Sorry to clutter the board with another thread, but I'm getting close to decision time and I need to call upon the collective brain that is CC.net . . . Well, I have narrowed my choice down to two candidates: 1. A used 2001 Silverado 1500 HD. GM Certified, 19,000 miles on it. Green, quad-cab. GREAT shape, all the "bells and whistles". I've test-driven it and I *LOVE* it. I think I could get it down to drive-out at 21,000. I wouldn't consider it above 21,5. 2. The cheapest truck available. A new 2003 1500 Extended cab. 4.3L V6. Other than that, a box on wheels. Nothing power, nothing unnecessary. I think I could probably get this for about 14, maybe 14,500 drive-out. Here's the dilemma: When I decided to buy this vehicle, my goal was simple: A reliable, utilitarian vehicle that I could take on my big adventure across the country in one, maybe two years. That's why I decided to buy something in the first place. So I did my thinking and did all the research and I decided upon a Honda Element or 1500 Silverado. I test drove the vehicles, did some thinking and narrowed it down to the truck. Then came finding the one. I looked at everything, different engines, non-slip differential, different seats, rear-axle ratios, bucket seats, etc. I looked at everything and realized that for what I want, I'd be paying around 25K drive-out. I was over at a dealership showing my brother the truck I was considering, when we walked by the green truck I described above. It flat out kicked ass. I loved everything about it (well, almost). It entered the running. Then when I was eating lunch yesterday, I had a revelation. What did I consider buying a new vehicle for? Reliability, utility and for this potential trip. But the more and more money I spend, the further I get away from what the biggest thing was -- the trip. A 25K truck will push this trip back at least a year. But why? What do I need to buy a freaking 25K truck for? I don't need rear-slip differential. I will never tow anything, I don't need nice seats or a CD player. What I need is simple -- cheap. I feel like I've taken a tiny passing thought and gotten totally carried away and made it a leviathan. molehill meet Mountain . . . or vice versa. To turn this back into a molehill, I've decided to go totally bargain basement. Cheap as it can get. I don't care if it's made of paper-mache, all I know is I want it cheap . . . So I am struck with a conundrum. I *LOVE* that 1500 HD. But, there are things against it. First is the cost -- costs more. Will that make me have to put off my dream trip even longer? Second, it's used -- will it last as long? After that, I have gas mileage. Every 30,000 miles, I spend an extra $800 or so on gas. Not to mention the fact that I like to try to be somewhat environmentally friendly, and a 6 Liter V8 is the opposite of that. BUT, I loved it. It's got so many possibilities. I loved driving it, it's so durable (it would seem), so utilitarian. I don't think I ever need to tow anything, but I have so much power. All in all, I really liked it. It just looks like the kind of car I'd be in . . . But, again I come to cost. I think I can do the trip next summer if I cut back on cost. Bare-bone. What do I need all that vehicle for? Why should I waste all that polluting gas? All I need to carry regularly is my bike. Ocassionally I'll carry more, but not often. I'd save money on gas, potential maintenance, everything. But it wasn't as fun as the green one. It was awesome. Looked great, drove great. Probabably great resale value. But what if I have to put off my trip for one more year because I had to go out and blow more than half a year's salary on a truck. Add the gas and the environmental consideration and it's a wonder why this is even a discussion. Please give me some guidance bbs. You're my only hope . . .
Hate to say it Ven, but you've gotta be on your own. The decision is a simple one. Vanity. Is it worth the costs for perks/happiness?? Depends on what makes you happy. I'd go with used, personally. And if the cost is what worries you, I'm sure you can find a 2001 1500 for 14,000.
Vengeance, Honestly, the 1st option seems like a rip off. A few months ago, I bought a brand new 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab HD with no miles on it (V8 with power, fully loaded) and only paid $20,995 before TTL. What part of the country are you in? Trucks are a rough ride. If you are going to buy one, I would recommend getting one with alot of comfort features (power, etc.).
Here in Houston. I got fleet pricing though, as well as a $2,000 rebate. That is probably the difference. Do you belong to a credit union? If so, you can probably get fleet pricing too.
You have probably already done this, but I would compare what you found with what can be found at: Autotrader Carmax
I'll leave the cost stuff up to you....only you know what you can truly afford. However, if I was going to be trekking across the country, I'd want all the bells and whistles I could get. Reliability and safety are the only things that would come before bell and whistles for me. You think you won't want a CD player? Just wait until you hit that first open span of road where you see a whole lot of nothing for many, many hours. Trust me, you'll want that CD player. And never underestimate the value of good, power seats with power lumbar. Without lumbar, my back wouldn't make it much farther than Dallas. And finally, can I go with you?
I can get fleet pricing too, but I haven't seen that sort of thing even come close to being under 23K. There's even a 3 grand rebate on it right now. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place? Do you like your 1500 HD? Lynus -- I definitely agree about the bells/whistles. Reliability and Safety are about equal, with the 1500HD probably getting the nod on safety by quite a bit. That thing is a BEAST of a car. As far as CD player, I was probably going to put in my own sound system anyways, and perhaps even a GPS system like on this page: http://home.earthlink.net/~magbanua/carputer/
Very cool. Now tell me I can go with you! I'm kinda-sorta half-joking. Only met you once, after all. Man, I love road trips though, and your's sounds like the ultimate in road trips. The road trip to end all road trips. The MOART: Mother of all Road Trips. Just refer to it as MOzART from here on out.
