As others have stated, whatever you have to do to keep food on the table is top priority. Should all of the expense of my truck fall on me, I would be doing the same thing. I commuted in a 2000 Sentra prior to my job demanding I have a truck able to haul and tow. If it ever becomes unnecessary and that funding goes away as we'll, my wife and I will swap vehicles.

 

Hey Tom,
Best of luck and I'm sure the truck will be missed, but you're on to bigger and better things. Loved seeing all of your feats of strength towing, most impressive!
Let me know if the next StableLoad owner needs help with fits or features. We have appreciated your help with product evaluation and we always are coming out with new products. So, send me a message when your onto the next big thing and we'll get you set.

Best regards-
Torklift Jen

 

Tom,

I neglected to mention that I'm in hopes that you'll stay here and visit with us regularly. You've been a very important member here and your contributions have been priceless. I'll wager that you've sold more ecoboost trucks than any 10 of us.

 

Oh I'm not going anywhere. Mike PM'd me earlier today about dates for the next OH meet. I plan on attending even if I'm not in a truck.

 

Thanks Jen!

 

Please Tom, don't say the "P" word....... Have you looked at the newer Volkswagon Jetta's? Not sure if you'd be interested in a diesel, but they get extremely good mileage, paid maint. (even on a certified used, I think) and best of all, it ain't a Prius......(you'd save money in the end from not having to pay a therapist due to driving a Prius!!LOL) Seriuosly though, I f i were to buy a small car, I'd look into something other than a Hybrid, I know they've come a long way with them and the Prius is the "Genesis" as far as the daily drivers, but there are alot of gas and diesel models that get near to or better fuel mileage with better performance. Best of luck to you.

 

The Jetta looks pretty nice. The Prius is hideous looking to me. Doesn't make it a bad car though.

 

Go for a Ford Five Hundred. Worked on one today and enjoyed it. VWs are a PITA with the tires not having anything for studs/lugs (just a bolt that goes through) and they have like a 16 point key for one. I cannot stand the look or feel of a P....its not worth its weight in scrap metal.

 

No, but speaking of the Prius..... that's one of them "COME ON MAN!" moments.

 

Yeah I know what you mean. I seriously thought about a Jetta TDI but quickly ruled it out. I'd really loves me another diesel-powered vehicle, but at best they're on par with the fuel economy of a hybrid. And they do that burning fuel that's around $1.00/gal more up here. On top of that, anything new enough to have a warranty will have a common-rail fuel system with the possibility of a $10,000 out of warranty failure if I get bad fuel. Naah, just doesn't fit the bill for me this time. I want something dirt cheap to operate and dead reliable. Meaning new enough to be under warranty.

I don't mind the looks of the Prius, but the C-max is the ugliest thing on four wheels IMHO. Which doesn't matter worth a hill of beans to me, I have a couple of calls out to local dealers on them. I spent a month driving one when my F150 was in the shop, and it's a much nicer car to drive than a Prius. Meaning a LOT more power, quieter, and almost as efficient. Fugly or not, it's a contender at this point.

I've never driven a Five Hundred, but I have driven a Taurus that they evolved into. Nice cars, but I want much better than 25 MPG as well as something I don't have to worry about breaking. That's what makes a certified used car so attractive to me, all the major manufacturers have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty on certified used cars. Of course that drives up the price a bit, but I think the peace of mind is worth it.

By the way my StableLoads have been claimed, they're being mailed out next week!

 

Ya, he should get a car that had to go to the shop for repairs. That makes sense.

 

One thing is for sure, whatever you decide on, you couldn't pick a better time, at least down south, they're really pushing last years models, certified used, etc.. You should get a good deal either way, and all jokes aside, the Ford's, Toyota's, Nissan's, etc.. are good vehicles. One thing about a C-max of Prius, you'll have more incentive to get back in a truck for sure!! Have you looked at the Mini Clubman or Countryman? We purchased a regular Cooper for my daughter in 2011, while that one would be too small, it is a very good vehicle, very reliable and hates gas! It's also a blast to drive, the Clubman and countryman are comporable to the C-Max and Prius as far as size. If you bring home a Prius though, and have any Ford trucks on your place, you may have to chain them to a tree, I pick one or two out of my grill occasionally!!

 

My wife's 2012 Focus SFE gets 38 MPG

 

That sword cuts both ways though. When good deals abound on used cars, trade in values are also low. Lynch Toyota offered me $29K for my truck, and interestingly enough that's $1,500 over KBB trade-in value. Of course I owe over $34,000 on it.

We have a couple of 2012 Focuses at work, and I think they're great. Of course one of them is currently in the shop for transmission work. That's what a warranty is for I guess.

 

I guess as with everything, it's either a "buyers or sellers market". Just hang in there, at least you have your priorities in order. IMO, a vehicle is way down the list of priorites.