Justifying a cost of a diesel

[mikehaugen]

You have to take into account that one figure was towing and the others not. Still though...

 

[Reg]

You can probably convince yourself one way or the other with a simple spread sheet.
Roll it out over time, e.g. monthly.
Most people seem to finance vehicles these days so don't represent the difference as an $8K hit on day one.
It is an increment in monthly payments.

They depreciate differently too, you can get some idea of that from blue book for your area for say 3 and 5 year old gas vs diesels.
BTW, around here the fuel price "premium" for diesel fuel shrinks in the summer time.

The arithmetic is just that, but diesels just ain't for everyone.
Some of us have diesels "just because" - - we don't "justify" it with numbers, although towing horses at 15 MPG does bring a fairly high satisfaction quotient.

 

[Diamondpilot]

What's the cost difference for gas vs diesel where you usually fill up?

My "home base" is Alexandria, Va, but I travel down to MS frequently and I looked up prices at places I usually fill up at.

In Alexandria, Va Sunoco on 5520 Franconia Rd RUG is $3.76 and diesel is $3.85 - a 9 cents delta.
In Fulton, MS Wild Bills RUG is $3.27 diesel $3.65 - a 38 cent delta
In Kimball, TN Raceway - RUG $3.33 diesel $3.64 - a 31 cent delta
In Mt Jackson, VA Sheetz RUG $3.35 diesel $3.69 - a 35 cent delta

Thus most places on the drive down it seems RUG is about 10% cheaper than diesel.

Thats odd that diesel is less. Gas here last time I filled up, Tuesday, was $3.39 while diesel was $3.99. That makes diesel $.60 more. I use the Gas Buddy App to find the best price.

Chris

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I gotta throw two cents in for the diesel.

Everyone points to the higher initial cost, but you gain ALOT of that back when re-sell/trade in time comes. Dont just write that off, people are looking for used diesels and their price shows it.

 

[Tomtint]

I gotta throw two cents in for the diesel.

Everyone points to the higher initial cost, but you gain ALOT of that back when re-sell/trade in time comes. Dont just write that off, people are looking for used diesels and their price shows it.

Sometimes this is the case, but if you paid for a 6.0 PS.... Now you can't give it away.

 

[tessiers]

double the money you'll spend on maintenance.

Where does double the maintenance cost come from. We run farm trucks and don't put a whole lot of miles on but when I bring them in for service the diesel cost about the same as the gas. As a matter of fact one small car my wife had cost more than any truck we have. Injector pump was $1000 bucks on a truck recently, but try putting a new injectors on your 2012 gasser and see what it costs. Just saying my experience has not shown the diesels to cost more than the gas trucks for maintenance, maybe just good luck on my part. One thing I learned a long time ago is find a good diesel mechanic, most auto dealers around here are or were lacking in diesel expertise. That may be getting better since there are so many diesels out there nowadays.

 

[Bigfoot62]

If you want the most economical HD truck engine, get a LNG. Put in a home filling unit, and your fuel cost will be around $1.00-1.50 per gallon. (gasoline equivalent, depending on the price of natural gas in your area) For now, anyway. I suspect that eventually, the gov't will figure out a way to jack the price of that up as well. (fuel taxes, etc)

My cousins have a heavy equipment contracting business. They've already bought two of them,(F-350 crew cab 4x4) and plan to add more soon.

The local natural gas utility company just bought one as well. (C2500 x-cab 4x4) They plan to eventually go LNG for their pickups. They're also planning to put in a filling station, open to the public.

As for me, I have a '97 F-250 and '03 F-350, both with the 7.3. I'll run them 'til the wheels fall off!!! I'll be a BOOB (Brotherhood Of Oil Burners) man 'til I die. :laughing:

 

[dgeesaman]

Where does double the maintenance cost come from.

Maintenance, not repairs. Double the routine filter changes, twice as many batteries, larger engine oil sump, DEF if you need it, etc. You have a lot fewer spark plugs but that's about it. In the grand scheme of things it does not add up to big bucks but anyone running the numbers can include it.

There are reasons why diesel repairs can be more expensive in general but I can't suggest it's double.

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . double the money you'll spend on maintenance . . .

Maintenance, not repairs. Double the routine filter changes, twice as many batteries, larger engine oil sump, DEF if you need it, etc. You have a lot fewer spark plugs but that's about it. In the grand scheme of things it does not add up to big bucks but anyone running the numbers can include it.

There are reasons why diesel repairs can be more expensive in general but I can't suggest it's double.

I have to disagree. It cost me as much to do an oil change on my wife's Corolla as my diesels. Her 'Yota requires $8/quart 0w-20 synthetic. My diesel takes $9/gallon 15w-40. (I buy it by the drum) Her fuel filter cost as much too. And, with this sorry ethanol/gasoline we're getting these days, her fuel filter has to be changed as often, if not sooner, than my diesels.
And, while I'm on my soapbox, the spark plugs for my F-150 (5.4L) cost more than the glow plugs for my 7.3's. BTW, I have changed the spark plugs in the F-150, but never had to change the glow plugs on my diesels.

 

[Kaliburz]

If you want the most economical HD truck engine, get a LNG. Put in a home filling unit, and your fuel cost will be around $1.00-1.50 per gallon. (gasoline equivalent, depending on the price of natural gas in your area) For now, anyway. I suspect that eventually, the gov't will figure out a way to jack the price of that up as well. (fuel taxes, etc)

My cousins have a heavy equipment contracting business. They've already bought two of them,(F-350 crew cab 4x4) and plan to add more soon.

The local natural gas utility company just bought one as well. (C2500 x-cab 4x4) They plan to eventually go LNG for their pickups. They're also planning to put in a filling station, open to the public.

As for me, I have a '97 F-250 and '03 F-350, both with the 7.3. I'll run them 'til the wheels fall off!!! I'll be a BOOB (Brotherhood Of Oil Burners) man 'til I die. :laughing:

BOOB....; THAT'S A GREAT ONE!!!!

Speaking of other fuels, a local school district actually purchased two Propane buses. A driver I know has an old early 90's Chev that was originally propane, but converted it back. Another guy I know has a mid 70's Ford F250 that is duel fuel (gas and propane). I was told that Propane keeps the oil cleaner by one guy and the one w/ the F250 says the engine has over 200,000 miles running on Propane before his dad "had it rebuilt", just in case?! Those two buses are said to have only mufflers, no cats.....but it's said to have great acceleration. If I recall, Cummins is the producer of the engine (converted diesel). John Deere use to offer a CNG/Propane engine, but I think it did not make emissions two or three years ago, so it came off the market. I know that Ford had the V10 as a CNG/Propane, but I don't know about other engines now (ie Chev or Dodge).

Locally, I know that the Schwan's Foods, they are using Ford Propane E350 van chassies. Not sure if it's the V10 (if still available) or the V8.....