Y'all's opinion on some truck choices

[rustyshakelford]

I currently have a 2012 ram 3500 longhorn. Pretty much every option and 20k miles. I owe 30k on it and its worth $46 trade in.

I woke up the other day upset about always having a truck note. At $710 per month it's no fun. I do not receive 8k a year in enjoyment from a vehicle. I have needed it to drag a Dozer around and this week the business is picking up a big truck and pintle hitch trailer. I would still like to stay in a 3/4 - 1 ton 4wd diesel truck just not something I have to pay a bunch on. My miles per year are increasing due to moving further out. I want to get some opinions on a few trucks. I have 25+5 deck over 20k lb trailer but will use the big truck for heavy loads. Mainly for personal tractor ill buy around the end of the year.

The trucks I'm considering are,

2004 chevy 2500 4x4 d/a CCLB
167k miles $13k. Nice truck. Very clean and has great options

2011 ford f350 4x4 diesel CCLB
Has cheap flatbed but Bedlined. Very clean, not many options
146k miles and $26k

2011 ford f350 4x4 diesel CCLB
C&m flatbed. More nicks and dings same options as other
126k miles $24k

2005 ford dually 6.0 4x4 6 speed
Excellent looking truck but dreaded 6.0. Two ford service managers told me to not consider it. 2k to bullet proof it
141k miles $15k

All dodges are rediculously over priced with some 05/06 selling for more used with 100k miles than they did new. The cabs are small and cheap. (I had an 06 for several years I bought new)

Really kind of stumped. If I get anything over 16k ill probably get a 12-36 month note since I'm hemoraging money at our property in preparation of building soon. The amount of my current note isn't a problem, it's just hard to justify all that money for something to get me from point a to point b. the saving will make it easier to say yes to a loaded NH t4.75 soon though

What are y'all's thoughts?

Brett

 

[PsRumors]

I'd find a '99 to '03 Ford 250/350 7.3. If you look you can still find fairly low mileage ones for <$16k.

 

[timswi]

A $710 a month nut is a big one...However, the trucks you listed ain't cheap either. Not only will the interest rate skyrocket (if you're financing) you'll have maintenance issues to deal with due to the mileage listed which could somewhat net-out the difference year over year (sometimes). If it were me, I'd just hurry up and pay it down and keep it since you stated that the payment isn't an issue. Peace of mind as far as reliability is worth something. If the note was killing you, my opinion would certainly change.

I just bought a 2013 GMC Sierra Denali figuring I won't have to feed it much except some digestible payments (put over 50% down) and I have the confidence of driving something new for a while. Didn't have to feed the 2011 GMC anything except 1 set of tires and oil changes in 3 years of ownership and 50k of miles.

BTW, I hate car payments too.

What I bought:

 

[rustyshakelford]

I'd find a '99 to '03 Ford 250/350 7.3. If you look you can still find fairly low mileage ones for <$16k.

You'd think those are plated in gold. My wife asked that I not get anything 10 years old or older. She's not in love with the idea anyways. If I bought a 7.3 I'd want a manual. They are next to impossible and if they are they are at a low end used car lot. The type that buys cheap at auction, dolls it up and you have no idea what your buying. Makeup on a pig comes to mind.

A $710 a month nut is a big one...However, the trucks you listed ain't cheap either. Not only will the interest rate skyrocket (if you're financing) you'll have maintenance issues to deal with due to the mileage listed which could somewhat net-out the difference year over year (sometimes). If it were me, I'd just hurry up and pay it down and keep it since you stated that the payment isn't an issue. Peace of mind as far as reliability is worth something. If the note was killing you, my opinion would certainly change.

I just bought a 2013 GMC Sierra Denali figuring I won't have to feed it much except some digestible payments (put over 50% down) and I have the confidence of driving something new for a while. Didn't have to feed the 2011 GMC anything except 1 set of tires and oil changes in 3 years of ownership and 50k of miles.

BTW, I hate car payments too.

What I bought:

View attachment 335478

Great looking truck. The notes not a problem but I'm tired of paying it. I'd rather have a nice tractor or more tools in my new shop than waste it on a truck that the mileage is about to increase a bunch. Basically the money could be better allocated to fun or helpful things.

The maintenance thing could make or break this deal. I don't want a money pit but don't mind spending some on preventive maintenance items either. If the warden would sign off on it, I'd buy a cucv and be done with it. Having a 1 year old makes me consider his safety and comfort of having ac too.

Dang kids! Momma has the Sunday truck too

Brett

 

[timswi]

If the mileage is about to increase a bunch on the existing truck, are you sure you want to buy a used one that is already somewhat clocked?

I agree, I'd rather have the cash for other things but safety and reliability count for something...

There's always the option of trading for a new or fairly new worktruck level vehicle. If the trade net balance works as listed, you wouldn't be much worse for wear...Although that massive trailer might be an issue.

 

[newbury]

You'd think those are plated in gold. My wife asked that I not get anything 10 years old or older. She's not in love with the idea anyways. If I bought a 7.3 I'd want a manual.

Brett

I went thru the same angst but I wanted a dually, 4WD, 7.3, 2002 or 2003 rated to pull 12K. After looking for about 2 years I finally found my 2002 dually.

in December of 2011.

I payed about top dollar, $18K, knowing it would need a brake job. I bought it off the original owner (with ALL receipts in his name) who's into restoring cars and selling military surplus vehicles, so it looked well maintained, and he's local. I've put about 30K on it so far, mostly trips to and from Va and Ms. My basic rule is - it don't roll unless it's going to be loaded at least one way.

So far the only time I've gotten it to "squat" at all was when I bought about 3,000 + pounds of pallet racking.

Before I bought I searched from Pa to La and everything under $15K was a "beater". Everything nice was > $20K.

About the same time my BIL bought a 2006 Dodge diesel maxicab (megacab?) for $26K. You can play soccer in the back seat but it doesn't have an 8' bed.

Those deal are out there, just keep looking. Right now I'm starting to see deals on people selling trucks & RV trailers, they used them for the last time this summer and now want to sell. Many of the trucks are fairly low mileage because they were mainly used for camping trips.

It's worth looking for the right vehicle. Yesterday I went to pick up tires, the three mechanics came out and looked at my truck. One said that it was his ideal truck, when I told him it was a 7.3 they couldn't stop talking for a while.

 

[dodge man]

Kind of a tough spot to be in. Do you need a tow vehicle? If so the best option might be to keep what you have. Anything you buy used is taking a chance. I bought a 2004 2500 Dodge Ram Cummins a couple of years ago for 20k. Yes they are hard to find but worth the look. It had 100,000 miles on it when I bought it. So far I've put some money in it. Mainly maintance issues such as brakes, all new fluids, but also so body work for rust. I do a lot of my own works so that helps keep the cost down. Another option would be to buy a beater car and a beater truck.

 

[crazyal]

Have you thought about a car/truck combination? Not sure if it'll work for you. If you have a second vehicle it would make owning something slightly older less of a risk.

 

[Woody65]

I would go with the 2004 Chevy 2500. I was in a similar situation a year ago and did not want a truck payment. I found a 2001 Chevy 2500 ext cab 4x4 in great shape with 104k for $9,000. It has served me well this past year towing the tractor, travel trailer and equipement around when necessary. And when I am not working it I don't have any payments to make

 

[kenmac]

That truck note is insane ! No way I'd give 50-60k for any vehicle. Ditch the truck and if you have to take a loss so be it. Buy anything for less $. I bought my 2007 Ram 2500 Diesel 3 yrs ago with 80K for 22 K cash