damned if I do, damned if I don't

ok as this title goes... here my what my issue that have been playing in my mind.. I did ask folks on the dodge issue,, got good points and their feelings on dodge ram. I am aware of chevy and anit going near them. Far as Ford goes,, on the middle. forget about frontier, never have no love for them
Right now I got a 2014 taco, with 43000 on the clock. no issue with it.. soon to get new tires slap on next week ( ditched the dunflop at 9400miles and had cooper AT3, with 34000 miles on it and getting down and long with a tad vibe). got 3 grand on the book to pay off.
Here what I am looking at: I got 9.5 yrs left before I retire.. to trade in truck next year( it have 78000 miles ) while still in prime.. get another one OR wait until about 1 year before retire, then get a new truck which will be pay in full , no loan to deal after I retire.
I am looking at full size that do all my needs.. the taco may stay in the picture. I haven't test drive dodge or new taco yet.. still this a long term outlook I need to get the goal set in. Other option is that I can get my brother old 1973 ford half ton 4x4 shipped to my place for 900 bucks. use that for my project runs and keep the taco until fall apart.
soooooo how you deal it?

 

Keep your Taco until just before you retire. Give yourself a new truck for retirement. Choose the brand which is most reliable at that time. Fund the truck by saving what you are spending on monthly payments now for your current truck.

You will thank me 9 1/2 years from now.

Retired in 2006.

 

with proper maintenance the Taco can last for decades (if you are in the south or the west). The rust that kills a taco in the north will kill any other brand as well, maybe slower. If you must have a larger truck, I would look at the Tundra. Its superior to the Ford. The Tacos are famous for holding value so I would wait until you are closer to retirement. I am lucky to be retiring young and I will retire in 16 months. My Taco is 6 years old and I have no plans on trading it for a new truck of any brand. I believe it will last me at least another 15 years.

 

I am in the same boat as you OP and I have a 2012 that I am keeping for the next 9 1/2 years as well. I was thinking I may even drive it past retirement because I only have 17k on it. A Ram is going to give you a lot of nonsense problems over the next 10 years. Wait till retirement! Be safe...

 

You got a good truck. Keep it

 

It would be far better to slip into retirement with out any debt. Which ever path gets you to that goal.

 

being in FL and free of severe rust, couldn't the truck theoretically last you as long as you want?

 

I bought a 5x8 dump trailer for $3300. It does the dirty work and the taco just pulls it. Full size I would look at a 1 1/2 cab tundra with the small v8. Mileage will be similar, box will be bigger and cab size will be bigger than double cab taco. Downside is re-sale of tundra is less than taco. Big three trucks are not for me. Never again. No matter what revolutionary breakthrough, never again. Keep the taco, get a trailer and save the $$$$$

 

capt jrod,,, I am planning to get my brother's old ford which he let me have it, getting it towed from wyo to ny.
Crosis.. 15 yrs? with salt of Flordia ummmm most far out theory you got there.
Just Dandee.. how true.. that what I have in mind.. rather be debt free.. beside that,, going to get another job but 30-36 hrs instead of full time.. but going to be in a different state..where no state taxes will kill me... eyeing on Wyo or South Dakota.
holeshot.. a very wise statement...

 

Damn...you're about to retire....Life decisions shouldn't be this difficult!!! LOL

If you're getting a truck to do all those 'truck' duties - Why do you need two trucks??

Get yourself a 'used' funship!!! Convertible....2 seater... Corvette? Z4? ATS? Wrangler? Mustang? Camaro? SLK? Miata?

We used to own a corvette (for 8 years)....and had thoughts of getting a Z4. Husband says I could keep my current truck and buy a different daily driver. But...Naa..... want new truck and eventually an 'old folks' toy. LOL Z4 is still on the list....

HAVE FUN with it!! Life decisions are supposed to be fun!!

 

a corvette? mustang.. my grandma had one but my uncle was a shitty sneaky one who sold it.. nahhh I am not in cars.. I am planning to get out of NY .. head out west.. where I can enjoy hunting, fishing.. where 4x4 is a must.
one truck is a 1972 classic.. good around the yard work while my taco is my daily use.
true life decision cant be that hard LOL

 

That's sound advice. A co-worker of mine did the same thing. He gave himself a new truck for retirement. Unfortunately he chose a new Chevy 2500, but to each their own. ;-)

12Tac