Can you help me with expensive decision??

[Todd_C]

I have a different approach than the others. Diesel is getting expensive and you have a truck that has the DPF system if I'm not mistaken. My advice is that you sell your 09 GMC now before the price of diesel gets higher. Your truck should be worth around 35k-38k and there are people who need/want a GM diesel pickup. The GM diesels are hard to find in my area, but if diesel fuel price continues toward $4 then demand for a diesel truck will go down. I purchased an almost new Dodge diesel in 2008 for 26K and I drove it for 30,000 miles and made almost 4k when I sold it a few months ago.

You have said you don't tow that much weight anymore, so why keep your diesel? I feel that all pickup brands will have a hard time selling as fuel prices increase, so there should be some great deals coming. You can purchase a nice new 1/2 ton pickup and pocket about 4-5k or you could find a 2-3 year old 1/2 ton and get your wife a newer car as well.

I sold my diesel pickup and purchased a 2010 Tundra in November under invoice, so I got a new truck out of my 2007 Dodge. My wife needed a car in August and she got 12k off a demo Sequoia with 3k miles. She got the Sequoia cheeper than a new Toyota Sienna XLE van.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a different approach than the others. Diesel is getting expensive and you have a truck that has the DPF system if I'm not mistaken. My advice is that you sell your 09 GMC now before the price of diesel gets higher. Your truck should be worth around 35k-38k and there are people who need/want a GM diesel pickup. The GM diesels are hard to find in my area, but if diesel fuel price continues toward $4 then demand for a diesel truck will go down. I purchased an almost new Dodge diesel in 2008 for 26K and I drove it for 30,000 miles and made almost 4k when I sold it a few months ago.

You have said you don't tow that much weight anymore, so why keep your diesel? I feel that all pickup brands will have a hard time selling as fuel prices increase, so there should be some great deals coming. You can purchase a nice new 1/2 ton pickup and pocket about 4-5k or you could find a 2-3 year old 1/2 ton and get your wife a newer car as well.

I sold my diesel pickup and purchased a 2010 Tundra in November under invoice, so I got a new truck out of my 2007 Dodge. My wife needed a car in August and she got 12k off a demo Sequoia with 3k miles. She got the Sequoia cheeper than a new Toyota Sienna XLE van.

GM diesels are a dime a dozen here, tons on the used market. Just a different region.

This selling now is actually a good point. Dump the diesel since you do not need it and get a nice 1/2 gasser. It will do everything you need and more while riding about the same. The new F-150, GMC, Dodge, and Toyota trucks are getting in the 20 mpg range with the Ford leading the pack. With the GMC offering watch the rear axle ratio and towing capacity. This will not be a factor on the Ford, Dodge, or Toyota because with any gear ratio it will do more than you need. Nissan is out for you due to the mpg being less than 20ish but is a heck of a puller, just not a good fit for you.

Take the difference and save it toward a new ride for your wife when the time comes. If you invest that money wisely you will be a little ahead.

Chris

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Fellow Posters:

Can we afford such a purchase? Sure, but like everyone else I also have other obligations such as continuing to fund our retirement and the kids college fund, etc, that I could and probably should continue to fund (we already do this anyway) even more vigorously.


My question: the 2011 GMC has an upgraded frame, brakes, front axle, larger fuel tank, upgraded engine power, supposedly 1-2 mpg better highway economy, engine exhaust brake now, and in the Denali case a few additional bells and whistles--and a rewound 3/36000 warranty. This could be had for essentially $17,500 price difference in trade.

Thanks for the input, John M

I have a friend who could afford to send his four kids to any school in the world. Believe it or not he actually made them work in his business on weekends / summer vacation. They had to save / invest the money. When they wanted cell phones they had to buy their own. He told them once they paid their own way through university, he would pay to send them to any post graduate school in the world. They all lived at home and attended the local university. They all seem the better for it. I have never met nicer, well behaved, intelligent kids in my life. Some of my other friends who lived a few blocks from the university paid for the kids to go and another $10K a year so they could live in residence and get the on campus experience. Basically handed them everything in life on a platter. Not sure they are doing as well.

AS for the truck. Take a ride in a loaded up gasser 1500 series. Unless your towing needs change it will ride smoother, ride quieter and have a better turning radius than an HD series. It will do everything you need and be $10K or more less expensive. In the long run fuel / maintenance will likely be less expensive as well.

 

[davygp38]

The decision problem??

From someone who drives most vehicles till the cost of repairs for reliability become exorbitant all I can say is keep the present truck. Save some money, put it in an account for future vehicles or whatever?:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I used to be the guy who bought a new car, or truck whenever I felt like it. I told myself, that I work hard, and I deserved it, and I do. But now I am really into buying the right car/truck for me, and proving myself right. I have been buying Honda compact cars the last ten years, and trying to run them in the ground, I have not succeeded, I put 30-35K miles a year on them. My truck, is a 2004 Ford F250 crew-cab with the V-10. I keep trying to convince myself that I should get A new ford Diesel, but I put headers on the 04, and it is still pulling hard, (I tow a 20+5 22K gooseneck with a Kubota L4400tlb on the back. I would stick with the truck you have, get your moneys worth out of it. I can tell you from personal experience, that it is nice not having any car/truck payments.

 

[tony Cecil]

I hope you discipline yourself....I sure would get the wife a new car or whatever, as she is going on six yrs or so.....Can`t imagine a sticker of sixty four thousand on a truck unless it is a large working truck whew.....You have a lot of responsibilities coming up---so think it through----What will you do if you get the new truck, and then your wife`s car begins to give a lot of trouble...That is what happens to me Good Luck, but don`t count on it Tony

 

[dodge man]

Simple answer, keep what you got.

 

[texasjohn]

Best discussion on vehicle purchasing I've ever seen.

Possibly because I agree with buying the vehicle you need then driving it into the ground.

Always, I drive a vehicle until either the transmission or engine goes... somewhere past 150 to 200+k miles. Pay cash when I purchase. Have a vehicle for every driving niche I need. Last two purchases have been used but exceptionally well maintained vehicles.

My recommendation, keep it.

 

[CurlyDave]

Gents,
... I bet you that none of the folks on this thread have ever run anything into the ground...

Dan

I'll take you up on that.

When I was in graduate school (think poor, think 1970) my wife and I bought a beater car -- about a 15 year old Cadillac with extensive body damage on one side. We paid $300.

We ran it for about 18 months, when it became hard to start. I called around and if I drove it to a junkyard it was worth $25, if they towed it in it was worth $15.

We jumped it to get it started, and headed for the junkyard. As it left the parking lot of our apartment, the exhaust pipe fell off. When we got about a block from the junkyard we had to suddenly stop for some reason and the transmission linkage broke with the car in drive. We could put the shift in park and activate the starter, but the engine wouldn't start because the car was in gear and wouldn't turn over fast enough. A few bystanders helped push it to get it going and miracle, of miracles, it started.

I drove into the junkyard, parked next to the office, shut it off and got my $25. They had to tow it away.

I call that getting every last inch of life out of a car.

 

[texasjohn]

Curly, I think you did get every last micro-mile out of that vehicle.:laughing:

 

[Sulla]

I'll take you up on that.

When I was in graduate school (think poor, think 1970) my wife and I bought a beater car -- about a 15 year old Cadillac with extensive body damage on one side. We paid $300.

We ran it for about 18 months, when it became hard to start. I called around and if I drove it to a junkyard it was worth $25, if they towed it in it was worth $15.

We jumped it to get it started, and headed for the junkyard. As it left the parking lot of our apartment, the exhaust pipe fell off. When we got about a block from the junkyard we had to suddenly stop for some reason and the transmission linkage broke with the car in drive. We could put the shift in park and activate the starter, but the engine wouldn't start because the car was in gear and wouldn't turn over fast enough. A few bystanders helped push it to get it going and miracle, of miracles, it started.

I drove into the junkyard, parked next to the office, shut it off and got my $25. They had to tow it away.

I call that getting every last inch of life out of a car.

In 1985 after a pretty serious financial set back ( first wife) I ended up driving a 1972 Lemans. I paid $125.00 for it. It leaked a quart of oil a week and I had to keep wiring the muffler up with coat hangers. Almost two years latter I took it to get the muffler replaced. When the mechanic put it on the lift and started to lift it, the body separated from the frame, all the attachment points had rusted through. They gave me $50.00 bucks for the scrap. Net cost $125.00 + $150 or so for oil, less $50.00 for the scrap. Net cost $225.00. I hated that car, but it got me where I needed to go for almost two years.

Not sure it was EPA compliant though.

 

[ModMech]

Fellow Posters:

My question: the 2011 GMC has an upgraded frame, brakes, front axle, larger fuel tank, upgraded engine power, supposedly 1-2 mpg better highway economy, engine exhaust brake now, and in the Denali case a few additional bells and whistles--and a rewound 3/36000 warranty. This could be had for essentially $17,500 price difference in trade. Is it worth it given the situation noted above? Am I making a mistake looking at a truck when I have one with low miles for a diesel that has given no trouble. Should I just forget this, and run our vehicles into the ground and look for different ones then?? I am not looking to justify buying something I do not necessarily need, I am looking for input from folks who buy and use trucks as do I to make sure I am not blinded by the new truck envy and make a bad decision. On a side note, I have even considered going with a less expensive gas truck now due to my reduced towing need, but I really think I would have a hard time going away from a diesel at this point regardless so that though has not made in far in my little brain.

Thanks for the input, John M

You asked.....

:2cents:

It is YOUR money and my suggestion (and that of others) is that you should do what YOU want (with approval of the Domestic Manager if applicable).

But........ $17,000 is a LOT of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
for two years of use, I'd be SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER if we spent that over our 4 vehicles in 4 years time (depreciation, maintenance and repairs).

IMO, financially it is not a "NO" answer, but H#LL NO!

:ducks, looking to be shot at, blink blink:

 

[QRTRHRS]

If you have the money and the new truck is what you want then go for it. But since you have second thoughts, why not consider your alternatives? Maybe instead of towing equipment, you could buy something sufficient to do the job and leave it at your parents?

I can tell you that I for one have and am making hard choices and changing the way I have been doing things. Money, age and health can be strong motivators.

About a year and a half ago, I upgraded from a dually to a two ton to move hay and sawdust, etc. Kind of like a dog chasing a rabbit, once I caught the rabbit so to speak, I did not really know what to do with it. Well, actually I did not use the truck as much as I thought I would. Then, we lost one horse and my grand daughter moved hers closer to home to enjoy it more. Now we are down one more and more than likely will lose some more this year due to age.

I sold the two ton which was like a big toy and garnered plenty of attention and all. Now, I dropped my plan to go with an F350 SRW. From now on out, I am going to pay an extra buck a bale for hay and get it delivered as well as stacked. For sawdust, I am going to wood pellets which are far safer than bulk albeit more expensive.

Now, I am thinking about either a smaller 4x4 pickup for better mileage and a just enough trailer to do the little bit extra like hauling the pellets or building material.

I dont mind admitting that having a nice rig is a bit of an ego boost or maybe something to satisfy the little boy in me. I pulled the plug on the trucking a few years back too. It is hard to get that out of your blood even though it is not no shangri la.

I expect that a lot of us are going to be making tough adjustments looking ahead.

 

[Alan L.]

Paying cash is great if you are in a position to do it. However I suppose we could go through life having never owned a new truck or tractor on the basis that we shouldn't borrow the money even we could afford the payment. I guess we can save up for 5 years to pay cash, make the purchase with cash and then continue saving for the next one. Guess what, you are still putting up a payment every month, socking it away into a 0.5% money market account or whatever and the only difference is you didn't get to enjoy the new toy in the meantime.

 

[deerefan]

Keep what you have and buy your wife something newer. Even better, unload the diesel and look at a 1/2 ton Denali with the 6.2 if you like bells and whistles. Another member just bought a black one and it looks great. Cheaper than the diesel you are looking at but still very capable towing wise.

 

[JimRB]

Dave says 100% of the forclosures happen with property that someone owns money on. Same for car, truck and tractor repos. I have done my share of borrowing biting off more than I can chew but getting lucky and surviving that 5 year note. I am looking forward to no house note in 5 years and saving like crazy for retirement which means I am 30 years behind on my retirement plans. At least I won't lose a car or tractor if times get tough and things do happen sometimes.

 

[dodge man]

I guess I'm really not one to talk. Last year we traded a newer truck for a brand new car that is nothing more than a toy, than bought a older higher mileage truck. It made no sense at all but it is my hobby. So if you can afford it, go for it.

 

[SARG]

Wow ...... a $64,000. truck.

 

[bdeboer]

Does GM have the urea straightened out yet? There were still a couple of threads about issues on the PCM not recognizing refilling the urea and freezing last time I looked at DieselPlace. Good luck with your decision, the emissions are the only real trouble I have had with my '08 Chevy diesel. The dealer replaced the downpipe due to diesel smell in the cab during regen.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Does GM have the urea straightened out yet? There were still a couple of threads about issues on the PCM not recognizing refilling the urea and freezing last time I looked at DieselPlace. Good luck with your decision, the emissions are the only real trouble I have had with my '08 Chevy diesel. The dealer replaced the downpipe due to diesel smell in the cab during regen.

From what I have read the Ford has a two way pump that sends the Urea to the engine from the tank then returns what is left in the line and injector after the reign process. This prevents freezing in the line. The tank is heated and will not allow a reign to happen till the temp of the Urea is something like 38 deg and is monitored by the computer. If the temp is too low it will just wait to do a reign when the temp is above the threshold.

I can not find any info on the GM system but by guess is its not as sophisticated as the Fords and thus the issues. Either trying to reign while the fluid is cold or frozen or just leaving it in the line where it can never get heated again.

Chris

 

[jcmseven]

These are all great points. I have decided to either keep my current truck or go with a less expensive 1/2 ton. As much as I would like to have a new Denali, I cannot justify the price difference. I like the 1/2 Denali, and have heard it is a screamer, but really I like my current truck. Even though at this moment and being as strictly objective as I can in this case, I cannot justify having a diesel truck--but I like them. I have been in the position over the years to have a separate budget for things that I want, but do not necessarily need. This consideration would fall into that area, but I have some uneasy feelings about the economy and want to maximize my retirement and investments such that with continued planning and some grace I can retire or modify my work schedule on schedule. I am very picky about maintaining my equipment, so it is very likely this truck will last a very long time. The responses we have seen parallel what I was leaning toward doing, but it is always nice to hear it from others who have and use their trucks daily as do I.

John M