What's With the Ford Super Duty Pricing?

[Dargo]

I just sneaked away for a bit of TBN reading again. Shh, don't tell; some less than understanding people claim that I'm wasting time! Ah, so narrow minded!

Nah Rip, my hammer is just the plain version with the perty yellow handle. I can't tell you why, but it feels better balanced than any other claw hammers I own; no kiddin'!

LarryRB, I admit, I did have said flower. However, the Misses didn't understand that a rear mount mower really will move out to the side when you turn, and she cut it down. I'm givin' cable a try for now. My kids have to show me how to operate that on-screen TV guide though. It looks perty snazzy, but I can't ever find the right button. Any remote with more than 10 buttons ought to be outlawed!

Marcussen, you fit exactly where I think the V10 gas engine is the best buy. I think you and jcmseven have a darn good grasp on what fits a needed use and what doesn't. Thanks for the kind words jcm, I appreciate it. Right now I'm stuck trying to figure if I should buy a new truck this year or not. My Dodge is a 1996 model. It has always sat inside and "looks" much newer. It only has 129k miles, which really shouldn't be anything for the Cummins. However, on the new trucks, I do like the looks of the Super Duty the best. But, now the new Super Duty trucks have yet another brand new diesel. From most all reports, the 6.0 PowerStroke apparently had some issues. Since those issues were so widespread, I wonder if those years that the 6.0 diesel really bring that much more than the V10 gasser?? And, as Marcussen pointed out, the gasser is quite a bit less expensive up front.

So, there's my delimma; I think the tax deduction for using my truck for work and allowing me to write off the entire purchase price in the first year is ending after this year, but the diesel is brand new (and expensive), but at $4.00 a gallon, the gasser looks a bit worse now (since I do drive quite a bit), and my old '96 is quite strong and runs fine. What's a guy to do?? Being so confused, I may just do nothing, and just keep my old Cummins powered Dodge and hope the body doesn't fall off the powertrain. Also, my 6 cyl '78 Ford doesn't pull my 16k trailer very well. Seeing the sticker price of a new 4X4 crew cab dually diesel that begins with the number 5 also kinda sets me back a bit. Am I just being cheap?

 

[Marcussen]

Dargo, when I looked for a new truck, I seriously considered getting a used '06 or a new '07 diesel. But the used '06 cost about the same as my new v10 truck. I could not find an '07 that I wanted.
I test drove an '08 6.4 PSD, it was very nice and also quiet. but being the a new engine design matched with a new body, too much first year new stuff for me. From what I read on the internet the 6.4 has been good so far.
having to repair a 6.4 once the warranty was out would give me nightmares, with the cab off being necessary for many repairs (I can only imagine the extra labor involveld - and I can not get a cab off in my garage.)

 

[BTI]

Exactly part of the reason I ended up with a Dodge back in '03.
The only Fords on the dealers lot had prices starting in the high 40's
The sticker on my Dodge was 39800 and was a loaded SLT.

BTI

 

[jcmseven]

I am not trying to steer anyone to Ford at all and I would share with the group if I were having any problems. All three major manufacturers are making really good trucks. I have mentioned and feel compelled to re-mention that my new 2008 SD has been a gem so far. I towed my tractor to my parents' and back Saturday, a total five hour round trip. The computer and hand calculated mileage were spot-on and read 13.8 mpg pulling right at 9000#, over hills and on when on highway at 70-75 mpg. My friend just bought a new GMC Duramax, and it is super nice also, but I will say, I get so many complements so far on the exterior and interior looks of my new Ford, and it seems to be really mechanically sound also. Now up to 3000 miles and running better each day. It pulls loads so easily. My 2002 had gobs of power after my modifications and gave me no trouble, but heavy loads did rock the back some and at times the truck waffled a bit when pulling close to its rated limit. This truck is rock-solid pulling and pulls loads really easily. I have so far been well-pleased.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

OK, I looked back through this thread, and I have been posting too much about how much I like my truck. I know everyone is tiring of this, so I am not going to post anymore about how much I like my truck. Sorry to reiterate a fact which everyone knows--all to well.

John M

 

[mjncad]

I ordered a 1999 F-250 Super Duty with the following major equipment:

Extended cab XLT package and long bed.
4 x 4 with off road package.
V-10 with 5-speed manual.
4.11 limited slip differential.
Bucket seats.

Comments:
I knew I wasn't going to be using this truck heavily and a V-10 at the time was $335 versus $3,500 for the 7.3l Powerstroke diesel. If I were going to use the truck daily or to haul heavy loads regularly, I would have gone with the diesel no questions asked. I calculated a 10-year payback for the diesel at the time I ordered it. I also expected 10-MPG, so getting a mixed use average of 13.5-MPG is gravy to me so to speak. I did hit 15-MPG on one tankful.

If I were to order the 1999 truck again, I would have gone with a crew-cab to throw extra junk in, upped it to an F-350 SRW (I hate the look of duallys), added the running lights for the cool factor, upgraded the seats to power, and added remote door locks.

My truck tows stuff now and then with a small tracked excavator from the rental yard being the heaviest thing towed.

My truck is used; but not abused and leads an easy life of being garaged all the time and has less than 29,000 miles on it.

Pros:
Plenty of snort from the V-10 for my needs. I would love to add Gibson headers and cat-back exhaust, along with a K & N style intake system that doesn't require oiling the filter. At Colorado's altitude, there is no replacement for displacement.

A manual transmission! YAY! Give me gears over a slush-box any day. I do wish a 6-speed was available then.

Has been reliable and I'm still running the original battery, which surprises me.

Ford knows pickups and offers plenty of configurations to choose from. Dodge comes next and Chevy/GMC appears to offer the least. If Toyota and Nissan understood what American buyers want in a truck the way Ford does, I would have looked seriously at their products too, though they are getting closer.

Cons:
A sour spot at 65-MPH where the in cab noise is quite loud. I attribute this to a combination of engine, transmission, and axle ratios that set up a nasty harmonic sound problem. At 60-MPH and below, and at 70-MPH and above, the in cab noise is acceptable; but a friend of mine's new Dodge diesel is quieter yet.

No 10' bed, which I would love to have. It would be nice to haul pipe, Unistrut, and other 10' items home with them lying flat in the bed, and the tailgate closed. In all fairness, all trucks suffer from the lack of a 10' bed option.

Better dampening of the front axle to minimize bounce back from potholes in the road through the steering gear. I probably need to get an after market dampener.

I wish the HVAC controls were like my 1995 Honda Accord's in that they are flexible in providing comfort adjustments.

Conclusion:
Although I would love to have some of the options that the 2007 and 2008 Super Duties have now, I am happy with my rig and intend to drive it till the wheels fall off or I croak of old age, whichever occurs first.

 

[riptides]

Well right now it looks like my *guess* on fuels was spot on.

Diesel 2.68
Gas 3.05

Gee, I feel so much better now. Time to start the commute in the F250 and let the Explorer sit.

I can even haul my horse trailer with people in it now and get in the Express Lanes. YeeHa!

-Mike Z.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

John, been following the thread closely. I did get the impression you were in love with the truck. You should be I know every one I buy starts that way. As I said I hope the truck serves you well. But how about some pics of the toy. I know after reading a 5 page thread that's just what the doctor ordered(no pun intended)

Matt T.

 

[HappyCPE]

Well right now it looks like my *guess* on fuels was spot on.

Diesel 2.68
Gas 3.05

Gee, I feel so much better now. Time to start the commute in the F250 and let the Explorer sit.
-Mike Z.

Mike, my "commuter" car is a '95 Lincoln TC that gets 21 mpg. It is getting a well-earned rest while my oil-burning '04 F250, which runs at 18-19 mpg, gets me to my day job. You can guess which ride I prefer... I like my tractor too...

 

[Builder]

When I was truck shopping 3 months ago, I didn't like the looks of the new Ford Powerstroke. Another engine change. More controls, sensors, 2 turbos, and the DPF system. They need to regenerate every so often, then they need to be cleaned or replaced at the customer's expense.

I went with a "classic" '07 GMC3500 4x4 DMAX/Allison and I'm very pleased. It was a brand new truck, but no DPF crap. Allison is a better trans than the 5 speed Ford Torqshift, has an extra gear and the "tap-up/tap down" manual shift feature. Enough to keep a gadget guy real occupied The DMAX is a proven more reliable diesel than the 6.4L Ford, It makes just as much power, but makes more torque at lower RPM and has less moving parts because it's only one turbo. That's what you buy a diesel for: reliability over the long haul, fuel economy and low-end grunt. The GM HD rear is also considerably nicer. In the SRW trucks, it's a full inch bigger rear than the Ford (11.5" v. 10.5") In the dually they're both 11.5", but the GM rear is a true mechanical locker, with none of those silly clutch packs to wear out. That's where you get a lot more truck is if you buy an SRW. Ford steps up to the plate more with the rear if you get a DRW.

I love my old '99 F-350 4x4 with the 7.3L and my F-450 4x4 which I sold, but this stock DMAX will put the Ford to shame, even with a well tuned chip. I'm pretty sure all the newer trucks would, too.

I like buying trucks with the best Powertrain. Not much better than a DMAX with a 6 speed allison auto and a 11.5" mechanical locker.

GM also has the longest warranty on their drivetrain- 5 years 100,000 miles for the entire drivetrain.

Truck is gasser-quiet inside and rides very smooth.

About the only downside so far is that it's not a serious off road truck. It will not cross sharp obstacles without some bottoming out. Also, the front end is not as rugged. It is "softer" with the IFS suspension. The Ford front axle is built really strong. If you really do some serious off-road stuff, Ford might be better. I've had my GMC off in the mud and it surprised me-it handled muddy ruts very well.

Ford makes great trucks, I know I own some, but check out a DMAX/Allison. You'll be sold on the drivetrain package and the smooth, quiet power.