Looking to buy 7.3L Powerstroke or a 12v Cummins First Truck
 

I don't really know to much about these trucks I've been mainly looking at F150's, F250's and Silverado's but if I got a good deal on a diesel truck should I buy it?

I will be using this to go back and forth to High School, do landscaping / Odd Jobs, tow my family's boat to a local lake.

I know I don't need all the power but I was wondering if I got a good deal on one would it be smart to buy.

I know diesels are more to maintain but could anyone give be any estimates of how much of a difference there is in the Maintenance I would only be putting on 3k-5k miles on it a year.

Thanks

Didnt you do a post not to long ago??? I think a 12 Valve is the choice to go if you want reliabilty, fuel milage, and low maintaince, the 7.3L Powerstrokes are good engines, but if and injector fails your out 300 bucks (You can but a whole set of injectors for a cummins for that price) I buy Napa filters when they go on sale for 4 bucks a piece other wise they are 13 a piece and another 40 bucks for 10 qts of 15-40 oil and I change my oil every 5K or three months. also a fuel filter needs to be changed at least once a year thats 25-30 bucks I change mine twice a year since we switch to blended diesel in the winter time... Diesel is 4.02 a gallon compared to 3.54 for gas. I get 16-18 mpg in town and on the ranch when I make trips to the city or arizona I get above 20-22 mpg. I like fords they are roomy, but are high labor engines and are expensive to repair, a 12 Valve is simple and reliable.

Yeah I did post not to long ago but that was about the 12v. Now I'm just wondering in general which would be a better buy.I also posted it in the 7.3l area to see what they had to say but so far nothing. Thanks

the 7.3 a good engine, but ever since I got a Cummins I think I will stay with cummins, overall they are just easy to work on and are a powerhouse, most people wont argue that the cummins is a bad engine they just complain that the truck rots apart around the engine, depending where you live and how well you take care of you vehicle will determine if it will rust. For being in High school the cummins is proably the better buy unless you find a good deal on a 7.3L, I dont know if you have any mechanical skill but if you dont, shops charge around 60-90 bucks an hour to work on DIesels, and 30-50 an hour for gasoline cars. Every truck has their weakness, just gotta find the one your willing to deal with...