It Was a Good Run, But I'm Done

brian42 · Feb 22, 2023

Silver21Ram said:
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.

"Around" 23K miles a year. Not every month is the same miles and gas prices aren't always the same.

I had the truck 1 month short of 4 years and sold it with just over 83K miles on odometer so a little over 20K per year and looking at my maintenance log I drove 24K miles over the last 12 months.

With the increase in support for my parents and doctor's appointments I don't see my mileage going down any time soon.

I've had some months as high as $1200 for the fuel bill. I don't track my fuel spending and my wife just let's me know when it's pushing $1000.

My truck tells me that I'm getting in the high 13's but I haven't hand-calculated in some time...and always 91 octane.

I'm not sure how the math balances out but the debit charges don't lie. How the left side of the equation works I never really cared about since I bought an all-motor (no eTorque) truck. I knew it was going to be a thirsty beast from the get go.

Docwagon1776 · Feb 22, 2023

brian42 said:
In the last year my parents' health has taken a turn and their mobility is limited now.

Been there. I sold my Z28 and bought a Cherokee back in 2001 or so for that exact reason. Years and deaths later I ended up back in an SS/RS. I don't regret any of it, time being able to make Mamaw out where she needed to go was worth any vehicle a million times over. I'd set my truck on fire to have another day with her.

Long term economic stability and family needs come before bro toys.

Jefferson Davis · Feb 22, 2023

In all seriousness I'd hate finding myself in anything like that on a personal level. But its no different than how many folks sell the 2 door when that first kid comes along. Sometimes life chooses for us. There's a Ram out there for you when your ready to saddle up again. Until then.... be well and thank you for your service.

brian42 · Feb 22, 2023

Thanks.

My dad still kicks himself to this day for selling his '58 Impala (only year for that body style).

Docwagon1776 · Feb 22, 2023

The appliance car vs joy of driving car conversations always makes me think of this song:

Charlie Parr - Mag Wheels (Live on KEXP)

http://KEXP.ORG presents Charlie Parr performing "Mag Wheels" live in the KEXP studio. Recorded December 16, 2019.Host: Greg VandyAudio Engineer: Kevin Suggs...

www.youtube.com

GTyankee · Feb 23, 2023

i could easily put more than 20,000 miles a year in my business as a Pilot Car Driver, i Escórt Semi Trucks, i am basically a guide.
I have been out of business for 2 years, i am 78 & i will return to work.
The people in my business are earning $2.00 a mile right now.
2 years ago, the rate was around $1.70 per mile.

My buddy has been turning down jobs, because he can only be in one place at a time

I try to only fill my fuel tank up in Arizona, it is always at least 50 cents a gallon cheaper over there

psycho9x · Feb 27, 2023

I feel you on fuel costs. I'm currently driving a rental Nissan versa while my truck gets worked on and 39 mpg and $35 to fill the tank is quite nice. It's just to damn small lol

tbird71 · Feb 27, 2023

Myself, I think you have to have a truck around just in case...now do you need a 30-40000 CCSB 4x4 ram? Probably not...but at least a single cab Pentastar 6 would work nicely and probably be under 15...dive the PISSat and use truck when you need...me I got a rusty 2011 lariat Supercab for 9K and I'm happy...but I wont drive small cars...My 1996 Lexus LS400 suits me when I want to take the car...just my .02

RodRamCar · Feb 27, 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.

God be with you. VW are electrical princesses. I don't know how the newer ones fair but VW has always been so strange for electrical oddities.

planman · Feb 27, 2023

BEST OF LUCK MASTER CHIEF!

RodRamCar · Feb 27, 2023

Burla said:
you gonna let your wife pic the color too

I knew this statement was coming from someone haha. calling it "an adult decision" i'm not going to lie, that would have had me thinking about the ejecto seato cuz option :rotflmao:

sam darakjy · Feb 27, 2023

This really just comes done to dollars and cents and what you need a truck for. I live in a truck camper full time so it's a no brainer for me. I also have a 2020 Mustang ecoboost that I use periodically to save on some gas,save on some miles and just to enjoy.

Oops forget to mention I traded my Ram for a Chevy.

Snow Wanderer · Feb 27, 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!

So, won't the "......or the items coming due (transmission fluid change, tires, spark plugs)...." you won't be missing also be a part of any other gasoline vehicle you will buy?!

JoshsRam · Feb 27, 2023

RodRamCar said:
God be with you. VW are electrical princesses. I don't know how the newer ones fair but VW has always been so strange for electrical oddities.

This. My now ex-wife, had a Jetta back when we first started dating. Holy cow that thing had electrical problems left and right. I don't know who the genius was that decided that the cup holder should literally sit OVER the radio but I hope he didn't have his job for long. Condensation would leak down right into the damn thing and caused all kinds of additional issues. And don't get me started on the crappy transmission that took about 10 seconds to go from reverse into drive (which was normal according to VW)

brian42 · Feb 27, 2023

tbird71 said:
Myself, I think you have to have a truck around just in case...now do you need a 30-40000 CCSB 4x4 ram? Probably not...but at least a single cab Pentastar 6 would work nicely and probably be under 15...dive the PISSat and use truck when you need...me I got a rusty 2011 lariat Supercab for 9K and I'm happy...but I wont drive small cars...My 1996 Lexus LS400 suits me when I want to take the car...just my .02

Once I got a truck I said I would never go back. I do miss the RAM but 28 mpg overall takes a lot of the sting out of it.

If it was a Laramie it would have been a harder choice to let go...but I still would have regardless.

Two vehicles is not an option and my wife has a truck so there's still one in the driveway. She only drives about 1000 miles a year so operating costs for anything she drives is very manageable.

Had I not been in each "club" I would have always wondered but I've lived most of the vehicle lives - motorcycle, car, mini truck, HD diesel truck, and 1/2 ton truck (twice) - and am content with my bank account now.

Maybe someday I'll jump back in to the truck game but with San Diego gas prices always at (or near) the top of list for the country I don't see myself going back any time soon.

Hardracer · Feb 27, 2023

Wasn't that the era when ford was having problems with that motor ?earlys'00s to like '08 area?..father-in-law had an '04...swore up and down ford shoulda had multiple law suits over whatever the problems were with it(think they did actually)....think it was a Haverster motor but don't quote me on that(dont care enough to research it..
lol)....fuel system failed, 2 computers,broke drivers shock mount goin straight down the road,rear-end ground itself to a pulp....f250 is a stout truck, shame that all that happened...fr250 would be the only other truck I would consider ..other than a ram

rvance · Feb 27, 2023

Gas was getting high and my commute was 47 miles in 2008 so I traded my 15 mpg truck in on on a 28 mpg Cobalt. It paid for it self with fuel savings before I traded it on a 2013 Ram that I loved. You do what makes sense for you. My 13 got 21 mpg by the way.

RodRamCar · Feb 27, 2023

JoshsRam said:
This. My now ex-wife, had a Jetta back when we first started dating. Holy cow that thing had electrical problems left and right. I don't know who the genius was that decided that the cup holder should literally sit OVER the radio but I hope he didn't have his job for long. Condensation would leak down right into the damn thing and caused all kinds of additional issues. And don't get me started on the crappy transmission that took about 10 seconds to go from reverse into drive (which was normal according to VW)

sad when someone pipes up this fast about my comment but i know just like with any manufacturer, there's great ones and horrible ones. sometimes it just comes down to dumb luck. Having a rainy-day fund keeps me at least relaxed that a major expensive issue COULD happen and if it does, i'm financially ready with a good mechanic available as needed.

brian42 · Feb 27, 2023

Snow Wanderer said:
So, won't the "......or the items coming due (transmission fluid change, tires, spark plugs)...." you won't be missing also be a part of any other gasoline vehicle you will buy?!

Transmission fluid change - RAM ~$800 vs VW ~$300
Spark plugs - RAM 16 plugs vs VW 4 plugs
Tires - RAM $1300 (last 40K+ miles) vs VW $1000 (last 60K+ miles)
Gas - RAM 33 gallons (14 mpg) = 462 mile range vs VW 18.4 gallons (28 mpg) = 515 mile range
Oil - RAM 7 qts vs VW 5.7 qts (not much difference but adds up over time)

The list goes on. Even though some of the maintenance items are more frequent, the cost is less overall.

Plus now I don't have to get on a stepladder to do anything (add oil, clean the windshield, replace the 3rd brake light, etc.). My back is much happier now.

brian42 · Feb 27, 2023

Hardracer said:
Wasn't that the era when ford was having problems with that motor ?earlys'00s to like '08 area?..father-in-law had an '04...swore up and down ford shoulda had multiple law suits over whatever the problems were with it(think they did actually)....think it was a Haverster motor but don't quote me on that(dont care enough to research it..
lol)....fuel system failed, 2 computers,broke drivers shock mount goin straight down the road,rear-end ground itself to a pulp....f250 is a stout truck, shame that all that happened...fr250 would be the only other truck I would consider ..other than a ram

Had a '97 F-150...never had a motor problem (5.4L).

I'd still have the F-250 if an inattentive Jeep driver hadn't lost control of his Wrangler on a rainy Valentine's Day morning and totaled my Ford.

It Was a Good Run, But I'm Done

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