Hello everyone been a lurker for awhile taking in all the knowledge here and i'm about ready to get a truck after a long hiatus. I'm normally a rclb guy but thinking of future family possibilities I might opt for a eclb. That aside I'm just wondering if I should get the Vortec or a Duramax. I've always been intrigued by diesels but never had one. As for outings it would be limited to weekend trips for now. I also won't be towing anything that I forsee in the considerable near future. That being said I want a truck that I can use for 20 years and do what ever needs to be done. So gas or diesel!
Thanks,
STU
these discussions have been done 15 years ago on this side od the Atlantic. Here it falls down on 2 points: a gallon diesel is at the moment at 5.5$, gas is very, very cheap since some months at 6.5$.
there is a break even between diesel and gas in mpg costs are mostly at around 15.000 miles/year, when the diesel engine becomes cheaper. Diesel engines are more expensive in purchase and insurance.
though maintenance is more expensive on diesel.
BUT less than 1%, wayybless, use their cars more than 10 years. most people/companies swap their cars to new ones after 3 years.
its interesting to see for me that people in the us think in several hundred thousand miles range. in the middle of Europe a car old, when turned 70tmi!
on the other hand we spend roughly 2-400$/on maintenance witch gives the engines/cars(suspension, like bushings) a long life.
if there is not a noticeable difference in costs because of better mpg price/range and maintenance (better to plan these costs on these "high-tech" diesels)- you should just go with a vortec. this is low tech engine and has therefore pretty low maintenance costs and repair costs.
PS: just bought an old e350 diesel, for fun and travel. I don't think that I can pay the fuel costs in 10 years anymore. ergo this rig will be worth nothing anymore. sad but true.
