Should You Buy a Used Ford Diesel Pickup? Here Are a Few Considerations

Buying a used truck is as common today as it’s ever been. When it comes to needing a good, dependable vehicle for today’s work environment, you often need a pickup truck and sometimes one of the diesel variety. There are many reasons why diesel trucks are a good pick when buying used, for work or otherwise. Here at DePaula Ford, located in Albany, NY, we specialize in used Ford diesel trucks and welcome you to come down and check out our impressive selection.

In fact, this article will break down some of the reasons, options, and considerations you should make when thinking about buying a used truck, especially a Ford model. Some people might assume it’s all about the price, but there are other things to keep in mind as well. This rings especially true when buying used and buying a pickup that you plan to put through the paces, whether that be payload hauls, towing, or trailering large loads.

Are Used Diesel Trucks Worth Buying?

Buying used means getting a truck that’s already been used for several years for a number of purposes. Maybe it was a daily driver? Maybe it was used for towing? Maybe for plowing? Maybe racing? Maybe off-road use? Maybe for hauling? In any case, it means there’s already some wear and tear on the truck by the time you get your hands on it. When it comes to diesel trucks, it can also raise the question if it’s worth buying after it’s already been used, whether lightly or heavily?

The good thing about the Ford Super Duty line of heavy-duty three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks is that they come with the Power Stroke turbo-diesel powertrain. These engines have been known to run for a long time, whether you buy new or used Ford diesel trucks. Even the old first-generation Super Duty trucks have been known to be long-lasting when it comes to the iconic 7.3-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel. You could get hundreds of thousands of miles out of a well-maintained Ford Super Duty.
So, in short, are used diesel trucks worth buying? Even an old F-250 or F-350 would be well worth the purchase if the engine was still in good shape and the chassis was durable enough to handle payloads and trailering. Diesels were built to take a lot of punishment so long as they receive proper regular maintenance. As the old saying goes, the Super Duty diesel trucks are built Ford tough.

What’s the Benefit of a Diesel Over a Gasoline Engine?

When looking to buy a used Ford, you might be weighing the pros and cons of going with a diesel versus a traditional gas-powered engine. In many cases, you might find that the gas engine is a few thousand cheaper than a diesel, but you have to weigh if the trade-offs are worth it. With the gasoline engine, you will get lower overall fuel economy, which means more trips to the pump. Also, you have to consider that overall towing capacity may be lower with the gas-powered engine depending on the bed, drivetrain, and cab configuration.

However, if you need a reliable turbo-diesel that can haul, tow, and trailer for years, the Power Stroke is the way to go. While Ford’s turbo-diesel engines are typically larger and heavier than the gasoline engines, they produce more torque at lower revolutions. In turn, you get better gas mileage out of the diesel, especially when towing heavy loads. This isn’t to say that diesel is always the way to go, but it absolutely is the way to go for specific trucking needs.

Towing heavy loads under extreme weather conditions can also put a lot of strain on the powertrain, and so it makes sense that you would need a heavy-duty engine to handle that kind of workload stress. Diesel engines are designed for those exact kinds of situations, so even buying a used Ford diesel truck would still net you great gains out of your workload if that’s what you needed it for.

Should You Get a Light-Duty or Heavy-Duty Used Ford Diesel Truck?

This is probably one of the big questions some potential truck shoppers have when it comes to buying a truck. A Ford Super Duty will cost you a lot more, even used, but you get a lot more power and performance out of it than an F-150 light-duty pickup. But ultimately, price and performance will be the major deciding factor of which kind of used Ford diesel trucks will fit into what you’re looking to buy and drive.

One thing to consider is what you’re going to be using the truck for. Light-towing and trailering for under 13,000 lbs? Well, an F-150 would serve you well. You also get the benefit of great fuel economy with a used F-150 diesel truck. Something to consider if you’re also using it for daily driving in addition to using it for work. It’s also smaller than the Super Duty line of trucks, making it easier to maneuver and store.

However, if you need to trailer heavy loads above 15,000 lbs, the Super Duty series is where you’ll want to go. You may be giving up price and fuel economy, but you’re gaining heavier duty options when it comes to work preferences. Additionally, unlike the F-150, the Super Duty series of used Ford diesel trucks are available in either single rear-wheel drive or dual-rear-wheel drive. With the F-150, you only have rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The added ability of dual-rear wheel drive with a turbo-diesel Power Stroke gives you a lot of extra leeway when it comes to payload capacity and top-end trailering capabilities.

Considerations for Trim, Price, and Year

While it might seem like it’s an easy pick of going with an F-150 when searching for used Ford diesel trucks because it’s smaller than the Super Duty series and therefore cheaper, that’s only part of the story. The reality is that the price of a diesel F-150 will depend on the trim and model year, just the same as the F-250 or F-350. Each combination will radically change what you may pay out for a light-duty or heavy-duty Ford diesel truck.

For instance, a newer model year used F-150 in a King Ranch, Limited or Platinum trim might cost you more than a used F-250 base trim diesel pickup. Trim, model year, and features all make a huge difference in the overall costs, and if you opt for an entry-level trim of a used F-250 or F-350 Power Stroke diesel, you can save a lot in the long run. Of course, if you want a lot of low-end torque at your disposal but don’t need a heavy-duty truck, a used F-150 works just as well. Regardless of size, an entry-level trim of an older generation and you can save big on many used Ford diesel trucks.

A lot of it will also boil down to what you want out of the truck, what you need to use the truck for, and what you’re willing to pay. But if you’re worried about dependability, you certainly won’t have that problem with a used Ford pickup of the diesel variety. The diesel trucks are some of the best you can buy on the market, and even if you opt to go used, you can still get them for some great deals and with a lot of longevity to boot.

Come To DePaula Ford for All Your Used Diesel Truck Needs

Once you’ve decided to buy a used Ford diesel truck, it’s important to go to a dealership with an extensive selection of Ford diesel trucks, as well as a knowledgeable sales team that will help you find that perfect model. At DePaula Ford, we take great pride in the used trucks we offer and our impeccable customer service. We invite you to visit us at our dealership here in Albany and let us help you find that ideal used Ford diesel truck you’ve been looking for.