What Truck is right for me?

davitk · Sep 12, 2009

I don't mean to rain on the lease parade, it is a good option for some people (who those people are as of yet I have not discovered).

A good friend of mine, a contractor, leased a Tundra five years ago, went out and spent 1500.00 on fiberglass cap, went out and got divorced, drove it 25K more than he anticipated (home base was further away), turned it in at the end of the lease and had to pay extra mileage and put new tires on it, then went and dug up (he hadn't sold it - smart move) his old 1995 Chevy and put it back into service and is driving that today.

It would really really suck to make payments for three or four years on a nice truck only to have to give it back and then have nothing. Just IMO.

The Coastal Craftsman · Sep 12, 2009

Yep lease hires aint really what they used to be. They used to be a great deal but they soon realised they could make a lot more money on these.

Also i dont know what you have to carry but they do HD version of half tons that i think have payloads around the 2000lb amount. Thats more than enough for most contractors.

mikeswoods · Sep 12, 2009

Geez kid--Why do you want to bury yourself in payments and expensive insurance?

There are some great deals on slightly older used trucks. If you are friends with a mechanic you should be able to pick up a truck that needs some help for a fair price,fix it and own it outright for about four of your new car payments.

The van I'm driving now was 8 years old,fleet maintained,,nice body and 80.000 mi.

Bad rear end. Two days at the mechanic,fixed rear end,added new springs,a little steering work,brakes and tires. All cash about $2400 total.

dependable-looks good from the curb-makes me money. I think payments would have sunk my boat this last year.

AustinDB · Sep 12, 2009

one of my trucks is a diesel suburban, old body style 99. the suburban's are great for loading stuff into and hauling, but if you have a lot of tools it get's difficult getting to things without organization.

IMO, the extra cab small p/u w/ racks is great for where you are at life. grow in the field, get more experience, jobs, pay and then move up to a 150 or 250 chassis. no need for the 250 (or 350) chassis unless you'll be towing/carrying heavy stuff.

TBFGhost · Sep 12, 2009

It is my firm opinion that many people drive the trucks then do because they just look big and tough. I see alot of guys my age run out and buy a truck, deck it out and have 400-600 month payment....that is just that much more money they need to make to cover their operating costs. Do I want one? Hell yeah, there are nice trucks out there, but the Ranger keeps my OH low and I just can't find a reason to replace it...and I have carryed 1340 lbs of junk in it before....

BHR · Sep 15, 2009

Let's assume here that the kiddo is financing this truck he is looking for - said around 20k for it with miles. Bank rate here is between 7 and 11% depending on credit worthyness. So he puts down some dough and finances the rest for...3 years..trucks nearly cost him 30k all said and done. Truck value after another three years??...6k. If a trans pops in that time...cost is almost 3k...if the engine has major woes...say 5500 $$ - all what if's but does happen and often. I know of one guy who had an o5 GMC with diesel and his trans popped...cost him 7k for the repair

Go to a lease takeover...if the person unloading got 1.9% finance and 80k mileage for 4 years paying less than 500 a month all in and has 1 to 2 years remaining with full 100% warranty I surely do think that it is a more sound deal to start. I wouldn't think of buying it at the end due to the dealers high residual value that the truck would never be worth.

Now adays new leases SUCK! Even buying new Sucks - high APR's so the cost is out-there. Totally unresonable but there are a few that have the low deals that need out.

I just meant it as another way for him to look at what he wants or needs.

OH - one other thing. I do not think buying a short box is a grand idea - I had one and it is not a good thing when you are in the trades. Short boxes are dime a dozen since that's all that dealers seem to sell and the market is flooded with them.

Look for a long box 4x4 - you should be looking at long term value and resale-ability if you are to buy.

Good luck :thumbsup:

davitk · Sep 15, 2009

Don't buy a truck, steal one. It's lots more sexier to the babes to be a dangerrous man.

dougger222 · Sep 16, 2009

My first newer truck was bought on my 21st birthday, a 99 F150. Had the truck for a year and then realized I bought a kids truck and needed something bigger something more powerfull. Went from a 40K mile 99 F150 to a 42K mile 99 F250 powerstroke. Still have the truck and it gets driven a few times a week for work still, 274K miles. Still have home owners comment on how nice it looks from time to time.

My brother bought a brand new 06 F150 Screw. He payed cash for it than dropped another $20K into it, it's a nice truck. The biggest drawback for him who also owns a roofing business is how small the box is and the fact that it's too small to tow a dump trailer.

My favorite work truck has to be the 99 F350 dually. With it's 8ft box, crew cab, 4x4, and dually rear end it's perhaps the perfect roofing rig. Put a top on it last Winter and it made it even bigger.

Suberbans are nice. Bought an 00 Excursion Limited 4x4 diesel in 03 and it's been a great vehicle. 17-19 mpg and it can easily tow the dump trailers.

If you are in the market for a half ton I would look closely at fuel mileage. More than likely if you spend a little more and buy a newer pick up you will get better fuel mileage which will save you money in the long run. My Uncle had a 07 1500 Chevy and it was a nice truck and he got 17-19 mpg out of it.

john5mt · Sep 16, 2009

Dont forget....he lives in the socialist republic of ontario. Hes got saftey checks, emissions, and whatever else. My bro in law lives there and paid 5000 for a ford tempo cuz it passed emissions. They go for 100 around here.

If you can buy a 5000 truck go with that instead. In these times it is very unwise for a contractor to be taking on anymore debt than he already has. (especially when all of our newly printed dough hits the market and inflates everything again).

What Truck is right for me?

davitk

The Coastal Craftsman

mikeswoods

AustinDB

TBFGhost

BHR

davitk

dougger222

john5mt

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