Should I trade my 5.9L for a 6.7L?

[JSchutz]

I work six days a week and emergencies on Sunday (large animal veterinarian) so reliability is my #1 requirement in a vehicle.



My present truck is an ‘03 with 264,000 miles (yeah, 65k/year). The truck has been nearly perfect--only a few minor repairs (one wheel bearing, one u-joint, throttle position sensor). Computer reads 21. 8 mpg over last ~10 tanks. (my driving is mostly 45-60 mph on country roads leaving me locked up in OD at 1500-1800 rpm--seems to really maximize the fuel economy. If I reset and run on the interstate it drops a couple of mpg).



My dilemma: I can trade my present truck while it still has some value (dealer((Big O, Greenville SC)) is offering me $12k for the trade, ~$37k for a new 6. 7L similarly equipped=$25k total deal) or drive it a couple more years after which it will be over 400,000 miles and basically be worth scrap metal price. Driving it two more years will thus cost me $500 per month in depreciation, probably only slightly less than the depreciation of a new vehicle. The old one runs great, but for how long? Pretty soon things are going to have to start wearing out (I still have my original ball joints and lift pump!) I’d love to see how long this one would run but if it goes in the shop I’m stuck throwing some tools in a beater car and pretending to be a vet. On the other hand how reliable are the new trucks? Is it realistic to expect 200,000 trouble free miles from one of them? Perhaps I should trade every year or two but it takes nearly 75,000 miles for the fuel economy to max out and I hate to trade so soon after it gets good.



What do you think--stay the course or trade? Jeff

 

[16919]

If you need it to be reliable and you cant stand down time I would consider a trade... . can you trade for an 07. 5 5. 9 or can you only get the new 6,7.

 

[KEpperly]

i would look for a left over 07 5. 9. As of right now you know it will be reliable as the 6. 7 still have some bugs to work out. and your fuel economy will drop at leaset mine did.

 

[jelag]

I've got a first cousin who uses his 03 for a pilot car service..... he now has in excess of 425K and thinks he'll make it to 650 K before he trades... . he's got it set up the way he likes it and follows the manual... my 04 now has 240K a little less than you... . and we keep them to 500K... . I'd just take care of it and keep it... .

 

[JimB1]

How about keep the old one and get a new '07 5. 9? If you can afford the investment you'd have a backup and primary and be good for about 500,000 trouble free miles.

 

[DPKetchum]

07 5. 9 or wait one more model year for some of the bugs to get corrected.

 

[MRosinski]

I'd keep the 03' and run it till she dies. $12,000 for a 03' with 264K is not really a deal imo. 1993 w250's with the same mileage or more go for about 10K around here.

 

[TJMIV]

Asked & Answered

I was going to ask the same question that J Schutz asked . Looks like I might be better off keeping what I have for awhile. My truck only has 90,000 miles on it @ this time. I did drive an 08 6 speed auto & really liked everything about it , but you know how sometimes the blinders are on when you drive a new rig. Looks like I might have to hang on to my 6 speed manual for a while. How well have 4 speed auto's held up ? Thinking there might be some really good prices on 07's as a 2nd truck business. T. I. A.

 

[DPKetchum]

93W250s go for 10k(in GREAT shape) but 2nd generations sure do not with that mileage etc. . Lots of them advertised for $4500 to $7500. Once past 100k the value drops tremendously. Had two friends trade 03s two years ago both with 150k on them and both in really good condition. $15k trade in value and both were at the Wednesday night auto auction the next week. 12k dosen't sound to bad for a vets truck with 250plus on it. My vets trucks look pretty bad by then just in general.

 

[RVTRKN]

Go with the 3500 C&C, they are proving more reliable than the 350 HP version reg trucks. Mine has only 10K on it but, EB (TDR member) has lots of hard driving, towing and had only a throttle senser issue at 60K. I love my C&C, as you can see in the pic I make a living out of mine as well. The 6. 7 is slightly under powered compared to my 5. 9 but the bed weighs 2K W/O tools. The trade in price you were quoted sounds like a good price. The dealers are trying move trucks due to gas prices and you should take advantage of that, maybe next year prices may fall and the dealers will not be as easy to deal with.

 

[Grizzly]

Get the new truck. You can probably use the income tax write off anyway. 12K is not too bad for that many miles.

 

[p-Bar]

Or just keep the old truck for a "beater" around the rancho.

 

[SBeretz]

I say keep the truck, there is no reason it won't go another 250K. You sound like you take really good care of your truck, still alot of OEM parts that usually go bad on others truck. I say run it, if it is serviced by the book, most of the hard items, engine, axles, transmission should last a good bit longer. Scotty

 

[Seafood10]

I almost inked the deal on a 6. 7 but then decided to throw a few bucks at my rig and was well worth it, drives and performs way better than new.

 

[catoiler]

I am in the same boat as I want to trade my 05 in on a 08. Truck has 20,500 miles and I was offered 23,000 for it. Found a 07 3500 4x4 short bed Q/C loaded for 44,000 out the door, or a 07 5. 9 3500 4x4 long bed larmie everything except nav radio for 41,000. decisions decisions!!!

 

[16919]

I am in the same boat as I want to trade my 05 in on a 08. Truck has 20,500 miles and I was offered 23,00 for it. Found a 08 3500 4x4 short bed Q/C loaded for 44,000 out the door or a 07 5. 9 3500 4x4 long bed larime everything except nav radio for 41,000. decisions decisions!!!

Get that 5. 9 :-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[SBeretz]

Second that, get that 5. 9. . That is a pretty good deal. Scotty

 

[Sky]

Offer 39k for the 5. 9 and take it if not go with the 6. 7.

 

[catoiler]

Offer 39k for the 5. 9 and take it if not go with the 6. 7.

Yeh I tried that but they would not go! Sticker was 49 and change. Adam had a good deal for me but they upped the ante and threw in a rhino liner and another 500 on the trade. So I pick up the 6. 7 tomorow!! I have the BFG 37's waiting to go on!!Hope I don't regret the 6. 7!



PS... I was leaning towards the 5. 9 but the temptation to throw the all the goodies off the 05 into it was to strong! This one it staying stock!!! anybody want to buy some go fast goodies!

 

[Sky]

PS... This one it staying stock!!! anybody want to buy some go fast goodies!

lol yeah right once bombed its hard to back to stock. This 6. 7 has good power but not like my 01 did or your use to. I will not go all out but I will add a bit to it starting with the cold intake and I want to see how these new chips work out for a bit.