jcmseven
Veteran Member
Periodically, self-doubt enters my mind about my current truck and I wanted to get some advice. I own a 2009 GMC 2500 Duramax. I really like it. It has been without doubt the best overall truck I have ever had or owned. I have 63,000 miles on it and average about 30K miles of driving per year, mostly highway and no real severe service miles. I looked at a new one about six months ago but could not justify spending almost $60,000 for a truck that really ran no better than mine. I have some issues going on which are making me lean to a 1/2 ton again, but I did not want to make a bad decision, hence my post. I posted a similar thread about one year ago and received some good input then. It was a wash in opinion though among folks and my circumstance is different this time, so therefore my new post (with a twist).
I bought my 2500 diesel mainly due to the fact I like diesels, feel they hold their value well/better, towed occasional 10K plus loads, and drove a lot. I now rarely tow over 6K and even that is less than once a month, my driving is the same, and I am looking to free up about 6-8" of additional on-end garage space to do some built-in tool racks (which cannot be done with my current truck). In addition, I paid for my truck with a fairly large downpayment and put the rest on a floating equity line that I can use for either home or business-related expense. Due to last year's income, I can no longer take some of the deductions off my line/tax, which bothers me, but is not a deal-breaker. If I keep my truck residual on my line, it is due to be paid off (essentially paying the line) in 18 months unless I just do it now, which I could and likely should from a business perspective. The only thing holding me back (and prompting me to think about a 1/2 ton as well) is that we have located some very nice property (15 acres) that we really would like to buy if/when it becomes available with the thought of building a home on the site. We have heard the owners are going to sell, but no official word yet, though I know it is coming available with 99% confidence.
In looking at 1/2 tons, the two trucks that stand out are the F150 Ecoboost 4x4 and the GMC Sierra SLT or Denali for my interest. The Ford meets my needs best as it gets really good mileage per report on the highway and still has good towing power at low RPM. I have owned Fords for many years and found them reliable but not as good to drive as GM trucks. I also have had brake issues in the past with them and our local dealers are OK but nothing the write home about and the service depts at both our local dealerships are marginal by report and prior personal experience. The GMC is a nice truck but smaller. It needs both an interior and exterior update but runs really well. I would want the 6.2L engine, though I know I am giving up fuel economy. I do not feel the 1/2 ton GMC SLT is quite the truck of the Ford, but I have limited experience with one. I think the powertrain would be the equal or better. The real kicker here is that I really like my current GM dealer. They are pleasant and easy to work with and have an outstanding service manager; the best of any with whom I have ever dealt. Quite simply they make me want to buy from them if/when I do, where I do not have that feeling with the Ford dealer.
Either truck would fit the bill OK. If I sold my diesel I could zero my line (which is a secondary issue but the only money I really owe right now), get a new truck for potentially 0% (GMC) or with a very low interest rate that is less expensive and would potentially free up a bit of additional income to save for a potential land purchase, and free up that few inches of wall garage space I need for my shelving while keeping both my wife's new car and my truck parked inside. The downside is I would potentially be letting go of an excellent truck that I really like that I could have zeroed out in 18 months anyway. What think you??
John M
I bought my 2500 diesel mainly due to the fact I like diesels, feel they hold their value well/better, towed occasional 10K plus loads, and drove a lot. I now rarely tow over 6K and even that is less than once a month, my driving is the same, and I am looking to free up about 6-8" of additional on-end garage space to do some built-in tool racks (which cannot be done with my current truck). In addition, I paid for my truck with a fairly large downpayment and put the rest on a floating equity line that I can use for either home or business-related expense. Due to last year's income, I can no longer take some of the deductions off my line/tax, which bothers me, but is not a deal-breaker. If I keep my truck residual on my line, it is due to be paid off (essentially paying the line) in 18 months unless I just do it now, which I could and likely should from a business perspective. The only thing holding me back (and prompting me to think about a 1/2 ton as well) is that we have located some very nice property (15 acres) that we really would like to buy if/when it becomes available with the thought of building a home on the site. We have heard the owners are going to sell, but no official word yet, though I know it is coming available with 99% confidence.
In looking at 1/2 tons, the two trucks that stand out are the F150 Ecoboost 4x4 and the GMC Sierra SLT or Denali for my interest. The Ford meets my needs best as it gets really good mileage per report on the highway and still has good towing power at low RPM. I have owned Fords for many years and found them reliable but not as good to drive as GM trucks. I also have had brake issues in the past with them and our local dealers are OK but nothing the write home about and the service depts at both our local dealerships are marginal by report and prior personal experience. The GMC is a nice truck but smaller. It needs both an interior and exterior update but runs really well. I would want the 6.2L engine, though I know I am giving up fuel economy. I do not feel the 1/2 ton GMC SLT is quite the truck of the Ford, but I have limited experience with one. I think the powertrain would be the equal or better. The real kicker here is that I really like my current GM dealer. They are pleasant and easy to work with and have an outstanding service manager; the best of any with whom I have ever dealt. Quite simply they make me want to buy from them if/when I do, where I do not have that feeling with the Ford dealer.
Either truck would fit the bill OK. If I sold my diesel I could zero my line (which is a secondary issue but the only money I really owe right now), get a new truck for potentially 0% (GMC) or with a very low interest rate that is less expensive and would potentially free up a bit of additional income to save for a potential land purchase, and free up that few inches of wall garage space I need for my shelving while keeping both my wife's new car and my truck parked inside. The downside is I would potentially be letting go of an excellent truck that I really like that I could have zeroed out in 18 months anyway. What think you??
John M
