I am getting ready to buy a F250 Crew Cab 4WD. I am limited to a budet, so I can't buy it new. (wish I could!!) I am looking at 1999's and 2000's. I can't decide on the 7.3 or the V10. I read all the postings on the previous 5.4 vs the 7.3. I want the bigger motor, and am leaning to the diesel, just because I want it. I am concerned with milage. The years I am looking at have between 60K and 70K miles on them. This will be a truck I have for a few years and will be putiting between 20K-25K miles per year. Which engine is more likely to be stronger with this many miles on them? I am assuming the diesel Also let's assume both have been taken care of equally as well ( that is always an unknown)
Let's also put aside oil changes mpg and all the other differences. Iam just concerned with which engine is a longer lasting stronger engine. Thanks in advance.

Tom

 

There is a HUGE body of discussion out there on gas vs. diesel. My opinion is one among many. I was very recently in the same shoes you are. I got the diesel; their design life before overhaul, if properly maintained, is great. A well-maintained diesel with 70K miles on it can be considered "low mileage" compared to a gasoline unit of equivalent mileage. Your maintenance costs will be slightly higher, though. Also, I think you can expect the diesel to get slightly better mileage, say 3mpg, than an equivalently equipped gas truck (say, 7.3L vs the v-10).

Horsepower is lower vs. gas, but torque is often superior. Also, diesel modifications of very moderate price can boost your power numbers to a surprising degree (there are ads right on this board for programmers that can give you 60+HP with the push of a button), if you are so inclined.

finally, I think that while diesel fuel is usually hovering in the same general price range, it is not as volatile in reacting to market conditions and therefore not so apt to spike up and down in price as gasoline (gas is running about $1.57/gal in my area right now for 87 octane).

As an aside, I have to say, there's nothing quite like listening the that PS idling in your driveway.

 

Diesel REPAIR costs are significantly more than gas...something to consider when buying a used rig, in addition to increased MAINTENANCE costs.

That being said, the diesel should last longer (300K), probably longer than the truck you put it in. The V10 will also go 150-200K as some on these boards have claimed.

I would buy the best valued truck you find, as long as the motors will do what you want. I would pay particular attention to the color of the truck as that, of course, is most important

 

If you decide on a v10 try to get a 2000 or later. The 99's had 35 less hp

 

Neither one will be "stronger" if both were properly maintained. 70,000k is no where near the service life of either engine.

That said, I'd have to echo Outpost22's post, be aware that repair costs can be SIGNICANTLY MORE EXPENSIVE on a diesel, but like he said, I'd buy whichever one you want, and whichever is the best overall deal.

When considering the V10, I'd try to go 2000 or newer, as posted already, more hp and better reliability.

Waxy