Which truck best for my needs???

[RobertN]

I do not want to buy a cheap second car, I want whatever I choose to be my sole vehicle and to drive it daily. I also want something that I can pile my wife and two year old twins into and go.

I have to agree with everyone here; reconsider a commuter. 70 miles a day racks up miles on a nice truck. E rated tires are a LOT more expensive than pizza cutters on a commuter car. So are brakes, shocks, etc. And, with lower miles, the truck maintains a better value.

I'm kind of in the same boat. I really don't need to commute in a 3/4 ton diesel 4x4 xcab longbed. In the warm weather, I frequently commute on the motorcycle. Cool or rainy weather, I have to use the truck. I'm really thinking about a commuter. Something used, a few miles on it, 30+mpg.

Towed the 7000# trailer 800 miles when it had just over 300 miles on it and got 11 mpg at 70 on the highway.

Where are you towing? 70mph? My truck/trailer combo's can easily, safely, and comfortably blow by 70mph, but out here in The Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, trailer speed limit is 55mph state wide... Don't ask how that point was reinforced in my knowledge by going 65mph in a 65mph zone with a trailer...

 

[Z-Michigan]

I'm with the crowd that would keep the truck, since you like it, and add a commuter. Maybe a Subaru wagon, or a small to midsize SUV, or a large sedan, whatever floats your boat. A diesel pickup will stay useful and worth having for decades, especially if you don't drive it as a commuter car.

 

[unreconstructed]

Another benefit for me by having the Crown Vic to go to work in--I can load my truck, tractor, and trailer the night before a trip--take off work a little early the next day, park the car, jump in the truck and haul #$*. I never use my truck anymore except for what its meant for (taking my wife on a date is the exception as she likes riding in the truck). Keeps off the miles and its always ready to go.

 

[crbr]

I am probably not a good person to answer this post since my wife and I have two vehicles each. I would throw out another option for you. Keep the truck. I have a duramax 2500 hd and would not part with it for the world. I do know about parking problems I went to dallas last month and the hotel parking garage opening was so short that on the way out I missed hitting the top of the opening by about an inch. I also have a 1998 chevrolet tracker that I drive to work. It is a 4 wheel drive and gets an honest 29 miles to the gallon. Since it is so light and has such a short wheel base it is by far the best performing 4 wheel drive I have ever owned. They are about as bulletproof a vehicle as I have ever seen. I have 151,000 on mine and have done nothing but routine maintenance ( change oil, tires, at 80,000 miles the timing belt as per maintenance plan and a new battery) You can pick one of them up pretty cheap and they are a hoot to drive.

What year model is your Duramax?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have to agree with everyone here; reconsider a commuter. 70 miles a day racks up miles on a nice truck. E rated tires are a LOT more expensive than pizza cutters on a commuter car. So are brakes, shocks, etc. And, with lower miles, the truck maintains a better value.

I'm kind of in the same boat. I really don't need to commute in a 3/4 ton diesel 4x4 xcab longbed. In the warm weather, I frequently commute on the motorcycle. Cool or rainy weather, I have to use the truck. I'm really thinking about a commuter. Something used, a few miles on it, 30+mpg.



Where are you towing? 70mph? My truck/trailer combo's can easily, safely, and comfortably blow by 70mph, but out here in The Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, trailer speed limit is 55mph state wide... Don't ask how that point was reinforced in my knowledge by going 65mph in a 65mph zone with a trailer...

I mainly tow throughout Tenn, KY, and Southern Indiana. I will end up getting a ticket now, thanks!!

 

[jcmseven]

If I could buy any truck I wanted, I would personally get exactly what I currently have. The only problem I have with owning it is that with my current needs, I do not drive the truck much at all, and it seems silly to me to own and pay for a truck of this level which I have not driven much. As with most folks, I can always see increasing my towing mileages again but I do not see this happening in the near future. If I were to trade, I am sure I would lose some money; I got a fairly good deal on the truck to begin with so in the correct circumstance I would probably come out OK. I think the Ford dealer mentioned would work pretty well with me, as he has done so so far, but it must admit it would be a struggle for me to go from a 250 level truck with the diesel to a gasoline 1/2 ton, even though it is probably what I need right now. My dad's high mileage truck still runs great though. It burns about one quart of oil for every 6000 miles of driving and gets a steady 18 mpg on my commute. Thusly, I do not have to make any hasty decision.

John M

 

[bx23barry]

Ya can't have too many vehicles. I say keep the truck and get something to commute/park . Personally I like driving a car around more than a truck anyway and they are less per mile to operate. I'd get a lotus elise but you want/need 4wd so maybe a awd911. Bmw makes a nice 330x too if ya want to haul the wife and kids. I think audi might even have a diesel.

 

[KICK]

this thread is wishy washy

you are skrewed either way

and no vehicle you purchase is going to make you happy

my 2Cents wirth

 

[gemini5362]

What year model is your Duramax?

OK dont laugh at me but I had a 2005 duramax but did not like the mirrors so I traded it for a 2006. I still have the 2006 probably because I love the mirrors on it.
I guess I should add that I wanted the 6 speed allison transmission and chevroelt had a 4th of july sale with 0 per cent interests I actually traded and got smaller payments. But it was the mirrors that clinched the deal. I am very happy with my duramax. If I drive the speed limit. (not that often I will admit) I can get about 20 to 21 miles per gallon which I like considering it is a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive. Usually I get around 17 which probably says a lot about how I drive. My wife has pointed out that when she drives the porsche she gets 29 mpg. When I drive I get 19 I am sure it is the difference in weight between us which makes up that extra 10 mpg loss when I drive.

 

[gemini5362]

Ya can't have too many vehicles. I say keep the truck and get something to commute/park . Personally I like driving a car around more than a truck anyway and they are less per mile to operate. I'd get a lotus elise but you want/need 4wd so maybe a awd911. Bmw makes a nice 330x too if ya want to haul the wife and kids. I think audi might even have a diesel.

bx23barry. I am 6 ft tall and weigh 240 I test drove an elise it was a great car but it took me 5 minutes to figure out how to get into it with the top down. only took me about 3 minutes to get out of it. You have to be pretty limber and skinny to drive one of those. They are made to buy drive to the track put the number on it and start racing. But they are a blast to drive.