What I have: '03 3500 QC CTD (305) 6sp 4x4 SRW SB 4.10's BFG 317s 90k miles

What I am looking at: '06 QC CTD Auto 2wd dually 3.73s New

Several things are prodding me to change vehicles.

1: My wife refuses to drive a manual
2: I can't fit in many of the parking decks in Atlanta. One office I go to I must park up to a mile away to get out door parking
3: Auto would be a blast to hop up
4: Would pull a 40' trailer better? Maybe? More stable?
5: With my driving habits I have averaged 17.9 mpg over the past 30,000 miles, 2wd & 3.73s woudl get better

Reasons not to
1: Payment would increase. Have a $200 payment currently
2: Only owe $8000
3: It's 4wd though I have never used it
4: It's a manual

What am I missing? I need some input so I can quit stressing. I know I would end up with a TST and a tranny in this thing for some fun. I think that is the real main reason for trading, including those above.

What am I missing?

 

That #3 is a crime in most States

 

I doubt your fuel mileage would get that much better. Probably stay about the same. The 305/555 engine get's good mileage. New truck has 3rd injection event and cat. Payment of 200 and going to ????. No, I wouldn't do it. But then again it is up to you.

 

Well, you've broken it down that you really don't need the 4x4, so from a practicallity stand point, the 2wd would probably be the better tow rig for you. But if I, personally, was within 8k of pay off and knew that the truck had been well maintained (I assume you've owned it since new and taken good care of it), I'd keep the '03. Screw taking on a higher payment when you know that 03 will last forever. Just my opinion...

 

def wouldnt do it unless absolutely necessary

 

I was in the same situation except that I want a 6-speed dually. This truck has been so good that I can't let it go no matter how much I like that new dually. Plus I just spent a fortune on this one over the last year making it a little faster than stock. Hard to lose all that money on the trade in. Mine's even paid off and I'm still stupid enough to consider getting a new one and this time I don't have the cash to pay in full.
Only two more days of employee pricing. Who knows what will happen....

 

I originally wanted a 2wd when I bought mine in July. I haven't had a 4wd in 6 yrs. I don't need it. However, the pricing incentives made it such that the 4wd with better re-sale was only about 400 more than the 2wd. Keep re- sale in mind during this process. I put mine in 4wd once to see if it worked, that is all.

 

OK, so you live in Atlanta. So you probably hunt and fish a little here and there right? Do you have Bullets for the gun that you shoot? Do you have lures for the fishing pole that you bought????? Why buy a truck that is not 4x4!!!! The extra weight is nothing to the Cummins!! Oh, and if I only owed 8,000 on an 03 with that Engine I would pay that thing off and take care of her. The payment of a new truck is a heavy burden to take on during these times with Fuel Prices, and insurance prices going up. If you need the new truck then get it. If you only just want the truck and could use the money to better the House, Kids, Wife, Mother, Father, Grandparents, Travle Trailer, blah, blah, then go that route. This will be the last Full Size truck that I buy New Ever. I'm finally in a financial situation that I could go ahead and afford to buy a new truck that will last me who knows how long!!

Good Luck, and think it through real good!!!!!!

 

Keep dreaming about that fuel mileage. My '03 4x4 CTD was getting 21 on the road, 16 with travel trailer. This '06 does 15 on the road and 9 with the trailer.

 

The first thing you missed was the #1 reason (above) should be the #1 reason to keep your truck. It's almost paid off is the second.

 

I didn't catch if the 06 was a long bed or short bed. Either way, if you have problems now parking the SRW, you are going to absolutely LOVE parking a dually, especially a longbed. I think an 03 with only 90K on the clock with an 8000 payoff would be worth keeping. It is barely broke in!!

 

4 notes left and 23k on the odometer I wanted a 4x4 BUT really wanted a SRW AUTO. Paid 31 and change for mine. Other then AC issue I'm ok with my truck.Only used 4x4 a few times but would have been stuck without it. Wet grass/trailer etc.

 

Well, I have decided not to sell. Main reason is payment. The wife and I have decided to accelerate the payments even further and try to get it paid off the first of the year.

PLUS, what the payment would go up would get us the camper we want. That will come in sping.

I will probably just buy a small car for running into Atlanta and move on.

Thanks guys for the input.

 

Why not consider a used '03/'04 Ram with the same specs you mentioned on the '06? That would get the payment down to where you want it to be, and your fuel mileage wouldn't take a hit.

Personally, I love my 2wd for the reasons you mentioned above, especially the parking garages.

 

You just can't find them around here. Been looking since June. Every one I have looked at is not in very good shape or they are within 3 or 4 thousand of a new.

I did find one '04 with 78k miles. It was appointed about like mine. At the time I was in the 86k mile range. Dealer wanted $27,9 and only wanted to give me $18k. He was too high I thought and WAY to low for me to trade. Even if I sold mine for $24 he would have been to high.