At a Cross Road / Keep it Or sell it?

[Jaycenk]

Hey guys I have a conflict that my wife and I are at odds about. We have been talking about this for over 3 months and cant seem to come to a final answer. I'm bring it to guys that may be able to sheds some light here.

Here is the story, Got a 98 Tahoe 4dr 2wd I have had for several years now that I picked up for 5k with 150k on it. It has 170k on the clock and is all original meaning engine and drive train have not been over hauled. Trans is showing signs of getting close to needing a rebuild. I use this to tow my 21 foot Bay Boat that weights in at around 3800lbs fully loaded with full gear motor and trailer. We do a lot of traveling with the boat on our vacations since they are structured around fishing diving ect. The truck also sees towing on just about every weekend locally for boating and fishing. We had a 2007 Tundra for three years that this Hoe replaced since the Tundra was a lease. The Wife loved the Tundra and so did I but we were planing to upgrade the house so we decided to buy the Tahoe cash and let my tools save us the monthly payment of another Loan or lease. Tahoe has been a trooper needing only about 1k in maintenance and repairs over the past 2 years but the trans, engine, interior and paint are coming to the cross roads of either we stick with it and sink about 10k in to it over the next 2 years or we sell it and go buy new.

I hate the brakes on the hoe and I would have to do a rear disk conversion to get rid of these finicky rear drums and probably upgrade the fronts as well. She still has the stock 15 inch wheels on her and the ride is a bit school bus like with the extra spring rate I have in the rear so it will tow level. So would you sink $10,000 to $15,000 into your Tahoe or would you go buy something new and sell the Hoe. I have USAA pricing for cars and trucks so I would be looking at around $25,000 for new Tundra with the 4.6 V8 and some basic options. I really don't care for leather and all the goodies. My wife want the Tundra and I am just on the fence about it since the Hoe has been a great truck but I cant see sinking 10k into just to get rid of it in 2 or 3 years. can you?

 

[992dr]

I cant see sinking 10k into just to get rid of it in 2 or 3 years. can you?

Well, it looks like you answered your own question.
If you cant see dropping the coin into it, then it doesnt matter what you put into it, you are not going to be happy.
Though I do understand what you are saying, especially when it comes to the interior. Mine is rough and has gotten worse as the years go on. I also agree about the brakes wheels/tires and dont forget the steering, hah.

My only problem is, I cant see dropping the coin on a new vehicle. Maybe a few years old, yeah, new, no. If you cant see dropping it into a used vehicle, then you will see it get flushed down the toilet in a new one, thats how much they depretiate once driven off the lot.

Man, Tundras are beautiful trucks to. An old friend got one and its a dream compared to his other truck.

Hope this helps.
Good luck.

 

[SunlitComet]

for reference a new gm factory long block is $1900, new factory tranny $1800 and a good paint job about $3000. the engine and tranny would have a 3yr/100,000 warranty on them. And yes I am planning to dump that much into mine over the next few years. Also the braking issue is better solved with a hydra-boost conversion and better front rotors,pads. a rear disc conversion is not so big an improvement.

 

[Jaycenk]

My only problem is, I cant see dropping the coin on a new vehicle. Maybe a few years old, yeah, new, no. If you cant see dropping it into a used vehicle, then you will see it get flushed down the toilet in a new one, thats how much they depretiate once driven off the lot.


Good luck.

Well that has been the strangest part of the auto market for about the past 3 years. Driving them off the lot doesn't loose what it used to. I'm not exactly sure why or how long it will last but if you look at anything still under a basic factory warranty of like 3 year 36000 miles they are only around 2 to 3 grand less then new. So 2 to 3 years old and 30k miles and these people have lost what? a grand a year? I'm sure they owners didn't see the savings lol but the dealers are moving these things and they just wont seem to negotiate what I think would be a reasonable deal. It makes no sense to me and thats why I say I'd buy new is because buying say a 2012 tundra 4.6 v8 double cab new through USAA pricing is like 25k V's buying one on the dealers lot or on ebay with the exact same options but 1,2 or 3 years old is anywhere from 23k to 26k. I have looked at used 07 tahoes and can only seem to find them at their cheapest for like 28k for an LS with 30k 2wd. Even decent new body style tahoe's are all above the 10k range with 100k on them and need work. Just having a hard time wrapping my head around it. It's not like parts are getting cheaper for the used cars either.

 

[Gzes]

Don't get a new truck. They always have problems and I'd rather drop money into something I know is reliable then hope that it was built right and know that corners are being cut. N yes I too have dropped serious cash on 2dr and will be paying more for paint, lift and anything else

 

[Jaycenk]

for reference a new gm factory long block is $1900, new factory tranny $1800 and a good paint job about $3000. the engine and tranny would have a 3yr/100,000 warranty on them. And yes I am planning to dump that much into mine over the next few years. Also the braking issue is better solved with a hydra-boost conversion and better front rotors,pads. a rear disc conversion is not so big an improvement.

Yup that is all in my figures I have + all the miscellaneous for doing the engine swap, rear end rebuild, interior and some other odds and ends. I can't get it painted for that cheap down here in FL. I'm looking closer to 4k+ if I want it to last more then 4 years since at some point it has had a macco scuff and splash. Did you do the rear disk conversion?

---------- Post added at 04:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:29 PM ----------

Don't get a new truck. They always have problems and I'd rather drop money into something I know is reliable then hope that it was built right and know that corners are being cut. N yes I too have dropped serious cash on 2dr and will be paying more for paint, lift and anything else

See and this is were I'm at odds with the wife is I'd love to do this but at the same time I have had such bad luck with parts and engine and trans I had built on the Camaro build I did that the wife is like why are we going to try this again. I don't think she gets the fact that the engine would be a GM unit.

The trans is a different story. I have had people tell me don't tow in OD and others say it's fine even though the Hoe has no tow haul mode. I was going to have the trans built by a trans guy I know to be able to tow in OD. It isn't going to cost anymore then the new GM unit since he has some of the parts he bought for another build that never happened and he is looking to unload them as well as he owes me for a car I gave him. I don't know I'm lost. In the end a new truck is going to cost 25k (0% interest) or the Hoe is going to end up costing 15k
The 5K I paid for it plus a minimum of 10k for what I listed above.

 

[edgaranah1]

I'll just buy new IMO.

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[07Burb]

IMO.....put a little money in the 98 and keep on rollin man!

 

[domin8]

It definitely won't cost 10k to take care of your truck, especially since you just admitted you have tools, skills, and a favor to call in. As for the NNBS trucks costing so much used, try looking elsewhere. I got my 2007 NNBS 4x4 LT for $23,500 a year ago with 64k miles. Get one of those and you'll save yourself some money in the long run by not having to deal with initial depreciation new cars experience. Additionally, you're already familiar with the Tahoe and it hasn't changed very much since your 98 was built, so you're already familiar with it. Also, parts are cheaper than the Toyota. I'd say keep what you have, or get a used NNBS.

 

[07Burb]

I bought my burb for $20k two years ago. Deals are out there but I'd still fix the 98.