[EMIEVEL]

I agree with DRM about all the false claims of MPG and CPM. I'm not very good at numbers but I know my V10 Ford gets 7.5 to 9 MPG when I'm towing my big goose.
When I budget for a trip, I figure about $.05 per mile for all fluid changes, all filter changes, tire wear, brakes, and tune ups; but not MPG. Is this figure way off base? How do I figure in hard parts like water pumps or transmissions and things like that?
I don't know how to figure in depreciation. I paid $20,700 for the truck in November 2001, when it had 38,000 miles; now it has 153,400 miles. Do I figure in the amount of money I make with it? I deliver cars and bikes with it.
(1999 Super Duty Crew Cab V10 Dually)

On the other hand, I drove my friend's Dodge Ram 3500 with a Cummins TD, and I was amazed that it got an honost 21 MPG, empty, for 648 miles at 65-70 MPH. He has done a lot of work to it, as he is a diesel mechanic for a Dodge dealer. I was thinking the fuel savings alone would make the monthly payments. I drive about 9,000 to 10,000 miles a month. From an accountant's perspective, do you think the fuel savings alone is reason to buy a new diesel truck?

Thanks for any help...I am REALLY struggling with this. I not very good with decisions like this.

 

[jp junkie]

I have nothing against PSD's - .

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

 

[Travis Waldher]

That's pretty retarded IMO. The upgrades need to be considered part of the cost of the truck not monthy usage expenses. Gas, oil changes are spent and don't hold a value once used. Mods and upgrades go to total vehicle cost.

I don't see you factoring in payment anywhere, or if I wrote a check for it do I just have one really bad month per mile and then it's all gravy from there?

Think all he meant to say....

By spending $4,000 on mods to gain say 4mpg is asnine. It is going to take a LONG time to "recoup" the cost of that upgrade in fuel efficiency. Most diesel owners that I have seen tout upgrading this or that for fuel economy seem to forget that.

Also.. diesel costs more than a gas engine. I ran the numbers when first looking for a truck. Comparing the CTD to a 360 (biggest dodge had at the time). If I wasn't towing and needing the extra power, the diesel cost a lot more. I could replace the V8 (granted doing the work myself) every 150,000 miles and break even with the diesel by the 500,000 mile mark.

NOW, if you want a diesel, need a diesel for towing, or mod it just cause you want or need the power. Thats different.

 

[7938]

I agree with DRM about all the false claims of MPG and CPM. I'm not very good at numbers but I know my V10 Ford gets 7.5 to 9 MPG when I'm towing my big goose.
When I budget for a trip, I figure about $.05 per mile for all fluid changes, all filter changes, tire wear, brakes, and tune ups; but not MPG. Is this figure way off base? How do I figure in hard parts like water pumps or transmissions and things like that?
I don't know how to figure in depreciation. I paid $20,700 for the truck in November 2001, when it had 38,000 miles; now it has 153,400 miles. Do I figure in the amount of money I make with it? I deliver cars and bikes with it.
(1999 Super Duty Crew Cab V10 Dually)

On the other hand, I drove my friend's Dodge Ram 3500 with a Cummins TD, and I was amazed that it got an honost 21 MPG, empty, for 648 miles at 65-70 MPH. He has done a lot of work to it, as he is a diesel mechanic for a Dodge dealer. I was thinking the fuel savings alone would make the monthly payments. I drive about 9,000 to 10,000 miles a month. From an accountant's perspective, do you think the fuel savings alone is reason to buy a new diesel truck?

Thanks for any help...I am REALLY struggling with this. I not very good with decisions like this.

Read this post It may help you decide. Look about 1/3 of the way down at DRMs post. I think it has the info you are looking for.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66089

 

[DSI]

Hmmm, my 01 V10 lariet auto cost me 29,490 brand new, my 02 PSD lariet auto cost me 35,450... i paid 5k more for the diesel, i've got a whopping $1100 into mods

that put's me $6100 more roughly into the PSD, my monthly payment is $63 more on the PSD that the V10, over the 40k i put on the V10 and the 30k i have on the PSD, th PSD has gotten 6mpg better as an average than the V10.

changing hte oil on a gas motor DIY was around 15 bucks, the PSD is around 35 bucks, but the fact you change the PSD's oil less, and the fact diesel's cheaper, and get's better mileage, kinda put's it in a wash for me...

i definatly like the power of the diesel when towing alot better than the gas, but the gas was nicer to drive around town.

not to mention i got 3 ticket's in teh gas truck because it was RED and the diesel's grey 2tone... so if you look at it that way, ticket's vs mod's i'm even there too!

 

[gunracer1]

hell you get back damn near the money you spend up front, when you decide to sell the diesel. see what a 200k mile dodge diesel or power stroke will pull down for a price. then see what a 200k mile gas dodge or ford is worth. hell you cant hardly give away the gas truck with those miles i drive 50ka year, there is no comparison.

 

[KMAN]

Its not about the dime, its about boostin that turbo before you hit that hill and accelerating all the way up WITHOUT downshifting....makes the long hauls more enjoyable.

My gasser had to downshigt alltogether too much.

Its also about the awesome aroma that an oil burner emits :flipoff2:

 

[DSI]

Its also about the awesome aroma that an oil burner emits :flipoff2:

i hate the smell of diesel...

but staying in OD @70mph up a steep grade weighing 20k sure is sweet

 

[DRM]

i drive 50ka year, there is no comparison.

When I did the math for myself, generally anything over 25k a year makes the diesel a better choice.

And again - the odd thing is here in Mddle TN low grade gas and diesel are the same price - so no savings there.

I will say the V10 is WAY too much fun to drive, and you do tend to keep your foot in it (Sounds like a modded PSD is about the same way

 

[7938]

Wow, It looks like the price really varies. We are paying $1.55 for reg un-lead and D is $1.65 It seams like D is .10 more all of the time around here.

 

[DSI]

When I did the math for myself, generally anything over 25k a year makes the diesel a better choice.

And again - the odd thing is here in Mddle TN low grade gas and diesel are the same price - so no savings there.

I will say the V10 is WAY too much fun to drive, and you do tend to keep your foot in it (Sounds like a modded PSD is about the same way

7 1/2 months, and 30k on the clock...

the V10's stock exhaust around 4k and a straight piped PSD around 2k sound fairly close as far as the growl, but the diesel is a hell of alot louder

 

[DRM]

7 1/2 months, and 30k on the clock...

the V10's stock exhaust around 4k and a straight piped PSD around 2k sound fairly close as far as the growl, but the diesel is a hell of alot louder

With 2 sleeping kids in the back seat - I will take quieter (guess I am just getting old )

 

[DSI]

With 2 sleeping kids in the back seat - I will take quieter (guess I am just getting old )

actually in cab it's one of those rolling humm sounds, it almost put's me to sleep on long trips

and besides david, i think we figured out i'm older than you

 

[FYRMAN]

With 2 sleeping kids in the back seat - I will take quieter (guess I am just getting old )

You can't make that judgement until you have had kids asleep in the backseat. Like Dave says, it's like "white noise". It's a low hum that helps to block out all other noise. You do end up wanting to fall asleep.

 

[gunracer1]

o yea, that is some decent power stroke #s we have a dyno day coming up in a week or two, i am shooting for 400 hp 1000 tq. with 205k on the motor. mike

 

[Bill Collins]

i like the hell out of my psd,and i can afford it:flipoff2:

 

[InfantryYJ]

With 2 sleeping kids in the back seat - I will take quieter (guess I am just getting old )

Aww c'mon Davey,....just throw in a DVD, put the headphones on the kids, and let them watch Scooby Doo,.....oops,...I forgot,....you don't have a DVD in your truck:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

 

[DSI]

Aww c'mon Davey,....just throw in a DVD, put the headphones on the kids, and let them watch Scooby Doo,.....oops,...I forgot,....you don't have a DVD in your truck:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

i got the 7in flat screen... but no DVD player... the PS2 works damn good for that issue

 

[InfantryYJ]

i got the 7in flat screen... but no DVD player... the PS2 works damn good for that issue

Here you go,....a monitor for each kid

 

[DSI]

Here you go,....a monitor for each kid

mine's on the dash, just to teh right of the radio, it blocks the heater vent, but oh well... these long ass trip's for comp's ya gotta have some entertainment...