At what point......................

[Eric Wettschreck]

Do yous guys say, "I'm sick of working on this thing." and buy a different truck? I'm only asking cuz I'm kind of in this position now. I really really really really enjoy no payments, but I really really really don't enjoy constantly working on my 89 chev truck.

It's been a good rig for me and I'm not complaining, it doesn't owe me a penny. However, in the last year I've replaced a starter, power steering pump, u-joints, alternator, transmission (that was not fun on the garage floor), along with all the other preventative stuff like oil changes, greasing, blah blah blah.

Just kind of wondering when you guys decide to take the hit, whip out the checkbook, and go newer.

[Scott K]

Eric, that is only a answer you can answer for yourself. I have been without a car payment for several years as well, but I want to upgrade, but I dont, just because, I have different things I want to spend my money on. If you are going new? There are some great deals to be had, if you can still find last years models. If you are just upgrading your truck to a newer used truck. I would just patiently watch for a good deal to come around, then when you find it, dont hesitate, and just snap at it. Then you can always sell your truck to someone else, to recoup some of your upgrade costs. Good luck! Truck shopping can be fun, but it can get stressful as well. As long as your not in a hurry, and just pick the first one you think you like, you can have some fun with it. If you need to replace it asap, then it gets stressful trying to find a good deal on a reliable, truck you like.

[Eric Wettschreck]

A brand spankin new rig is out of the question. I absolutely can't belive the price tag on those puppies.

I've always been of the mindset to buy something and drive it until the doors fall off. Weld the doors back on and keep driving it until it literally falls off the frame. However, I must be getting old or something. Laying on a cold garage floor replacing a fuel tank (my job for today) just isn't as appealing as it used to be. I must be going soft in my old age. Plus, both my boys are now moved out. They USED to provide a lot of free labor.

I've been thinking of going between say 98-05. It's a big window but like you said, gives me room to look around.

[reinhard1]

i pretty much run my vehicles until they are on there last breath. just donated my Pontiac GTP from 1996. it had 269,000 miles on it. sad to see it go down the driveway. great car. now i have a 1987 Buick Reatta with 56,000 miles. guess they didn't make many of these cars. the price was right--FREE.

it was my late x-wife's husbands car. after he died it just sat in the garage at my daughters house for a couple of years. then when my X passed away my daughter said merry christmas and gave it to me. the thing is super clean inside and out. you open the hood and the engine is as clean as it came from the factory.

it even had the original tires. the front ones were wore down and i seen a crack in the threads. just had to buy 4 new tires for it. so hopefully this car will last awhile with care. only thing is, it's a two seater with a nice carpeted back. must of been a dating car for single people. good luck.

[CAMAN]

Eric,

My thoughts are if it is a reliable vehicle, costs less per month to keep running than an average monthly payment(not including normal wear and replacement like tires, brakes, and oils) , and you are still able or want to do most of the work yourself it is worth keeping. But if any of those things are missing its time to start looking for a replacement.

Another thing to note, the late 80's early 90's Chevys are still ones with a significant number of parts available and most repairs the normal home mechanic is still able to do themselves. Not so on many of the newer vehicles.

[eyehunter78]

I agree with CAMAN if the repairs are less per mounth than a truck payment than I would just keep on driven your old trusty truck. But altimately the decission is up to you. No truck/car payment is very nice!!

[Pooh]

start making vehicle payments to a savings account. Keep driving the old truck "till the doors fall off," fix it and drive it some more. By the time u cant drive it anymore the down payment on the new vehicle might pay for most of the vehicle.

[MJ1657]

start making vehicle payments to a savings account. Keep driving the old truck "till the doors fall off," fix it and drive it some more. By the time u cant drive it anymore the down payment on the new vehicle might pay for most of the vehicle.

That is excellent advice.

Alot of guys that drive 18 wheelers for a living do exactly what you are saying to do.

[SpecialK]

Eric I just went through this myself. I had a 2000 Town and Country that had 180000 miles on it and the repairs were starting to get to me. Also the normal cancer around the gas cap / left rear wheel and tailgate made me wonder if I was just throwing good money after bad.

I was looking around and found a '06 trailblazer with 32,000 miles and pulled the trigger. If I hadn't come across that I would still be driving the van. I don't like having payments again but I like the new rig enough that I don't cry when I writing the check every month.

I like the idea of adding up all the repair costs for the last year and if it's the same as a payment, buy a new one. Just make sure you get something that you love and it makes the payments a little easier to deal with.