I’d love a new truck, but...

[BrianMDTX]

I really still love my 2005 Dodge Ram QC 1500 4x4. 175K miles and still runs great. Just put a new performance exhaust on it on Tuesday (old one was rusted out) and replaced the rear shocks today. 
 

The sad part is that now that it’s in Texas after one year in Michigan and 13 in Maryland, is that it shows the ravages of road salt. The trucks here look pristine. But I’m going to grind off the flakes and spray it with Rust-oleum Rust Reformer (when it cools down in fall lol) which will be a big help. 
 

No truck payments for nine years is a big plus. Yeah, no Bluetooth, or a digital display screen, backup camera, etc. But it’s a workhorse and has gotten me through some deep winter snows and hauled many a buck and doe out of the woods. Now it will haul my Sea Eagle inflatable boat to the pond. I just need a new rear bumper.  That’s rusted out, too lol. 
 

[Guitarfish]

I'd keep running it until it starts giving trouble.

[jimmyjoe]

43 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

No truck payments for nine years is a big plus.

 

   You just said a mouthful! My car is 12 y.o. and has 148,000 miles ..... And I'll run it 'til it dies. Or I die. Whichever.  ??   jj

[slonezp]

Ran my Tundra to 225k from 2007 to 2018. Bed was rusted thru, had electrical gremlins, and plugs were stripped in the block. Someone got a nice truck. Suspension and U joints replaced. 2nd radiator installed, new parking brake and what not installed before trading it in. Motor could have run another 10 years. The rest of the stuff....

 

I have 33k problem free miles on my 2017 SuperDuty. Couldn't say that about the Tundra. A lot of stuff covered under warranty. Some stuff not.

[N Florida Mike]

I have a ‘98 dodge ram.( Ol Faithful ) 196,000 on it. Looks like its been rolled down a hill and flipped a couple times but it still runs pretty good. 

It takes almost as much oil as gas.

We fixed 3 of the freeze plugs that were leaking  with a bolt and JB weld.?

I dont want to spend too much money on it, but we’re fixing to take a trip to the U- pull it lot and get some newer accessories anyway...

 

[BrianMDTX]

I replaced the water pump, timing chain and all the pulleys and tensioners, alternator and had the rear end rebuilt about a year and a half ago. Also replaced both front hubs and the ball joints, tie rod ends, front shocks and U-joints just before that. Other than rust, it’s mostly new components. 
 

I used to drive it 130 miles a day to work, but in 2014 (when gas was close to $4.00/gal), I bought a 2014 Mazda 6 for the cost savings in fuel. Since then it’s been a hunting, junkyard, firewood, get appliances and (now) fishing truck. Putting 1,000 miles a year on the old Dodge is a lot now lol. On my 3rd Mazda 6 though. Traded the ‘14 on a ‘16, then a ‘18. But my commute in Texas is so much shorter this one will stay for longer. Heck, in April and May when no one was on the roads due to the ‘rona, I was averaging over 45 mpg and actually got over 51 mpg on a 30 mile commute. As good as a hybrid!

 

[NorcalBassin]

I had that same truck but an '04 and loved that thing. Kids got into horses so I had to "force" myself to upgrade to a Cummins a few years ago for the better towing and hauling capacity. Yours still looks great and runs great... set aside what would be your monthly payment for what you'd like to get next and then you'll save a bunch of money once it's time to get your next one.

[gim]

Continuing to drive a vehicle with that many miles and signs of body wear is a personal decision that you have to make.  You have to take into account your own financial situation too.  I used to drive my vehicles past their 100,000 warranty but I was worried about major problems that would eventually rear their head so my last two vehicles have been traded in right before that mark.  Plus, I couldn't really afford to upgrade at the time anyways and I don't like making payments for years on end either.  I have a lot more peace of mind driving around in a vehicle that I know is still under an extended warranty now.

[BrianMDTX]

I would agree 100% if it was my daily driver. Or I used it to tow a boat, camper, etc. But it’s strictly a weekend or vacation time truck now, or a spare if one of our daily drivers is in the shop. I think I’ve put less than 2000 miles on it in the past 3 years. 

[A-Jay]

15 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 I have a lot more peace of mind driving around in a vehicle that I know is still under an extended warranty now.

I must have capable, reliable transportation, my situation demands it.

The winters here are full on and there's a massive load of salt on the roads for at least 6 months of the year.

Regardless of how diligent I am about vehicle cleaning/maintenance,

the entire under carriage gets trashed/seriously corroded. 

So, I'm in a new rig every three years.

Ordering the next one in October.

AT4 

A-Jay

 

 

[Jig Man]

12 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I would agree 100% if it was my daily driver. Or I used it to tow a boat, camper, etc. But it’s strictly a weekend or vacation time truck now, or a spare if one of our daily drivers is in the shop. I think I’ve put less than 2000 miles on it in the past 3 years. 

My backup truck is a 2001 Chevy 2500.  It is backup for three generations and gets about 1000 miles per year.  I bought it 20 years ago and have no plans to replace it.

[BrianMDTX]

10 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

My backup truck is a 2001 Chevy 2500.  It is backup for three generations and gets about 1000 miles per year.  I bought it 20 years ago and have no plans to replace it.

That's my plan. I just need to find a local place to hunt. I need blood in the bed!

20 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I must have capable, reliable transportation, my situation demands it.

The winters here are full on and there's a massive load of salt on the roads for at least 6 months of the year.

Regardless of how diligent I am about vehicle cleaning/maintenance,

the entire under carriage gets trashed/seriously corroded. 

So, I'm in a new rig every three years.

Ordering the next one in October.

AT4 

A-Jay

 

 

That's how I was. I bought a new vehicle every two years. I put 120K + miles on every two years. I did drive this truck over that by almost a year, but that was stretching it. Winter driving kills trucks and cars.

[A-Jay]

4 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

That's my plan. I just need to find a local place to hunt. I need blood in the bed!

That's how I was. I bought a new vehicle every two years. I put 120K + miles on every two years. I did drive this truck over that by almost a year, but that was stretching it. Winter driving kills trucks and cars.

I'm turning these things in with less than 25K every time;

still under the 36K mile warranty essentially.

The shiny side looks brand new but the undercarriage looks

more like 100K plus - so bad. 

So three or four oil changes and it's out of here.

A-Jay

[gim]

48 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I'm turning these things in with less than 25K every time;

still under the 36K mile warranty essentially.

The shiny side looks brand new but the undercarriage looks

more like 100K plus - so bad. 

So three or four oil changes and it's out of here.

Jeez I guess I never really took that close of a look at the under carriage of my vehicles.  I wash my vehicles regularly with an under carriage option in the winter but it sounds like I may need to inspect this a little closer now.  We get similar winters here in MN...although this past one was pretty weak.

[A-Jay]

10 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Jeez I guess I never really took that close of a look at the under carriage of my vehicles.  I wash my vehicles regularly with an under carriage option in the winter but it sounds like I may need to inspect this a little closer now.  We get similar winters here in MN...although this past one was pretty weak.

We each have our priorities and like I said, reliable, dependable & capable transportation is a top one for me.

And I'm willing to pay for it. 

Anything mechanical can fail & at any time; new or old.

But rusted to heck seems to have a better chance than not in my mind. 

If you choose to take a peak under there - be prepared to be sort of surprised, I certainly was.

Despite being out of site out of mind, it's not pretty.

I'm not a used vehicle man. 

If I was, I'd have a hard time purchasing the trucks I turn in, regardless of how shiny the paint still looks and how pristine the interior is.

The dealer gives me Good Money for the turn ins and I certainly appreciate at that.

Having low mileage & being "well kept" (his term) certainly helps.

The day I get the new one -I drive & care for it knowing that three years from now - it's gone. 

A-Jay

 

 

 

[DitchPanda]

My vehicle breakdown is this: 2010 Kia forte with only 90,000 miles on it. Bought it new in 09.Girlfriend drives this...gets 36 mpg on highway. 2005 Chevy Silverado z 71 with 135k miles on it. Trucks has been Iowa it's whole life and is getting pretty rusty. Also it has an oil leak starting but motor-transmission wise it runs great. Car has been paid off since 14 and truck since 17... Keep saying I'm gonna get new ones but no payments besides the house is nice.

[TnRiver46]

My boss is a cheapskate. I’ve driven 3-4 vehicles with well over 300,000 at work. My current work van has like 320,000. Chevy Astro piece of crap 

[CountryboyinDC]

Low mileage doesn't equal reliability.  My 2008 Dodge hasn't hit 31,000 yet and I've had a turbo put in it already.  I'll be wrenching and doing some maintenance on it this weekend.  Why keep it? I actually like the truck when it doesn't have an issue and even with the repairs, the costs are low.  Putting 300k in beltway traffic would take decades and several dozen clutches.

New stuff is nice.  Having things paid for is in it's own way satisfying.  If you aren't driving 1k miles a year, how much joy would you get out of a new truck?

[BrianMDTX]

I’d probably drive it more lol

[N Florida Mike]

Dang A.J .  Ive only owned 6 vehicles not counting the wifes. 2 of those my son totaled within 24 hours. ( dont ask ?) Ive had the Ram 21 years now , and the other 5 for a total of 19 years combined.

Guess which one is my favorite??

[A-Jay]

36 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

Dang A.J .  Ive only owned 6 vehicles not counting the wifes. 2 of those my son totaled within 24 hours. ( dont ask ?) Ive had the Ram 21 years now , and the other 5 for a total of 19 years combined.

Guess which one is my favorite??

The Wife ~ 

A-Jay

[12poundbass]

My tow vehicle has remained the same and will for quite a while. It’s a solid ride. The wife on the other hand is in need of another vehicle, a bigger ride. Money well spent and smart spending/saving has put us in a fortune situation. A new SUV/ grooming vehicle will suite her very well! 

[FishTank]

On 7/9/2020 at 8:39 PM, BrianMDTX said:

I really still love my 2005 Dodge Ram QC 1500 4x4. 175K miles and still runs great. Just put a new performance exhaust on it on Tuesday (old one was rusted out) and replaced the rear shocks today. 
 

The sad part is that now that it’s in Texas after one year in Michigan and 13 in Maryland, is that it shows the ravages of road salt. The trucks here look pristine. But I’m going to grind off the flakes and spray it with Rust-oleum Rust Reformer (when it cools down in fall lol) which will be a big help. 
 

No truck payments for nine years is a big plus. Yeah, no Bluetooth, or a digital display screen, backup camera, etc. But it’s a workhorse and has gotten me through some deep winter snows and hauled many a buck and doe out of the woods. Now it will haul my Sea Eagle inflatable boat to the pond. I just need a new rear bumper.  That’s rusted out, too lol. 
 

 

My father in law had a 2010 Ram Single Cab and it was a rust bucket.  The bed started to rust after 5 years of ownership and then pretty much everything fell apart on it (electrical, braking system, every seal and hose, etc.)  Dodge failed to cover it under warranty because he made the mistake of saying he put snow in the back to way it down in the winter.  He did this with his 85' Dodge truck for as long I as I have known him and thing rusted but not like this one and it refused to die.  The last straw was the steering column mount rusted and dissolved.  He literally went to start it and the steering wheel fell through the dash and the column went straight to the ground.  Sad thing was it only had about 50,000 miles on it.   He had been brought up a die hard Mopar guy and became a certified Chrysler mechanic but now drives a 2019 F150.  His entire family for three generations worked at Chrysler in some sort of fashion.  They are probably rolling over in their graves. 

[DogBone_384]

On 7/9/2020 at 9:26 PM, slonezp said:

Ran my Tundra to 225k from 2007 to 2018. Bed was rusted thru, had electrical gremlins, and plugs were stripped in the block.

You must have gotten one built on a Friday before a holiday. Bummer. I’m on my 3rd Toyota truck, 1 Taco and 2 Tundras, and totaled 500+ K miles on them with no mechanical/electrical issues. 
 

My Taco fell under Toyota’s frame recall. They paid me $13K to take it from me.

 

I like Dodge trucks mechanically, but everyone I know with one has rust problems.

 

[James Pondscum]

  Our family we have had five jeep vehicles exceed three hundred to three hundred fifty thousand miles each without a major part failure. Towing hauling etc. Some lasting twenty years before failure due to rust in michigian.  All were runing in the end.  They rusted out before they wore out.