5.4 verses Diesel
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 43
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5.4 verses Diesel
Hello,
I am new to the list and am looking at buying a F-250 with either the regular 5.4 V-8 or the diesel engine. I have not driven either of these vehicles yet as i am still reasearching them both. I am aware that the Diesel is more money (not sure exactly how much).
Anyway,
Here is what i need the truck for:
Im going to be hauling a 3200 pound car plus a trailer of a unknown weight mostly hwy and interstate.
The truck will be driven 80 miles a day 5 days a week to work and back on the interstate or hwy.
Some town driving obviousley.
Im interested in mpg considering the current fuel prices but have to take into affect the price difference.
Can anyone please offer opinions or experiences?
Thanks,
Chris
I am new to the list and am looking at buying a F-250 with either the regular 5.4 V-8 or the diesel engine. I have not driven either of these vehicles yet as i am still reasearching them both. I am aware that the Diesel is more money (not sure exactly how much).
Anyway,
Here is what i need the truck for:
Im going to be hauling a 3200 pound car plus a trailer of a unknown weight mostly hwy and interstate.
The truck will be driven 80 miles a day 5 days a week to work and back on the interstate or hwy.
Some town driving obviousley.
Im interested in mpg considering the current fuel prices but have to take into affect the price difference.
Can anyone please offer opinions or experiences?
Thanks,
Chris
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
5.4 verses Diesel
If your towing 5 days a week its diesel all the way!
your kinda comparing apples to oranges here !
Might consider the v10 instead !
the v10 would compare better.
fuel mpg's slightly less than a v8 when not towing
but would handle the weight better.
Just my $.02
Rich
your kinda comparing apples to oranges here !
Might consider the v10 instead !
the v10 would compare better.
fuel mpg's slightly less than a v8 when not towing
but would handle the weight better.
Just my $.02
Rich
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
5.4 verses Diesel
The first question you should be asking yourself is: do I really need an F250? Unless you're going to be carrying a whole lot of weight in the box, an F150 will more than do what you're asking of a truck. 3200 lbs. for a trailer is light, and no problem for the F150. Right now, you'll get a much better deal on the 150, considering all the incentives. If you're buying the SuperDuty because you think it looks cool, that's one thing- but I really don't think you'll need that much truck. F150 will get better mileage, even with the 5.4.
As for the diesel, again, I think you're talking overkill. It's an extra $5,000 for the engine, plus an extra $500 for the 5-speed automatic over the gas engine's automatic. With the gas motor you get a $2,500 rebate; you get zero with the diesel. That's a total of EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS more for the diesel. Not to mention the $80-100 oil changes. Even at $2.00/ gallon, $8,000 will buy 4,000 gallons of gas. And you may get 2-3 miles per gallon more with the diesel versus the 5.4 in an F150. Think about it.
As for the diesel, again, I think you're talking overkill. It's an extra $5,000 for the engine, plus an extra $500 for the 5-speed automatic over the gas engine's automatic. With the gas motor you get a $2,500 rebate; you get zero with the diesel. That's a total of EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS more for the diesel. Not to mention the $80-100 oil changes. Even at $2.00/ gallon, $8,000 will buy 4,000 gallons of gas. And you may get 2-3 miles per gallon more with the diesel versus the 5.4 in an F150. Think about it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Iberia, USA
5.4 verses Diesel
i didnt understand if you was gonna be haulin that trailer every day er not. but if it was just once in a while the 5.4 would be just fine. of course it will not get the mileage with or with out that trailer that a powerstroke would get. its just somethin you will have to factor in. i was talkin to a gas staion owner that i know and he expects to see deisel go to over $2 a gallon! plus the extra $6000 more if you buy a new one, thats alot of money.
-nathan
-nathan
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 256
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From: St.Augustine Beach,Florida
5.4 verses Diesel
if he wants an f-250 he will buy an f-250 dont tell him what to buy.i have a f-250 and i dont tow anything. i just got it cause i have enough money to buy it. i use to to go off roading and there is not a better looking lifted truck than an super duty. also oil changes on diesel are not $80-$100. i do mine for $32.
Last edited by Starratt04; Feb 10, 2003 at 08:31 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 851
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From: On top of a big hill...
5.4 verses Diesel
Originally posted by 1956MarkII
The first question you should be asking yourself is: do I really need an F250? Unless you're going to be carrying a whole lot of weight in the box, an F150 will more than do what you're asking of a truck. 3200 lbs. for a trailer is light, and no problem for the F150.
The first question you should be asking yourself is: do I really need an F250? Unless you're going to be carrying a whole lot of weight in the box, an F150 will more than do what you're asking of a truck. 3200 lbs. for a trailer is light, and no problem for the F150.
I'd say just get the 3/4 ton and you don't have to worry about overloading it. I only tow at most 4500lbs with my F250 but if I decide to buy a bigger TT in a year or so I don't have to worry about whether it's ok to tow it with a 1/2 ton that's pushing the safe weight limits. Nothing more embarrasing than going trailer shopping and having a sales guy tell you your truck's too wimpy for the trailer you like.
Last edited by MountainHound; Feb 10, 2003 at 08:39 PM.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: small town
5.4 verses Diesel
diesel all the way
more towing power
the diesel will last more miles, and will not dissapoint
more towing power
the diesel will last more miles, and will not dissapoint
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 43
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5.4 verses Diesel
Let me clarify. Ill be pulling the trailer once a weekend tops. There will be a occasional drive that would consist of traveling for a long distance with the trailer and a slight possibility of this happening 2-4 times a year.
The reason im looking at the diesel is mostly for the mileage. As for the F-250 i have heard that they are a little better as far as stability when pulling a trailer down the road and i like the looks of them better. Besides the financing differences, it is like $800 more for a similarly equippted F-250 compared to a F-150.
Thanks for all your speedy replys!
Chris
The reason im looking at the diesel is mostly for the mileage. As for the F-250 i have heard that they are a little better as far as stability when pulling a trailer down the road and i like the looks of them better. Besides the financing differences, it is like $800 more for a similarly equippted F-250 compared to a F-150.
Thanks for all your speedy replys!
Chris
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 136
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From: DALLAS TEXAS
5.4 verses Diesel
Hmmmmmmmmm now thats a tuff one LOL first of all let me start off by welcoming you to the forum their is a lot of good people in here that have some good advice.NOW THEN WE GOT THAT ALL OUT OF THE WAY.Lets get started on your answer.If your looking for a truck that will run over the v8 and v10 go with the power stroke.Iam sorry just had to say that. But their is a down side to the Bad boy and thats the cost of the maintance a oil change cost me around fourthy dollars and i do it myself.For what you said you will be doing with the truck the 5.4 should be just fine I have the 5.4 in my work truck and it does all right But you just cant compair the trucks.Just if you decide on the power stroke I would wait till they get all the bugs worked out of the new 6.0.Oh and i idea of a f150 heck man you never can have a big enough truck.lol take care cya
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,110
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From: Iberia, USA
5.4 verses Diesel
yea, thats why i bought a super duty. the cost differance between the 250 and super duty was not worth the savings when you consider how much more of a better truck that you get with the super duty. and the fact that you couldnt get a handshaker in the 150.
-nathan
-nathan
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,328
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From: Medford USA!
5.4 verses Diesel
By my calculations, you will put 20-25,000 a year on your truck. If you're going to keep it 5 years, get the diesel, only get a 7.3 (used or leftover). The new 6.0 has a LOT of bugs to work out.
If you are going to keep it LESS than 5 years, the V10 is a better choice. It will haul your trailer better, and will also have better resale than a 5.4, and will be negligible difference in milage on the freeway. Stop and go traffic eats mpg on a V10. The V10 is only about $600 more vs. $5000 for a diesel.
If you are going to keep it LESS than 5 years, the V10 is a better choice. It will haul your trailer better, and will also have better resale than a 5.4, and will be negligible difference in milage on the freeway. Stop and go traffic eats mpg on a V10. The V10 is only about $600 more vs. $5000 for a diesel.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
5.4 verses Diesel
The guy's looking for advice, and that's what I gave him. In simple, practical terms a 150 will do what he wants it to do. If everybody else wants to prove to the world what a MAN they are by driving a truck that's too big, too thirsty and too heavy-duty for everyday driving, fine. If you want to waste $8,000 on a truck just because it sounds like a Kenworth, fine. I make a fine living selling Super Duty trucks to people that really don't need them, but you can't protect people from themselves. I'm getting a little tired of people here jumping all over me just because I offer my opinion, especially when that opinion considers the PRACTICAL side of purchasing a truck. Excuse me for being a salesperson that tries to help a customer look at all sides of a purchase decision, not just the emotional ones. If they don't want to benefit from my experience, that's their loss, not mine. I STILL get to sell a truck. I guess I'm just glad I don't need to make up for "personal inadequacies" by buying a truck I really don't need.