ive been looking at different pickups and trying to find decent mileage numbers, which is pretty impossible for diesels. I look at gassers and they run anywhere between 14-18 depending on model, mostly chevys. ive heard that chevy diesels may get up to 23 or 24 on good days?? dodges maybe 18??

so heres the thing, with mileage a concern what would be a better bet?? I know this is a diesel site, but be honest. Im not going to be towing, Id just like a truck that I can mod to be decently fast and not burn a hold in my pocket at the pump.

is it worth paying the extra 3-4K premium over a gasser truck that a diesel commands for mileage and performance?

 

Absolutely the diesel is by far more effiecent...what years are you looking at??? You cant make the power a diesel makes with a gasser and still get even decent mileage...there's guys makin 500+ horsepower and still getting close to 20 mpg...just try that with a gasser.

 

well, your not going to be doing any towing, but modding either a gas or diesel truck is going to be expensive. yet, filling a tank on premium and filling a tank on diesel isnt going to be cheap either. what kind of truck are you looking at? fullsize or smalle? like dodge dakota/f150 or 2500/3500??? a diesel truck can be made prety fast for under 2k(chip, intake, injectors and exhaust), and still get around 20mpg... and they last longer too. id say its personal preference.... i have a gas truck, but want a diesle to blow fmales and black smoke. love my gas durango, and wont sell it fora diesel, but want both!

 

id like a fullsize, but I dont necessarily need one. I hate compact pickups, ie s10s rangers, so any if those are out of the question. the "midsize" dakota is ok though, but if its all the same, there doesnt seem to be moch difference in mileage between the midsize pickups and the fullsize ones.

 

If you're not towing or going to be using it for what it is made for then, really, a diesel is a luxury item. If you're doing mostly city driving with quite a bit of stop and go then you're going to see mid to low teens for fuel economy on most trucks. If you're doing highway driving then you'll see economy in the low 20's for most trucks.

A 1/2 ton gasser, specifically a GM gasser, will net you roughly the same economy numbers as the diesel. It costs less to buy, maintain and fill the tank. The gasser will not last as long as the diesel but you can buy motors pretty cheap and install them yourself fairly quickly.

My 05 LLY CC/SB/4x4 gets 13.1 city/19.5 hwy. My bud's 1/2 ton sierra CC/SB/4x4 does 14 city and roughly 18 and a half highway.

So what you have to ask yourself is this- How bad do you want a diesel? Can you afford to spend the extra money on the truck and then continue to pay the extra costs associated with owning one? It will be a toy for you and nothing more. Do you want to spend that kind of money for a toy?

This is one of those questions that you really have to do some soul searching to find out the answer.

 

put it this way
ive talked to a guy once who has a 460 in his ford, 3 in lift, 35's, 7mpg! worse than a semi. the truck i may purchase just has muffler removed and the lie o meter says 18.5 city, guy said around 22-24 highway depending on speed and passing and such.
take tim allens truck, has a 631 (i think) gasser, u think it gets 20city? i would never drive a gas truck, just not my interest, i love diesels, the noise, power, and how they can still get better mileage than full size suv's
as far as i know most older diesels easily beat s-10's and colorados in mileage! Thats a plus, dont forget them first cummins are good to 500k at the LEAST. hope this helps!

 

hey loki, my roommate has an '07 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4, sb/ext cab. at first he was going to keep it stock but he wanted to be able to go to the mountains and whatnot so we lifted it a bit and put 35's on it. He gets about 14 city/17-18 highway with the 5.3L. It's not slow but you've got to wring its' neck to really do anything. Unfortunately with the new body style, they no longer offer a 1500HD, which comes with the 2500 brakes/suspension which is nice for durability with larger tires. He HATES his 1500 brakes.

What price range are you looking at? You can buy a diesel anywhere from $5k to 50k...and are you looking for a street truck or a 4x4 that you'll want to offroad now and then; will a 2wd do?

 

btw the one i found is $19750, 60k a 04