|
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 433
 
Location: The Lone Star State | I have a 2003 Dodge 3/4 ton with only 104,000 miles and in good condition but i just had to put in the shop for a power steering pump issue/brake/rear hub seal leak/ and a few various other things. This truck stays hooked up to my trailer and only driven when I go to the barrel race. I am blessed to have a second runaround car for my business. My truck has the 5.9L engine which literally everyone says is the best Dodge made BUT it seems now every 4 or 5 months its been going in the shop for different things which were fairly minor. I took it to the Dodge house and they quoted me $4334 to fix everything and of course i flipped out then my boyfriend said he had a diesel mechanic and let him take it over there and he says he can fix everything for $1000. So here is my dilemma. Do I patch it and keep patching it due to the actual low miles and replace my car that has 160,000 miles or trade my car and my truck in and get a new truck(dodge) ugh I have prayed about this and believe that I will know beyond a shadow of doubt what to do when the time comes but I just wanted some opinions. I have never had high mileage vehicles but since my divorce and being on my own I like not having payments on either but i know i will soon be facing more and more repair money. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1392
Location: Central Texas | I'm in a similar situation. I have a 2001 F250 that has 150k. I just got it out of the shop again. For me, personally, I have decided to keep patching the truck up. I figured that what I spent on repairs still didn't even come close to what a truck payment would be EVERY month. I have a new car that I drive on a daily basis so the truck is only used for farm stuff or hauling horses. I'm hoping I can squeeze about 5 more years out of my truck. |
|
| |
|
  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | We usually buy used and keep em until they quit for good or trade in on a better used one. You lose so much money buying a new one off the lot.
And the thing about Dodges, is the newer ones have had a lot of engine issues. My husband's friend that has more money than brains has bought several these past years and they have major issues. We drive a 2000 Dodge, probably the same engine you have. It has 125,000 on it and has needed very few repairs. My husband's line of thinking is we can replace a lot of things, even the engine and still be money ahead vs buying a new one. We also just bought a 2003 (I think) suburban that has 147,000. We got a great deal on it and for what we paid vs the newer ones, we can replace the engine and tranny and still be saving money. It just depends on what you can deal with. Some will nickle and dime you to death and may be better off selling, but I am anti buying new.
So if I were you, I would probaby fix for $4k or $1K vs buying a $50,000 new one. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | I would keep the truck and fix it. In the long run it will be way less $$. |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| The engine will last forever.
You will never get a truck with better fuel mileage.
I would keep it and just pay the repair bills |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 25
| Unless you trade it in for a newer Dodge with the same engine (2006 is the last year they made the 5.9L engines I believe) I would stick with your current truck. You won't get better gas mileage or more power out of anything else!!! |
|
| |
|
 Semper Fi
Location: North Texas | New trucks give me literal STICKER SHOCK! And then factor the IMMEDIATE Depreciation.........Ain't NO Way NO How this Redheaded Fat Man is going to buy any more New Trucks! |
|
| |
|
 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Keep the truck. Put money aside as if you were making a truck payment. A new truck payment will run around $700 per month. If you put $350 into a savings and don't touch it you will have enough for any repairs. Be sure to check tire pressure weekly/daily. Check all fluids every weekend. Change oil when needed don't wait 3000 miles. Keep battery posts clean. When it needs a repair do it. If you wait for several repairs to add up it will become useless to you. |
|
| |
|
 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | I would keep it. I have a 05 Dodge with 167k miles and plan on driving it as long as possible. With as few miles as yours has, it should keep on ticking for a LONG time, especially if you don't drive it every day.
Like someone else suggested, set aside some money every month for future repairs, and keep up with all scheduled maintenance. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350
| LOL I am in same predicament....have a ford diesel with 200,000 miles on it....running great...kicking around trading it in or keep on driving it....we decided to just to keep driving it because we know what we have, have taken good care of it....we know they will give us next to nothing for trade-in and i dont want to take on a bunch of debt. SO, hubby said we need a new exhaust and a some new tires and keep my fingers crossed we're going to run it for another year or two! I think you would be further ahead to just make the repairs on your truck....best of luck!
|
|
| |
|
 Dog Resuce Agent
Posts: 3459
Location: southeast Texas | Price the insurance on a new/newer truck. Add that in top of notes,,,,  |
|
| |
|
 The Bird Lady
Posts: 6440
Location: The end of the Earth, SE AR | Ticktock, is your's a diesel and is it a standard? If so, what do you want for it? I'll take it off your hands! |
|
| |
|
Ms. Dr. Phil
Location: My happy place | If i were you I would keep it, because it has such low mileage. However we didn't because ours was a 2004 with 315,000 miles, and didn't have leather seats. After replacing a transmission and injectors over the years every spring it usually was a $$$$ fix, so we traded it off. My husband actually tried to find a 5.9 with leather seats and low miles, almost impossible and waste of gas. So we took the plunge and got a 2014 Ram Laramie 3500 4x4 with all sorts of fancy things we have yet to figure out. They have come along way in 10 years, just hope this one lasts as long as the last one.
So glad my husband sold his boat, he is now driving it. Sad fact is the cherry red crystal pearl would have matched it perfect. My trailer does not, but it looks just fine to me, and I like the ride.
They will give you sticker shock but they come off that sticker pretty good, way better than they did in 2004. It was also considered our 35th anniversary gift to each other. Just thought I would let you know the new anniversary guide is for 35 you get a truck.
Edited by Palopony 2014-02-11 3:09 PM
|
|
| |
|
Ms. Dr. Phil
Location: My happy place | roxieannie - 2014-02-11 4:01 PM Price the insurance on a new/newer truck. Add that in top of notes,,,,
ETA: I'm old and have a great driving record.
Edited by Palopony 2014-02-11 3:07 PM
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | We have a 99 F250 7.3L Dsl 200K miles, had it about 10 yrs, only major repair was a $2K PCM & a couple other things that went when that went!!! I work for a Dodge/Ford dealership & there's no way we are getting a new truck!! Hubby has upgraded the exhaust and is contemplating other "upgrades"!!!
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 433
Location: The Lone Star State | Wow great replies, thank you everyone I think I will keep it and replace my car.  |
|
| |
|
 Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | I agree...keep the truck you have...I have a 2006 Dodge diesel and I know I have the last good one out there as far as the engine and transmission, so I am choosing to keep it and do any maintinence as it comes up....It has 160k miles but it still feels and runs like a new one...I am kind of anal about fuel additives (I use Stanadyne) and oil and filters (Amsoil) and I change my air filter often.....
I can do a LOT of repairs and maintinence on this truck far cheaper than the payments on a new truck would be....plus, I haven't had a truck payment for a few years and I like that!... |
|
| |
|
Blessed 
Location: Here | Ticktock - 2014-02-11 1:38 PM I have a 2003 Dodge 3/4 ton with only 104,000 miles and in good condition but i just had to put in the shop for a power steering pump issue/brake/rear hub seal leak/ and a few various other things. This truck stays hooked up to my trailer and only driven when I go to the barrel race. I am blessed to have a second runaround car for my business. My truck has the 5.9L engine which literally everyone says is the best Dodge made BUT it seems now every 4 or 5 months its been going in the shop for different things which were fairly minor. I took it to the Dodge house and they quoted me $4334 to fix everything and of course i flipped out then my boyfriend said he had a diesel mechanic and let him take it over there and he says he can fix everything for $1000. So here is my dilemma. Do I patch it and keep patching it due to the actual low miles and replace my car that has 160,000 miles or trade my car and my truck in and get a new truck(dodge) ugh I have prayed about this and believe that I will know beyond a shadow of doubt what to do when the time comes but I just wanted some opinions. I have never had high mileage vehicles but since my divorce and being on my own I like not having payments on either but i know i will soon be facing more and more repair money.
KEEP IT |
|
| |
Folks on-line