Sun2Retire said:
There are several for sale that look decent, but that's the 6.0L right? Isn't that the engine that everyone says stay away from or spend $4K to "bulletproof"?
It depends on which year; the general consensus seems to be that the 06-07 6.0L is the better option, because Ford addressed some of the issues that cropped up with the new 6.0L, which started its run in 03, I believe. Like any used vehicle, there are good ones out there, and ones that are best to avoid. I have an 06 Powerstroke that serves very well, and we're happy with it. 'Bulletproofing' is a term that thrown around a lot, but technically it is only applicable to those vehicles that have been worked on by, and use parts made by, Bulletproof Diesel, out of Arizona. There are a number of common upgrades that fall into the term 'bulletproofing', some more costly than others. The truck I found had a number of them already done, and I added some other upgrades as well, although they're probably somewhat overkill; secondary oil filtration, secondary coolant filtration, transmission cooler, etc. but, in the case of being on the road with my wife, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I learned in the Army that preventative maintenance does indeed go a loooong way...
I think that a diesel is probably going to cost more than a gasser in the long run (I change my own oil every 10k miles, which runs about $100, for instance) but there is a trade-off: I fully expect my diesel (currently at 130k miles) to outlive me, so I won't have to worry about buying another truck. The other advantage is in pull capability, particularly under load; diesels are made to pull heavy loads, and while I don't go screaming down the road, I could. I also pull through mountains with barely a upward tick of engine temps. Does that make it 'better'? Depends on what one wants, I guess. My preference was for reliability, torque, and not having to futz with DEF; others may choose other disel years or brands, or go with gassers for the (somewhat) cheaper fuel and maintenance. Usage will also play in; if you don't plan on going through hilly/mountainous areas, a diesel may not be as necessary. If you plan on touring those kinds of places, though, that could change the conversation...