Which $60,000 Plus Diesel Truck Holds Its Value The Best?
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Mark Martin Motors blog. If you are looking for your next heavy-duty ride and you live within 4 hours from 4126 Oregon Pike Ephrata, PA 17522, you already know we are your local destination for clean, hand-picked used trucks. Since we treat everyone who walks onto our lot like family with no sales gimmicks, we want to give you the straight facts on your next investment.
Today we are diving into a question we get all the time here in Lancaster County: which high-end diesel truck is actually going to hold its value better over the long haul? To figure this out, we are going to look at two very different price point trucks sitting right here on our lot and break down the real numbers. Let's get into it.
Our Two Heavy-Duty Contenders
The Chevy: 2024 2500 LTZ Z71
First up, we have a 2024 Chevy 2500 LTZ featuring the Z71 sport package and a Duramax diesel engine. It has just over 43,000 miles on it and is priced at $63,900.
Chevy Features
Because this is the Z71 sport package, it is a little harder to find. It gives you paint-matched bumpers and a color-matched grille instead of the traditional heavy chrome look. We also upgraded the wheels and threw on a bigger tire to give it a much better stance. You get power running boards, passive lock and unlock, power trailer mirrors, and the GM multi-pro tailgate. It features a spray-in bedliner, fifth wheel gooseneck prep, and even a free hard tonneau cover and mud flaps since the previous owner already had them installed.
Inside, the diesel engine is barely broken in. You are looking at black perforated leather seats, a sunroof, power sliding rear window, heated and cooled seats, and a heated steering wheel. It is loaded up with the big touchscreen, navigation, an integrated trailer brake controller, a diesel exhaust brake, and Bose premium sound. The only things really missing on this specific build are the rearview mirror camera and heads-up display. Brand new, a truck spec'd like this would sticker in the low to mid 80s.
The Ford: 2025 F250 Platinum High Output Tremor
Next, we have the Mac Daddy truck. This is a 2025 Ford F250 Platinum with the High Output Power Stroke diesel and the Tremor package. It is sitting on 37-inch tires, has just 11,900 miles, and is priced at $87,400.
Ford Features
This truck is completely blacked out and makes a massive statement. Under the hood is the absolute best-in-class High Output diesel engine pushing 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. Nothing else really comes close right now, as the GM sits around 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque. You get the upgraded Tremor suspension with unique shocks, a power up and down tailgate with Ford's built-in tailgate step, and lower profile power running boards.
Inside the Platinum trim, you are getting full grain leather perforated seats with a massaging feature. It also has heated and cooled seats, a massive full panoramic sunroof, and the B&O sound system which sounds like an absolute monster. The Tremor package adds different off-road and terrain modes to your selector, and Ford gives you the option for both normal and automatic exhaust brake settings. A truck like this brand new would cost you well over $100,000.
Depreciation Breakdown: Which Holds Its Value Better?
The National Statistics
When looking at national statistics, diesel trucks are generally one of the least depreciating segments on the entire automotive market. If you want a vehicle that will lose the least amount of money over time, a heavy-duty diesel is the way to go.
Real Dollar Value Loss
When we look at the approximate five-year value loss, Ford sits at around 30 percent while GM sits slightly higher at roughly 32 percent. But you have to look at how those percentages translate into actual dollars based on model year changes and your starting purchase price.
Because the Ford has a much higher starting price of $87,400 on our lot, that 30 percent depreciation means you will lose about $26,000 over the next five years.
The Chevy, starting at $63,900, will lose about $20,500 over that same five-year period. So, even though the GM has a slightly higher depreciation rate percentage-wise, the higher price tag of the Ford means you actually lose about $5,500 more in real money if you buy the Platinum Tremor.
So, Which Truck Is The Better Buy?
The answer really depends on what you value as a driver and what you need out of your truck.
If you want top-of-the-line luxury, maximum towing capability, maximum torque, and you want to make a huge statement without waiting six months for a special order at the factory, the 2025 F250 Platinum Tremor is an incredible buy. You are saving around 15 grand off the new car sticker price, meaning it has already taken that initial hit.
On the other hand, if you want a tried and true truck where somebody else already put the initial miles on and broke the engine in for you, the Chevy is a fantastic option. Sitting in the low 60s, it has already taken a massive chunk of depreciation off the brand new price. It is a reliable, amazing looking truck that keeps more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket over time.
Hopefully, this gives you a little bit of insight into what we look at when we buy these trucks and put them on our lot. We always want to provide the best value for you so you can hit the road with confidence.
Catch the full video breakdown right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DHQgL4CCtI