Diesel Mileage....
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Diesel Mileage....
So I've never owned a diesel and I'm thinking about maybe doing so, so a couple quick questions
1. Whats the highest amount of miles you'd buy a used SD diesel for?
2. I don't tow a lot of things and when I do, it's usually motorcycles, snow mobiles, a boat, etc., everything a F150 could basically handle. Is a SD diesel too much for me and a stupid gas pit if I'm not using it to tow?
I currently have a 2005 F150 and I just want something beefy that can take a beating. I thought about putting 1 ton axles on my F150, but thats a lot of work, fabrication, and time. Buying a SD would be way easier. Thanks GUYS !!!
1. Whats the highest amount of miles you'd buy a used SD diesel for?
2. I don't tow a lot of things and when I do, it's usually motorcycles, snow mobiles, a boat, etc., everything a F150 could basically handle. Is a SD diesel too much for me and a stupid gas pit if I'm not using it to tow?
I currently have a 2005 F150 and I just want something beefy that can take a beating. I thought about putting 1 ton axles on my F150, but thats a lot of work, fabrication, and time. Buying a SD would be way easier. Thanks GUYS !!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
It is a little much, normally it would be so what, get what you want, but with today's fuel prices I wouldn't do it unless your planning on bumping up your hauling. When it's not loaded, how far are you driving? Is it just city driving or do you have some distance for the truck to go? If it's just little bit of towing(something that you know your 150 can handle unless your having problems with it's pulling) with a lot of city driving I wouldn't do it but that's just me.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Weimar,TX
nixrsix,
Welcome to FTE. If you are looking for diesel info for either the 7.3 or the 6.0,
there is a forum for each engine. There is also one for the new 6.4. Lots of good info to help with your decision. Probably a good time to buy a diesel with fuel around $4.00/gallon. I would buy what I want and not worry about justifying it. Diesels hold their
value much better than gassers and once you've owned a diesel, you will be hooked.
I would look for an 02 or 03 with the 7.3 diesel. You won't regret it.
Good luck
Welcome to FTE. If you are looking for diesel info for either the 7.3 or the 6.0,
there is a forum for each engine. There is also one for the new 6.4. Lots of good info to help with your decision. Probably a good time to buy a diesel with fuel around $4.00/gallon. I would buy what I want and not worry about justifying it. Diesels hold their
value much better than gassers and once you've owned a diesel, you will be hooked.
I would look for an 02 or 03 with the 7.3 diesel. You won't regret it.
Good luck
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
For me, I want some warranty remaining. And not only the motor warranty. Too many trucks out there were traded in because the PO saw a problem coming and jumped out before footing the bill. Warranty protects you from the odd transmission that shifts bad just once in a while, but indicates a problem coming. Also, remember that the motor is just one of the measures of a trucks life. So, do you want a truck with 100k on the tranny, diffs, hubs, ball joints, etc? Yes, diesel motors can last longer, but almost all motors outlast the rest of the truck these days.
The diesel shines at pulling heavy loads. If most of your driving is in the city, the diesel will eat your lunch every day. If most of your driving is highway, whether towing or not, the diesel can be economical. For most people, pulling heavy loads is the only financial justification. The loads you describe do not seem like they would need a diesel, or even an SD for that matter. But I can't see them from here.
On the other hand, the diesel is just fun no matter what. There is a lot to be said for driving enjoyment and the joy of ownership.
Bad idea by any measure IMO.
Good luck,
Bill
On the other hand, the diesel is just fun no matter what. There is a lot to be said for driving enjoyment and the joy of ownership.
Good luck,
Bill
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I bought My 01' 7.3L with 110K (2 owners prior). Fuel cost is high but if you tow enough it can offset some. I get anywhere from 15-19 mpg. I will say that towing your mpg is much higher then gasers.
On a trip from cincinnati to Norris Lake TN with a 22' boat and the bed full of crap we got 14mpg. That included some stop and go along with those hills down there.
- Not sure if that helps or not.
On a trip from cincinnati to Norris Lake TN with a 22' boat and the bed full of crap we got 14mpg. That included some stop and go along with those hills down there.
- Not sure if that helps or not.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Comparing a SD diesel to an F-150, the F-150 will be cheaper in the long run when considering amount of fuel purchased and cost of ownership.
Now if you compare a SD diesel to a SD with a v10, the diesel will be cheaper to own in the long run, mainly due to differences in fuel consumption. My wife had a v10 Superduty a while back, and I've seen what the mileage can be with those. However, it's harder for the diesel to beat the mileage on a smaller and lighter F-150.
Now if you compare a SD diesel to a SD with a v10, the diesel will be cheaper to own in the long run, mainly due to differences in fuel consumption. My wife had a v10 Superduty a while back, and I've seen what the mileage can be with those. However, it's harder for the diesel to beat the mileage on a smaller and lighter F-150.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
On the other hand, towing, 'nother story.
My F150 would barely get 7 mpg going north, pulling my TT, and work hard doing it. My PS pulls the same trip and gets an easy 10 mpg. That's almost 50% better mileage. I'll gladly pay 15-20% more for diesel.
We try to take the TT out one weekend per month, and the fuel for just one trip is more than I use commuting for the entire month.
Bill
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
If you think you are going to save money getting a PSD over a gasser you still live in in the 90's. If you want a PSD great but if you think total cost of ownership is going to be cheaper you are mistaken. diesel has been at least $0.40 more and up to $0.75 a gallon. factor in oil changes, fuel filters, and things start to even out. Sure a 7.3 will get great millage the newest 7.3 is like 8 years old, the 6.0 gets better then the v10 but
PSD 6.0 @ 16 mpg hwy diesel 4.25 a gallon $0.266 a mile
v10 13.5 hwy 3.69 gas 3.69 is about $0.273 a mile
I am not bashing the smoker, if you want it, but the time has long past since the motor justified the extra cost.
PSD 6.0 @ 16 mpg hwy diesel 4.25 a gallon $0.266 a mile
v10 13.5 hwy 3.69 gas 3.69 is about $0.273 a mile
I am not bashing the smoker, if you want it, but the time has long past since the motor justified the extra cost.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
You are making alot of assumptions on those two lines alone that aren't accurate in determining what you are trying to. That figure might work for one person, but the very next person it might not apply to, it might go the other way or it might be a bigger gap then what you speculate.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 346
From: Breckenridge, TX
When gas jumps to 4 bucks a gallon that calc. goes right out the window. Don't base your purchase on fuel price or any cost per mile calc, or you'll end up like all the guys who bought PSDs when diesel was cheap, and are now selling to gassers when gas is cheap, and will probably want to trade back in a year.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
I drive my truck hard and 13.5 is my 3 year avg highway. I think 16 MPG is pretty fair for a 6.0 the price difference in fuel has been at least 40 cents except for a few short periods since I got my truck. I do not have to replace fuel filters every 15K,oil changes with a tire rotation at the dealer are $42 with tax, I did not finance another $4k-$5k, Sure a slight variation in the numbers could skew the results but these are actually pretty constant conditions since I got my truck.
Once again I am not bashing the PSD but to say that you get good enough millage over a gasser to justify the cost is not true anymore. Now if you wnat to make sick power and you are going to hot rod it, no doubt the v10 comes from the factory with about all you are going to get out of it.
Once again I am not bashing the PSD but to say that you get good enough millage over a gasser to justify the cost is not true anymore. Now if you wnat to make sick power and you are going to hot rod it, no doubt the v10 comes from the factory with about all you are going to get out of it.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Bill
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Hey, that sounded like I was bagging on you Bagger. Didn't mean it that way at all. Sorry bud.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
That's the key thing, those are your numbers, I can promise you those for sure aren't mine. Plus financing is a none issue, I buy mine free and clear when I drive off the lot. You can save some money doing it yourself v. having the dealership do it or you can go to a shade tree with a good rep and be cheaper then a dealership. Fuel filters and the like can be cheaper going thru other sources then the dealership. There are alot of ways to hedge your losses then what most calculations account for. Mileage is still an issue if your talking about towing and what you are towing, which also varies from driver to driver. The real problem I have with statements like this is that relies heavily on an over-generalization that most do(and in some cases have to do) but it presents flaws.