Duramax and diesel prices

deere755 · Oct 22, 2005

I have to agree I have never walked in to the elevator and said I will sell you my corn today for $3 because of rising input costs. They tell me what they are paying. Our input costs such as seed, fertilizer, fuel etc. go up and we buy it or else. I don't think that was a fair statement to say that farmers pass the cost on to the consumers. Prosessors who buy our grain may raise their prices but I have seen no increase in the grain markets.

All I wanted to know was if everyone was seeing a big price difference between reg. unleaded and diesel. I may still buy a diesel but the price difference has me concerned. It was not my intention to start a war. If I thought it was going to get a war started, I would not have started this thread. I am sorry that it has turned to this.

DaveNay · Oct 22, 2005

( Crude oil, natural gas, wholesale gasoline, propane, and heating oil are all commodities who's prices are determined by the markets also.

Even oil companies do not like inflation. The costs of exploration, drilling, steel casing, steel pipeline, well stimulation, refining, labor, etc. all rise too, without regard to the market price of oil and gas.

)

Comparing large oil companies to individual farmers is absurd. Yes, you can make a comparison between large oil and large ag companies like Conagra and ADM.

RobertN · Oct 22, 2005

As a more specific reply to your question, it varies by region and timing.

Historically, diesel had run at the price of regular or a little less around here(Northern Calif). That was part of the eqaution for my buying a diesel back in '01. It remained that way for a couple of years, but has since changed.

For a while now, diesel has increased to prices ranging from about mid grade gas to premium. In some cases it has exceeded premium. I have found that more dependant on a few stations, like the Union-76; the one here has always been more expensive for diesel.

I have not seen the 50 cents to a dollar more expensive pricing around here. It is generally 10-25 cents more expensive.

In regards to the Duramax, you will probably find what I did. My F250 4x4 with a 351, stick, and 4:11's got 10-12 unloaded, and 8 with a big cab over camper on it. My Dodge/Cummins 4x4 auto with 4:10's gets 15 in foothill driving, 18 on the open road, and 10-12 with a heavy load.

I still make out better with the diesel than with a gas engine. But, it is not the same delta as when I got the truck.

I asked about the pricing issue at the cardlock station we use. The folks there did not have an answer, and it apeared they were paying a higher price from thier supplier. It appears it is being passed along from the initial source.

DaNag · Oct 22, 2005

( I did the math in excel and the delta for ME, is well, the savings are paying for 50% of my wifes car. Cheaper to drive??? I do not think so. )

Well...as has come up before when we've discussed this, comparing your situation to the dicussion at hand doesn't help with the decision trying to be made. I never suggested a diesel truck was cheaper than driving a car, and the parent poster is not considering replacing his truck with a car, as you did.

With an apples to apples comparison, that is a 3/4 or 1 ton gas truck with a big block vs. the same in diesel, there are still compelling financial reasons to go diesel - as my earlier post illustrated.

Add to that the superior towing capability, greater range on a tank, engine longevity, and better resale value, and for many folks the decision is still a no-brainer.

gsxr1100 · Oct 22, 2005

I agree that diesel has many advantages but it is not the best cource of action in all applications. In my posts above they basically say you selections are slim. It is either buy gas or diesel. But then on the other hand don’t complain that diesel is 50 to $1.00 more per gallon since you selected the diesel. You are fighting city hall here and franky no one cares (in high positons) and it does nothing.

And again the advantages of diesel are great but if people do not want them due to fuel prices…. Many people are selling diesel trucks in my area and suv’s. To bad no one is buying them.

cp1969 · Oct 22, 2005

Last night diesel was $3.19 vs. $2.19 for unleaded. There was an article in the paper that said the profits of five oil companies was going to be up an average of 70% in the third quarter, with Conoco/Phillips leading the pack.

I suggest that much of the volatility of fuel prices is because of speculators that are not ordinarily in this market . They have found a commodity that moves and have made a LOT of money in the last few months.

hayden · Oct 22, 2005

In the northeast, diesel cost tends to be the same or less than regular gas in the summer, and the same or more than premium gas in the winter. The higher winter price is because of heating oil consumption (it's the same basic stuff), and the cold-weather treatment/additives to keep the diesel from gelling.

But $3.10 per gal? That's crazy. It's been around $2.78 here for a while, but I haven't looked for a few days.

I just installed a 275 gal tank and pump and had it filled the other day at $2.41 per gal. That should cover me until Feb or March.

LarryRB · Oct 23, 2005

NH/VT have half the state tax also, so consider this.... CT/MA/RI diesel is still bumping 300 per gallon.. I paid 295 yesterday and this is at the lowest station within 20 miles of me..

sneaky_pete · Oct 23, 2005

( Comparing large oil companies to individual farmers is absurd. Yes, you can make a comparison between large oil and large ag companies like Conagra and ADM. )

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I said nothing about size, only that both farmers and oil companies play under the same rules - supply and demand. However, since you mention it, there are many many more small oil companies than the big majors that refine gasoline and diesel fuel.

gsxr1100 · Oct 23, 2005

( In the northeast, diesel cost tends to be the same or less than regular gas in the summer, and the same or more than premium gas in the winter. )

in my 3+ years drivng without my Powerchoke in western and central MA and CT, that is incorrect. Diesel is always a min of 20 to 30 cents over the high gas (93).

Well diesel went down..gas is 2.39 and diesel is 2.99..great deal , wish I had a diesel. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif