal preference. They are both god looking trucks, but I do like the supercab. Good luck in your choice.

 

Well you have to figure the numbers for yourself. The 7.3 will crowd 20 on the highway 21 if you drive 60mph and 16-17.5 in city, I dont have a clue on the V-10, but I have heard as low as 9mpg up to 14mpgs on the V-10. While gasoline is cheaper it's most likely a wash since the diesel will get better mpgs. Drive them and buy the 1 you like..............

 

The 7.3 will do better on gas than the V10, but your short trips will be harder on the diesel than the V10- diesels get cranky when you don't let them get up to operating temp. I love my diesel and I wouldn't trade it for any V10 on the planet, but it's something you need to consider.

 

x 2.

Or, keep the truck you have and buy something with better mpg for fun.

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The V10 is way overpriced or the 7.3 is way underpriced. 90K miles isn't much for either motor but the 7.3's will go longer than the 6.8.

With the high price of diesel fuel I'd really think this one out for a while. As far as regular repairs both will cost the same as far as 4x4 parts and such but 7.3 will cost more if it needs parts than the 6.8. Of course you can save a few bucks with the 7.3 and buy parts from International.

There were two 99 7.3's an early and late version. The early versions have turbos, injectors, and an air intake system more like a 97 7.3. The late 99's are more like 00's which have improvements made. Both have forged rods which is good. The 6.8 are known to spit spark plugs. The 7.3's are known to eat auto trannies.

I bought my first truck at 21 which was a 99 F150. Had it for one year and then got the F250 PSD and still have it, 252K miles.

 

that is a great price on the 7.3

I would get that one-cuz if you are ever so inclined, you can make your own diesel for it. yes i am little biased, but what the others have said is true. my truck consistently gives me 18mpg mixed. that's 2mpg better than my buddy in his ranger.

 

I had a V-10 excursion and let me just say I hope you have room on your credit cards to help pay for gas. That thing will eat your lunch in fuel!! The was the main reason I got rid of mine. I sold all my toys and couldnt justify the gas with nothing to tow!

 

I agree that the 7.3 truck is a great price. I would be all over that. Unless, you don't do your own maintenence or repairs. The 7.3 is great, but paying somone else to work on it, and parts, oil, etc. will cost more than the V10.

 

I didn't look at the ads before- something is fishy. The price on the 7.3L is so low that I can't help but think there is something on it's way out, like the trans. If it does check out in Carfax and OASIS I'd buy it in a heartbeat at that price. With the low mileage that's probably an $18K truck retail, I can't imagine anyone letting it go for $9300. I did notice that the front bumper is pretty tweaked.

 

i own a v10 with a manual tranny. they are great engines and with a stick they will be a never ending line of tire smoke behind you. i average about 11 mpg but a beat my truck. you will not be disappointed with the v 10. and the price for the 7.3 is way off. i'd be wearry of that one. good luck with whatever truck you get.

 

I wouldn't get either. The 7.3 will hate all the short trips, and there only good for approx 15mpg's. The 6.8 is way too bad on fuel to drive these days for no reason. I would go with an F150 with a 5.0 or the newer ones with the 4.6. Both are really great engines that do fairly well for full sized trucks and should be more thatn enough for you.

 

unless you need a truck for work, get a half ton or smaller. Rangers are good trucks and get good mileage compared to a 3/4 ton truck. Anybody that buys a heavy duty truck to commute is a fool. If I did not work my truck, I would not own it. I would have a small gas mizer car and use that. Screw pride, lets have some common sense.

I have owned them all, the 7.3 is by far the best diesel truck you can get, but its not good for short trips. The v10 is a great substitute for the 7.3 and works well for short trips. The 5.4 (in a F250) works for you commuters and occasional trailer pullers, but from what I hear, will only get 1 maybe 2 mpg better than the v10.

When diesel first went up last fall, I bailed on my 7.3 truck. I bought the cheapest v10 that I liked. I put on probly 500-700 miles a week, mostly short trips and half the time usually pulling a loaded gooseneck trailer. Sure, my mileage is less than a diesel truck. But my fuel is also nearly a buck less a gallon, and my truck was more than $6000 less that a diesel. Do I miss my diesel, YES. Will I buy another - only if fuel comes down less than gas. Do I even want a heavy truck - Heck no, not any more. I only have it because of what I do for a living. As I said, screw pride, with fuel costing 4 times what it was a few years ago....

For me, the v10 works the best. For you, just remember, fuel is not going to get any cheaper.

 

16 years old?

Get a Ranger, save some money for college.