New user here. Looking into purchase of my first truck (leaning towards f250) and trying to educate myself. Have some questions for people in the know.

0. What's different between f250 and f350? I've heard it's just an extra leaf-spring (spelling?) in 350, all else the same. Yes, no?
1. New versus used? I figure I'd save a lot w/ 2002 or 03 model.
2. What is x-plan, and can it be applied to purchase of new and/or used models? Can I qualify or benefit from x-plan pricing? If so, how?
3. What is typical gas mileage for f250 diesel, city/hwy? I find conflicting info.
4. How reliable are true market pricing quotes on new/used vehicles at edmunds.com site?
5. Anything I simply must know going into this?

Thanks.

jm

 

X-plan pricing is designed to be a discount pricing available to people who are associated with companies that are parts manufacturers or suppliers to Ford. I think that there are ways to use it that go around the way it was designed, but I don't know what they are. There are others that post here that know a lot more about it than I do. It is, at least at the places that I went and the people I talked to, a no haggle price. I'm almost positive that it is for New purchase only. I did use X-plan to purchase an '04 F150 a couple of months ago. I got an on-line wholesale price (don't remember for sure if it was Edmunds or another) that was very close to the X-plan price.

I have a lot of qualifiers in this post because I have found that there is a vast amount of knowledge on this site and someone is bound to know more than I do, I just hate to see a post viewed a lot of times with no reply at all, even if I only know a little bit.

Good Luck

 

Like you said, I think about the only difference between the F250 and F350 is that extra leaf spring which gives you a little bit higher tow rating (and also makes the rear end a little taller).

New vs Used is really up to you. If you feel comfortable buying a used truck, go for it. It just depends on how much you can/are willing to spend on it. There are plenty of good used trucks. You'll just want to make sure it is in good condition and that it was maintained properly.

You have to get someone that works for/is affiliated with Ford to give you the X-plan pin. I think it only applies to new trucks.

We get ~18-20 MPG (mostly highway) on our 7.3L diesel F250 crew-cab 4x4. You'll get alot of different answers on that, as everybody drives differently, and its hard to compare with different fuels, passengers, mods, etc.

Edmunds and KBB are only a starting point IMO. Dont expect to pay that actual price. It should just give you a general idea of what to expect to pay.

Good luck!