the first diesel I bought was a 01 7.3 PSD.
if you want something cheap , easy to work on, and reliable I would not go with a powerstroke.
you MUST use motorcraft parts, and at 150-250$ per sensor, and 400 bucks to do valve cover gaskets,
it gets pretty damn expensive, not to mention the 2500 for injectors should you need them.
and when the CEL comes on, the first thing you need is a scanner.
I have a 98 E350 with 330k on the clock, that's been a straight beast and has needed nothing but a water pump.
my 01 SD has needed everything under the sun. with only 189 on the clock.
IDI's are super cheap, reliable, and I get double the fuel consumption out of the IDI's vs my PSD's.
they can be built to have the same comfort and power as a PSD, but youre talking lots of work and money.
I have built my 87 F350, and I get 22 mph doing the speed limit, but I mostly cruise at 80-85, without an issue.
as far as comforts, the powerstroke wins hands down, the SD line is pure comfort. I love the interior.
but you can also take that interior and slap it in any other truck.
I put 96 interior in my 87, and I have the same comfort level as any of the early PS's
and it bolted right in with the exception of the dash.
we had a saying in the military...
choose your rate you choose your fate.
ideally, I want a 87-91 F350 with a DT 360/466 in it.