Pickup Decisions...
When buying a heavy beasty pickup, are you more concerned about it's age or it's mileage? Would you prefer a 95 with 75,000 miles over a 2004 with 130,000? Useful life for gas vs. diesel? For me...
Forum Discussion
For me, a new car, truck, or TC is not something I am willing to do. I have had only one new car, and a couple only a couple of years old. I found them to be a money pit, and no more reliable than an old car with low miles. My last vehicle payment was in 1968 or 69.
I bought my 1996 Dodge 2500 Diesel in 2001. It had 75,000 miles, most were pulling a 5er. I paid $14000. I now have 260,000 miles, most hauling my TC. Since buying the truck, I have added about $17,000 (included $12,000 on transmissions) in toys and repairs which includes a new custom built transmission and torque converter two months ago. So, that is about $31,000 for 195,000 miles of use. That is less than $190 per month, plus $42 for insurance and license. The total is $232 per month. What does a new truck cost you per month? I paid cash along the way. I refuse to work just to pay for a vehicle.
I paid $1000 for my 1988 Bigfoot TC in 2004. Since then, in repairs and upgrades I spent an additional $9000. Total spent was $10000 within about three years. I have everything in upgrades I want, and got to choose the components I wanted. My upgrades include a Stable Lift, solar, AGM battery, smart charger, A/C, Honda 2000, TV, Wave3 and a lot of other stuff.
If my truck would break down 1000 miles from home, I could have it towed home for what I think most new trucks cost in one month (payment, insurance license). The repair would be far less. Did I mention my truck is Smog inspection exempt?
With the exception of my house, I have been debt free since 1970. I am a retired teacher, and wife only worked at a paying job for a few of years.
The photo is about 3 years old.
Wayne
I bought my 1996 Dodge 2500 Diesel in 2001. It had 75,000 miles, most were pulling a 5er. I paid $14000. I now have 260,000 miles, most hauling my TC. Since buying the truck, I have added about $17,000 (included $12,000 on transmissions) in toys and repairs which includes a new custom built transmission and torque converter two months ago. So, that is about $31,000 for 195,000 miles of use. That is less than $190 per month, plus $42 for insurance and license. The total is $232 per month. What does a new truck cost you per month? I paid cash along the way. I refuse to work just to pay for a vehicle.
I paid $1000 for my 1988 Bigfoot TC in 2004. Since then, in repairs and upgrades I spent an additional $9000. Total spent was $10000 within about three years. I have everything in upgrades I want, and got to choose the components I wanted. My upgrades include a Stable Lift, solar, AGM battery, smart charger, A/C, Honda 2000, TV, Wave3 and a lot of other stuff.
If my truck would break down 1000 miles from home, I could have it towed home for what I think most new trucks cost in one month (payment, insurance license). The repair would be far less. Did I mention my truck is Smog inspection exempt?
With the exception of my house, I have been debt free since 1970. I am a retired teacher, and wife only worked at a paying job for a few of years.
The photo is about 3 years old.
Wayne
