Should I buy a new truck?

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goathunter
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Thu May 31, 2007 3:48 pm

All right here is the situation.Currently I have a '93 short bed silverado, good condition,5.7l V8,all the amenities. My dilema is whether or not I should trade it in for a Jeep Cherokee.Right now paying for the gas on my truck is emptying my wallet.But on the other hand I'll be leaving the country in a couple of months(6 month long trip).So, should I trade the car in now before gas goes up and no one wants a V8(it has already depreciated $1000 in less than 2 years) or wait until later and drive what I have.Any help would be appreciated.
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Pete Zaria
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Thu May 31, 2007 3:54 pm

I would never trade a Chevy for a Jeep. Jeeps are high-maintenance as hell. Well, all American cars are compared to Japanese engineering, but still.

If you don't need a truck for transporting stuff, I'd go ahead and sell it while you can still get a good value for it, and buy something (preferably Japanese) that gets good mileage. Something like that will hold its resale value well.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.
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fastcannonman
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Thu May 31, 2007 3:55 pm

where are you movieng to, i would trade the trck for the jeep, simpley for gas prices
goathunter
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Thu May 31, 2007 3:57 pm

Well I live on a pretty bad dirt road so a car is out of the question.And my dad has a f350 for hauling.I wanted something smaller but not Japanese small.I'm not sold on a jeep(open to any suggestions), I've just seen good things about them out here.

Edit:I'm moving to Kenya
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hi
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Thu May 31, 2007 3:59 pm

nothing runs like a John Deer.
"physics, gravity, and law enforcement are the only things that prevent me from operating at my full potential" - not sure, but i like the quote

you know you are not an engineer if you have to remind yourself "left loosy righty tighty"
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mark.f
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Thu May 31, 2007 4:05 pm

Eh?^

I've been looking at those Toyota Tacomas, but I have no clue as to what their gas mileage is.

If not, you could get something like my four-cylinder Ranger. I drive it around the deer lease where I live so it should hold up well where you do on this dirt road.
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jrrdw
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Thu May 31, 2007 4:20 pm

Any v6 is going to burn allmost as much gas as a v8 these days, it depends on how you drive. Drop down to a 4 cylinder for real savings on gas. As much as i hate to have to say this, Fords build the strongest 4 bangers these days, cough cough cough, i'm feeling ill!

Go ahead all naysayers, tell me how wrong i am.

I've only been a machanic for 26 years.
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WOW!!
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Thu May 31, 2007 4:21 pm

Get a Ford 250 80's V8 diesel. My friend has one and they run really stong and they ae good on diesel. That is what I would get.

And some things to save on gas is to make sure your tire pressure is right, because if it is low it will reduce your MPG.
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mark.f
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Thu May 31, 2007 4:56 pm

Air filter
Valves
Fuel injection system or cauberator
Tire pressure
!!TIRE SIZE!!!

There are many things you can tune-up to optimize your gas mileage.
jrrdw wrote: As much as i hate to have to say this, Fords build the strongest 4 bangers these days, cough cough cough, i'm feeling ill!

Go ahead all naysayers, tell me how wrong i am.

I've only been a machanic for 26 years.
Why would I tell you otherwise? I own a 4-cyl Ford. :P
cash68
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Thu May 31, 2007 5:35 pm

It's depreciating because it's American. If you want to save money, sell the truck, and buy a used honda, acura, toyota, lexus, or subaru. They have the highest resale values.

Personally, I'd just sell it and get a car, or station wagon, unless you honestly really really need a truck based vehicle.

Trucks have shit handling, shit braking, they aren't safe (deathrate per 10,000 vehicles is 3x higher than cars), have poor response, and are not very nice to drive in general, especially on rough surfaces. Get a car. They're faster, handle better, safer, more fun to drive, and they're just nicer in genral.
cash68
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Thu May 31, 2007 5:37 pm

goathunter wrote:Well I live on a pretty bad dirt road so a car is out of the question.And my dad has a f350 for hauling.I wanted something smaller but not Japanese small.I'm not sold on a jeep(open to any suggestions), I've just seen good things about them out here.

Edit:I'm moving to Kenya
Have you test driven a subaru legacy outback? They most likely have more ground clearance than your current truck, as trucks have rear differentials that hang down, whereas subies have independant suspension, and a TON of ground clearance. My friend who lives out in the country, in the woods, on a 2 mile long gravel/dirt/rock driveway has a 97 subaru legacy with almost 300k miles. Runs great, offroads great, gets about 25mpg, and he hauls stuff with it constantly thanks to the huge cavernous wagon interior. Sometimes he even hauls trees, with them sticking out the back.
cash68
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Thu May 31, 2007 5:39 pm

jrrdw wrote:Any v6 is going to burn allmost as much gas as a v8 these days, it depends on how you drive. Drop down to a 4 cylinder for real savings on gas. As much as i hate to have to say this, Fords build the strongest 4 bangers these days, cough cough cough, i'm feeling ill!

Go ahead all naysayers, tell me how wrong i am.

I've only been a machanic for 26 years.
My 89 accord has 252,000 miles on it and burns no oil, and has had zero problems, apart from a shoddy waterpump.

My buddies legacy has around 300k miles, and no issues there either.

I'd feel confident driving either car across country and back.

If you're talking about power, sorry, you're dead wrong.
Dodge SRT4: over 250hp.
Subaru WRX: 230hp
Subaru STi: 300hp
Mitsu Evo: 300hpish.
goathunter
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Thu May 31, 2007 6:29 pm

I like truck based vehicles, always have.For some reason I can't stand driving cars.Whenever I drive one I hate it.
Yes, I've seen the subarus around but really, I think they are ugly.I also take into consideration looks not just performance.
I also have a boat so I need something that can tow.Cars aren't the best for that.And I'm not a speed demon, so going fast means little.I like to mud if anything.
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fastcannonman
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Thu May 31, 2007 7:02 pm

wait what kind of jeep??
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fastcannonman
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Thu May 31, 2007 7:15 pm

o ok a cheekorke, but it depends what the land scape is where u live. if it sumwhat mountainess the get aa jeep. if its farm land stick with the truck
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