Talk me out of a truck

[Pacfanweb]

Yep. Diesel in my area is in the 1.90 range. Still advantage diesel when you do the math.

Not always. You have to factor in the additional upfront cost, and the higher cost of maintenance as well. When fuel prices are close between gas and diesel, it's a close comparison. When gas is a lot cheaper than diesel, like it was just a year ago, the math doesn't work in favor of the diesel at all.

With the Colorado, I believe the diesel option is about $3700 over the V-6.

The V-6 will already scare 30mph to death on the highway. The diesel isn't going to beat that by much, so just going on fuel mileage alone, it'll take you probably over 30k miles for those prices to break even...and that's without factoring the significantly higher maintenance costs.

Still....it'd be a pulling beast in that truck, no doubt.

 

[jaha2000]

Not always. You have to factor in the additional upfront cost, and the higher cost of maintenance as well. When fuel prices are close between gas and diesel, it's a close comparison. When gas is a lot cheaper than diesel, like it was just a year ago, the math doesn't work in favor of the diesel at all.

With the Colorado, I believe the diesel option is about $3700 over the V-6.

The V-6 will already scare 30mph to death on the highway. The diesel isn't going to beat that by much, so just going on fuel mileage alone, it'll take you probably over 30k miles for those prices to break even...and that's without factoring the significantly higher maintenance costs.

Still....it'd be a pulling beast in that truck, no doubt.

Real world data says the V6 is not even close to that on the Highway. 24-25 best i can find online.
Should be interesting to see how the maintenance costs work out on the small one. The diesels in the 3/4 tons hold like 15 quarts of oil, thus the oil changes are expensive. You will still have fuel filters, but in reality i would not expect much difference in the small package.

But yeah, that is a great engine in that package and i would love to have one.

 

[nOOky]

I went from a truck in 2011 to a small SUV. I never really used the truck as a truck. People always wanted to borrow it to haul something, or asked me to help them move. The fuel mileage sucked, the interior space sucked (they are quite a bit better now than 2007 when I bought the truck). For kayaking and getting around most people I know have an Outback or Forrester. Basically go anywhere a truck can, but you load it on the top rack.

I considered a truck a month ago when I was looking for a different vehicle, but ended up with a Ford Edge Sport. Slightly more room than a small SUV, lots of room to haul bikes in the back, etc. Cameras help park and drive trucks now, but backing up and parking are still more of a pain than in a car-like vehicle. I do not think I will ever buy another truck, not for just hauling bikes or skis or a kayak.

If you have the money and want one, have it it. At least you'll have good resale, unless gas prices spike again, which they will.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Real world data says the V6 is not even close to that on the Highway. 24-25 best i can find online.
Should be interesting to see how the maintenance costs work out on the small one. The diesels in the 3/4 tons hold like 15 quarts of oil, thus the oil changes are expensive. You will still have fuel filters, but in reality i would not expect much difference in the small package.

But yeah, that is a great engine in that package and i would love to have one.

Yep, diesels have usually twice, if not 3 times the oil. A bigger, more expensive filter. A fuel filter every 15k or so. And exhaust fluid every oil change.

Basically it's 100 bucks every time you service it. You have to add that in, plus the over $3k upfront cost, plus the extra money that fuel costs.

You'll eventually break even, but you'll have to keep it awhile.

That said, I'd like to drive one of these Colorados with the diesel. Might do that next time I'm at the Chevy place and see one.

 

[mizzou]

High MSRP
High Maintenance
High Insurance costs
Low Interior storage
Difficult to Park, Difficult to Garage (A lot of garages simply can't fit a full size pickup)

Resale value is pretty good on a 4x4, but there are plenty of reasons NOT to get one....at least a brand spanking new one.

You obviously know well the reasons why it would be great to have a pickup. Just weight that against reasons why it would be bad.

 

[slag]

Don't do it bro, you'll be sorry!

Do it! I made the switch from a VR6 Jetta to a Tundra and useability all around is just so much better. Tons of interior room with the crew cab, a useable bed (although short), rear window that goes all the way down so you can put super long things through into the front, excellent fit and finish, and great drive.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Kayak you said? get yourself one of those small $200 trailers and build it up.

I don't recommend trucks in general. They are too "purpose" and 99% of the time the bed/pick up is never used. If you are in the trade or something, maybe. or own a farm.

For MULTIFUNCTIONAL usage of a regular person, I always recommend a minivan. Best people mover (if you have a lot of people around), TONS of space/cargo, great for project/dump runs and the best part....Minivans are the best bang for the buck vehicle money can by.

Assuming you can get over the whole "stigma" and "I care way too much for what everyone thinks" thingy....

But I would just tell you to keep your current car and get a little trailer....

 

[Subyman]

High MSRP
High Maintenance
High Insurance costs
Low Interior storage
Difficult to Park, Difficult to Garage (A lot of garages simply can't fit a full size pickup)

???

High MSRP, sure but you should never, ever buy a new truck at MSRP. You'd be giving away 7-10k. Mine stickers for 44.5k and I walked out paying 36.5k OTD with tax included. High maintenance doesn't make much sense either, it is the same as any car and the parts are typically more plentiful than any car. My insurance isn't high at all. It is comparable to a sedan. Interior storage depends on the model you buy and a tonneau cover gives you plenty of room for anything.

You certainly need to make sure you have the room for one and, as with any larger vehicle, you'll need to make sure it makes sense for where you live.

There are plenty of pros and cons to think about when considering a truck, but these are not completely factual.

 

[mizzou]

???

High MSRP, sure but you should never, ever buy a new truck at MSRP. You'd be giving away 7-10k. Mine stickers for 44.5k and I walked out paying 36.5k OTD with tax included. High maintenance doesn't make much sense either, it is the same as any car and the parts are typically more plentiful than any car. My insurance isn't high at all. It is comparable to a sedan. Interior storage depends on the model you buy and a tonneau cover gives you plenty of room for anything.

You certainly need to make sure you have the room for one and, as with any larger vehicle, you'll need to make sure it makes sense for where you live.

There are plenty of pros and cons to think about when considering a truck, but these are not completely factual.

I'm just saying it has an extremely high MSRP for what you are actually getting. If you want me to expand on that, it will end up meaning the vehicle is out of the gate overpriced and will be somewhat difficult to haggle on because of it's intrinsic value to people right now. 4x4 trucks are HOT and you will have a tough time negotiating on something people want but don't need.
Just because it says "Sale! 15% off today!" doesn't mean you are getting a good deal. Retailers do this all the time. 15% off a crazy high price is still a high price, it just looks like you are getting a deal.

As far as high maintenance, everything in a pickup is heavier and bigger then in a passenger car. Wheels, water pumps, rubber, you name it, will be more expensive then the dumpy looking sedan. There are often more of things as well. 8 spark plugs vs 6 or 4. More oil. More everything because it's bigger and badder .

I can't explain the insurance thing. I've never heard a insurance guy tell me that a quote for a 4x4 pickup will be the same for a comparable year sedan. If it's more expensive and has 4x4 then a sedan of the same year, you should be paying more in insurance.

Also, I should have added property taxes. If your state has property taxes, you will also pay more every year to the state, although its usually a negligible difference.

I don't think people should ever put tonnaue covers on trucks. If you want a camper shell or permanently covered bed, buy a SUV or a minivan That of course is my opinion!

 

[Vdubchaos]

I'm just saying it has an extremely high MSRP for what you are actually getting. If you want me to expand on that, it will end up meaning the vehicle is out of the gate overpriced and will be somewhat difficult to haggle on because of it's intrinsic value to people right now. 4x4 trucks are HOT and you will have a tough time negotiating on something people want but don't need.
Just because it says "Sale! 15% off today!" doesn't mean you are getting a good deal. Retailers do this all the time. 15% off a crazy high price is still a high price, it just looks like you are getting a deal.

As far as high maintenance, everything in a pickup is heavier and bigger then in a passenger car. Wheels, water pumps, rubber, you name it, will be more expensive then the dumpy looking sedan. There are often more of things as well. 8 spark plugs vs 6 or 4. More oil. More everything because it's bigger and badder .

I can't explain the insurance thing. I've never heard a insurance guy tell me that a quote for a 4x4 pickup will be the same for a comparable year sedan. If it's more expensive and has 4x4 then a sedan of the same year, you should be paying more in insurance.

Also, I should have added property taxes. If your state has property taxes, you will also pay more every year to the state, although its usually a negligible difference.

I don't think people should ever put tonnaue covers on trucks. If you want a camper shell or permanently covered bed, buy a SUV or a minivan That of course is my opinion!

Agreed 100%

Let's face it, how often will you use that 4x4? Most people us it .0001% of the time. Rest of the time it just wastes more gas.

How often will you use that bed?

All of these questions are important to answer for YOURSELF. Before you make #2 most expensive purchase of your life.

Really think about what you need and a vehicle that will do it for you. Be honest with yourself.

I often see people justifying their purchases and just making things up to make themselves happy....just because they are caught up into the hype or obsessed with the product at the time.

Give it 2-3 weeks......hype wears off....

In general, buying ANY car = bad financial decision (if you already have one that works/does the job). WHy? Well, selling a car = loss and buying a new car or even a used one = lots of money.

Now you see why I stick with what I buy for LONG periods of time. Even if at times I might not like it. Guess what, there is no perfection and you can't like <insert anything> 100% of the time.

And I will say it again, if you looking for MULTI FUNCTION and VERSATILITY. There is no better car than a minivan. Best bang for the buck money can buy!

Personally, I can't live without one.......but we do have lot of people in the family (4 kids). Even with 2-3, I would have one. Dump run? no problem. Project? No problem? Lots of people to get around, no problem.

I like option and choices. I don't really like products that are too purpose build unless I really need it. Pick up truck is one of those product, but that's just me.

 

[Dice144]

In the summer I kayak at least 3 times a week. Right now I have a roof rack for the VW. Before I got back in shape it would hurt my lower back getting it on the car. 14" kayak and a 10".

I hurt my back in the Army and some days it just is more jacked up then other days. My physical therapist recommend to stop being lazy and strengthen the muscle.

I was justifying this purchase in my head because my pension covers it all my other bills and basically go to work for spending money. I am very frugal, have a roommate to pay off house faster.

This thread has made me double think that the want of a truck is more of a want then a need. The roof rack isn't bad now that I am stronger again (found my muscles). So maybe I will give mid-size cars a look again and just buy the parts to change over my roof rack.

Part of me wants to just keep driving the time bomb for fun to see how many more miles it will go before it dies again.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Real world data says the V6 is not even close to that on the Highway. 24-25 best i can find online.
Should be interesting to see how the maintenance costs work out on the small one. The diesels in the 3/4 tons hold like 15 quarts of oil, thus the oil changes are expensive. You will still have fuel filters, but in reality i would not expect much difference in the small package.

But yeah, that is a great engine in that package and i would love to have one.

Yeah no kidding. Assuming diesel is $3.5/g and gas is $3/g, assuming diesel colorado averages 25mpg overall and gas colorado averages 18 overall (fuelly says around 19 for 2015 and 2016 model year V6's so that's pretty conservative I'd say), and the diesel being a $3700 premium over the V6, you would have to drive around 135k miles to break even. And that's not taking into account higher maintenance costs as mentioned (and DEF fills). And with fuel prices like they are right now it will take much longer than that. I just do not see diesel making economical sense unless you keep you vehicle 20 years, drive 30k+ a year, or tow A LOT.

 

[ultimatebob]

Five years from now, we will all be paying $4 a gallon for gas again. Enjoy filling the tank on your truck.

 

[mizzou]

In the summer I kayak at least 3 times a week. Right now I have a roof rack for the VW. Before I got back in shape it would hurt my lower back getting it on the car. 14" kayak and a 10".

I hurt my back in the Army and some days it just is more jacked up then other days. My physical therapist recommend to stop being lazy and strengthen the muscle.

I was justifying this purchase in my head because my pension covers it all my other bills and basically go to work for spending money. I am very frugal, have a roommate to pay off house faster.

This thread has made me double think that the want of a truck is more of a want then a need. The roof rack isn't bad now that I am stronger again (found my muscles). So maybe I will give mid-size cars a look again and just buy the parts to change over my roof rack.

Part of me wants to just keep driving the time bomb for fun to see how many more miles it will go before it dies again.

listen to some of the dave ramsey horror stories on youtube about car purchases. For those of us who have owned a beater car, it makes total sense. Absent a catastrophic failure, most complaints about "explosive" cars is about routine maintenance.

I know my wife would look at a coolant leak and (absent a cracked engine block), she would tell me the car is dead...when in fact it's a simple gasket replacement or water pump replacement. Maybe its just a old cracked hose. If your car is paid off and runs well, you will nearly lose money every single time if you sell it and purchase a more expensive model.

You CAN justify an expense though! If your income is substantial enough that you can easily afford it. DO IT!

But one good rule of thumb is, if there is no way in heck you would spend $37-45k in savings on a new truck...the vehicle is too expensive. A loan for a vehicle like that is like taking out a high interest rate mortgage.

 

[Dice144]

I listen to Davr Ramsey often. Part of the reason I have not pulled the trigger. Him and Stacy Johnson are the main reason I have already taken 5 years off mortgage.