Needed new truck, or just wanted one?

[JDgreen227]

Using your current truck for comparison, how many of you guys actually NEEDED to replace your last truck, vs. the number of you that just WANTED to? Did you sell or trade a well running truck in good condition, with average mileage, just because you wanted something newer? Or did you sell or trade an unreliable, beat up truck with high mileage, because you were concerned it was going to cost more to have repaired than it would be worth?

My current truck is a Y2K Yukon XL2500 with 4wd, and less than 39,000 original miles. Runs and drives perfectly, looks nearly new inside and out, as much as I WANT a new truck there is no way I can justify buying one. It replaced a '90 F-150 with middling body cancer, a leaking gas tank, that was in need of tires, paint, numerous small repairs, had about 88,000 miles on it.

I would say replacing that one was needed, replacing my current one is just a want. I recall back in the 60's and 70's, my dad would buy a new full size Ford or Pontiac about every other year. He simply wanted to drive a newer vehicle, me, I am the exact opposite, I try to run them forever after the payments are done.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My needs change from time to time but I am more in the I want one camp. I work on stuff for a living and the last thing I want to do is have a junk truck that I have to work on or prevents me from doing my job. I have had two of them trucks in my time, ones that cost me work, and I quickly got rid of them.

As I get older I seem to keep them longer. From 1997 to about 2008 I was buying a new vehicle for me about every 18 months and for my wife about every 2-3 years. It was nuts. Now I seem to keep them for 5 years or so.

Chris

 

[JDgreen227]

My needs change from time to time but I am more in the I want one camp. I work on stuff for a living and the last thing I want to do is have a junk truck that I have to work on or prevents me from doing my job. I have had two of them trucks in my time, ones that cost me work, and I quickly got rid of them.

As I get older I seem to keep them longer. From 1997 to about 2008 I was buying a new vehicle for me about every 18 months and for my wife about every 2-3 years. It was nuts. Now I seem to keep them for 5 years or so.

Chris

EVERY 18 MONTHS???!!! Does your state charge sales tax on the entire purchase price of the new vehicle, or do they adjust it on what your trade in is worth? Here in Michigan, if you buy a $40,000 new vehicle, and your trade in is worth $39999, they still soak you for the full tax on 40 grand. What a ripoff.

 

[SLHawkins]

I am in the want camp. However, the opportunity came to upgrade. So, that is what I am doing. I am sure going to miss not having a truck payment though Prior to deploying, I sold my '06 F350 Crew Cab Dualie to a lady to pull her horses. My truck had just under 118K miles, no holes in the seat, lariat trim, no rust, no dents, and no faded paint spots. Up until '08, most folks thought it was a current model year truck. When I let it go, it had plenty of horsepower and life left in it.

Hawk

 

[Diamondpilot]

Pay tax on the difference only.

Chris

 

[jbooth]

I have owned 4 trucks since 1962:

1. Bought new 1962 Ford F100 in 62. Bought in late 62 for $2000. Sold in 79 for $500 with 450,000 miles on it. Best thing about that truck was no payments for 15 yrs. This one had all the extras available that year, 2 tone paint chrome bumpers and a radio. No power steering, brakes or AC.

2. Bought 78 Chevy 4X4 in 79 with 10,000 miles for $10,000. This one really got hammered as it withstood my 2 kids growing up years. I loved this truck and parked it after 450,000 + miles and my daughter had spun out on an icy bridge and dented in all 4 corners. Sold this one for $500 in about 94. Hated to see it go and brought tears to my eyes.

3. Got a 88 chevy 4X4 in around 93 for $5000. Got the fewest miles out of this one as it had 200,000 when I bought it and only 400,000 when I lost confidence in it and upgraded to # 4 and my present truck. Still looked and ran good but it lost an intank fuel pump and made me walk quite a distance and I was a long way from home and at the mercy of mechanic I neither knew or trusted.

4. Present 93 chevy 4X4 cost $7500 with trade in of #3. Had 93,000 when I got it and has 208,000 now. Should be good for at least another 100,000 miles. Another 100,000 may close the deal as I will be 70 my next birthday and don't drive as much as I used to.

I guess this puts me in the camp of not trading until I have to. Wanted to get a 3/4 ton as I now have a small skid steer and trailer to pull. Thought when fuel prices got high I could pick up a 3/4 ton reasonable. Boy was I wrong. A decent 3/4 ton 4X4 was going to cost me more than all 4 of my previous trucks. I use a truck like they were originally meant to be used and don't worry to much about any "styling" down the road.

It's not how much the present truck is worth as it is the replacement cost.

 

[JDgreen227]

Pay tax on the difference only.

Chris

That is the way it should be here...many people say the system they use here discourages some buyers. I am one of them !!!

 

[bigbull338]

with the cost of new cars an trucks,theres alot of people that drive them till the wheels fall off.the ave car or truck last 10yrs unless something happens to them.

 

[dodge man]

I'm in the want camp on just about every vehicle I've ever bought. About a month ago I traded trucks. I traded a 1/2 ton GMC gas for a 3/4 ton Dodge diesel. The truck I traded in was just showing the early signs of rust, most people probably wouldn't notice it. The truck I bought also had some rust in it that I'm getting repaired, so I really didn't come out ahead in anyway, except my new truck is heavier duty, and is a quad cab.

 

[devildog1]

When I was working for a living,(lol) I bought a new 3/4 or 1 ton 4X4 every two years for the last 6 years I worked. I wanted to evaluate all, Fords,Chevy's, Dodge in gas and diesel engines.My retirement plan was to tow a large RV and see more of this great country we live in. The large gas engine trucks hauled great but always looking for fuel and when climbing hills or mountain ranges temp gage would climb too high for me. I finally settled on a 1 ton Ford Power Stroke Diesel,(6.0) and am quite happy with it. Been across this country many times form N.Y. to CA. to AB to ME. Other then a failed Turbo @ 16,000 miles ( Ford Repaired @ no Cost to me) Truck has been fine. Had it going on 6 years and plan on keeping it for quite a while, as new trucks cost more then my house cost to build 35 years ago, just my take.
DevilDog