Thanks for the replies. Although some make sense, some are less realistic.
I'm not losing anything on my truck if I trade. It is an unlikely scenario, but true. The book value currently matches what I paid for the truck, and the dealer I trade with already offered to meet that price. I bought my truck used, and from that same dealer. He knows what I paid, and he made the original deal. If I buy a new truck, it will be at least invoice less incentives.
I agree the second vehicle thing does not save money, but I pour $500 a month in the diesel tank, which well covers a car payment and a portion on the cars fuel and insurance. Althought I'd be at about a $200 loss a month, it's a lot more expensive to buy a new truck every several years than a much cheaper car. My current rig is a limited 568 of 584 Harley's made the last year. Not a Tucker, but limited and in its condition is something I would not mind keeping for towing only if I could justify a car.
I realize the car will cost a bit more, but replacing a $20k car every 4 years beats replacing a $60k truck in the same duration. I know diesels hold value, but I at least double the average yearly mileage, and at over 100k in the time I should be at 50k is a major hit... Thousands, not hundreds. And frankly, the maintenance on a 100k+ diesel will far exceed a 4 cylinder car.
