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| Hi guys,
Looking at new pick up trucks. Particulaily the new Toyota Tundra has me interested. I have 80k on my current rig, and am trying to decide if I should keep and run for good(I put about 25k on per year with lot of trips with boat in tow), or trade in for the tundra. The prices are so dang good right now, but trying to make the right decision financially speaking too. Heard the gas mileage sucks but I like what seems to be more room in back seat of extended cab and extra power. Will prolly get a beater for driving around town and to work if I do go with new.. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i decided to keep running my truck and it kicked my butt all at the same time ... tires, brakes and an electrical gremlin about kicked my keester this summer but if i survive it i'll have another good couple years and hopefully many without a payment. it's a tough choice but the cost of maintenance on an older truck for sure factors in. i'm at the point of no return on this one so i'm gonna keep driving it ...
good luck on what is a question without a good answer. all vehicles are a pain in the butt from one perspective or another ... a necessary evil! |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I am running a Tundra. the last long trip to MN pulling a 19' boat, I averaged 14 MPG. |
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | I didn't want to get rid of my 96 Chevy 4X4 earlier this year but everything was rusting underneath, the brakles went out and there were fluid leaks starting to appear all over too. I traded it off on a 2004 Chevy truck comparable equipped, and am not thrilled with the results. The old truck had a 3.42 or something like that rear end and the "new" one has a 3.73 which translates into more acceleration, more towing power, and more gas sucked. Towing boats before gave me around 14.5mpg average and now I'm struggling to get 12. So, if you are getting a new one, I'd be cautious on what rear end is in the beast. The old one could get 20.5 on a good day highway cruising and the "new" one can't get past 17. Just something to think about. I'm tossing over the idea of dumping the 2004 for a new one also so any info is good to have.
I always got 4X4's because I never wanted to get caught at an unimproved launch with my rear wheels spinning. Launching on icey ramps was part of the equation too but I'm getting away from the more desolate launches and bad weather and was thinking about a 2WD version with a locking rear end. Anybody have any experiences with these trailering on "bad" launches? |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | If you are wanting to buy a new truck, now is a good time. You can save a lot of money. But personally, I can't wait for the '09 Rams to arrive..22 MPG with the improved hemi. |
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Posts: 8865
| I wouldn't buy a new vehicle again. Even with the incentives, cash back, and the fact that they're desperate to sell right now, the fact remains that its going to depreciate $10,000 when you drive it off the lot. If you figure out what you're spending in additional payments, interest, etc. and add in the depreciation loss, you could fix everything that's wrong with your old truck for half as much money.
Trading yours in on a used truck is a different story, but still -- you're spending thousands of dollars to save a few dollars on gas. Probably cheaper to buy the extra gas and be done with it.
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| Thanks much guys. Tough decision no doubt. The 04' is in real good running shape, but will need minor body work, tires, steering work, and maybe brakes before next spring. I sure would think I could run her for another 80k, but then I am in for the full amount when I shop next time as mine won't be worth anything.... Something tells me they will be making that Toyota in near future, with a rear end to get a bit better gas mileage. 14 isn't too shabby at all pulling a boat, as that is what the city sticker rating is on it. I was hoping it got better mileage than my gmc while pulling. Just seems this 5.3 has to work too dang hard on hills etc when pulling the big rig. Wish there was a clean cut calculator to setermine if good deal or not.. |
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| What does that Toy get on the road, not pulling??? 18 like sticker says?? I am conservative driver, so usually can max things out. Test driving that 5.7, I could see how others get terrible mileage if they are pulling away from vettes and saabs on the expressway like seems possible with that beast. |
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Posts: 232
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | I am on my second Tundra and I swear I will never buy anything else again. They are GREAT!! If I keep my foot out of it, I get just slightly better than 18 mpg without the boat on the highway and slightly less than that in town.(Madison) If you're going to buy, now is the time. |
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Posts: 3514
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hi Everyone,
What comes to mind for me when thinking about upgrading to a newer truck has a bunch to do with what I can do maintenance-wise. Currently, I run a 2003 Ram 4x4 with the 5.7 Hemi. The truck has 129,000 miles on it and is still going strong. For me to make a change in vehicle, I will make a change of vehicle when the maintenance cost of the truck is near or at the same amount I would use for a vehicle payment. It is that point in time when a new truck is due. Right now, the cost benefit to buy a new truck does not make sense since the truck is paid off, and there are no maintenance issues. I have put some money into it: Front brakes a while ago, Rear brakes, Power-steering hose, a new set of tires, Front hubs, and a valve-spring replaced. Now..when I consider these items, one sticks out as something I would not expect to happen...the valve spring. Right now, I am only paying gas...not a payment AND gas. I still have a few items to do (transmission stuff) differentials, etc...but those are relatively quick and painless (again...dependent on what you feel comfortable doing yourself..)and for the most part, are preventative maintenance issues...
If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, I'd say look at the cost to do the upkeep maintenance on it to make it go a few more years, then weigh your options from there.... It may be more cost-effective to keep the truck, or it may be the other way around...
These vehicles, when maintained well, will go for a long, long time...I am hoping to go over 200K with mine... (crossing my fingers...)
Steve |
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| Only you know the answer to this question. It really comes down to your personal finances. Can you purchase a new truck without significantly affecting the cash flow coming in that makes you comfortable?.....or the savings that will "hopefully" be utilized after the rat race? |
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| Buy it if you want it, don't buy it if you don't want to.
Look at your money situation, if you are good, and you want it, then get it.
If your strapped, then don't.
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | My Tundra gets an average of 18.5 on trips where I'm on expressways, and near 20 when holding at 55. If I really have my foot in it, I'll average just under 18. |
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Posts: 462
Location: Madison Wi. Chain | I own a year old Toyota Tundra. I am biased as I have driven Toyota for the last ten years. My last Toyota had 235,000 miles on it when I traded it in. My intention is to drive this truck for at least the next ten years. I like to buy new and then drive them till they start to nickel and dime me to death. With a Toyota they don't nickel and dime you for many years. Good luck with your decision. BG |
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Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | 21' 6' Ranger boat and was pullingit with a chevy Siverado for years. I have the Tundra now and I can not say enough about that truck. Take a look at the the one with the somewhat smaller rear doors. I almost bought the"crewmax" but decided I could live with the slightly smaller doors. Great choice on my part. The back seat is huge and I still have a fairly good sized truck bed. You will not believe the acceleration or the stopping power of this truck. Fuel economy is not great but it is within about 1 to 2 miles a gallon of my old chevy. It has been a more than fairtrade off for me. I also got the 0% financine for 5 years so the payments aren't killing me. Just onemuskie guys opinion but I sure lovemy Tundra. |
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Posts: 910
Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | If it was me, I'd continue driving the current truck for another 3-4 years. During that time frame I'd make payments to myself(set up a dedicated savings account) of the same amount I'd be paying on the new vehicle for those 3-4 years AND MAKE SURE I PAID MYSELF EVERY MONTH JUST LIKE I'D HAVE TO WITH THE BANK. If your making a $400 a month payment to the bank thats $4800 a year. So at the end of 3 years you $14,400 and end of 4 you have $19,200 towards the new vehicle price, plus you've earned the interest on that $$ over the years instead of paying it (unless of course you qualify for the 0% interest)
IMO if you qualify for 0% interest on a new truck your probably better off doing that than to buy a late model used vehicle that you'll pay interest on. Pay 5% on a $18,000 loan for a late model usd isnt going to end up much less in the long run than 0% and depreciation on a brand new and you'll have the enjoyment/peace of mind that goes with brand new vs. used.
The best of all options is to save and then find a quality truck that you can afford to buy outright, then go back to making payments to yourself towards the next one. If you can get ahead on a vehicle instead of always being behind its a VERY nice feeling. |
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| You cant go wrong buying a new Chevy. Great mileage, Great warranty, Great price. I get 13.8 pulling my ranger and 18 without. Never had a problem in 4 years and never had a prob with my old one I kept 5 years. Plus it supports American union workers. |
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Posts: 1168
| My 2000 Silverado has just a tick under 150k on it for miles so it's just getting broken in. Tires, brakes, shocks and your other general maintenance. I did whack a couple of deer and rammed a Ford Excursion from behind. I backed up and drove off, the Excursion was totalled as was the Nissan Maxima that I shoved the Excursion into...but that's another story.
This truck as also doubled as a farm truck for a good chunk of time. Yanking around full loads of corn silage which are not light by any stretch. A ton of fertilizer or barn lime, no problems. It's a truck that has been used for a little bit more than a car.
I've gotten around 16 pulling my 17 foot Lund and can push it over 20 if I've got light stuff in the box that eliminates the drag from the box. My brother has a 2001 Dodge and he can't get over the mileage I get. He is able to out pull me but for towing a boat it's not that noticeable. Hook onto a hay wagon and you notice it a bit more. What I give up in terms of a little power I more than make up for against him in mileage and overall comfort of ride.
I too am looking and it will be a ridiculously hard sell to go away from a GM product. Have had nothing but luck with them and after seeing how that Ford Excursion crumpled up and how that Maxima was shortened by about 5 feet, and I drove away needing only a new grille, hood, right fender, and bumper....no bent frame, no bent core or radiator mounts....I've got faith in the snout of those things in case I decide to run head on into a silo. |
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Posts: 238
Location: Rhinelander | Just purchased a new GMC 4 door k1500 pick-up pulling a 1750 Crestliner Fishhawk, gas mileage is 14-15 mpg without a boat cover. All trailering is between 5 to 50 miles from the house, no major highway towing as of yet. The truck without the boat consistantly hits 18-19mpg with aggressive highway driving....wait until the truck is fully broke in and more sensible driving I could easily see 20-22 mpg.
My second truck is a '02 Tahoe with the same 5.3 engine(230,000 miles) and gets the about the same mileage pulling as the pick up, but only 16-18mpg without the boat. GM is doing a better job with the new vehicles for gas mileage.
I was not planning on a new truck for a while but the deals this summer/fall where just to good to pass up. The Tahoe rides great and nothing major repaired besides the front ball joints, alternator and fuel pump just this summer. First and only brake replace was at the 155,000 mile mark. I did a ton of highway driving with the Tahoe, but she'll be retired to boat/woods running service. I hope to at least hit the 300,000 mark with her.
You can not go wrong with a GM product, 3 yr 36,000 bumper to bumper and included with sale 6 yr 100,000 mile drive train.
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Didn't Toyota and GM Partner up on some projects over the years? Think globally, it's the new economy...for about the last twenty years.
We are talking about truck economy, features, and the like. Keep the politics and brand bashing out of the discussion. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | There isn't a bad truck on the market right now in my opinion. They all have something the other brands don't have. But for reliability they are all good right now. Personally...I'll take the best looks, most power (for '09) and lifetime powertrain warranty. |
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