Which truck best for my needs???

[jayhaitch]

I faced a similar situation this past year. I worked at one hospital for the past 10 years. Change of leadership, nasty politics, moved to a different hospital. Yet we built our dream home about 15 km from the first one. A 30 km round trip commute is now 69 km. Gas went to Can$1.19 per litre, or US $4.38 per US gal in May 07. My 12-13 US mpg Expedition was not looking so good. After seriously weighing options, the two were to get a commuter car or suck it up and just pay more for gas. My final commuter choice was a diesel TDI Jetta. Yet when I really crunched the numbers, it was still cheaper to just pay more for gas and keep using the Expedition. My break even point was at about 26,000 to 29,000 km of commuter car driving a year, which was far more than I would do. So, I got new tires, added a Superchips reprogrammer, got a Magnaflow exhaust, and now enjoy driving the Expedition more than ever, and it only cost me about $2000.

 

[RayH]

My wife and I had a similar decision to make a couple years ago when gas went up past $3.00 for the first time. We went the other way and bought a econo car. We bought the least expensive new car we could find, a Kia Rio. We drove it off the lot for $14000, its got a 100000 mile warranty and averages about 35MPG (twice what her Wrangler gets). Obviously we will never save enough fuel to offset the cost of the car but over a number of years, the car should pay for itself in savings of mileage and maintenance on our other vehicles.

 

[gemini5362]

I was just wondering what engine you had. In my opinion, you actually traded into a better engine (LBZ), if in fact it was the LBZ. Your VIN can verify that in the 8th digit from the left.

Leave it alone. It's fine without modifications.

Yes I did get the LBZ engine and from the looks of things it probably is a bit better than the one in the 2005. More horsepower and more torque. The 2005 was a nice truck but I really do like the alison 6 speed.

 

[wushaw]

I have a class 7 Peterbilt truck and a Jeep wrangler as my commuter vehicle. I cannot get rid of the Pete cause I wouldn't have any way to transport the house (44.5' fiver) when I go on vacation.
My Pete will sit up to a month at time before I drive it to work or to take the GF out on a date (she thinks it 's cool ). I haven't had to transport the tractor since it was new.
Someday I will get a Tacoma 4X4 to replace the Jeeps duties ( still keep Jeep as toy) and be able to carry more than the Jeep and pull more while still getting the same or better fuel milage.

Keep the KR and get a commuter like a small PU, if you need to pick up goods at HD, Lowes, you still have a bed to carry a reasonable load where a small car is very limited, get reasonable fuel mileage and the main reason....it will fit in the parking garage.

 

[jcmseven]

I had a relatively short day at work today, so I ran out to a couple dealers holding Sunday hours and re-drove two of the trucks I have been considering. In all honesty, neither of them appeal to me as much as the truck I currently have. I drove it today, and because it is Sunday and the staffing at the hospital was down due to the weekend I located a couple lots on hospital campus reasonable for the parking of the truck. I doubt it would be feasible most days, but some days it might work. I really have enjoyed owning my new truck. I worked hard to buy it and really like it. I do not want to sell it, but I really would like to use it more. Hopefully this will allow me to do so. I am going, for completeness, to drive the final truck in my three for consideration but as of today I am currently planning to keep mine a while longer. This will also allow me to build a bit more equity in it in the event I decide to sell later. I would like to thank all for their advice as I always appreciate the chance to bounce ideas off others who might have had similar issues.

John M

 

[Double Orange]

Well Doc, Seems you only have 2 options.
1 Sell house move to walking distance to work
2 Go back to other job


Good News... Keep Your Beloved King Cab Truck!!

Take two aspirin and call me Monday!

 

[mjncad]

Unless you absolutely feel the need for a truck to drive to work, I'd get a reliable, economical and maneuverable car for commuting. I won't drive my F-250 4 x 4 Super Duty to my doctor's office as the hospital parking garage is such a pain in the butt to maneuver in even with a car, let alone a pickup or large SUV.

If you need a truck look at a Toyota or Nissan pickup. They can be had with a lot of nice options and goodies like your KR F-250.

In any case, I'd keep the F-250 as it's too useful.

 

[RobertN]

I had a relatively short day at work today, so I ran out to a couple dealers holding Sunday hours and re-drove two of the trucks I have been considering. In all honesty, neither of them appeal to me as much as the truck I currently have.

One of the reasons I mentioned finding a commuter car earlier, is we have two trucks right now. Mine is the '01 RAM xcab longbed 4x4 diesel. The other is a '04 RAM-1500 quad cab shortbed 2wd with the 4.7l. Quite frankly, they both stink for parking, and mileage.

We were in Monterey last weekend. Went to a function for the Moss Landing Marine Labs, and then sailed out of Montrery Bay on Sunday.

First, we went to park at the hotel. What a joke! Even with the 2wd shortbed, the quad cab made it long enough manuevering in the parking was a pain. Same when we had to park in the parking garage when we got lunch. And, basically, parking the whole rest of the weekend.

Second, 18mpg. From what I can see 18mpg or so is typical for other 1/2 tons too.

My truck, even with the diesel, max's around 18 on the highway. I got it with 4:11 gears, which limit my mileage. And, it's big for a commuter

I will not let go of the 3/4 ton. We want to get another cab-over camper of 5th wheel. And, we use it in general for 3/4 ton stuff. But we are thinking about letting go of the 1/2 ton and getting a used moderate mileage, ~30mpg car.

One thing I mentioned earlier that was in passing, is this is not just about fuel mileage and cost for me.

Buy a decent set of all-terrain E rated tires. The BFG Rugged Trail 265-75-16 or 265-65-17 on a lot of Dodge and Ford pickups, is a $185+ tire. So are a lot of the other comparable stock size tires. The tires on a modest commuter car would be a lot less. I did brakes on both of our trucks recently; would have been a lot cheaper on a car.

I would like, in the end, to keep the miles off the truck. One to keep it in good shape, and two because of cost of operation. A little beater commuter car would help with that.

 

[Rara Avis]

This will also allow me to build a bit more equity in it in the event I decide to sell later. I would like to thank all for their advice as I always appreciate the chance to bounce ideas off others who might have had similar issues.

John M

Build equity??? You are kidding right... Vehicles are a sunk cost item...
The dealerships are having trouble selling fuel guzzlers right now...if you trade or sell on the street your King you will take a hit...
When I got the 2007 GMC C&C I was offered $1200 for a 1995 Dodge 3500 with less than 60K...I kept it as a backup...

 

[mjncad]

I would like, in the end, to keep the miles off the truck. One to keep it in good shape, and two because of cost of operation. A little beater commuter car would help with that.

That's why I keep my beloved 1995 Honda Accord, and why my 1999 F-250 has just under 30k on the odometer.