Looking to get rid of the '03 before she hits 100K (83K right now) and I found a couple Dodges (hold on the flames for a minute) that I like. Now take into consideration that I dont pull real heavy with my '03 due to the '07 I have. The following trucks I found are-

'04 Dodge 3/4 ton 4 door hemi auto, 30000 miles

'01 Dodge 3/4 ton quad cab V10 auto, 36000 miles

Both outfits are tricked out pretty fierce (I have never seen an interior as immaculate as the '01's). I didnt get a chance to test drive the hemi but I have driven enough of them I think I know what I can get out of it. The '01 on the other hand I did drive. Rides high (I like) REALLY smooth ride (I like) and accelerated better than what I feel my '03 Ford V10 will. However, I havent hooked a trailer on a Dodge V10 before so I dont know what to expect there. So what would you all go with if you were in my shoes?- The HEMI, The Dodge V10 or keep my Ford V10 until the wheels fall off?

Thanks for any suggestions guys.

 

No matter what you drive, I think the best thing is almost always to keep a vehicle that you know and to run it til it quits.

 

I think taking on that much DEBT just to not drive a truck with 100k is dumb.

While 100k used to be a big deal for trucks now days it's NOTHING. Modern trucks aren't worn out until 200K+

Of course I do listen to Dave Ramsey a good deal and that could be part of my problem.

 

Well I do this fairly often, so I dont see it as taking on a lot of debt but more so saving money due to how much they nail you to the floor on trade in with a 100K+ vehicle. I could lose 5-6K on trade in if I drive it for another year.

 

Drive it another year? I would drive it for another DECADE.

Or you could lose NOTHING if you keep driving it vs taking on another 14 or 15K worth of debt. Honestly I've NEVER heard anyone conscrue things around enough to say that buying a new truck is "saving money"

If you continue to trade in all you're really doing is renting your trucks anyhow. (In which case a flease may be for you)

 

The resale on your V10 now won't be great... I would keep it.

 

Well considering I put 40K miles on her this year yah I will be losing a lot of trade in and from what I can tell in the next year or so it will only be worse. Ford F-Series trucks are going to be a dime a dozen used as everybody who had the 6.0's will be trading up within the next year or two around here (keep in mind I live in rural SoDak).

I couldnt find a SINGLE Dmax on the lots yesterday that was used but I bet I saw 50 F-series 6.0's(I tried the 5 biggest lots in town). Now if this gets worse and I trade in my F series in the next year or two plus the extra 40-50K miles on it then I will be losing my **** on trade in which is crucial to how I operate on the car lots.

And yes I pretty much do just rent trucks for a year or two at a whack, I've only paid off a couple old half tons in my day ('94 and my '84) all the rest I just get rid of before they shell, but I am in the financial state to trade this one in early (before 100K) so I will "save" quite a bit "on paper" doing so.

As far as leases go I am not interested, I like to beable to alter my trucks how I see fit (exhaust, tires, trailer ball, spray in bed liner, and all that other stuff that makes them pretty).

 

I would stay away from Dodges in the years you stated. The front suspensions,and transmissions are notoriously prone to failure. Do a little research.

Seeing as You allready have the 07 F350, You might be better searved buying a NEW 08 F150 in the late 2nd qtr, early 3rd. When Ford gets ready to launch the 09 F150. There are going to be some great bargains on the remaining 08 inventory

 

I'm with Fred on this one. Keep your V10. The Dodge V10 is a great puller, it would put you in the same boat your in with what you have now. ( V10 ) Except you know what your Ford has been thru, the Dodge could have been rode hard for all you know.

The hemi is underpowered in the 3/4 tons, IMHO. Leave the V10's and diesels for the 3/4 tons.

 

What would you be gaining other than lower miles? You've used up about 1/3 of the life of the Ford. If it were me, I would use it up before I got rid of it.

 

I don't quite understand the 100,000 mile trade in mindset myself. 4 of the 6 vehicles in my driveway have over 200,000 miles, 1 rebuilt tranny out of the bunch otherwise no major failures. Vehicles will last a LONG time if they're cared for.

I would be very cautious of a auto trans in any older Dodge, they have a very bad reputation when it comes to dependability.

You're not going to gain a thing by trading in, Dodge killed their v10 because it was a pig, and if I understand right the hemi is about to hit the chopping block for the same reason.

 

Wasnt the 47RE the bad tranny for dodge that they got rid of in '99? I dont know where I heard that but I did, is there any truth to it?

As far as what the Dodge V10 has been through I know the guy who had it before me, (this is going to sound cliche) but he is like 65 years old and only drove it to pull his small camper in the summer time, hence the 36K miles in 7 years.

I am kinda thinking the HEMI is underpowered myself, but from what I saw when I drove the Dodge V10 it felt anything but underpowered, gas mileage isnt as issue for me either.

I cant buy a 1/2 ton because I do need to pull a fairly heavy load a lot in the spring as my 1 ton and 3/4 ton are both in use at the same time.

I am starting to think maybe I should just hang on to my V10 and drive the hell out of my '84 when I dont need to pull a load and try and trade it in again in a couple months, maybe I'll get a better deal, but DAMN that Dodge V10 is a PRETTY truck.

 

You can't find a duramax anywhere or an early 8.1 without a zillion miles?

 

No I couldnt find a D-Max (i dont want one anyway) and I dont know how many 8.1's there were around, I didnt notice any if there were. Where I live is BIG deisel country, I am one of the FEW that has a gas in anything other than a 1/2 ton or a car.

 

Friends dont let friends drive Dodges or Chevies. Man forget the Dodge youll regret it. If Ford has been good to you stick with Ford. Get a newer Ford V-10 if thats the way you want to go. It will blow the doors off any Dodge around. Ford or nothin is my motto man.