SR vs SR5 as a business truck

I'm a newly minted home inspector and looking into getting a "work truck" so I'm not pounding miles onto my $70k F150 family truck. Plus moving all the tools out when I need to drive everyone is getting tiresome.

It'll just be me, my tools, folding ladders, and lots of miles. I'm conflicted between the SR and SR5 4x2 models.

From what I can tell the SR5's biggest upgrades are 50 more HP and alloy wheels. I could care less about some painted trim and auto dimming mirror. I don't even plan to drive at night.

If I got the SR, I would likely find some OEM take off alloy wheels. But I think I'm going to miss having 50 extra HP for all the driving I'll be doing. And there seems to be no MPG hit either. But a $4,700 difference is quite a bit!

Has anyone driven a base SR? If it's a slow dog and lags in traffic, I'd be so disappointed. But, I won't be towing so it won't be loaded down much at all.

 

Pretend for a minute that you are buying the truck to be used by your employee. Would you buy alloy wheels and a bigger motor for your employee?

Have you done a true cost analysis? Call your insurer and ask what the difference in rates would be. Also, look into maintenance and tires, and explore if there is any difference there. When is the end of life, and what would be the estimated value at replacement? Also-also, look into how much you would be able to deduct from taxes.

Treat it like a business decision, would be my advice. Keep the fun stuff for your personal vehicles.

 

I drove a base 2WD SR last night and it is more than adequate for your needs. It’s not slow and does not feel at all “like a dog” off the line.

I agree with the above sentiment about treating the purchase from a pragmatic business standpoint- 4WD is roughly a $3K premium. I see no reason to go with a SR5 and IMHO the SR interior is way more calm and tasteful in black. Just be prepared for a massive number of blank switches.

The SR I drove was $33,810 (excluding TT&F) which included a pre-emptive $1,800 dealer discount off MSRP. I prefer simple vehicles with less things to go haywire- the SR was a pleasant surprise and looks quite clean in person. Check one out!

It’s also worth noting the SR that I test drove had the same alloy wheels as the SR5. I have not seen any with the steelies yet. The truck feels less “decontented” than the third gen SR aside from the blank switches.

 

Might also look at a Nissan Frontier S or SV; you can snag one $25-30k and get the same VQ motor as the top trims.

 

If driven by employees, SR. If it’s a work and personal daily maybe get SR5 but I don’t it’s worth the money just for extra 50hp. The base engine already makes close to the power of the 3rd gen.

 

Congratulations on the new gig. I haven't driven it but by the SR's published hp and torque numbers it'll have plenty of power. Even the de-tuned SR will have a better "butt dyno" feel than the v6 in the 3rd gen.

 

Good point. While at it why not find a very gently used 3rd gen SR 2wd and save another $10k+

Perhaps take a couple grand of that savings and spend it on a custom wrap design to boost your new business.

 

i am going to assume our fees, operational costs, desired profit, salary and retirement savings, are similar even though we are in different parts of the country. as an owner and home inspector of a company that has been in business for two decades and is busy full-time year 'round, i would caution you against this expense at this time as a 'newly minted home inspector'.

i do not have employees and never planned to be a multi-inspector firm. i have found using my personal vehicle for work to be the best financial option for me and the business. i pay a small up-charge in auto insurance for business use, and i track the mileage and get reimbursed every pay period.

is it a bit of an inconvenience to unload/load tools, ladders, etc. every now and then? yep, it is. but there is no way i would take on or suggest to any home inspector to purchase a new dedicated work truck if their work is as a sole home inspector/business owner. if you have employees, that's different.

if you are hell bent on having a work truck, save and buy used is my suggestion. owning and running any business is tough work, and damn expensive. give it time and ease into it.

on the other hand, if you are wealthy go for it i guess. best of luck.

 

@zimm17 I noticed that you're in Virginia which has the absolute highest vehicle property tax in the country. Northern Virginia is the highest in the state on top of that (Alexandria Va being the pinnacle of punishing nicer car owners at a rate of $5.33 per $100.)

Business vehicles in Virginia do not qualify for the "tax relief" (reduced tax rate) on the first $20k of the assessed value. That means a new $40k truck is ~$2,100 the first year. Since Tacoma's don't depreciate very quickly you're looking at over ~$8,000 in property tax over the first 5 years.

Just something to consider. Happy Friday.

 

Thanks ya'll. I think for now using my truck will be the best option. As pointed out it would be a massive expense to fund a $35k truck, insurance, property tax, etc just to keep my 2023 F150 from wearing out prematurely.

I'm really just starting out with this business- I've done 21 of the required 25 home inspections with another inspector before I can apply for my license. He's offered to take me onboard as an assistant and eventually an independent inspector but of course that comes with a major pay cut over doing my own. I'm also started my own business but I'm sure it'll be a slow ramp up getting my name out there with local realtors, etc. My current mentor is OK with me doing both as our areas don't exactly overlap much.

 

Nissan Frontier S. It's got to be the lowest price midsize available. On the plus side the Nissan won't attract the attention a 4G would.

 

Sienna or Oddesy, 50-60k miles, seats down or out.

Good mpg, low maintenance, high reliability, comfy ride. Gear secured inside

Most folks who want trucks don't really need them.

And as a couple other posters have suggested, don't strangle your new business with up front costs that have long ROIs.

No one you're going to inspect gives a rip what you are driving as long as it's not a clapped out eyesore. They care about the quality, timeliness and price of your work.

 

OBX and 22Coma are on point here: you have barely started this business (maybe about to start it); there is absolutely no reason to buy a new truck for all the driving you "might" do. Start with what you have, and keep expenses to a minimum.

I really like the idea of a used work truck down the road, if necessary.

And you know you can write off mileage on your personal vehicle, right? I'm willing to bet you'd miss that $70k Ford from either Taco more than you'd miss the SR5 when driving the base model.

 

Speaking to friends of mine who use them quite heavily, the F-150’s seem like very reliable trucks for high miles. It sounds like you made the right decision OP, at least for this early in the game.

I’m sure that truck will last a long, long time even serving double duty as a work truck and family truck.