MakinNoise
New member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2018
- Posts
- 2
Hi, this is my first post here. My husband and I are planning to buy a used pickup truck (like in the next week or two). We have a pretty strict budget (max $35,000 out the door). With all the things my husband wants, he is going to have to pick someplace to compromise. I am hoping that some of you can guide us regarding where to place our priorities. I'll try to provide as much information as possible.
We do want to not have to do this again for at least 7-8 years. We tend to drive our vehicles until they die. I have a 2005 Toyota 4Runner V8 that I love, with almost 227K miles; my husband has a 2002 Tahoe with 190K. We will be trading in the Tahoe. My husband has a short work commute (10-15 mins.) and this pickup will be his daily driver. It will also take the place of my 4Runner as the main family vehicle. Currently we occasionally tow a 1995 pop-up camper. We also have a couple of old muscle cars that we sometimes tow on an older steel trailer. In the not-too-distant future, we hope to upgrade to a better travel trailer, nothing too huge, just not as much work as the pop-up. Not interested in a 5th wheel, don't think we're wanting to go diesel.
Absolute must-haves include 4 doors,4WD, tow package, under 60K miles, V8. Would like to have a newer vehicle with some warranty on it. The biggest question is whether to get a 2500 that will easily handle whatever future trailers we may acquire. 3/4 ton trucks are more expensive with fewer features and options, and there are fewer of them on dealer lots to choose from. We could get a totally tricked-out half-ton for less money with more comfort and features, and beef up the suspension, boost the HP, etc. to handle towing. He'd really love a Ford F-250 bit they are just so darned expensive. There is a practically new but fairly basic 2017 Ram 2500 SLT that we have driven available at a local dealer. My husband liked it a lot, he's just not sure about the Dodge Ram quality. My husband has always been a GM man but he is not very impressed with current Chevy/GMC trucks. We drove a 2015 Chevrolet 2500 and it was nice and smooth on country roads but disappointing when accelerating onto the interstate. The only F-250 we have test-driven was a diesel. My husband says that current half-ton trucks don't feel like trucks to him. He prefers power and performance to comfort and features. I should mention that he has rheumatoid arthritis. He is 6'2" and needs room to stretch out on trips. Also, before a career change, he used to be an auto mechanic for many years. A lot of his opinions are based on his experience working on vehicles but all prior to the last 10 years or so.
So where do we compromise? Get a 3/4 ton but an older vehicle / one with more miles on it? Get a Ram instead of a Ford? Get a 1500 and get a travel trailer that just not too big and heavy? Will we be sorry down the road that we didn't get a 3/4 ton when we had the chance? Are current Ram trucks solid and dependable? I really appreciate any insight you can provide before we make a $35,000 mistake. Thanks!
We do want to not have to do this again for at least 7-8 years. We tend to drive our vehicles until they die. I have a 2005 Toyota 4Runner V8 that I love, with almost 227K miles; my husband has a 2002 Tahoe with 190K. We will be trading in the Tahoe. My husband has a short work commute (10-15 mins.) and this pickup will be his daily driver. It will also take the place of my 4Runner as the main family vehicle. Currently we occasionally tow a 1995 pop-up camper. We also have a couple of old muscle cars that we sometimes tow on an older steel trailer. In the not-too-distant future, we hope to upgrade to a better travel trailer, nothing too huge, just not as much work as the pop-up. Not interested in a 5th wheel, don't think we're wanting to go diesel.
Absolute must-haves include 4 doors,4WD, tow package, under 60K miles, V8. Would like to have a newer vehicle with some warranty on it. The biggest question is whether to get a 2500 that will easily handle whatever future trailers we may acquire. 3/4 ton trucks are more expensive with fewer features and options, and there are fewer of them on dealer lots to choose from. We could get a totally tricked-out half-ton for less money with more comfort and features, and beef up the suspension, boost the HP, etc. to handle towing. He'd really love a Ford F-250 bit they are just so darned expensive. There is a practically new but fairly basic 2017 Ram 2500 SLT that we have driven available at a local dealer. My husband liked it a lot, he's just not sure about the Dodge Ram quality. My husband has always been a GM man but he is not very impressed with current Chevy/GMC trucks. We drove a 2015 Chevrolet 2500 and it was nice and smooth on country roads but disappointing when accelerating onto the interstate. The only F-250 we have test-driven was a diesel. My husband says that current half-ton trucks don't feel like trucks to him. He prefers power and performance to comfort and features. I should mention that he has rheumatoid arthritis. He is 6'2" and needs room to stretch out on trips. Also, before a career change, he used to be an auto mechanic for many years. A lot of his opinions are based on his experience working on vehicles but all prior to the last 10 years or so.
So where do we compromise? Get a 3/4 ton but an older vehicle / one with more miles on it? Get a Ram instead of a Ford? Get a 1500 and get a travel trailer that just not too big and heavy? Will we be sorry down the road that we didn't get a 3/4 ton when we had the chance? Are current Ram trucks solid and dependable? I really appreciate any insight you can provide before we make a $35,000 mistake. Thanks!