cowgirl01

I'm getting a new truck, want some help deciding Manual vs Automatic, Diesel vs Gasoline.

I would like to get Diesel because it's more fuel economy efficient.

I drive both city and highway about equally. I make a 65 mile round trip (mostly highway) every/every other day, and a lot of city miles to and from school throughout the week.

I do need something that will be good for towing. I tow a 3 horse aluminum trailer, which isn't very heavy, and a flatbed always loaded with atvs and bikes.

Nothing I have gooseneck so I want to get a shortbed to save a little more on gas.

I heard manual saves more money and is "easier" to fix.

I'm not a "pro" at driving manual, but I'd only driven stick twice before making a 4 hour trip to Columbus with a 22-foot trailer and we made it there in 1 piece I find manual easy, I just haven't had the opprotunity to "practice."

I'm not really worried about acceleration rates, I know some people get Automatic b/c they can get up to speed faster, I don't really care about that...

Would I be better off getting Diesel or Gas? Manual, Automatic, or maybe Semi-Automatic?

Thanks

cowgirl01

Ah 1 more thing, it has to be a 4X4, I don't know if that makes a difference in transmission or fuel type, but I do a lot of offroad & situations involving getting things & people unstuck

Someone suggesting a diesel automatic/semi-automatic might be right for me? I didn't know those existed, but I've always been a gasoline automatic driver until I needed to use a heavier truck to tow (in my O.P)...

.boB

Gas vs. diesel is always a tough question. Diesel is (at the moment) about the middle of the price range for fuel. And does get slightly better mileage than most gas trucks, but not as good as others.

There's a big premium to owning diesel trucks. You'll spend $5-7K more just to buy the truck. Insurance and registration costs more. Some places require smog checks on diesels only. Oil changes are more expensive, but you don't ever need to replace distributor and ignition components.

When something goes wrong with a diesel, you know it's going to be expensive.

Most DD trucks are light weight, 1/2 ton chassis. Nice smooth and quiet ride. Diesels are usually 3/4 - 1 ton chassis - that means a harsher ride.

Diesel engines are noisy. When I start my truck in the morning all the neighbors bring out their trash.

As I see it, it makes economic sense to buy a diesel only if you tow regularly. For general driving, you'll usually do better with gas.

I bought mine mostly for towing. Here at high altitude, a turbo diesel really does well. But I really like driving a big vehicle with that much torque.

Auto vs. Manual is always a big argument, with no clear cut winner.. I prefer an auto.

cowgirl01

Luckily, I don't have to worry about spending a lot of money on fixes and oil changes, I've got a family friend with a repair business and my father and brother are both into that.

I could care less about the neighbors Lol, my brother (who's not far away) leaves at 5 am every day with his

Like I said in my O.P ^, I drive a 65 mile round trip every/everyother day that is mostly highway, and a lot of city miles to and from school.

I tow every weekend, between 50 and 250 miles round trip.

I guess what I need to know which type of transmission/fuel type will put up with my "lifestyle" best, last the longest, and if it's worth the extra $ to get the diesel/will it save gas money.

I don't want some big heavy dually, but a shortbed, extended cab truck that will be strong enough to put up with everything I do.

nkennedy

The manual is better for towng if you don't mind shifting gears. Diesel will out-preform gas on towing too. Either come with auto or manual trans.

patdaly

Nobody makes a manual in a 1/2 ton anymore........

And only Dodge offers a manual at all.

For what you describe, I would go with a F150 Gasser.

Hodge

You should say how much you are towing. If it isn't super heavy, then a gas engine will do the job, and cost you less. Period. $7,000+ saved at the initial purchase, gas costs less than diesel, a gas engine uses less oil/costs less to maintain, and today's gas engines do better on fuel than diesels. My personal opinion- unless you tow real heavy, or in mountainous regions, a gas engine will do fine and cost less doing it. If I were shopping for a new truck, and haven't changed my needs, I would give a gasser a close look.

cowgirl01

Gas might be cheaper than diesel but wouldn't I also go through the gas faster? I literally put $40 into my tank every other or every 3 days, it's horrible.

I have an older 3 horse steel trailer, which is about 8,500 lbs. I usually use a friend's aluminum one which is about 6,000 fully loaded. When I go farther distances though we have to take the big trailer which is about 13,500 loaded.

I take good care of my truck, but the when I told my brother I'll be getting a new one, he said I might want to look into a diesel instead... :/

SOhappy

Just remember historically you get that back (and then some) at resale.

Example: Paid $29k O.T.D. for my 2003 new, sold it for $18k last fall. The diesel was a $4k option. 2003s with the hemis were going for $11k last fall with same mileage. So I "made" $3k on the diesel .

Hvytrkmech

I agree, my friend just bought a 2012 150 with the 5.0. runs like a race car and gets 16mpg around town. He tows a 23' camper and a 2 horse older steel trailer. Says it hauls them without issue, factually he stated he was surprised at how well it actually towed.

patdaly

Yep, and around here the Ecoboost is coming on like gangbusters. Guess I really shouldn't be surprised, it is after all more like a diesel than a traditional gasser.

Anyway, much as I hate to say it, if I had to buy one new, it would be a F150 unless I was towing heavy all the time.

C Schomer

I vote diesel for that much towing. I tow far less than you but I'll always have a diesel w/manual as long as I tow anything. I decided that after towing with several gas autos and then going to a diesel/manual. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't prefer an auto for a daily driver but not as long as I use the same truck for any amount of towing. Craig

Shorts

Buy what you want. Seems like you're set on the diesel anyway.

Manual will hold up better for regular towing. But you'll likely get worse mpg depending on the year model due to the tranny model/gearing and gear ratio.

BTW, what are you driving now? And how "new" are you going?

cowgirl01

Oh, I'm not set on anything. I like gas, I'm just wondering if diesel would be a better choice or not..

My family has many different things to tow with.

A 95 Suburban (That sat around for 10 years and has really low miles & never had anything fixed/replaced except brake lines.)

02 F150

03 Dodge Ram 1500

06 Silverado 1500

08 Ram 2500

All are gas. Typically I use the 95 Suburban, 03 Ram or a friend's F250 to tow. Personal preference, I just like them better than the others.

I haven't decided how "new" I want. By "new" I meant "new to me," Lol. I would do my best to find the best year for whatever combo (manual vs automatic, diesel vs auto) I decide I want..

patdaly

My assumption was brand new...... If you mean new to you, I would pick up a 97 Dodge 2500 with a stick, first year hydraboost brakes, last year of fewer electronics, and the most reliable diesel ever....... What's not to love?

Oh yea, don't be shocked by the price, they aren't cheap unless beat.