Is it worth is to ever buy a new truck again vs maintaining your current one?

[HoneyDew]

I think someone could make a lot of money coming out with a basic, mechanically well equipped truck (4x4, locking diff, etc. ) at a reasonable price. No automatic 4x4, or 500 sensors, self driving etc..

Yeah but why would a major manufacturer increase the lifespan of their product while effectively decreasing the selling price (less bells and whistles). They want vehicles to fail immediately after the warranty expires just ideally not in a way that hurts someone and gets them sued.

 

[z987k]

I think someone could make a lot of money coming out with a basic, mechanically well equipped truck (4x4, locking diff, etc. ) at a reasonable price. No automatic 4x4, or 500 sensors, self driving etc..

Nah, not a large market for it.

Look at what they produce the most of(because of demand). It's the mega (car)cabs with the shortest beds and no towing. The vast majority of people buying trucks don't need trucks, they don't even want a truck.
They want a tall, heavy vehicle with some sort of status.
If people really wanted trucks long beds(8ft) would be the #1 seller and you couldn't find one without the heavy tow package. They want a big ass el camino with all the comforts.
There's a reason the Maverick is a big hit.

 

[MallardSX2]

I will never replace my 2016 2500 Ram Diesel. I will fix it as problems come up and run it into the ground. Its going to be my million mile truck and I will never buy another one. If it wasn't for towing my tractor around I wouldn't even own a 2500. I cant complain about the mileage though. It gets GREAT mileage.

New vehicles are so overpriced its not even funny anymore.

There are something like 25,000 2021 trucks sitting in various places that are awaiting chips. Those should go for cheap if people don't start bidding wars over them..lol

 

[Coldtrail]

Buying a new vehicle is never "worth it", the numbers will never work to the advantage of the consumer. Most new vehicles are bought to # 1. keep up with the Jones' s, #2 Fear that a mystery problem will surface, # 3, "damn! I can afford my maxed out payment, but didnt realize I'd need extra to pay for brakes/tires/shocks at some point....I guess ill trade up instead".

The only true way to "get your money's worth" is drive it into the ground

 

[journeyman713]

It seems to me that prices have become so outrageous that I would have to spend 5k a year plus on my current truck to equal buying a new one. Im tempted to just do that...one year replace the engine, one year the whole suspension, and after a few years Id have a "new truck" for a fraction of the price.

What am I missing here?

The one thing you're missing is the Trade-in value.
It went up in value equally.

 

[Kilboars]

I always say, repair costs are a fraction of what you’d pay in car payments. Usually that goes for monthly payment.

I buy the vehicle I like then keep them for 10-15 years running and looking like new. Times like this are when I’m glad to not have a payment


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[Sccritterkiller]

I have a couple older vehicles in my garage a 30+ yr old Jeep and 45+ yr Bronco. Yes you can keep them going and they will run fine but when something breaks be prepared to wait on parts, rarely can go to LPS and get something I need...not a big deal to me as I have a DD...but if your planning on maintaining a older vechilce as your DD have a back up plan, it will be down for an extended time waiting on parts...

 

[roosiebull]

I have a 2014 F150 with 120k miles on it. I bought it new and paid it off a long time ago. Out of curiosity, I was looking at what a new modern truck would cost me with the same packages and I'm up to 70k ish.

It seems to me that prices have become so outrageous that I would have to spend 5k a year plus on my current truck to equal buying a new one. Im tempted to just do that...one year replace the engine, one year the whole suspension, and after a few years Id have a "new truck" for a fraction of the price.

What am I missing here?

Side note: Fords website also has a price at the top of the page as you build your truck that only shows you the monthly payment and its based off of an 8 YEAR LOAN. They don't want you to consider the price you are paying. If it becomes more commonplace for people to do longer loans on cars, all that does is allow Ford to raise the price because people's monthly payment threshold would stay the same.

i think the concept certainly makes sense for the right person..... i like the concept, but i don't think i would do well with it.... i have a hard enough time keeping up on normal maintenance, and couldn't see myself thoroughly and proactively fixing wear parts before they become an issue.... just being honest.

a vehicle breakdown is a very big inconvenience most of the time, but that's generally all it is.....

another reason it's not for me is i despise working on vehicles, and it would be tough for me to pay someone to fix things that aren't broken.... my brain wouldn't accept "fixing this is still cheaper than a truck payment" even if it's true.

my disclaimer is, i generally drive rigs for a couple years and trade them in, i usually don't plan on paying it off, it's an ugly cycle, but i am hard on vehicles, once things start needing fixed, it seems like it doesn't end.

i do plan on keeping my current pickup, there is nothing better on the market for me, and i love that little pickup.... another incentive is, when i was trying to find one, my least favorite vehicle color was what i ended up finding a "good" deal on, me and black pickups aren't a good match, when i wash it, it looks like hell from all of the brush scratches that show up so well on black... thinking about wrapping it (solid color) but want to talk to a vinyl guy to see if it makes sense for me.

i like and appreciate the idea of just proactively fixing paid off rigs, it's just not for me

 

[Mosby]

People in Cuba have been keeping trucks and cars running from the 1950's. If we keep electing people like Bernie and AOC, we'll soon be in the same boat.

Personally, I keep vehicles as long as I can keep them running reliably. My old Z71 Suburban lasted 17 years and had over 270,000 miles before I bought my Chevy Colorado. The sticker on the Suburban in 2001 was $31,000. Times are a changin'.

 

[Gone4Days]

I am 45 years old and my wife is 43. Neither of us have ever bought a new vehicle in our lives. The last 3 cars we bought have been in cash as we decided a while ago to be debt free. No better feeling.

 

[Billy Goat]

Keep in mind there's a lot more to a vehicles reliability than just engine and transmission. You would need to replace all brake lines at some point, fuel lines, those are actually pretty cheap, but can be a lot of work. Then just little things happen that piss you off, electrical shorts.....


I know a lot of guys that run a truck into the ground, like 250k. If that's a 50k truck, that's 20 cent a mile. If I get a almost new truck, sell it for 20k less than I paid and put 100k on it, that's 20 cent a mile. That's the route I have been going. Put 120k on one bought and sold at the right time, it cost me 3k.


I let someone else get the first farts in the seat, but frequently you can find one that's 8-20k miles for enough off new price that it's worth it.

 

[Bcoonce117]

What are you greasing?

If I had to guess… the older trucks tie rod ends need to be greased

 

[5MilesBack]

If I had to guess… the older trucks tie rod ends need to be greased

The drive shafts and possibly the ball joints.

There's a reason the Maverick is a big hit.

When I saw this, I had to google it........as I have always considered the Maverick to be right up there with the Pacer, the Gremlin, and the Pinto as some of the worst cars ever. Had no idea Ford was using the name again.

 

[KnuckleChild]

I’m there with my 2018 f150. It’s had its issues and I priced out a new truck (150 or ram with similr features) and got a price on new motor, installed, out of curiosity while it was in the shop. Compared it trading it in and getting a 4 year loan on a new truck, I could buy a new engine and have it installed every year for 4 years and come out a little ahead.
I’m gonna be driving this thing a while, needless to say.

 

[hunterjmj]

What are you greasing?

Anything with a grease zerk. I think there are about 8 on the front end. Takes me less than five minutes while the oil is draining. Just hit each zerk once.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Alway cheaper to keep her and fix her.

Only if there are parts available.

Had a leak on a 2007 Jeep. Faulty part is no longer available. So I had to do some “mixing and splicing” of various available parts to get it to work. If it was a field fix then it’s not that big of a deal; but that monstrosity is now a permanent “solution”.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I always say, repair costs are a fraction of what you’d pay in car payments. Usually that goes for monthly payment.

I buy the vehicle I like then keep them for 10-15 years running and looking like new. Times like this are when I’m glad to not have a payment


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True but when repair costs match or exceed the monthly payment for a period of time it may be in a person’s best interest to part ways with the vehicle.

We can also close our eyes, tap our ruby hunting boots together and tell ourselves “there’ll alway be parts available”.

 

[eamyrick]

I’m driving a 2013 F-150 with 150k on it. It’s 4x4 and a long bed with 36 gallon tank. A similar truck would be mid 50s minimum. It’s been perfect for hunting trips and driving the boys on road trips. I suggest keeping a log in your notes section of your phone of vehicle maintenance costs. When you have to drop $1500 on repairs is much easier to put in perspective. Over the last two years I’m well under $300 a month on maintenance and repairs. A 4 year loan on a new truck would be 8-900 a month plus increased insurance costs.

 

[browning2480]

313,000 miles on my Tahoe. Just drove it from Arkansas to Yellowstone and back. No issues. Also had 8 people in it lol. Original engine and transmission. I did just drop $900 in rebuilding the rear air, but man does she blow cold

When the time comes I will build the tranny and replace the 5.3 with a 6.0. I have done upgrades over the years to kee up with the cool stuff. Touch screens and all that. You can even add cameras and everything today if you want. This vehicle will never leave my family.

 

[svivian]

So thankful i got a smoking deal on a 2013 F350 lariat with 70k miles for $32,000 in 2020. Went into a dealership last fall to look at cars for my wife and the dealer offered me $45k for my truck without me even asking. I plan to drive it until I hit 500K miles... hopefully more.