Been reading and looking a lot recently into picking up a new ride, although i've decided to keep saving up until my want becomes more of a need, i figured i would start a discussion to get some opinion and because i'm bored. This could be relevant to a lot of people, but from what i'll be looking for is something i could DD comfortably (driving around town, to work, and trips out of town, probably cross country), that wouldn't break the bank with fuel, cost a lot to keep up with maintenance wise, and be able to tow what i would need it to safely and without killing it (single car trailer with <4500lb Jeep, heavy 17' boat, camper, tractor..) For debate purposes we'll say i drive about 20k miles a year, and i'm wondering cost of ownership over a 5 year period. All SRW, 4wd, would likely put a slightly bigger tire on whatever i owned, Intake and exhaust on anything as well. Would also need seating for 4, crew cab or extended cab with 4 doors.
Trucks i'd likely consider:
Diesels
04-06 Dodge 2500 Cummins h.o.
05-07 GMC 2500hd
possibly a 7.3 or 98 12 valve (only year 4-door) although i'm trying not to buy too old
Gas
04-07 GMC 2500hd 6.0
07-11 Toyota Tundra 5.7
F150 Ecoboost
From what most people say, unless you tow every day or a big load (goosneck), a diesel isn't necessary.
How do you justify your diesel?
How much more expensive is the maintenance on a diesel?
I've read of switching to a micron oil filter with 10k oil changes, does that help with maintenance cost?
Anyone ever gotten out of a diesel to go back to a gasser?
Is paying for diesel that much worse then filling up a gas hog?
6.0 fords can be had cheap, with 4k they can be bulletproofish, worth the hassle?
I don't need to pull a house, but having the power to do whatever job i had and safely is what i'm looking for, i don't want to spend the money on something and a year later find myself needing more truck (say i buy a welder and work out of my truck). A 1500 Z71 would likely pull most of what i would want, but over time i feel it would wear on it harder then a 3/4 ton and cost more.
Any suggestions or things to consider?
Trucks i'd likely consider:
Diesels
04-06 Dodge 2500 Cummins h.o.
05-07 GMC 2500hd
possibly a 7.3 or 98 12 valve (only year 4-door) although i'm trying not to buy too old
Gas
04-07 GMC 2500hd 6.0
07-11 Toyota Tundra 5.7
F150 Ecoboost
From what most people say, unless you tow every day or a big load (goosneck), a diesel isn't necessary.
How do you justify your diesel?
How much more expensive is the maintenance on a diesel?
I've read of switching to a micron oil filter with 10k oil changes, does that help with maintenance cost?
Anyone ever gotten out of a diesel to go back to a gasser?
Is paying for diesel that much worse then filling up a gas hog?
6.0 fords can be had cheap, with 4k they can be bulletproofish, worth the hassle?
I don't need to pull a house, but having the power to do whatever job i had and safely is what i'm looking for, i don't want to spend the money on something and a year later find myself needing more truck (say i buy a welder and work out of my truck). A 1500 Z71 would likely pull most of what i would want, but over time i feel it would wear on it harder then a 3/4 ton and cost more.
Any suggestions or things to consider?