Might have to sell my baby...Should I?

[moolie]

selling baby

well is it a healthy white baby and what age and how's the overall condition

 

[Torque King Jay]

Pondering the thought still

Thanks for all the input guys. Looking at the situation it still makes sense for me to keep driving the beater back and forth to work. The beater is and automatic, total investment into it is $400. 00, it only costs me about $200. 00/year to insure it and it gets 27mpg.



These are what I call "senseless" miles and there's no reason to put those miles on the big Dodge and watch it's value plummet just to get to and from work and also parking it at the airport for days on end.



Archer2500 -> I've got every receipt for fuel since I bought the truck and I note the odometer reading, the trip meter reading for that tank and what the overhead said for my average MPG for that tank on each receipt. On the highway my best with summer fuel was in the high 18s on the highway. My worst tank driving strickly back roads and no highway was 16. 5. After the "white smoke" reflash it made just a little difference in MPG but it corrected the overhead reading and it's more accurate. Can't complain about effieiency at all.



Moolie -> It's and 04. 5 built in March of 04 and I took delivery in April of 04. She's in perfect condition. Not one scratch, not one ping or dent. It looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. It's never even seen a salty road. I even keep the used oil filters and mark when it was changed if there was ever a question about warranty. Yes I'm anal about how I analyze things, but I guess that's my machine tool back ground peeking out.



DWeiler -> Need to see some pictures of your rig sounds awesome



I've looked at the local population of trucks that are about the same as mine. You know 4x4 2500 or 3500 diesel Quad cab and about the same mileage and the lowest asking price I've seen is about $33,000-$34,000. I'm not trying to sell myself short but if I got $30,000 for it I'd be very happy.



I think I'm going to try and sell it. If it goes for a reasonable price then I'll let her go. If the market can't pull what I want then she's a keeper.



Jay R.

 

[MFalkinham]

These are what I call "senseless" miles and there's no reason to put those miles on the big Dodge and watch it's value plummet just to get to and from work and also parking it at the airport for days on end.



Jay R.

Sounds like your mind is made up, Jay. Everyone has to do what is best for their situation.



I do have to reply to your above comment though, as it is the exact scenario for which I use my truck for everyday. I don't consider commuting to work "senseless" miles. My truck gets me safely and reliably to my job every day, which pays our mortgage and provides for our family. My truck is just a tool, and I'm not afraid to use it as such.



I also park mine at the airport during business trips. If I were to miss a flight due to driving a beater car that is more likely break down, my company stands to lose thousands of dollars, and I could lose my job. It's just not worth taking the chance to me, but to each his own.



- Mike

 

[LightmanE300]

These are what I call "senseless" miles and there's no reason to put those miles on the big Dodge and watch it's value plummet just to get to and from work and also parking it at the airport for days on end.



Jay R.

While it's clearly your truck and decision, this above statement is where I see the biggest problem. You're so into your truck or the money it's worth, that you can't drive and enjoy it. You only live once buddy, are you going to be pleased when you're 90 on your deathbed that you saved a few pennies driving a POS to and from work everyday? I mostly drive my truck 22 miles every morning to work and back home at night. Even though I could drive a cheaper car with better mpg I don't, because I love every minute I spend in my truck. I'm amazed that still after 42k - I still get a little smile/bit of excitement every time I start it up and go for a drive. Don't let your truck go to waste because you are afraid of depreciation - live a little!

 

[TSpecht]

My biggest concern is what sort of safety features are offered in a $400 beater car that gets 27mpg? My suspicion is it stands about no chance of surviving an impact greater than you can cause with a large sledgehammer, much less an automobile accident. That is among my concerns with smaller vehicles (especially older small vehicles), which is why my CTD pickup is my daily driver as well as what I tow things with.

If this was a decision about not buying the truck in the first place, it might be logical not to get it. But since you've already bought it and taken the hit for the depreciation, you may as well stay on board and ride it for a few years. Get some use out of it. In my case I can't see selling it until the costs to keep it operational goes beyond what the truck is worth. The thing should last for years.

Whatever decision you ultimately make, best of luck with it...