What the heck should I do. Buy new or restore.

I

my own problem

 

now that is a tool box...

 

My opinion. Keep your truck. It makes no sense in my mind to spend 35k and have a payment for the same truck with an upgraded body and lift. Spend 10k and upgrade what you have and it will be like having a new truck all over again.. with no payment. I just want to see us every day middle class men with no debt. I traded in my 14 for a 2011 to basically cut the payment in half. It’s literally the same truck, and I actually like the interior of my gen 2 better.

 

Where did you get the cover? eBay has them for $450 and I think that’s absurd.

 

That’s more than the value of a new truck. What a beautiful setup.

 

this

 

To me, this is an economic and optics decision.

I see contractors driving these lifted Tundras/Dodge/Ford/Chevy and pulling trailers everyday...they think they look cool, most have loud exhaust, etc...the gas and payment increases your operating costs and overall will reduce your profitability. A lot of these guys end up scraping by b/c their rates do not support a new truck, lift, tools, trailer, drill bits, etc, etc.

As a potential customer, I pay attention to what the contractor I am talking to is driving. Fancy trucks are not something I as the customer want to see, or pay for through their bid. Fancy tools, different...I want to see that. Another way to say it, would you want your financial adviser to pull up to your house in a $100K Benz?

As for the tax write off...have you done the math? I'd have to see the numbers and they would have to pretty damn good for me to buy a new(er) truck.

B/L: Your old truck is very hard to beat economically and visually.

 

@1UPPER might have some thoughts on this, he is a contractor with one of the nicest Tundras I have ever seen.

 

10000 for cars and 6000 lbs under truck van
25000 for truck 6000 lbs up
I have to ask my tax guy, see if I should change me w4 to 1099

 

Do you brotha. I just bought a trd pro

Man, we work too hard and life is way too short to listen to these negative nancy’s.

Be happy. Get what you want.

I got a brand new trd pro runner haha

 

No doubt, tomorrow is not promised

 

When we go head-to-head, I make more sales driving my old 2002 Tundra than my competition does driving their shiny new vans.

 

Maybe it's because you're a better salesman. The old truck may have conveyed to the client that you are experienced and financially conservative, but closing them was all you.

Let's not get carried away with what a vehicle does or doesn't do for your career.

 

It just because your overheads is lower, you could low bid the jobs, all that mean the clients you deal with is cheap...jk

 

i know this may sound crazy but I have a good one about new trucks. I was in this same situation when I bought this current tundra. My old one was an 01 with 160k. It was borderline totaled with the whole ass end pushed in. I didn’t do an insurance claim and just drove it as is. Anyways I picked up this 08 and immediately went across the street to get floor mats at the local Walmart. When I got back to the truck I had a voicemail that lead to the biggest job of my career. A near original 1712 5000sq’ disaster. We replaced everything with original size timber. 8x12” white oak sills, lapped, pegged and mortised for the 6x10” joists was just the start and we went all the way to the roof. The day I bought this truck my life changed and it’s been very good ever since. It’s almost like a lucky charm

My local plumber is sort of like the mayor of the smaller beach community where I work. I usually don’t have to give prices or see the job before they ask me when I can start. I ended up letting all the guys go and work alone now. It’s much easier and less stressful. Classy truck isn’t as much of a concern here as it would be outside the community.

 

This is saaaaweet man.

 

I am a closer, and I never drop my price - low bidding a job is a sign of weakness.

I believe customers see that I chose a Toyota Tundra for its long term practicality, dependability & value. They see me driving the same truck year after year, and it reinforces the notion that the product I sell & service delivers the same long term practicality, dependability & value as the old truck I am driving.

 

One last shot. Going to offer 42k out the door with a 7 day temp tag. If it works great and if not you’ll see my newly lifted tundra soon.

 

Is been a bit since the last post but I wanted to update anyone wondering how it turned out. I made a an offer on the truck but was quickly rejected. Supposedly they have some a+ rating which means they don’t have to reduce prices or negotiate. A few weeks went by and I relentlessly searched for comparable trucks without luck. I went back and offered full price then they started going on with their fees. 899 dealer fee, 250 vin etching, 500 clear coat protection, remote start, Ext,Ext. Add on after add on. So I told them the price of the truck should include these options especially if I didn’t add them or request them. I’m not a sucker and not going I pay the couple grand on top of full price so I walked away. Meanwhile I thought about picking up an sr5 with 10-30k miles. Ranging from 30-33k. After a 5-6” lift and fuel contra wheels with labor I’m into it 7k for upgrades and should save around 6-10k from the asking price on the original one.

Anyways I wanted to thank everyone for their input. I’m a member on another forum unrelated to vehicles and have been a top member for years. Being a helper I never got to experience the opposite end. It’s a beautiful thing and you guys are doing a great job. It’s greatly appreciated. I’ll keep you updated on any progress either way.

 

No offense but your wife is wrong. You do not need a new truck. The body doesn't even look that bad and the miles are low. I wouldn't even touch the paint and would spend the money on maintenance and suspension and drive it another 200K miles. There is no way I would go back into debt on a new truck.

 

I made up my mind and decided to go for it. Not that I need it. Ended up talking to a few friends and family about it and everyone told me I was crazy for even considering it. I should have done it a long time ago. My trucks worth a bit and I needed something fun. Keep my tundra and buy a toy or buy a toy tundra. The 08 was needing work and I can’t afford any down time either.

Then this happens
The salesmen weren’t easy. All prices were final and no negotiations at all. I ended up offering full price but then found out about all their fees. Nearly 3k in bs I didn’t want or need so I walked away again bitching about the extras that I thought should have been in the sales price. Then today I got an email asking why I was complaining about the fees when I was offering more than the list price with the fees. They wouldn’t budge a penny yesterday but today dropped the price significantly. So I got it for less than my original offer even with the extras.

I got out of my first job at 7 and spoke to my wife who was already on it. She had a flight to Florida departing at 6am and arriving in Florida by 12. The dealers picking me up at the air port and I’ll be driving it home. When it all falls together this good it’s got to be right.

I’ll keep you guys updated! I’m excited to see it and hope all goes well with the transaction. Florida to rhode island with my wife will be fun. Back home Sunday and drive it to work Monday!

 

Damn that's a sweet rig!!!

Congrats!!

 

OMG, congrats.

 

Keep it. I'm doing the same. I get 95% of a new truck at 10% of the cost.

 

I know it’s a poor financial decision. Now I can sell my 08 tundra and Lexus gx to help offset some of the cost. Don’t need a work truck and get around car with this bad bitch. Cruising for the past 8 hours getting 11mpg. Rides very good considering. 6 inch lift, fuel contra wheels. Trd sway pars.
My wife who is 5’1 has trouble getting in.