Unbiased Opinions on Possible Vehicle Decision

[Olympus]

I would not sell a perfectly good used car to buy two cheaper used cars. Seems counter-intuitive to me. If you do that, only buy one of them at a time and get it sorted out before buying the next one. Any used car will require a few things to get everything right on it.

It does when you say it that way. But there is also the benefit of having a spare vehicle if one of the others needs repair and also the benefit of gaining a second 4x4 vehicle.

But I understand your point.

 

[NoTrespassing]

A little off topic but why do people keep full coverage on vehicles that are paid for? I only keep liability and comprehensive on all three of our road vehicles. Comprehensive pays for deer strikes, theft etc. We probably drive more carefully knowing that if an accident happens and we're at fault, our vehicles will not be paid for.

I think I'd keep the two vehicles you have and save for a third if you need one. On the other hand if you really don't want the full sized truck I understand wanting to unload it. Can you live with only one vehicle if you sell the truck first? If not, do you have savings to purchase a vehicle before you sell your truck?

Things to think about,
Kevin

 

[fried1765]

A little off topic but why do people keep full coverage on vehicles that are paid for? I only keep liability and comprehensive on all three of our road vehicles. Comprehensive pays for deer strikes, theft etc. We probably drive more carefully knowing that if an accident happens and we're at fault, our vehicles will not be paid for.

I think I'd keep the two vehicles you have and save for a third if you need one. On the other hand if you really don't want the full sized truck I understand wanting to unload it. Can you live with only one vehicle if you sell the truck first? If not, do you have savings to purchase a vehicle before you sell your truck?

Things to think about,
Kevin

Comprehensive auto insurance is very cheap.
Not so .... for liability.
I have 5 vehicles, but stop/start liability insurance for summer v/s winter vehicle use.
Cost depends on the amount of liability coverage carried.
1M/2M ain't cheap, and you probably don't really need that much ..... until you get sued!

 

[hawkeye08]

You want 3 rigs, I would save and get a beater (good reliable, but not new) for the gravel roads/hunting... I would keep the other two for now and watch for a replacement on what I want to replace the F150. I think in the long run, you may want the two newer rigs and you'll need all of that F150 to trade on the replacement.

Another way to say it, I agree with your plan, but would go even cheaper on the beater than your $6k plan and keep the F150 replacement 2012 or newer. As I have gotten older, I want to do less fixing and more enjoying. My pickup is 2011 and wife's Tahoe is 2012. Low maintenance.

 

[teg]

My :2cents:, Well, it should depend on you... do you like buying, selling and haggling with used cars? I hate it and would drive a vehicle even though I HATE it ('09 Tacoma - it's a personal thing). If you like or love dealing with used cars (a neighbor loves to do it) then I would say go for it.

Also, if it drive you nuts when you are driving a vehicle that you don't like. Go ahead and change it... I would love to have a blue vehicle, could have bought a Blue '09 Tacoma but it had the TRD package (rough ride and hated the hood) so we bought a dark red one...

I use my truck as a truck, don't care about dents or scratches... don't like them but don't worry about them either. I do want a truck to last forever. I would rather have a truck that I know the history vs. getting a different used vehicle.

Edit - from another thread about oil sludge (vehicle prone to it, Toyota '97-'03)... Engine Oil Sludge | SOS Pre-purchase Inspections

 

[roadhunter]

I tried the 3rd vehicle twice. Both times it was a 5 to 7 grand car. Both times it did not work out. Both mechanical issues and the added cost just made it not work financially.

I thought you said you have only had the 1 major issue with a chevy blazer and everything else has run flawless, including your fords? LOL

 

[roadhunter]

To the OP one suggestion is to find a hail damaged vehicle. I'm always amazed at how little value a hail damaged vehicle can have yet there is absolutely nothing wrong with the vehicle aside from appearance. Many of the insurance companies auction those vehicles off on Copart USA - Online Live Vehicle Auctions - Bid & Win

 

[Diamondpilot]

My opinion is that you should keep both of your paid for cars. I would never get rid of a fairly new car that was paid for. You should be saving now for the next car that you will need so you can pay cash for it. If you put aside what your monthly payments would be for a new car each month, and continue driving the ones you have for another 8 years or so then you would have saved enough to buy your new car /truck without any financing.

If you absolutely have to have that 3rd car, look for an old beater, maybe one that has been wrecked, that is mechanically in good shape for that day care /hunting lease trip. Many times older cars are totaled by the insurance company that are still drivable and require little to no actual repair if you don't care what they look like. They can be bought cheaply at auctions. I see these going down the interstate lots of times heading for Mexico where cheap body work can be done and the cars resold for big profit.

We tried to buy a car back that was totaled, virtually no damage. No insurance company I called would touch it. The VIN was flagged as salvaged and they simply didn't want the liability.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It does when you say it that way. But there is also the benefit of having a spare vehicle if one of the others needs repair and also the benefit of gaining a second 4x4 vehicle.

But I understand your point.

I used to think this also but the reality is Avis will deliver a car to my home or office for $135 per week.

 

[KubotainNH]

We tried to buy a car back that was totaled, virtually no damage. No insurance company I called would touch it. The VIN was flagged as salvaged and they simply didn't want the liability.

Interesting, it's quite common here in NH. Gotta watch for salvage titles when buying a car.

As for the op, if you don't like the f150 then sell it and go with what you are thinking. Why drive a vehicle that you dislike or doesn't fit your needs? Being mechanically inclined always helps with older cars, the newest of the 4 in my driveway is a 2000. I think I would divvy it up differently though. The beater would be a cheap car with independent suspension like an Accord or Camry. Then use whatever is left for the truck.