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Truck market, New vs. Used

Derek69SS

Derek69SS

Veteran Member
I've run my current truck a few years past its prime. 2011 Silverado 1500 with 6.2L and Max Towing Package. It's the smallest truck that will do what I need, and did everything very well andhas been remarkably reliable. It now has 195k miles, and after 12 Minnesota winters, the boxed frame has rusted from the inside-out to the point I'm no longer comfortable pulling my Chevelle across the country with it.

Doing a frame swap on a rusty high-mile truck doesn't appeal me, so the search is on. I wanted to replace this truck a few years ago, but the market went crazy and I decided to wait... and waited too long. It was worth something to trade 3 years ago with less visible rust and fewer miles. Now it's a winter-beater until it breaks in half, then it'll be a parts-donor with an aluminum 6.2L LS.

I want to upgrade to an HD with the 6.6L gas. Not interested in a diesel. Used market is still nuts, and I am considering buying new. 2024 Silverado HDs all have the 10spd Allison which is a nice upgrade from the 6spd in the 2020-2023 HDs.

In MN, 1-tons have a flat fee for plates of $120/yr. Everything lighter is based on value, and would be nearly $1000/year, so this dictates an upgrade from 2500 to 3500 HD Silverado.

First big debate is if I want a "cheap" WT, or to option up an LT with remote start and heated seats. $57k for the WT, or $62k for the LT.

Second big debate is color. Leaning towards Gray if I get the WT (looks best with the black bumpers and grille) or Red if I get the LT with chrome bumpers and grille.

Ooooorrrrr... crazy thought. For no cost option, I can get one special ordered in Tangier Orange (road construction orange). I love orange, but resale would probably take a hit. Also, some of the body color trim comes black on the fleet color orders, so Id have to disassemble and paint a few pieces to make it look decent.

Biggest consideration is cost. I am having a real hard time justifying spending this much on a truck, especially in such an uncertain economy. I'd need to finance about half of it.

Jenna says "go for it" and that she can even pick up extra shifts to help cover the payments. I'm more reluctant to make big purchases... she had to talk me into taking the plunge when I bought the last truck.

In the 3 years I've been putting off this decision, the cost of the trucks have gone up about 10%...

Maybe I've been listening to Dave Ramsey too much.
 
Firstly, I understand your pain. I have a wickedly hard time justifying spending that kind of money for value to drop off rather quickly, but given the climate you're in, I don't think you have a choice but to buy new.

IMO, I'd go for the loaded truck. Been down this road before, and after you've had it awhile, you'll kick youself in the ass for not getting a more optioned truck. Since you'll likely spend a fair amount of time in it, get it the way you want it.

I used to trade my vehicles every 1 to 2 years, but as the cost went through the roof, I couldn't justify spending that kind of money for something that loses value so quickly. On the other hand when it's a work truck and used for work, I went all out and custom ordered mine.

Can't tell you what to do, just offering my view is all.
 
BTW, my DD is a 2000 ford ranger and I'll likely have it until I die, but I am going to build a Ford F350 OBS dually with the old 7.3 IDI for hauling, and once I'm done with getting all the house projects done, Lisa will be getting a late 60's early 70's vehicle (still bouncing between car or truck as she hasn't decided), but the 2017 Escape SE ecoboost will be gone when I get and fix up her new one.
 
kmakar said:
but given the climate you're in, I don't think you have a choice but to buy new.
Click to expand...

Yeah, to buy a 5yo truck here means you get about 2 years before the first rust bubble shows.

To pay ~10k more to get a new one with 5 less winters on it is a pretty logical decision to make. The next one will get a good application of Fluid Film every fall. Also, I will probably keep my current truck as a winter-beater for the first few winters. Should be able to make the new one last a long time.
 
Derek69SS said:
Yeah, to buy a 5yo truck here means you get about 2 years before the first rust bubble shows.

To pay ~10k more to get a new one with 5 less winters on it is a pretty logical decision to make. The next one will get a good application of Fluid Film every fall. Also, I will probably keep my current truck as a winter-beater for the first few winters. Should be able to make the new one last a long time.
Click to expand...

When we lived in CT 25+ years ago, I sprayed used motor oil inside the doors (windows up of course) and behind every panel I could get to, then under the entire truck.

Guys who changed the oil (my work truck) would get pissed after it was sprayed because the oil was on everything. The dealer tried to tell me I had a bad oil leak and it needed to be in the shop to fix it. They couldn't believe I purposely sprayed oil under the truck, but 5 years later there was such minimal rust they couldn't believe it, and my wife's 4 year old Cavalier was a rust bomb with bubbling paint everywhere, but then again, that car was a pile of shit to begin with.
 
Like said look out West for a 1-2 yr old truck, just my opinion and what I’d do if I were looking for another truck, my 1 owner 09 Ram 1500 6 banger ever dies it’s getting a custom built Hemi from the engine builder I know lol, I bought a stripped down truck new but looking back wish I’d got a Hemi and a few creature comforts and 4 doors
 
Problem is, 3yo used ones around here are still 50k+

I have GM Mastercard with enough points on it to get $6k off any new GM vehicle, so the difference drops to under 5k between new and 3yo used with 40k miles.

Used market is crazy.

I'd rather spend 60k on a pole shed or a C8 Corvette than a truck though... 🙄
 
Derek69SS said:
Problem is, 3yo used ones around here are still 50k+

I have GM Mastercard with enough points on it to get $6k off any new GM vehicle, so the difference drops to under 5k between new and 3yo used with 40k miles.

Used market is crazy.

I'd rather spend 60k on a pole shed or a C8 Corvette than a truck though... 🙄
Click to expand...
There isn't that much out there either just did a Auto Trader search found a 22 in North Branch for 50K
 
Red LT or Gray WT... $5k difference in price.

Only differences that matter to me are that the LT has an optional "auto" mode in the transfer case, which if it works as well as the one in my 2011 is a VERY nice feature for winter driving, and the heated seats, heated steering wheel, and remote start.

The WT having a smaller touch screen in the dash is of no concern to me. With the "convenience package" it would get most of the other LT standard features.

LT red.jpeg

wt gray.jpeg
 
I agonized the same way before I ordered my '24 Muatang GT. I just hate a car payment with a passion, but can't pay cash for a new one. In my case, it was moore of a wan than a need like your truck. Buy the one you want, you're going to have it a long time so yuo want to be happy with it.
 
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