What are your thoughts about these two engines? Gas or Diesel and why.
With fuel prices likely to go up, what does your gets for MPG?

 

I have a 2001 4x4 V10 supercab and use it to tow a 7000 lb boat. In mixed driving, I get 11-12 MPG. Towing the boat, I get 8 MPG. On the highway at 70 mph, I get 14 MPG using cruise control. I love the V10 even though it's a little thirsty. Mine doesn't use a drop of oil and gas mileage hasn't changed since it was new. Rising gas prices have me a little worried but not enough that I'm going to trade for a diesel, that's a huge price difference that will take years to recover. The new Ford diesel is an awesome motor but they had some early bugs. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either motor but if you are going to tow a lot or often, I'd lean toward the diesel. Make sure you get the 8' bed or you'll have a tiny gas tank.

 

Maybe you should let us know what you plan to use it for, then we can provide suggestions.

 

Think of it this way...

The diesel gets about 5-6 mpg more. Diesel prices here are about a nickel above unleaded regular, but used to be a dime less. The diesel is around 6k dollars more. How many trips to the gas station do you have to make to even out the costs...

BTW, I figured this once and it was around 25 years for a 15k mile a year truck.

 

I work at a Ford dealership (parts guy) and i can say that the 6.0L can pull anything you throw at it. BUT...it STILL has some bugs...mainly injector problems. The V10, on the other hand.......I don't remember the last time a V10 came in the shop for anything other than an oil change. A very few of them were blowing a spark plug out of one of the cylinders in the early ones caUSE of a flaw in the way the machined the hole in the cylinder head, but other than that, they dont leak, or break anything! They are a little down on the milage, but if you are considering a 6,0L, I'll give you something to think about. We sell air filters for a V10 for 12.95. An oil change for a V10 is 21.95. Fuel filter is 13.85. Call your local Ford dealer and just ask how much to change oil, air, and fuel filters on a 6.0L. A little hint**If you think you know these prices cause you have/had a 7.3....think again!-The 7.3 was cheaper by a ways!*** Then, weigh that against any difference in gas milage, and see where that puts you. I say, if you are hauling huge loads on a daily basis as in for work, the deisel is prolly for you. If you just need the power a few times a month for that trip to the dunes, or the lake, then the V10 is the obvious choice.

 

I would be using it mostly for dragging the toybox to the desert. I see your good points on what is really cheaper in the long run.

 

Yeah. Ok, Ill save you the leg work. The list price for a air filter for a 6.0L is like 79 bucks. 80 sompin for a fuel filter. 55-60 bucks for oil and filter. The air filter comes with half of the airbox for gods sake! Plus, if you look at the towing capacities, and spec for spec, there is alomost no difference in what each will tow. Go with the V10... you wont be dissappointed!!

 

heres my thoughts. if you are towing something heavy such as a big boat or motor home or something and want a truck that will last for a long time, get decent mileage, and pull hard without much stress on it get the diesel. the diesel has much much more longevity than the gas engine. as far as a daily driver well in that case then the gas is what u r looking for it is cheaper to fix and just reasonable no need for a diesel unless your main concern is TOWING!

 

I have a 2003 F250 Crew Cab V10 short bed with the 3.73 rear end. With that said...

DON'T get the diesel just for the milage! It really isn't worth it (unless you just really want the diesel cool factor). If you are going to be towing HEAVY and towing OFTEN then look at the diesel. The V10 will tow just as heavy as the diesel but it won't get the better gas milage while towing and it won't get up the hills as fast.

If you aren't going to be towing long distances several times a month then get the V10. You will love it. The only thing to make sure you get with the V10 is the 4.30 rear end and not the 3.73 like I have. The 3.73 are great but when you start towing pretty heavy (over 8,000lb) or you put larger tires on then you will really like the 4.30!

Also, check out www.fordtrucks.com. You will find anything that you want to know about ford trucks in the forums.

Good luck.

 

One thing to note on the Diesel, you are going to get your money back on that motor at resale. I believe the same is true with 4x4 as well. I just ran through kbb.com and compared. Only thing I changed was the gas vs. diesel. XLT package on a F-350 CC LB SRW. $35,085+ (6.0 diesel) vs. $29,270+ (gas V10). That's $5,815.

Around here depending on where you go, diesel can be more than 87 or less. The Chevrons and Texaco/Shells are about 10cent a gallon more. If you hit an ARCO/Beacon it's about 10cents cheaper. As an aside, disels just sound cooler. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] And they each seem to make their own distinct sound.

Ok, so I had a little fun with a spreadsheet.

I have a couple friends with close to comperable trucks. Note, this is the old 7.3L Diesel, not the new 6.0L.

'03 F-350 CC LB SRW V10 4x4 and gets 8MPG towing (28' toy box, 4 quads and gear. Dry.) He also stated he gets the same w/o the trailer.
'01 F-250 CC SB 7.3L 4x4 gets 13MPG towing a 30' travel trailer. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

(as an aside, neither of these trucks are CA spec. The gasser is from Oregon and the diesel is from Texas.)

Based on 15,000 miles per year.

Fuel Used (US Gal):
V-10 1875
Diesel 1154

Fuel Prices (US$/US gal):
Gas $2.039
#2 Diesel $2.139 (assuming bad case at +10 cents per gallon)

Fuel Cost (US$):
Gas 3,823.13
Diesel $2,468.08
Savings $1,355.05
Diesel fuel would have to run about $3.319 for the costs to equal out. That's in the range of running Biodiesel.

Payback on the fuel is about 4.5years. Maintenance can be higher, but I think you would probably still save a grand a year. And if you get diesel running cheaper than gas, then it's even more. Look at your local station prices as that is what you are going to pay. I might be a bit cheaper up here in the Fresno area. Trasher, as you're in CA, you also will pick up another $60 every two years due to no smog testing. Your reg. and what not should be about the same. I don't think the diesels area any more expensive. Maybe a higher smog impact fee. Anyone know for sure? Though maybe your VLF will be higher as the truck is worth more. Diesels also tend to pick up a little more mileage as they break in.

These engines are also built to last. I believe they come with 100,000 mile warranties.

Check around the net for other opinions on real costs if that is an issue. Good Ford Diesel forum site: The Diesel Stop Not sure about Dodge or GM.

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With all that said, let's throw a big 36" monkey wrench into the equation. If you are like most people and you have to finance this bad boy let's take a look at those numbers.

Based on a 60 mo. purchase (5 years) and if you happen to get a 0% loan (I don't think you can get a 60mo. 0% loan) that adds another $100 to the payment. If you get for example a loan at 5% then that's going to add $113.23. So that equal to either $1200 or $1356.72 a year in added payments. So that pretty much eats up the fuel savings. So a VERY long-term actual pay out is likely. But remember, if/when you sell it, then you are going to get most, if not all of it back. Kinda like putting money under the mattress rather than a bank though...but maybe the wife or kid sneaks a little every now and then.

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