Which would you buy?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Great falls, Montana
Which would you buy?
First, an intro, I'm Montana Mark. I live in Montana and have been on FTE since the beginning (mailing list days). I have an 89 Bronco and a 78 F150 4x4 now. I am in the market for a newer truck with more room for the family.
I'm looking at a couple of Crew Cab trucks right now.
1. 2003 F250 4X4 SB King ranch V10, Auto, 77,000 miles, misc dents and dings (Roof, bed, doors, etc.)
2. 2003 F250 4x4 SB XLT 6.0 PSd, Auto, 105,000 miles, Gooseneck ball, heavy overload springs, a few minor dings, cloth interior.
Both are about the same price ($18,000, before any dealing down). I drove both today and like the power of the diesel but fuel cost more per gallon and maintenance costs are higher.
I'll be pulling a 20 foot camper and hauling cars on my flatbed trailer.
What do you guys think?
I'm looking at a couple of Crew Cab trucks right now.
1. 2003 F250 4X4 SB King ranch V10, Auto, 77,000 miles, misc dents and dings (Roof, bed, doors, etc.)
2. 2003 F250 4x4 SB XLT 6.0 PSd, Auto, 105,000 miles, Gooseneck ball, heavy overload springs, a few minor dings, cloth interior.
Both are about the same price ($18,000, before any dealing down). I drove both today and like the power of the diesel but fuel cost more per gallon and maintenance costs are higher.
I'll be pulling a 20 foot camper and hauling cars on my flatbed trailer.
What do you guys think?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: S CAL
I would go with the V-10 because the 6.0L is out of warranty. The Diesel will get better gas mileage but the V-10 is not that bad. Also I would think that you could get the V-10 for a better price since the mark up on the diesel when new is so much more. I have both a 6.0L and a V-10 and like them both but like you said the diesel does have higher maintenance costs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
In the end you should be able to get a better price on the V10 by quite a bit. Personally, I would avoid an early 6.0L diesel. The risk of repairs and cost is too great.
If you want a diesel but want to keep cost down just move back one year to an '02 7.3L.
If you want a diesel but want to keep cost down just move back one year to an '02 7.3L.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 759
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Do you want fancy leather and all the KR stuff? Or would you like more of a work truck with some nice features? These are two completely different trucks. Which is more you? Personally I would go for the XLT but I don't care for the engine in that one.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 2
Those prices sound high. Last fall I could have bought a '06 CC V10 with under 50k miles for $23,000 if my memory is close.
Call Northern Ford in Cut Bank and ask for David. Last ad I saw they had a good selection of used, both diesel and V10.
Call Northern Ford in Cut Bank and ask for David. Last ad I saw they had a good selection of used, both diesel and V10.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 7
From: Circle City
I'd go for the gasser if you don't drive much. But, You'll like the KR environment, However the diesel really makes these trucks! you will be glad you bought one, 20+ mpg highway and mid teens city. Plus the towing is phenomenal. Then there are the SCT tuners.
Why not keep looking, and find what would fit your needs best?
Why not keep looking, and find what would fit your needs best?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 7
From: Circle City
one other thing,
If you can afford it, go for the coil spring front end vs. the leaf spring model, you'll find these to have much better driveability characteristics.
If you can afford it, go for the coil spring front end vs. the leaf spring model, you'll find these to have much better driveability characteristics.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 67
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From: Great falls, Montana
I don't need the fancy stuff but my wife likes it. The XLT had plenty of fancy stuff for me (PW, PL, Air, Tilt, Cruise). I'm looking for a reliable truck that I can use for hunting, camping and pulling my flatbed trailer. Lots of hills and many miles to get anywhere (weekend camping trip is 60 to 120 miles each way).
I agree that the prices seem high, I am in the looking stage now and deciding between a diesel and a V10. The V10 should be cheaper than a PSD, but I'm not seeing it on the car lots here in Great Falls. I drove to Lewistown to buy my wife her last vehicle because I couldn't get the deal I wanted here. It was a bit of a pain but I saved lots of money, unfortunately, that dealership has changed hands now. I will check with Northern Ford. <O
I agree that the prices seem high, I am in the looking stage now and deciding between a diesel and a V10. The V10 should be cheaper than a PSD, but I'm not seeing it on the car lots here in Great Falls. I drove to Lewistown to buy my wife her last vehicle because I couldn't get the deal I wanted here. It was a bit of a pain but I saved lots of money, unfortunately, that dealership has changed hands now. I will check with Northern Ford. <O
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Weimar,TX
Mark,
I would continue to look around. The price of the V10 was too high with the dents and dings. There have been lots of problems with the 6.0, especially like the one you are looking at. I would look for a good 7.3. The early 03 diesels had them before they went to the 6.0. I traded my 04 V10 for 03 7.3 . Best trade I've ever made.
Good luck
I would continue to look around. The price of the V10 was too high with the dents and dings. There have been lots of problems with the 6.0, especially like the one you are looking at. I would look for a good 7.3. The early 03 diesels had them before they went to the 6.0. I traded my 04 V10 for 03 7.3 . Best trade I've ever made.
Good luck
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Deep South Louisiana
A 20ft camper and flat bed trailer doesn't sound like you will be seriously working the truck. For this the V10 will serve you well. That price is a bit high, you should be able to get them down to 15 or possibly 14. That would make it worth it! Pluss the KR interrior is NICE!!
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 67
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From: Great falls, Montana
I would prefer to buy from a private party, but Montana is quite spread out. The trucks that I'm finding that are in decent shape are at the dealerships. I used Cars.com (linked from my local paper) and there are 20 private party F250s for sale within 600 miles of my house, the closest at 136 miles (2001 crew cab, 7.3 PSD with 150,000 miles on it for $15,500). I can't afford to drive all over the state (and out of the state) to look at trucks. I checked autotrader.com, the closest (and only) one listed within 200 miles was 155 miles away with 160,000 miles on it.
There is a dealer in town with a 2000 F250 Crew Cab with the 7.3 PSD, 195,000 miles on it, for $14,000. That same dealer has an extended cab with 205,000 miles on it for the same price. Sounds like a deal doesn't it?
This isn't the best place to buy a used truck.
There is a dealer in town with a 2000 F250 Crew Cab with the 7.3 PSD, 195,000 miles on it, for $14,000. That same dealer has an extended cab with 205,000 miles on it for the same price. Sounds like a deal doesn't it?
This isn't the best place to buy a used truck.