Need some advice.

Spurshot · December 29, 2014

So, for some of you that know my truck has been inactive for the last couple of months with a major engine problem. After all the procrastinating and saving up some money. I'm finally getting my truck worked on and getting a new engine. I'm just sticking with the 5.3, always said I'd get a 6.0. But, I'm not going too. Don't wanna mess with it and have to get a retune and everything. So, I'm getting a newer engine, with a 3 year, 100K mile warranty. So, if it messes up, its warrantied.

Looking into the future, I'm thinking about once I get it back and everything. I have thought about selling it, not gonna trade it in, but sell it privately so, I can get more out of it. Its in excellent shape being an '07 model. Even thought its paid off, I really don't want another truck payment, but the miles are racking up. Currently have 172K miles on it, next thing that will go out will be the transmission. I just have a feeling it will, since the one I have doesn't last too long. Especially, with my setup. I don't see it lasting too much longer. Then that be couple thousand more. That would just be horrible

Sure its cheaper then having another truck payment and such. Only reason I thought about selling it is, to get out of some debt. I just have one credit card and a personal loan that i just wanna get em paid off and make a good size dent in my fourwheeler payments. Just little things like that, I wanna make my credit good again. With my miles racking up, longer I wait. Less I'll get out of it, ya know?

Today, I test drove a 2015 GMC Sierra Denali, black of course. Man that thing is super nice! I like the Sierra's better in the 1500's, but the HD's I like the Silverao's better. I always said, my truck will be a Duramax. But in reality, I just don't need one and the up keep it just a lot more. But, if I do stick with a 1500, I'm gonna get a 6.2L. That's fully loaded, Crew Cab and everything. Just get the SLT, since it be cheaper then the Denali. Pretty much getting the same stuff. Anyways, my plan is to get a new truck by next Summer. It'd be a Sierra 14 or 15 model, won't be brand new, but with low miles on it. I really like almost everything about the new trucks, only thing I didn't like is the backup camera, doesn't seem too clear. It seemed like it had some lag on the screen as in turning the station or adjusting the volume. Things I can get use too, I guess.

With all the being said, what do you guys think about what all I said? I was looking for some advice and such,

I know some of yall would say keep my truck and just ride it till the wheels fall off. But, I know some other big things will go out soon and having that money if I sold it, would help me out a lot on some stuff. Thanks guys.

You want a new truck and you're willing to go further in debt to do it. And that's fine, if you keep your debt to income at a reasonable level.

kstruckcountry · December 29, 2014

I knew someone would mention something about that. Oh well, I don't have to worry about the tv no more bc of my crazy ass ex. We dated over a year and a half. Decided to get an apartment in July, well we broke up last month and you don't know someone till you move in with someone. Absolutely too crazy for me. Long story short, I moved back in with Dad last month. Thats why we didn't get that tv, damnit. But I did get a new laptop yesterday!

Thats why I was thinking about getting a new truck. How much would my truck sell for without the engine running right now?

Depends on how bad the dealer wants to get you into a new one. Not much though, they'd just send it to auction.

BTW sorry about the ex, but believe it or not there really are other fish... Very attractive ones, some of which are SANE. Or so I'm told.

KMGZ400 · December 29, 2014

I would without a doubt put a new motor in it.. You'd be lucky to get a couple thousand out of it with no motor

blackout07 · December 29, 2014

I would without a doubt put a new motor in it.. You'd be lucky to get a couple thousand out of it with no motor

Agreed.

Colossus · December 29, 2014

The upkeep on the Diesels really isn't all that much as compared to a regular gasser so long as you don't abuse em. That being said, take into account the increase in taxes, registration, and insurance for getting a new vehicle. They screw you over more than ever now a days when you purchase a brand new vehicle. If you went with a diesel you'll also be paying more because of the weight of the vehicle when it comes to taxes and registration. So with that being said, I have to agree with the others here, keep what you have, be gentle on the transmission, and I betcha you can get well over 200,000 miles on that tranny unless it is already starting to show signs of failing. If the body is in good shape and you still like your truck, I think you will be happy that you kept her. Get out of debt, save up some $$$ if you have gas cards & credit cards, use those to help build your credit. Be patient. Don't let the "new" bug get to you. We've all had to fight it, some of us like myself gave in and wish we would have been more patient.

As for the TV... not to worry. Who needs one anyway. All the shows now a days are junk, pro sports is overrated save for maybe baseball and hockey, and it's all about netflix on the computer and spending time working on the truck and enjoying the great outdoors. Sitting around watching TV every evening gets boring after awhile and there are better things to do with your life. Go be happy and treat yourself well, that'll attract good women into your life.

STINSAN3 · December 30, 2014

The upkeep on the Diesels really isn't all that much as compared to a regular gasser so long as you don't abuse em. That being said, take into account the increase in taxes, registration, and insurance for getting a new vehicle. They screw you over more than ever now a days when you purchase a brand new vehicle. If you went with a diesel you'll also be paying more because of the weight of the vehicle when it comes to taxes and registration. So with that being said, I have to agree with the others here, keep what you have, be gentle on the transmission, and I betcha you can get well over 200,000 miles on that tranny unless it is already starting to show signs of failing. If the body is in good shape and you still like your truck, I think you will be happy that you kept her. Get out of debt, save up some $$$ if you have gas cards & credit cards, use those to help build your credit. Be patient. Don't let the "new" bug get to you. We've all had to fight it, some of us like myself gave in and wish we would have been more patient.

As for the TV... not to worry. Who needs one anyway. All the shows now a days are junk, pro sports is overrated save for maybe baseball and hockey, and it's all about netflix on the computer and spending time working on the truck and enjoying the great outdoors. Sitting around watching TV every evening gets boring after awhile and there are better things to do with your life. Go be happy and treat yourself well, that'll attract good women into your life.

Thanks that helps out a lot. I appreciate it. I guess I'm gonna try to hold out longer then, over the Summer the transmission was slipping a little only in first gear, so thats why I said my transmission is going out next. Hopefully it won't thought! Just sucks not driving a truck, atm.

Yeah on my days off, I go to the gym in the morning. I just use the tv to watch sports and or play on my Xbox One when I have nothing else to do.

sahls01gmc · December 30, 2014

Your truck is right in the middle of wanting to keep it, or get rid of it. I would agree with the others and say hang on to yours for a lil while longer. New trucks are nice, but no truck payments are even nicer! As long as the costs you're putting into the truck don't cost more than the monthly payment, you're money ahead to keep your truck around!

20SierraL8T24 · January 3, 2015

Do what makes you happy. You clearly want a newer truck, and if you can afford it right now, why not? Go for it

STINSAN3 · January 6, 2015

It really hit me today, what I'm gonna do is just keep it for another year or two. I really don't want another truck payment as of now. Just gonna get everything straightened out. My plans are to Line-X the bed and my N-Fabs, last winter was very rough, even though I waxed them. Plus, maybe leather seats. Also, I got a Polk Audio component system sitting in the garage for the door speakers and tweeters, I need to get installed.

What else should I do to my truck for now?

KMGZ400 · January 6, 2015

Find a junkyard suburban or Tahoe or LTZ truck and swap seats and console

STINSAN3 · January 7, 2015

Find a junkyard suburban or Tahoe or LTZ truck and swap seats and console

I got the LT2 console.

blackout07 · January 7, 2015

It really hit me today, what I'm gonna do is just keep it for another year or two. I really don't want another truck payment as of now. Just gonna get everything straightened out. My plans are to Line-X the bed and my N-Fabs, last winter was very rough, even though I waxed them. Plus, maybe leather seats. Also, I got a Polk Audio component system sitting in the garage for the door speakers and tweeters, I need to get installed.

What else should I do to my truck for now?

Sounds like a good way to love the truck again. New wheels? Some Katzkins are on my short list.

LaserBlueZ71 · January 7, 2015

I see no reason to sell the truck or get a new one.

You cannot say you want to get rid of debt, and you want a new truck in the same sentence. It's one or the other. You said you can't afford to fix the transmission, yet you said you have 7K to put down on a new truck. You could rebuild your tranny and still have 3K left in the bank, and still no truck payments!

What I have learned is the car companies are making insanely large amounts of profit on brand new vehicles. Your paying a premium for it, just because it's new. The sweet spot to buy a vehicle, is when it is between 1-2 years old. At this point, it is still practically brand new, with very low miles, yet you will pay 40% less for it, than the same vehicle brand new with no miles. Your still going to have some warranty, and you can feel good knowing you didn't pay an extra $20,000 JUST to say it's 1 year newer.

You have put a fair bit of extras onto your 2007. Most notably, your 6 inch BDS kit with the new wheels and 35'' tires. That alone costs 5K plus to do. Why would you want to dump the truck now, after spending thousands upon thousands on mods? You know what will happen with the next truck? You will want to do the same thing! Give it a few years and that 2015 will be no more exciting to you than a Honda Civic. That love for the new vehicle, new body style, wears off. Trouble is, it wears off long before you have paid the thing off, and since you bought it brand new, your ass backwards on the dollars.

Keep your 07, fix it. Whatever breaks, fix it better. Rebuild your transmission and upgrade it at the same time. I have found it is easier to put a few more mods on the truck, fall in love with it all over again, than to trade and get an entirely different vehicle. Down size your tires to 33's to make life easier for your tranny, or re-gear. The NNBS trucks still look good with a 6 inch lift on 33's.

If you really want to be practical, fix the truck, and keep it as a weekend show off toy. Get yourself a crossover like a GMC Terrain to do your daily driving. This way you don't rack up a lot of miles on your truck, you still get to keep it, and you save money on fuel with a more practical daily driver.

I think buying a brand new vehicle is one of the worst financial moves possible in today's world. All the financial experts say you need to keep a vehicle 15 years to make it worthwhile. I would have to agree. The only time it becomes practical to replace a vehicle, is when repairs are equaling the payment of a newer one, month after month consistently. Buying a newer vehicle eventually is fine, but buy newER, not new.

Your thinking of debt the wrong way. Think of debt in terms of years of work, not dollars and cents. When you sign on the line for 5 years, that means you now have to work, no matter what, for 5 years. Possibly at a job you hate. Having payments can prevent you from moving onto better things in life, simply because you cannot afford to risk moving to an unknown income source. I recently started having some health issues. This is the 3rd week I have been off work now, and it will take me months to catch up from the lost income. Why? Because I bought my 2011 brand new, and I still have payments. I have no choice but to pay my next truck payment with money from a line of credit. If I didn't have a truck payment, I wouldn't have that worry.

When I was younger, I thought of debt as no big deal. Now I realize, debt is everything. It can completely dictate what kind of life you have. When you owe people money, it plain sucks! Stop taking good money and throwing it at bad things like vehicles. Start investing your spare dough. You won't like it now, but if you use your money that way instead, when your retired, you can afford a nice vehicle in your older years!

STINSAN3 · January 7, 2015

Sounds like a good way to love the truck again. New wheels? Some Katzkins are on my short list.

I've thought about that the Katzkins they are pricey though.

Just sucks that my interior isn't all black. Its black and grey.

New wheels maybe Fuel orrrrrrr??

KMGZ400 · January 7, 2015

I've thought about that the Katzkins they are pricey though.

Just sucks that my interior isn't all black. Its black and grey.

New wheels maybe Fuel orrrrrrr??

I personally think some 20x12's or 22x12's would really look good..I like stance