Today's automotive market is bigger than ever before, and countless
models are out there for the taking. If you're looking for a truck, you have
plenty of options to choose from, both new and used. No matter if you're
looking for a compact pickup, a standard midsize, or a full-size crew cab,
numerous manufacturers have what you need in both two-wheel-drive and
four-wheel-drive versions. Of course, there are an array of trim levels and
technological features available on the latest models as well.
Having said all that, much of your decision will boil down to two main
questions. One is whether to go with a new or used truck. Used vehicles are less
expensive, and they've already succumbed to depreciation. Those from reputable
dealerships come with added reassurance that they'll be dependable. Their taxes
and tags are usually less costly too.
On the other hand, many people are a bit leery of used vehicles because
they've been subjected to previous owners' abuse. Because of that, people often
feel that new vehicles will last longer and be more reliable. Still, that's not
necessarily as cut and dried as it might seem, is it? It's not unheard of for
people to purchase fairly old pre-owned vehicles that end up holding out for a
decade or more only to replace them with new vehicles that have major
malfunctions after only a few years.
Deciding Between Gas and
Diesel
From there, the next big question on your mind is probably whether to buy
a diesel or a gas-burner. Both
have their benefits and disadvantages, but which one is better? Read on to
learn some of the strong suits and drawbacks of each one and how those factors
affect the bottom line.
Digging Deeper Into
Diesels
First, let's take a closer look at diesel trucks. Diesel engines were a
little slower to catch on in the automotive world than those that use gas. Once
they did start to gain popularity, though, they really took off. In fact,
they've become even more popular over the last few years with sales surging by
double digits even though overall vehicle sales are dropping. That could be a
testament to their advantages, which we'll take a look at right now.
Benefits of Owning a
Diesel Truck
One of the main benefits of owning a diesel truck would be fuel
efficiency. Diesels are generally much more fuel efficient than gas-burners.
That means even though diesel is usually more expensive per gallon, trucks that
run off of it burn less of it. That might save you a great deal of money at the
pump over time. At the very least, it'll balance the scales between the cost
per gallon and the cost of driving. Fuel efficiency is only one advantage to
consider, though.
Power and Towing Capacity
Another reason people choose diesel trucks so often is their power and
towing capacity. Many people who've driven both swear that diesels can pull
hills and tow heavy loads better than trucks with gas engines. Many are even
officially rated for heavier loads than their closest gas-powered competitors.
That means they're more than capable of towing loaded utility trailers,
campers, boats, and sometimes even small cars.
Durability
Diesel trucks are also famous for being tough. They can take a great deal
of abuse before needing major repairs. By design, diesel engines are simpler
than gas, and the less complicated an engine is, the less there is to go wrong.
At the same time, diesel fuel lubricates engines to an extent to reduce
friction and wear. If you treat a diesel truck well and keep up with routine
maintenance, it could last for 500,000 miles or more. You don't necessarily
have to gentle with a diesel truck to get a lot of miles out of it, but taking
care of it will definitely help.
Higher Resale Value
Diesel trucks tend to have higher resale values than gas-burners too.
That comes from their durability, longevity, and other benefits. By most
standards, you're likely to get tired of a diesel truck and decide to trade it
in for a newer one before it actually wears out. When that time comes, you'll
get more money for it to put toward a new diesel. From another perspective, if
you want to buy a used diesel, you may just get more value for your money.
Drawbacks of Diesel
Engines
When it comes to drawbacks, one of the main factors diesel trucks have
working against them is their initial purchase price. They're often more
expensive than trucks with gas engines. They can also be more costly to
maintain and repair. They're durable, and they don't need maintenance as often
as gas engines do, but routine maintenance is more expensive overall. Although
they may not break down as often as gas-burners, when they do, repairs can set
you back quite a bit. Diesel engines are sometimes harder to start in cold
weather too.
Taking a Closer Look at
Gas Trucks
Now, let's discuss trucks with gas engines. Gas-burning vehicles were the
first to become available to the general public, and even today, the selection
of gas-powered vehicles is much larger than that of diesels. As mentioned
earlier, gasoline-powered vehicles are becoming somewhat less popular
considering their recent declines in sales. That doesn't necessarily mean
they're not good vehicles; it just means diesels are catching up after decades
of being the underdogs.
Exploring the Benefits of
Trucks that Run on Gas
Trucks with gas engines have plenty of advantages in their own right. The
fact that you have more trucks to choose from in this category could be
considered one of them. If you're looking for a compact pickup truck that runs
on diesel, you're essentially out of luck. There just not very common in
America. Some midsize models have diesel engines, but they're not as common as
gas-burners. Trucks with gas engines comes in all shapes and sizes, though.
Smoother, Quieter Rides
Many people insist that gas-burning trucks give you a smoother, quieter
ride than diesels. That's largely true, especially when you're comparing older
models. Many of the newer diesels don't rumble and vibrate as much as the older
ones, but most of them don't run as smoothly and silently as those with gas
engines.
Better Cold Weather
Performance
Another reason people choose gas-burners over diesels is their
performance in cold weather. As noted, diesels sometimes have trouble starting
up when it's cold outside. That's not a problem with gas-powered trucks. Gasoline is thinner than diesel,
and it doesn't get thicker in colder temperatures the way diesel does. With
that being the case, gas engines start just as easily in winter as they do in
summer.
More Affordable
By some standards, gas-burning trucks are more affordable than diesels.
They don't cost as much upfront, and maintenance is less expensive. Some
repairs are less costly as well. On top of that, gas is less expensive per
gallon than diesel fuel. Still, gas engines generally require more maintenance
and repairs, and they're not quite as fuel efficient, so this could be a mixed
bag of sorts.
Disadvantages of Gas
Engines
In terms of disadvantages, trucks that burn gas tend to have less power
and hauling and towing capacity than diesels. For the most part, they don't
last as long, either. In contrast to diesel trucks, they don't hold their value
as well, so used models often sell for less even if they're in good condition.
Choosing the Right Truck
for You
There's not much of a gray area when comparing diesel trucks and
gas-burners. People who've had good experiences with diesels tend to stick with
them. Those who've had negative experiences or no experience at all with
diesels tend to vouch for gas engines. Keep the points mentioned here in mind
to help you decide which one is right for you.
