jcthorne
Well-known member
And $6 diesel fuel....
I drove a diesel truck for 4 decades since college. Sold my Excursion last year and will likely never own another diesel vehicle. The economics no longer make sense for most.
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I drove a diesel truck for 4 decades since college. Sold my Excursion last year and will likely never own another diesel vehicle. The economics no longer make sense for most.
BajaRon
Well-known member
The fuel price is temporary. Gasoline isn't cheap right now either. Still, crunching the numbers. If you're not pulling or hauling, your point is well taken. On the other hand, I don't have my Spyder (multiple Spyders) because they save me money. I just like having them.
I love my diesel truck. It's paid for and I really enjoy what it brings to the table. But I agree, a diesel Excursion is not the same thing.
I helped my buddy move from Fairfax, VA to Greeneville, TN. He had the exact same F-250 as mine with the the V-10 gas engine. He pulled a 10k pound trailer. I pulled his 15K # trailer. Pulling the first big hill, he called on the FM radio I always use when convoying to say, 'Hey! Why are you going so fast?' I said, 'I'm just doing the speed limit'. I could hear his engine screaming in the background. Then looking in my mirror, I understood why he was calling. I could barely see him way back behind me.
I said, 'You should be able to catch up on the downhill side!'
He wasn't too thrilled with that.
I love my diesel truck. It's paid for and I really enjoy what it brings to the table. But I agree, a diesel Excursion is not the same thing.
I helped my buddy move from Fairfax, VA to Greeneville, TN. He had the exact same F-250 as mine with the the V-10 gas engine. He pulled a 10k pound trailer. I pulled his 15K # trailer. Pulling the first big hill, he called on the FM radio I always use when convoying to say, 'Hey! Why are you going so fast?' I said, 'I'm just doing the speed limit'. I could hear his engine screaming in the background. Then looking in my mirror, I understood why he was calling. I could barely see him way back behind me.
I said, 'You should be able to catch up on the downhill side!'
He wasn't too thrilled with that.
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Tango
Well-known member
JC, I disagree. No one needs to charge $400 for an oil change.
Jackhartjr
Well-known member
I totally agree sir!
Or a lot of these inflated overcharges!
mecsw500
Well-known member
I had a V-10 Excursion back when. I'm glad I don't right now, though my Range Rover is barely better at 16 mpg on Premium.
Towing that trailer, it did manage 6 mpg up here in the mountains.
crna59
Active member
I work part-time at a Dealership. The perks are why I stay. I'm in a back room "cooking the books" so to speak. I see every Invoice that comes through here, and it's not pretty. We all know new bikes have almost zero profit and I've seen some older bikes that have sat on the floor going for less than Invoice because the owner didn't want to pay any more flooring, taxes, and interest charges. The major brands we carry charge us for advertising, training, promotional material, and any events they may put on. We were at a company track day that was sponsored by a big brand... they charged the dealership $10k... And with us carrying about 10 brands, I don't see how he makes it work.
Then come to Parts and Service. Lately (the past couple of years), shipping charges have been going through the roof. We've sold a lot of parts to customers where we have had to eat the shipping costs. We've started printing out labels without prices because we can't keep up with price increases. Like previously said, no one is getting rich here. I've seen it many times... customers come in and try on helmets/gloves/jackets... blah blah blah, and then go to Revzilla/Cycle Gear to get them.
As for Service, we've had parts on backorder a year! And paying a Service Tech for their training, special tools, keeping forklifts and service vehicles maintained/insured/licensed... I would never go into a business like this!!! So please... support your local Dealer!!
Then come to Parts and Service. Lately (the past couple of years), shipping charges have been going through the roof. We've sold a lot of parts to customers where we have had to eat the shipping costs. We've started printing out labels without prices because we can't keep up with price increases. Like previously said, no one is getting rich here. I've seen it many times... customers come in and try on helmets/gloves/jackets... blah blah blah, and then go to Revzilla/Cycle Gear to get them.
As for Service, we've had parts on backorder a year! And paying a Service Tech for their training, special tools, keeping forklifts and service vehicles maintained/insured/licensed... I would never go into a business like this!!! So please... support your local Dealer!!
Mikey
Well-known member
I would and probably will at some point, it's finding one that I trust is the problem! When I find a good mechanic, they retire on me!
I don't want my local dealer to go out of business, or to just drop the whole CanAm line. I think boats and ATV's are their primary business, but for me it is the place to go for work on my RT. I just accept the high cost for an oil change or a new tire as both are easier for me and a way to help the dealer survive. In return, on two occasions over the last couple of years I needed what turned out to be a minor adjustment and they did it at no charge. Plus, getting underneath to add air to the rear tire is a very difficult task for me, especially since I have badly damaged shoulders. I just stopped at the dealer, and asked if they could just get the rear tire up to 30 psi for me, and they did it in about two minutes and at no charge. I would hate to see them no longer available for me, especially if I need some major mechanical work.
Albec
Well-known member
We bought a new diesel pickup back in 2003, a Chevy Silverado. Most all of the bells and whistles included. At the time we bought it to pull our planned purchase of a 5th wheel camper. We pulled that thing around for several years and then sold the camper, kept the pickup.
We don't really need a pickup any longer, but a homeowner can always come up with a need for a truck at some point. Since the truck was paid for and it didn't really cost all that much annually to keep the truck, we kept it.
I don't drive it all that often, but I make a point of driving it from time to time instead of taking one of our other vehicles, just to keep it ready.
Why am I going on and on about the truck? Since we don't drive it that often, and I filled it up (37 gals) right before putting it to bed for the winter months last year, (I don't drive it during winter as Illinois salts the crap out of our roads.) it still has last year's diesel in it and I have yet to add any fuel to the tank. I don't expect to have to fuel up till it's time to put her to bed again this fall.
And yes, the fuel in the tank from last year had the appropriate additives added before going to sleep for the winter.
EDIT
Just for the halibut I checked my truck's logbook from when I filled it up last fall. Diesel price 11/2025 was $4.26 here.
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crna59
Active member
Don't get me started on auto dealerships... I have a "regular" MB and an AMG... 2 different shop rates! Staff actually treat me differently when I take in the AMG. Have 2 different service writers... blah... blah... I take in my wife's car to the Subaru dealership. A whole different kettle of fish! 
BajaRon
Well-known member
I got nearly 14 mpg on that trip from Fairfax. I don't know what my gassed F-250 buddy got. But I know he stopped twice along the way for fuel. Each time he said (Don't you need diesel?) I just shook my head. 38 gallons had no problem getting me the 415 miles from point A to point B.I had a V-10 Excursion back when. I'm glad I don't right now, though my Range Rover is barely better at 16 mpg on Premium.
Towing that trailer, it did manage 6 mpg up here in the mountains.
View attachment 256813
I know that my oil burning F-250 probably costs me more in the long run than my buddies gasser. But it's moments like this that still make me smile. Some things in life are just worth the extra money.
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