Between an rock, a hard place and a sharp object

[stormRammer]

I write this mostly for advice that might end up guiding me towards what I think I already know. Comments, good bad or trolls, are welcome. Please advice.

I have a car. I like it, but I am a truck dude. Have the car because the truck I had before didn't do what any vehicle should, drive me places. It was a 2008 F-350 King Ranch. At the time, I didn't have the money to keep the truck in a shop while being fixed. So it was traded in for what I thought would satisfy my wants. It is a 2014 Taurus SHO. Well, as much as I like the car, it is not a truck. I don't do much towing or hauling, but I do need something to pull my 20 foot boat which is currently also out of commission and to haul junk from places.

I have choices. A budget, because regardless what I do I will loose money on the car. There are 3 Rams am looking at. 2012 3500 SLT $25,999 with 119,000 one owner. 2011 3500 72,000 $26,500 one owner. 2012 2500 SLT for $25,995 140,000 2 previous owners. All are white.

They are all pretty much the same price, only the older one has many less miles. I'd love to have one of the 3500, but do I need that much truck? Is it too big, too long, too wide? I am going to be driving it everyday to every place I go. Am married with kids. The wife has a vehicle, but we'll be driving either vehicle at any given time we go out together.

Another choice I have is a much older truck. 1995 F-150 regular cab, short bed, 4x2, 5.0, 5 speed manual. $2800, clean title and would be mine straight up. However, the car would still be at my place, not being driven much. Hanging in the sun since my garage is actually a storage room. I can just buy this truck cash no problem, but...

Apologies for my first post being a lengthy whiny one.

Thanks for your input and for letting me part of your community.

 

[KingTuna]

If it was me, i'd pick up the Ford for that price if it's in good running condition, good tires, etc. Keep the Taurus, use it for a daily driver a few days a week until you get it paid some, and then trade it. Just a question, but why are you only looking at 2500 and 3500 trucks? Do you tow to need one that big?

 

[MADDOG]

Are all of the units you are looking at diesel trucks? You don't need a 3500 diesel to tow your boat but if you ever move up in boat size or want to get an RV, such as a 5th wheel, you'll have the room to do so without having to purchase another truck.

Are there any 2500 diesel units available? I ask because that will tow your boat just fine and give you room to upsize as well.

As far as size and models go, you do have some options but the standard builds between the 2500 & 3500 are pretty much the same.

The wheelbase of the 1500, 2500 & 3500 trucks are the same. Unless it's a dually, they are the same width as well. There are some variations, such as a single cab longbed or crew cab longbed option vs. the crew cab short bed option, which is how most of the trucks are built.

I'd pick the one with the lowest miles unless you find, upon inspection, that it's been rode hard and put away wet. Maintenance is key, especially with a diesel, and a poorly maintained one is one to walk away from.

I have no comments on the Ford.

 

[cody mummert]

just me but i thought when you said "2012 2500 SLT for $25,995 140,000 2 previous owners. All are white" well i had to reread it a few times to get your true meaning. if you dont need a 2500 or 3500 i wouldnt go that route parts are more expensive and lets face it fuel is always a factor

 

[stormRammer]

If it was me, i'd pick up the Ford for that price if it's in good running condition, good tires, etc. Keep the Taurus, use it for a daily driver a few days a week until you get it paid some, and then trade it. Just a question, but why are you only looking at 2500 and 3500 trucks? Do you tow to need one that big?

I want a diesel truck, not an eco diesel (1500 Ram) and definitely not a Nissan truck. Also, want to stay away from DEF.

 

[Black W900]

If you're on a tight budget a diesel is a bad choice.
Buy the older F-150 and be done with it.
When your finances are in better shape, think about something more like what you want.

 

[stormRammer]

Are all of the units you are looking at diesel trucks? You don't need a 3500 diesel to tow your boat but if you ever move up in boat size or want to get an RV, such as a 5th wheel, you'll have the room to do so without having to purchase another truck.

Are there any 2500 diesel units available? I ask because that will tow your boat just fine and give you room to upsize as well.

As far as size and models go, you do have some options but the standard builds between the 2500 & 3500 are pretty much the same.

The wheelbase of the 1500, 2500 & 3500 trucks are the same. Unless it's a dually, they are the same width as well. There are some variations, such as a single cab longbed or crew cab longbed option vs. the crew cab short bed option, which is how most of the trucks are built.

I'd pick the one with the lowest miles unless you find, upon inspection, that it's been rode hard and put away wet. Maintenance is key, especially with a diesel, and a poorly maintained one is one to walk away from.

I have no comments on the Ford.

Both 3500 are dually, all 3 Rams are diesel. There are other 2500 trucks available, but at this moment they are all priced much higher, mostly over $35k.

I understand that I can tow almost anything with a 2500 diesel, just the fact that the 3500 seem so cheap and look mean makes me like them. But are they took big to drive around everyday?

 

[MADDOG]

They are a bit big to drive around each day, especially since all dually trucks you'll find out there are extended or crew cabs with long beds and fender extensions.

Oh, you'd learn to swing wide and park in wide open spaces in the parking lots but eventually you'll get a handle on it and you can drive it daily if you wish.

 

[BigRed4x4]

Dude, relax. You're married, obviously the wife doesn't care how big your truck is... A 1500 will haul that boat when/if it get backs into service. Take that 25k and buy a 1-2yr old 1500 with less than 30k miles and walk away.

 

[Jrod]

just me but i thought when you said "2012 2500 SLT for $25,995 140,000 2 previous owners. All are white" well i had to reread it a few times to get your true meaning.

ROFLMAO wasn't just you LOL

 

[zrfraser]

Buy the ford outright and trade the car in when you get more even on depreciation. When your finances get back in order and the boat gets fixed you could probably sell the truck for the same amount you paid for it. A 1500 will easily tow your boat and have a much more comfortable ride.

 

[Eightd21]

Just my two cents, but as others have said that's a lot of truck you're looking at for just towing a boat. You definitely don't need a diesel HD truck for that. My vote is go for the older Ford and keep the SHO or get a cheap, used 1500.
My work truck is an F450 duallie and I can't imagine daily driving something like that, it'd be quite a pain.

 

[McBroom]

“I don't do much towing or hauling, but I do need something to pull my 20 foot boat which is currently also out of commission and to haul junk from places.”

I don’t get it re read above statement.
You said that you want a diesel 2500/3500 but at time your willing to buy a Ford F-150 (1/2 ton) gas. I would think more of exactly what you need over wants. When it comes to budgeting a big purchase I go back to my daddy’s words “want in one hand and **** in the other see which fills up first”. Now keeping in mind what do you actually need???
All said with respect



I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 6.4L

 

[NapaRam]

Dude, relax. You're married, obviously the wife doesn't care how big your truck is... A 1500 will haul that boat when/if it get backs into service. Take that 25k and buy a 1-2yr old 1500 with less than 30k miles and walk away.

You said it so I don't have too lol!

 

[adrianp89]

I tow my 21ft boat no problems with my 1500. Going HD with no real purpose is pretty dumb decision, unless of course you have money to blow and just want it, which this doesn't sound the case. For your price range you could pick up a '13 Ram Laramie.

 

[TTU14]

For that $25k, you could easily get a used 1500 with lower miles, probably still with a factory warranty. Unless you're filling your boat with bricks before you tow, the Hemi will do just fine.

 

[ronheater70]

if it's me, I simply cannot pay that much money for a 6 to 7 year old truck with that many miles. Even if it is a diesel.

 

[McBroom]

A 1500 C/C 4x4 Hemi all you need for what you do. Yeah big is nice but expensive if your gonna haul junk as you said then buy a trailer for that and don’t scratch or dent the Ram.
Also we don’t like Fords we love Ram’s. Buy yourself a newer Ram and you’ll be a happy man!!!


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 6.4L

 

[zogg]

If you’re looking at an f150, I would assume it’ll tow any 20-25 foot boat.

A 3500 dually is miserable for a daily driver. I had one to tow my 13000 pound fifth wheel and it worked great for that. Once we permanently parked the camper I dumped the HD for a 1500 quad cab. The HD truck rode like crap when empty, was too dammm to park, and fuel was $.30-.40 more per gallon.

If there is a need for a big heavy duty unit then fine. But I don’t see your need.

If you buy anything but the f150, I'd bet you’ll be wanting to trade again in three months or less.

Drive the Taurus daily and use the f150 when you need a truck....plus you only need liability insurance on the ford.

Good luck

 

[TruckNut]

OP,
Option 1: Keep the SHO. You'll lose your ass in depreciation. Buy an old pickup like that F-150 and use that to haul your boat, once it's fixed, to wherever you want. The trucks you are considering (2500, 3500) are overkill.

Option 2: Sell the car, lose your ass and pick up a nice 1500 RAM with the hemi V-8 and 8 speed trans. This would make a very nice daily driver unlike the bigger trucks you were looking at. Just my $0.02