It Was a Good Run, But I'm Done

brian42 · Feb 21, 2023

It's been a great run but my time as a truck guy has come to an end.

22 years with a bed has been great but between my health and operating costs (I spent $950+ on gas for my truck last month) it's just not a practicality any more.

I've only had the RAM for a tad under 4 years but it's been my second favorite vehicle I've ever owned (my 2003 Ford F-250 diesel was my favorite but I'm pretty sure nobody on this forum wants to hear about that).

There's a lot of things I'm going to miss about the truck, but not the fuel economy (14 mpg overall) or the items coming due (transmission fluid change, tires, spark plugs)...or RAM dealerships.

I've appreciated the help over the years and, hopefully, I've paid it forward a little during my time here.

Thanks for everyone and keep enjoying your trucks!

ric221 · Feb 21, 2023

I hope she treated you well over these past few years. Good luck with your new adventure. BTW what is your replacement for her?

SniperDroid · Feb 21, 2023

Sorry to hear it, but I'm sure you'll find a nice, little EV to suit your needs. Take care of your health, we only get one body, no warranty, spare parts a ***** to find...

brian42 · Feb 21, 2023

Slow down on the EV talk!

I may have stepped down from my truck by I'm internal combustion all the way.

I found a VW Passat that fits me nicely and it's all motor baby! Not even start/stop...just like my RAM was.

Jefferson Davis · Feb 21, 2023

"...found a VW Passat that fits me nicely..."

Ooohhhhhh.... that's too bad.

huntergreen · Feb 21, 2023

brian42 said:
Slow down on the EV talk!

I may have stepped down from my truck by I'm internal combustion all the way.

I found a VW Passat that fits me nicely and it's all motor baby! Not even start/stop...just like my RAM was.

Nice car. Hey, I had a hard time deciding between a 5.9 Cummins and the 7.3 diesel. Easy to see why you miss your ford.

brian42 · Feb 21, 2023

I wanted either the 7.3L or 5.9L back then but I couldn't stomach the truck that the 5.9L was in...so went with the 7.3L.

Burla · Feb 21, 2023

midlife crisis we all have them, mine was a jeep, lol. You'll be back.

stevenP · Feb 21, 2023

Holy cow, you must drive a lot. I think my annual fuel costs are what you spent just for last month! You have made the right choice by ditching the large trucks.

Travelin Ram · Feb 21, 2023

Hang around and chip in, even VW drivers and ex Ford lovers are entitled to an opinion. Hell, I’d probably put those two vehicles in my sig and keep right on discussing RAMs. Keep everyone wondering WTH???

Best wishes with the new ride and dealing with health challenges.

Stavinksi · Feb 22, 2023

Best of luck. A passat… I bet there are very few people cross shopping these two vehicles. The VW club is huge and does massive in person events. Have fun!

jejb · Feb 22, 2023

With the price of fuel in SoCal, I'm sure it adds up fast. We solved this issue by owning a Prius V (wagon) as our everyday car. Great little car. Hope you have great luck with the VW.

gofishn · Feb 22, 2023

brian42 said:
It's been a great run but my time as a truck guy has come to an end.

22 years with a bed has been great but between my health and operating costs (I spent $950+ on gas for my truck last month) it's just not a practicality any more.

I've only had the RAM for a tad under 4 years but it's been my second favorite vehicle I've ever owned (my 2003 Ford F-250 diesel was my favorite but I'm pretty sure nobody on this forum wants to hear about that).

There's a lot of things I'm going to miss about the truck, but not the fuel economy (14 mpg overall) or the items coming due (transmission fluid change, tires, spark plugs)...or RAM dealerships.

I've appreciated the help over the years and, hopefully, I've paid it forward a little during my time here.

Thanks for everyone and keep enjoying your trucks!

Wimpy ... Wambly ... Wombly

Drove 388 miles, Round Trip, to Work, in a 1999 V-10, for years.
The secret's never figure fuel economy, never look at the pump and just pay the Credit Card bill, as quickly as you can, without looking.

Just enjoy driving what you want.
.... and take solace in knowing that anyone who really ticks you off, will die, instantly, when you run over them and their VW Jetta.

Full Disclosure, only had to drive to work about 2 a week.
800 miles a week or so. Gas was alot higher then too.
Soon as I traded it in for my 2014, gas prices dropped and have never risen as high, again.

brian42 · Feb 22, 2023

Burla said:
midlife crisis we all have them, mine was a jeep, lol. You'll be back.

Exactly the opposite. My wife considers this one as an adult choice. I was eyeing a Jetta GLI but this was too good an opportunity to pass up.

My mid-life crisis was back in my early 30's when I had a blaze red Mazda MX-6 GT, which I promptly lowered an inch with a sport suspension.

Travelin Ram said:
Hang around and chip in, even VW drivers and ex Ford lovers are entitled to an opinion. Hell, I’d probably put those two vehicles in my sig and keep right on discussing RAMs. Keep everyone wondering WTH???

Best wishes with the new ride and dealing with health challenges.

Thanks. I've been out of the diesel game for 4 years now but still pitch in there too with things I remember.

stevenP said:
Holy cow, you must drive a lot. I think my annual fuel costs are what you spent just for last month! You have made the right choice by ditching the large trucks.

I drive around 23K miles a year.

I've only had one vehicle at a time so they have all been my daily driver. A 5.4L F-150 to a 7.3L F-250 (diesel) to the 5.7L RAM...now to a 1.8L Passat.

I already miss the roomy cabin, the dinner plate sized mirrors, and being able to see over all the traffic.

I won't miss dealing with RAM dealerships or stopping at the gas station twice a week (even with the 33-gallon tank).

It's loaded too so I went from my Big Horn interior to a Limited effectively. I also don't mind getting 28 mpg overall (compared to 14).

brian42 · Feb 22, 2023

gofishn said:
Wimpy ... Wambly ... Wombly

Drove 388 miles, Round Trip, to Work, in a 1999 V-10, for years.
The secret's never figure fuel economy, never look at the pump and just pay the Credit Card bill, as quickly as you can, without looking.

Just enjoy driving what you want.
.... and take solace in knowing that anyone who really ticks you off, will die, instantly, when you run over them and their VW Jetta.

Full Disclosure, only had to drive to work about 2 a week.
800 miles a week or so. Gas was alot higher then too.
Soon as I traded it in for my 2014, gas prices dropped and have never risen as high, again.

That's what I've done since 2008. 15 mpg with the HD diesel and 15 mpg with the RAM.

COVID forced some teleworking for the first 6 months which helped with the fuel bill. 14 years of just paying the bill was worth what I got from having a truck.

In the last year my parents' health has taken a turn and their mobility is limited now. I am an avid off-roader and in the almost 4 years of having this truck I've never had it off the pavement.

The practicality is no longer there for me and over the last year I have seen nothing but dollar signs every time I drive since I calculate fuel cost for each trip I took in it.

I only haul something every now and then so it's cheaper just to rent a pickup from U-Haul or Home Depot when I need one than to pay to have one year round.

Burla · Feb 22, 2023

brian42 said:
Exactly the opposite. My wife considers this one as an adult choice. I was eyeing a Jetta GLI but this was too good an opportunity to pass up.

My mid-life crisis was back in my early 30's when I had a blaze red Mazda MX-6 GT, which I promptly lowered an inch with a sport suspension.

Thanks. I've been out of the diesel game for 4 years now but still pitch in there too with things I remember.

I drive around 23K miles a year.

I've only had one vehicle at a time so they have all been my daily driver. A 5.4L F-150 to a 7.3L F-250 (diesel) to the 5.7L RAM...now to a 1.8L Passat.

I already miss the roomy cabin, the dinner plate sized mirrors, and being able to see over all the traffic.

I won't miss dealing with RAM dealerships or stopping at the gas station twice a week (even with the 33-gallon tank).

It's loaded too so I went from my Big Horn interior to a Limited effectively. I also don't mind getting 28 mpg overall (compared to 14).

you gonna let your wife pic the color too

Silver21Ram · Feb 22, 2023

brian42 said:
Exactly the opposite. My wife considers this one as an adult choice. I was eyeing a Jetta GLI but this was too good an opportunity to pass up.

My mid-life crisis was back in my early 30's when I had a blaze red Mazda MX-6 GT, which I promptly lowered an inch with a sport suspension.

Thanks. I've been out of the diesel game for 4 years now but still pitch in there too with things I remember.

I drive around 23K miles a year.

I've only had one vehicle at a time so they have all been my daily driver. A 5.4L F-150 to a 7.3L F-250 (diesel) to the 5.7L RAM...now to a 1.8L Passat.

I already miss the roomy cabin, the dinner plate sized mirrors, and being able to see over all the traffic.

I won't miss dealing with RAM dealerships or stopping at the gas station twice a week (even with the 33-gallon tank).

It's loaded too so I went from my Big Horn interior to a Limited effectively. I also don't mind getting 28 mpg overall (compared to 14).

At 23,000 miles per year, that's 1,916 miles a month driving. Somehow I'm not seeing $950.00 a month in fuel costs.

I need help with this calculation, please.
Just curious.

Burla · Feb 22, 2023

My calculation came up 860 on current gas pricing, so it's not that far off, especially if he is calculating peak gas crisis cost. My wife's car gets 29mpg's, so compared to my truck that is literally a car payment. Basically the OP will be driving a free jetta compared to that truck with those miles. so yeah, yada yada it is the grown decision. My ram gets 11 mpg's, but I hear rumors some guys are getting 20, even at 20mpg a new car will pay for itself. But you have to admit I killed it with the wife gonna pic the color comment?

new jetta up to 42 mpg. My wife recently got a "promotion" that makes her commute. The increase in pay literally only pays for the gas, doesnt she feel like the sucker? Gas prices are everything right now. This country is very close to losing the lifestyle we all think we are entitled too.

.

JHoward · Feb 22, 2023

Well, only you know what is best for you. I hope you'll check in from time to time and you could still discuss your past/post RAM experience(s).

Jerrybob · Feb 22, 2023

How do you get four elephants into a VW Passat?

Two in the front, two in the back.

Enjpy your ride!

It Was a Good Run, But I'm Done

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Military

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page