Sell F250 for F150?

[TampaDieselFX4]

Why not get some opinions... the past few weeks have been finicially diastorous for me. On my way home today I saw $4/gal for diesel at 3 stations here in Tampa... this day came to soon. Anyway.... I bought my truck 1yr ago and love it, but do have some issues. Heres what I've been thinking:

Ok, first off I don't make a lot of money. I'm sarlaried and very low. (under 40K) b/c I just graduated school and the construction field took a slump so I'm a noob and at a bad time. With that in mind... I drive 70 miles round trip to work per day. That's 350 miles a week averaging 15-16mpg's @ lately $3.89/gal and going up; $4 today. I'm spening roughly 20% of my take home income on Fuel per week. I drew my budget up last night and things don't look good. I've cut everything out I can, combined cable/internet etc. I don't even have a house phone, just a $43/mo cell. I'm on Bare minimums. Theres just not enough at the end of the month to feel safe by any means. I spend just as much on Fuel as I do on my truck payment now. I was ok when diesel was under $3.50, but from there it's been bad. So I've been debating selling the truck out right, and buying a 2yr old (2006-2007) 4wd 5.4V8 lariat Xcab with under 30k miles; and leaving it stock. Regular gas in Tampa currently is $3.15/gal. If I made the switch, I'd have NO TRUCK PAYMENT!! b/c i'd buy the $20k F150 out cash. Other savings would come from cheaper Insurance rates, cheaper anual registration, way cheaper maintance like Oil changes and fuel filters. etc. overall there would be savings and no payments. the F150 would also fit in the garage Vs the SD that sits outside 24/7. Overall city drivability of the F150 Xcab in the city would be better, it'd actually fit in public parking garages.

So thats where I'm at. Overall a much cheaper picture. what do ya'll think?

 

[keanoknick]

Sorry to hear about the financial situation, I know these fuel prices are really putting a kink in any budget that I had put together, as well as many others I'm sure.

Bottom line is, you have to drive it, wether it's a 250 or 150, you need to be happy with it. Personally if it were me, I would take a small chunk of that $20k cash, maybe 3-5k and go buy a small used car and commute in that, the fuel savings alone will pay for the car in no time at all. That's what we did, just bought a 2001 Ford Taurus SE with 83k miles and quite a few scrathes and a couple of bruises for $2350, but it's mechanically sound and safe, and get's better mileage than the 250

 

[06PSDROCK]

I would double that.

We have an 04 VW Jetta diesel that gets 40-47 mpg and has plenty of pep. They are a little more than the 3-5k but this car pays for itself in the Fuel savings.

There are plenty of gas cars that get 30 mpg too and will do the job just fine.

 

[TampaDieselFX4]

Having 2 cars is not feasable due to I can't afford it. That $20k would come from selling my PSD. I can't go buy another car b/c of extra insurance costs, registration & tags, etc... it'd be a ton of money. I did it last year with another job I had and it did not really pay off in the end when came time to sell the beater.

 

[Scooter]

I searched and found an old Honda years ago because I had a job that required driving. It was definitely a beater that I paid $900 for. I drove it a year, and got paid mileage But it got 30mpg and I drove the heck out of it and sold it for more than I paid for it. Beauty of a car like that is that you get minimal coverage on it, and I guarantee that you will come out ahead. You just need to be patient to find the right car at the right price.
There has to be an alternative, because you will take a beating on the sale of the truck.

 

[95_stroker]

Take an objective look at it, what do you haul that requires you to have a truck? The F-150 wont save you enough at the end of the month in fuel savings alone to justify it over the PSD.

Sounds like you are young, just trying to get your feet under yourself. Do the smart thing and get out of the PSD and just get a sensible car, make some wise financial moves and get ahead for a year or two then think about getting into a truck again.

I worked in industry for 12-15 years before I decided to get into a bigger rig, I drove anything from an 89 S-10 all the way down to a 79 Chev stepside and an old beater Cadillac until I finally could get it together enough to purchase my 95 PSD.

:

 

[TampaDieselFX4]

i hear ya 95 stroker. guess i just have to see how bad of a beating i might take on the sale... I'll start with A, then B i guess... Thanks for the input guys.

 

[bears4x4]

all else fails buy a scooter they are cheap and fun too. Ive been there and done that

 

[bushpilot]

i applaude you for taking a good hard look at your situation
and your willingness to make the changes necessary to
build up your savings !

as for the 250-150 swap...i dont think youll see an
improvement in mpg enough to make any difference

when i owned my 5.0 f150 xtra cab i was lucky to
get 15 on the highway and i often averaged 11 around town.

you wanna REALLY save money look at the vw tdi's
or newer honda civics

once you get some savings build then maybe you can
go back and look for a used truck...if you need it

youre on the right track...build your savings now youll be
glad you did LATER <in life>

 

[Zookie400]

DONT look at vw tdi's - at least not around here, you will pay out the pooper for them, even with high miles they are selling for way too much because everybody wants one.

i agree though, going from the 250 to a 5.4 150 isnt going to save you much on the fuel end.

have you thought about a ranger?