I always seem to be thinking about buying a new truck in the back of my mind and yet I never do. Am I making a mistake ?
I'm driving a '99 XLT Superduty crew cab with a ZF6. It has 175,000 miles. I've had it since new. Other than replacing a leaking radiator 5 years ago, its been totally trouble free and dependable. I've spent practically nothing on it for repairs. It just runs and runs.
I did practically nothing to it for years. As soon as I got it I installed the brake controller, 5th wheel hitch and soundproofed it. For years I just used it like that.
I do all my own service work. No problem with that. The truck is basically in great shape, even on the inside. People see it and can't believe its 10 years old.
However, recently, I always seem to doing projects on it.
I swapped in a 325/610 3rd gen Cummins 5 years ago. That cost me about $3K after I sold the Powerstroke. It runs excellent. The fuel economy is excellent too. I couldn't be happier with it, but now that I have a bigger trailer I would like more power, like 400/800. Other than that, its good though. The engine has 60,000 miles on it, so its got lots of life left in it.
Last fall I put a 10K air ride rear suspension on it. That cost me about $1500 with the compressor. It rides great now. Really great.
I put 20" Ford wheels on it this spring. That cost me about $1200 with adapters, but I have my 16" rims and rubber to sell to offset that.
I put on an 05 front end. That cost me about $300.
I put on 08 towing mirrors. That cost about $500.
I put a new windshield in it. That cost about $250.
What it needs now.
Last winter my truck got keyed down both sides. Not too deeply, but deep enough that it needs some TLC. Other than that, the body is in excellent shape. No rust, only a couple little dings.
I've got an exhaust brake kit for the Cummins that I've never installed.
My Jordon brake controller needs a new cable.
I just bought a used power seat base for the passenger side front seat so that my wife is more comfortable. That cost me $200.
The rear diff has a leaking hub seal.
The front end (tie rod ends) needs rebuilding. The steering gear box might need tightening. I did the front ball joints last summer. Pretty simple job.
I find myself wanting a nav system really bad. Not sure how I would do this or what I would buy. I'm afraid to look.
I never did get the box sprayed. I'd like to.
I'm putting about 20,000 miles a year on it now. I pull a 13-14,000 pound 5th wheel about 4,000 miles a year.
I always get turned off looking at new trucks.
Back in 04 I didn't like the 6.0L in the Fords. Thus the Cummins swap.
I liked the Megacabs back in 06, but not the stubby box. If I bought one I'd have to extend the frame and put on at least a short box. I declined.
I've never really been turned on by the GM trucks. Prior to 2010 I could never get the payload I needed without going to a dually. That has changed in that you can get a SRW 3500 with a 9900 pound GVWR. My trailer needs a bit more than that, but its plausible that a SRW 3500 could do the job.
I didn't care for the fuel economy of the 08+ Fords with the 6.4.
I liked the pre 2010 Dodge trucks but I hate the way the 2010s look. The grill is too big and I don't like the way it points forward. And they don't have any more power than my truck now.
I'd have to swap the air ride rear suspension onto whatever new truck I buy. After having it it would be very hard to go back to leaf suspension.
I'm turned off by the price of the 2011 Fords and the fact you can't get a manual transmission.
And thus I am still driving my '99.
Obviously I can't keep driving the same truck forever, or at least at some point it probably won't make sense to. I feel silly spending money and doing these projects on a 10 year old truck. And yet, what are the alternatives ?
I don't think it ever pays to buy a new truck if the old one is still doing it's job. My truck cost more than a couple of my dad's houses. I plan on running mine til the wheels fall off. Then I'll stop and put them back on. Mine doesn't get great mileage, but I don't drive much. It's an 08 with 18K miles. Good old trucks are hard to fine and can bring top dollar if not traded in.
For me, it's when I don't feel confident in it's ability to get me on a long camping trip without some breakdown. I do landscaping so I use my trucks to make my living. If one starts giving me problems, it's gone. To me personally, unexpected downtime is more costly than the price of a replacement vehicle.
But buying new versus slightly used is another issue. I learned that a while back. especially on the depreciation of heavy duty trucks these days.
2011 Ford F450 4X4 6.7L (the strongest and nicest truck I've ever owned)
2011 Cyclone 370C Full Throttle (a $55,000 45' "what's gonna break next" toy hauler)
2009 Kawasaki KFX450R
2012 Honda 400X
2009 Suzuki LTZ 90 "Can we ever have too many toys?"
if you ask me, you already have the best of the best. plus, it's so personalized that you may never get what it's worth money wise. but if you need more power/capacity, or you are just ready for a change, you'll have to compromise on a few things that "bug" you.
i have to say, i wish i had your problem.
Rob a.k.a 69oiler
'98 Sunnybrook 30DB
'03 Ford Excursion V10 4x4 3.73 XLT
'98 SunnyBrook 30DB
'05 Continental Cargo 16'x8' enclosed 9950 GVW
Former Ford IDI and 7.3 PSD guy, hope to get back into a diesel someday.
Kanata wrote: When the yearly cost of repairs exceeds the first year's depreciation on the new truck
Is that your rule of thumb ? That would be $10K per year on a $50K new truck ?
I haven't spent $10K on this truck, including upgrades, since it was new.
Really interesting to hear these replies. I was sure I was going to get told I should have traded a long time ago, that spending money on an older vehicle was a waste.
I like my Ford truck. it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. over 1/2 my miles driven are towing miles, but i only tow 7000-9000 lbs so the old 7.3 in stock form works well for me. i'm actually eyeballing the V10s (i buy used and also do my own maintenance) for my next truck in a couple more years, when old red succumbs to rust. currently the only things wrong with my truck are the low setting on the fan switch quit working, and an intermittent ABS light. it does need a windshield...and the rust is creeping through my annual repairs faster than ever.
I like oilburners.net and superdutydiesel.com, and FTE. have not been to powerstrokenation. used to be a regular on thedieselstop back in the day. not anymore though.
i find this site to be my current favorite for more objective truck talk though. there are more people who have owned more than one brand truck here than anywhere i have been. i'm still partial to the Fords though.
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