'08 Superduty recall

chh · Apr 3, 2008

Well after looking at all 3 brands this last week, I went with Ford. F-350 V-10. I am not at all sure about the supposed benefits of diesel after owning one for 10 years. I talked to 6 dealers in the last week. The price of diesel has started to effect sales here in Ok. The Ford dealer I ended up buying at(my son works there

) has sold 5 gas F350's since Monday and 1 diesel. 5 of the 6 trucks traded in were diesel. Left on the lot as of yesterday; 1 gas F350 and about 25 diesels in 350's,450's and 550's. The dealer is worried he is not going to be get enough gas trucks ordered in to meet demand. Trade in values are still higher on diesels, but the market is softening in the dealer auctions according to my son, so if fuel prices don't get more equal between gas and diesel that may begin to change. IMO

jcmseven · Apr 3, 2008

chh-

I personally think you made a good choice. The V10 engine is a great engine. I had one in a 2001 250 and at that time it was a gas hog. It ran really well, just not as well as the diesel. Now, the shoe seems on the other foot. Progressive improvements to the V10 have made it a viable choice. It is very strong and while not as strong as the 6.4L it is close in everyday driving. It also will about match it on mileage, if not in some cases do better. It also has the longevity. My neighbor has a 2001 Excursion with 270,000+ miles on it that still runs great with the V10. In truth, there are not many of us that would keep a diesel that long. It the tests that I have seen, the V10 is a little slower than the GM V8, buts gains almost all of that unloaded difference back when pulling-again Ford's modus operandi for the truck. It is also, again, in a much heavier truck in curb weight, so for its size it is a stout performer. Enjoy your new truck.

John M

Builder · Apr 3, 2008

It's human nature when you're brand loyal like some of you guys are to notice more trucks of your brand.

I am not brand loyal anymore. I freed myself of those miserable chains a few years ago. Before that, all I would consider is Ford. Now I buy whoever makes the best truck, tractor, saw, drill, whatever, when I need to buy one.

Sticking up for one brand or another, no matter what that particular brand does, is stupid. It does not allow the buyer to get the best product offered at that time.

I am not brand loyal to GM. However, I know that when I bought my truck last year, I bought the best, most proven truck with the longest warranty for the lowest price without caring what emblem was on the front.

I'll do the same thing next time I buy.

chh,

You definately bought the best gas powered truck. Ford's V-10 is a pretty nice engine. Look for a replacement for the V-10 ond the GM 6L gas in about 4 months.

Bird · Apr 3, 2008

Builder, I'd at least partially agree with you. I'm not brand loyal either. I've not personally owned a diesel truck, but I've owned Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge pickups; liked all of them. For cars, I've owned Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac, Studebaker, Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, and Mercury, as well as an Isuzu diesel sedan and Suzuki Samurai.

But when you say "allow the buyer to get the best product offered at that time" . . . well, you hope so, but never know for sure. I've owned one real lemon in my life and that was a brand new 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 with a 289 V-8 (a long time proven engine at that time).

On the other hand, sometimes buying something new and unproven turns out well. I generally prefer to wait a couple of years to see how a new product turns out, but a couple of the most trouble free vehicles I ever owned were the diesel Isuzu and the Suzuki, both vehicles I knew very little about when I bought them because they were fairly new on the market.

But, yes, I agree that I'll buy what I think at the time is the best deal, regardless of brand name, and sometimes I'm right and sometimes I'm not.

Egon · Apr 3, 2008

Now that is a whole mouthful Mr Seven.

Is that all for real?

Rara Avis · Apr 3, 2008

shoot

2007 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 Engine Type HEMI V8 gas
2008 Ford F-250 FX4 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 Engine Type Triton V10 gas
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLE Crew Cab 4x4 Engine Type Vortec V8 gas

2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 LT Crew Cab 4x4 Engine Type Duramax V8
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 Engine Type Cummins I6 diesel
2008 Ford F-350 King Ranch Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 Engine Type Power Stroke V8 diesel

Checkout the rear end ratios...in the article's data tables...

This shootout still seems to favor GM...

Builder · Apr 3, 2008

Yes it does!

Looks like Diamonpilot's observations on tailsquat with a trailer are wrong, too. GM actually squats less than Ford.

The testing crew said they'd park a GMC3500 Duramax in their driveway and never think twice about it!!!

'nuff said.

patrick_g · Apr 4, 2008

Verrrrrrry interesting......

Hardly enough difference in most tests to warrant comment.

Pat

jcmseven · Apr 5, 2008

Yes, Egon, it is for real. They do still preferentially serve at the Pioneer. Just went there today. Some very good eating there. Builder, again we must be careful about this "best" statement. As I have said before in other posts, no one, including myself would or can fault you given the fact you need a solid reliable truck for your business in going with GM. At the time of your purchase, you bought a truck before the unknowns of the emissions standards came into play and most likely before the advent or ready-availability of the 6.4L came into play. I suppose if you were looking for the most proven diesel at the time, the Cummins would have been the choice, but it seems you were looking at the entire powertrain and GM had/has a strong offering in this area. I am neither small-minded nor particularly brand loyal, but I am loyal to my current truck which is a really well-made and has a number of nice features which make it an excellent option for those looking to buy this type truck. I will likely remain so until the product or service forces me elsewhere. Neither you nor I nor any other posters know the future of any of our diesel trucks after 2010 or with the current fuel crunch, but we both know posters and owners of each who are happy with their current rides. I suppose we should enjoy it while it lasts.

John M

RobJ · Apr 5, 2008

jcmseven said:
Yes, Egon, it is for real. They do still preferentially serve at the Pioneer. Just went there today. Some very good eating there. Builder, again we must be careful about this "best" statement. As I have said before in other posts, no one, including myself would or can fault you given the fact you need a solid reliable truck for your business in going with GM. At the time of your purchase, you bought a truck before the unknowns of the emissions standards came into play and most likely before the advent or ready-availability of the 6.4L came into play. I suppose if you were looking for the most proven diesel at the time, the Cummins would have been the choice, but it seems you were looking at the entire powertrain and GM had/has a strong offering in this area. I am neither small-minded nor particularly brand loyal, but I am loyal to my current truck which is a really well-made and has a number of nice features which make it an excellent option for those looking to buy this type truck. I will likely remain so until the product or service forces me elsewhere. Neither you nor I nor any other posters know the future of any of our diesel trucks after 2010 or with the current fuel crunch, but we both know posters and owners of each who are happy with their current rides. I suppose we should enjoy it while it lasts.

John M

Good points...and all "bad" trucks are not all bad. I have 2 personal friends with the ford 6l. no problems at all. One still has it and probably uses it the hardest. The other sold his and now have a 6.4. His only complaint is the reduced mileage.