Trade in vehicle and acquire debt or fix current

Submitted by 10000needlescactus t3_10q0zw8 in personalfinance

Hello everyone, I hope this post is in the right sub

I come to you with a question regarding the purchase of a new vehicle

Currently I earn $350k a year and pay about $3500 a month on things I owe such as a car and a tractor and other stuff I got on payments.

My predicament is that one of my vehicles is beginning to have issues (it just hit 60k miles) and last month I got a 32k offer for it from carmax. I actually purchased the truck for 32k back in 2019 from a gmc dealership. So I would break even if I turn in it. I was thinking of selling it to carmax then going to purchase another truck this time one that costs 52k plus title and tax. I was wondering if it would be a smart financial decision to upgrade the vehicle and add to my monthly debt or should I fix my current truck which has been fully paid off since last year.

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What would you do? thank you

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BoxingRaptor t1_j6n7nad wrote

"Issues" such as? Frankly, at 60k miles, you're most likely just running into normal "wear" items that will periodically need to be replaced on any car (brakes, shocks, tires, etc.).

That said: You make plenty, so if you want a new truck then go for it. It's just not the best practice to have a car payment in perpetuity.

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10000needlescactus OP t1_j6na24u wrote

so last time a rock hit the windshield and put a crack in it, then a tail light got hit by who knows what so I had to spend $500 to fix it. Today was driving down the road and my truck was stuck in limp mode and I couldn't go over 30MPH. Im worried that more and more issues will come and truck will turn into a money pit and at the same time it will keep devaluing and I wont actually get another 32k offer on it.

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I see your point though, and I try to avoid car payments but was wondering if at this point is best to take advantage of the high trade in value. Tires should also be due soon and I'm sure at the next oil change the dealer will ask to replace air vent filters and other things like transmission oil etc

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Liquidretro t1_j6ndnds wrote

Get it diagnosed and see what's wrong first. This could be simple and unrelated (like bad gas, or a gas cap that isn't properly attached). A rock chip on a windshield (Insurance should cover this) and broken taillight are a poor ways to try and justify a new truck. It's not a design flaw it's a thing that happens when you drive them. If you want to save money you can do your own air filters easily with videos on youtube, but I suspect at your income your time may be worth it to pay someone else to do this stuff unless you enjoy it.

If reliability was your primary concern I'm not sure I would pick a GM or Ford product myself, but that's a topic for another thread.

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10000needlescactus OP t1_j6nfhi8 wrote

Thank you for your comment. My other vehicle is a subaru which I enjoy driving much more, but the deal I got on the GMC when I purchased it was right for my budget then. I'm kind of stuck keeping a pick up truck as my work vehicle because I need the load capacity and hear much of the same from all trucks (gmc this chevy that ram transmissions this etc) so I know servicing will be a thing always. And yea I hear you regarding the windshield chipping I just omitted that when I got the quote of 32k for trade in that hadn't happened so if I wait longer I will get less.

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For now I will take it in and see if there is a recall regarding the limp mode that I may be able to fix for free.

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Liquidretro t1_j6nhxbq wrote

Just get the car diagnosed and go from there. Anything more is speculation as it's clear this isn't your area of expertise. Also remember that if it's not a warranty or recall item there isn't a lot of reason to go to the dealer for a car that's out of warranty in many cases. The LS engine has been around forever, lots of independent mechanics can work on it.

If reliability is your concern I would be looking at a Tundra if you could find one and need full size but that's a personal opinion.

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10000needlescactus OP t1_j6njbq2 wrote

Thank you, unfortunately if I were to upgrade the truck it would have to be a 2500 or 250 because of payload capacity which is something I have been lacking. Its the only reason why I havent considered Toyota. And its also the only reason why it's 52k+. (It would also be the basic 4wd model diesel) so no bells or whistles.

Will ask about the warranty and recall thing

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Liquidretro t1_j6ncx4d wrote

There isn't enough info here to make a determination.

We don't know what's wrong with the current truck other than it's 3 years old, and pretty low milage for it's age. It's likely just out of warranty depending on what the factory warranty was., nor do we know what it will cost to fix. That said breaking even after 3 years is pretty good. Upgrading to a $52k truck is questionable for sure although it appears you can afford it. To me it sounds like you are trying to justify an upgrade here that you know you don't really need and likely isn't the smartest financial decision. It's ok to have fun and enjoy life by buying things as long as the rest of your financial ship is on course, but we can't see that it is or isn't.

We have no idea what your other expenses are, or the state of the rest of your finances. However, with your income, I question why you have so much financing on recreational things, and at what rates? I would expect to see substantial retirement savings and other investments most likely too.

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10000needlescactus OP t1_j6nh4fd wrote

The subaru is on a 2.9% apr (owe 24k), a kubota tractor that I use to maintain a couple of properties on a 0% apr (owe 26k) I also have a mortage on my current business location at 6% interest which I only owe 10k on and a 5 acre property that I purchased for 250k back in 2020 that is now valued and been receiving offers for at 425k at 5.9% that I owe 60k on.

I finance when I can at low interest rates to keep cashflow in case the business needs cash injections. I save the rest of my income per month which greatly varies depending on activies I do.

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Liquidretro t1_j6ni31h wrote

That makes sense, but no mention of investments or retirement isnt' comforting.

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10000needlescactus OP t1_j6nipvm wrote

I'm building a couple of starter homes that I should be getting at least a 50k return on (each) this summer. And I only have a roth ira at the moment. im 30yrs old btw so I def need to look into more investment methods

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Liquidretro t1_j6nn65u wrote

Paying yourself now and letting that compound over decades will pay off in dividends when you are sore and old and want to retire at 50.

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