Okay, Ill start off by saying Im 100% new to this forum and wasnt sure where to put this since the "new to diesel" thread in my welcome message says it isnt accepting posts.

Here is my situation, Im 18, and Ill be heading off to college next year, the problem is my car is just not cutting it for hauling all my hunting and fishing gear. I hunt or fish almost every week and am part of a filming company so I often haul lots of gear(what I can fit at the moment)Most of my driving is highway. My family has always been GM and I would forsure go that route if I indeed choose to go with a half ton gas. Thats where the problem comes in, Ive been around my girlfriends family whom owns 3 Cummins trucks and a bunch of buddies own diesels as well. I'd like to get a diesel (more specifically Cummins) and being that I am 6'5 I feel much more at home in the bigger truck. But is it practical? Ive done my share of number crunching and realize I may come out a bit ahead with the gasser but I feel like I'd be more satisfied with the Diesel. What I really am looking for is some reasons why you guys who have first hand experience feel I should go one way or the other. From maintenance, to fuel, tires and oil changes will there be a HUGE difference? I'm trying to get some points to both settle my own issue as well as get my Dad to see the benefits of both because he is pretty lost on diesels. He isnt paying for it but I want him to understand both sides so he isn't all bent out of shape cuz of the horror stories he has heard about front ends etc.

Trying to stay at $15,000 and under.
I'm sorry for the novel of a post and I appreciate any information you can give me!

 

$15k cash or financed? Big difference, second in order to look cool and go fast, you better have pockets...nice ones. If its a fianance then itll most likely have to be a 06 or newer to get a decent rate. You can get a newer'ish Cummins for $15k. It'll probably have 200+k miles on it though, and have the original trans in need of a rebuild within 20k miles. Basically, diesels are expensive, SUPER expensive unless you find a cherry that's been babied and someone's looking to give it away. Or unless you find one and you leave it the hell alone. Even then you'll still need coin to fix anything that comes up. $15k can buy you a low mileage, good running gasser that will get you to your points safely and cheaply. All in all, get on Craigslist, see what your $15k gets you, go, TALK to your GF's family and get their advise. They obviously know what's going on with diesels and will be able to straighten you out. Good luck young one, oh, and I'm 6'7"...there's no more room in a cummins then a Chevy Z-71. Haha I know, I have both.