Can you help me with expensive decision??

[ModMech]

Fellow Posters:

My question: the 2011 GMC has an upgraded frame, brakes, front axle, larger fuel tank, upgraded engine power, supposedly 1-2 mpg better highway economy, engine exhaust brake now, and in the Denali case a few additional bells and whistles--and a rewound 3/36000 warranty. This could be had for essentially $17,500 price difference in trade. Is it worth it given the situation noted above? Am I making a mistake looking at a truck when I have one with low miles for a diesel that has given no trouble. Should I just forget this, and run our vehicles into the ground and look for different ones then?? I am not looking to justify buying something I do not necessarily need, I am looking for input from folks who buy and use trucks as do I to make sure I am not blinded by the new truck envy and make a bad decision. On a side note, I have even considered going with a less expensive gas truck now due to my reduced towing need, but I really think I would have a hard time going away from a diesel at this point regardless so that though has not made in far in my little brain.

Thanks for the input, John M

You asked.....

:2cents:

It is YOUR money and my suggestion (and that of others) is that you should do what YOU want (with approval of the Domestic Manager if applicable).

But........ $17,000 is a LOT of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
for two years of use, I'd be SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER if we spent that over our 4 vehicles in 4 years time (depreciation, maintenance and repairs).

IMO, financially it is not a "NO" answer, but H#LL NO!

:ducks, looking to be shot at, blink blink:

 

[QRTRHRS]

If you have the money and the new truck is what you want then go for it. But since you have second thoughts, why not consider your alternatives? Maybe instead of towing equipment, you could buy something sufficient to do the job and leave it at your parents?

I can tell you that I for one have and am making hard choices and changing the way I have been doing things. Money, age and health can be strong motivators.

About a year and a half ago, I upgraded from a dually to a two ton to move hay and sawdust, etc. Kind of like a dog chasing a rabbit, once I caught the rabbit so to speak, I did not really know what to do with it. Well, actually I did not use the truck as much as I thought I would. Then, we lost one horse and my grand daughter moved hers closer to home to enjoy it more. Now we are down one more and more than likely will lose some more this year due to age.

I sold the two ton which was like a big toy and garnered plenty of attention and all. Now, I dropped my plan to go with an F350 SRW. From now on out, I am going to pay an extra buck a bale for hay and get it delivered as well as stacked. For sawdust, I am going to wood pellets which are far safer than bulk albeit more expensive.

Now, I am thinking about either a smaller 4x4 pickup for better mileage and a just enough trailer to do the little bit extra like hauling the pellets or building material.

I dont mind admitting that having a nice rig is a bit of an ego boost or maybe something to satisfy the little boy in me. I pulled the plug on the trucking a few years back too. It is hard to get that out of your blood even though it is not no shangri la.

I expect that a lot of us are going to be making tough adjustments looking ahead.

 

[Alan L.]

Paying cash is great if you are in a position to do it. However I suppose we could go through life having never owned a new truck or tractor on the basis that we shouldn't borrow the money even we could afford the payment. I guess we can save up for 5 years to pay cash, make the purchase with cash and then continue saving for the next one. Guess what, you are still putting up a payment every month, socking it away into a 0.5% money market account or whatever and the only difference is you didn't get to enjoy the new toy in the meantime.

 

[deerefan]

Keep what you have and buy your wife something newer. Even better, unload the diesel and look at a 1/2 ton Denali with the 6.2 if you like bells and whistles. Another member just bought a black one and it looks great. Cheaper than the diesel you are looking at but still very capable towing wise.

 

[JimRB]

Dave says 100% of the forclosures happen with property that someone owns money on. Same for car, truck and tractor repos. I have done my share of borrowing biting off more than I can chew but getting lucky and surviving that 5 year note. I am looking forward to no house note in 5 years and saving like crazy for retirement which means I am 30 years behind on my retirement plans. At least I won't lose a car or tractor if times get tough and things do happen sometimes.

 

[dodge man]

I guess I'm really not one to talk. Last year we traded a newer truck for a brand new car that is nothing more than a toy, than bought a older higher mileage truck. It made no sense at all but it is my hobby. So if you can afford it, go for it.

 

[SARG]

Wow ...... a $64,000. truck.

 

[bdeboer]

Does GM have the urea straightened out yet? There were still a couple of threads about issues on the PCM not recognizing refilling the urea and freezing last time I looked at DieselPlace. Good luck with your decision, the emissions are the only real trouble I have had with my '08 Chevy diesel. The dealer replaced the downpipe due to diesel smell in the cab during regen.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Does GM have the urea straightened out yet? There were still a couple of threads about issues on the PCM not recognizing refilling the urea and freezing last time I looked at DieselPlace. Good luck with your decision, the emissions are the only real trouble I have had with my '08 Chevy diesel. The dealer replaced the downpipe due to diesel smell in the cab during regen.

From what I have read the Ford has a two way pump that sends the Urea to the engine from the tank then returns what is left in the line and injector after the reign process. This prevents freezing in the line. The tank is heated and will not allow a reign to happen till the temp of the Urea is something like 38 deg and is monitored by the computer. If the temp is too low it will just wait to do a reign when the temp is above the threshold.

I can not find any info on the GM system but by guess is its not as sophisticated as the Fords and thus the issues. Either trying to reign while the fluid is cold or frozen or just leaving it in the line where it can never get heated again.

Chris

 

[jcmseven]

These are all great points. I have decided to either keep my current truck or go with a less expensive 1/2 ton. As much as I would like to have a new Denali, I cannot justify the price difference. I like the 1/2 Denali, and have heard it is a screamer, but really I like my current truck. Even though at this moment and being as strictly objective as I can in this case, I cannot justify having a diesel truck--but I like them. I have been in the position over the years to have a separate budget for things that I want, but do not necessarily need. This consideration would fall into that area, but I have some uneasy feelings about the economy and want to maximize my retirement and investments such that with continued planning and some grace I can retire or modify my work schedule on schedule. I am very picky about maintaining my equipment, so it is very likely this truck will last a very long time. The responses we have seen parallel what I was leaning toward doing, but it is always nice to hear it from others who have and use their trucks daily as do I.

John M