I was going to delete this and move it to General but I don't see that option.. Didn't realize I was in the wrong section until it was too late.

What other vehicle would you get ?

2002-05 subaru wagons always had my attention. .. just big enough for the family yet still fun. And relatively cheap at the same time.

We have a very clean '02 P71, and I had an '01 P71 that I drove for a while.. but I think I would want something a little better on gas If I were to replace my dodge.

I have an '05 qc hemi 4x4 1500 SLT. Red, stock, with a full topper and step bars. just turned 101,000.


my truck and my wifes P71

 

If I replace mine, it will be with a newer version of the same thing. At one time I thought I'd trade my '03 on an '11 in '13. The '11s look like they're harder to work on, though. I may just keep mine a lot longer. It only has 112K.

 

uh-oh.. tirade time...

We're such suckers.. true story.. we spend, in most cases, enough money on our vehicles that they become our second biggest investment. (behind only home ownership).. then we see what's coming off the lines and we are bombarded by propaganda to the point WE GOTTA HAVE IT!!!

I'm no better.. but DANG..

People, at one time, were getting smart about this, and started stretching the service life out of their vehicles.. this was a small enough portion of owners, but there nonetheless.. so the makers (especially in the U.S.) started engineering cars/trucks (especially passenger and not utility) w/ parts that fail.. they are DESIGNED to fail.. to drive us to REPLACE them.. this, coupled with attempting to lock customers out of the PCM/ECU portions of maintenance, drives MOST folks to 'drive until broke' and simply replace it..

This is hogwash..

I'm fortunate enough to make enough money to drive what I want, and I'm fortunate to have grown up with a '72 Furd F100 that needed daily work if I planned on driving it the next day as a first vehicle.. I had NO money then... SO I learned to make do..

So, I came to an impasse last Summer.. $55k for the truck that I WANT.. HELLZ NO.. based on principle alone I refuse to pay anything more than $40K on a truck that suffers from 'planned obsolescence', and replace my 'been paid for five years' truck that is going to nickel and dime me to death.. AND- I won't drive (and pay) for something I don't want (but fits my opinion of $:value ratio)..

$15k later, my '02 is a new beast for all practical purpose.. I understand how it works, and I figure I'll at least get another 5+ years out of it.. and I LIKE driving it.. It IS what I want now, and it is (knocking on wood) SOLID as a rock.. It cost me $12k used several years ago.. I've sank $15k.. $27k total.. I own the title... I could maybe sell it for $10k, and buy 20% into 'what I would accept as a replacement'.. dang.. that is bad math.. so is dumping it and getting a gas miser.. I would have to drive in excess of 45k miles MORE a year to justify trading for economy..

anyway.. point being.. (and I'm not pointing fingers as much as suggesting a way of observing this subject)... if you sit down and carefully choose your vehicle based on your needs and uses, you should only have to buy a total of three vehicles your entire adult life.. If you ignore the propaganda, learn to service and repair them on your own, don't worry about the Jones's, and stay ahead on the preventive maintenance schedule, there is no reason two vehicles won't last you an entire lifetime.

Sometimes life changes.. Maybe you didn't plan on starting a family, or maybe your work caries you into the city, or out into the bush.. these are good reasons for swapping vehicles.. it makes practical and economic sense to do so then.. Maybe you're really into vehicles, but lack the mechanical aptitude to manage them technically- this would justify swapping them out.. BUT, maybe your a sheeple and gotta have the newest model because some new bell whistle or gadget appeals to you in a way the makers REALLY hope it will too..

I've thought long and hard on this subject, and i can't find any logic for trading vehicles or buying new just for the hell of it.. It makes no economic sense whatsoever..

but, this is only my opinion, and opinions vary as they say..

/end tirade..

btw- I'd buy a new Power Wagon if they offered one in Diesel in about three seconds flat..

 

I would love a power wagon. minus the gas prices. I make occasional trips to michigan from florida and I am looking at a california trip this fall as well...

Nobody touches my vehicles but the guy who balances tires at sears.. and that's only because I haven't got the room for a balancing machine in the garage with my project mustang taking up so much room. I do it all from paint and body to custom engine swaps myself. no fear or ineptitude there

 

Probably another Hemi Ram. I have to have a truck to tow my 20ft open trailer.

 

the new charger r/t would be at the top of the list but if i ran into some serious money id be looking at the new cadillac cts-v sedan

 

Since the truck is paid off, it wouldnt be traded in on anything and just moved into the garage so I could drop a 426 in her.

That being said the daily drivedr would then be either a newer 4th gen Crew cab OR a new durango R/T. Gotta be able to haul the kiddo around and two big labs plus have room for other things. Something my RCSB just doesnt have. Still do a decent exhaust, intake and tuner on it but that be it, nothing to major or loud.

 

Truck is not going anywhere anytime soon but when the time comes then SRT Magnum or GC would be my choices

 

Only had my truck for a year but would probably keep it once paid off. Bought it to tow car to track. My mustang is paid off and kept and slowly it will end up a full time track car.Also have a 84 vert that needs some work to put back on the road which I would use as the cruiser.

Only way I will ever pick up a newer vehicle will be to wait for 1 year old rides to show up in used car lots. I'm always amazed at how quick new vehicles come out and it's only a few months later to find them on a used lot for sale. Let some other sucker take the initial hit.

 

Lease returns are usually a safe bet. Low miles and usually well cared for.