Question about most practical vehicle.

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Question about most practical vehicle.

Brian H.
Carolina · Member since 2017 · 519 posts · 222 votes

Hi!

I am reaching a point where I badly need a new vehicle.  I can afford it, so that is not the issue. My question is about what the most practical vehicle type would be.  

I am looking at either a truck or an SUV-type of vehicle. The trade offs are that the truck has an open, large bed and higher towing capacity but much lower MPG but the Hyundai Santa Fe I am looking at gets almost 30mpg and still has a good bit of cargo space with seats down and has a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.  Some of the properties Iwork with are as far as 2 hours away so I sometimes drive a lot. I figure the Santa Fe makes more sense, yes? I could buy a trailer for moving appliances and such when necessary?  Or do trucks just end up being more practical in the end?

Sorry if this is a ridiculous question. Just will be a big investment for me so I want it to make sense. 

Thank you!!

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Chris Martin
Investor · Willow Spring, NC · Member since 2009 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
8y
Originally posted by @Brian H.:

@Account Closed  Absolutely.  Was looking maybe 2016.

@Matt P.  Iwas looking at Toyota 4-Runners, Toyota Sequioas, Honda Pilots, or Hyundai Santa Fes (All based on reviews/ratings I have spent hours on)when it comes to SUVs. They would all fit that with back seats down.  

The trucks I was looking at were the Ford F-150 (can't imagine I need an F-250) or Toyota Tacoma.

Thank you guys for your input thus far!

An option that you could consider is buying from . I have bought 2 trucks from there in the past 2 years, both running fine but would be considered 'beaters'. The Dodge RAM 2500 (~260K miles) was $551.51 and my RAM 3500 (38K miles, destined to tow my Bobcat T-770) was about $2600. Both of my buys were in Raleigh, where we pay more than places like Boone or Elizabeth City... where drivable vehicles sometimes go for $500. 

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  • Chris Szepessy
    Catskill, NY · Member since 2018 · 636 posts · 668 votes
    8y

    I suggest a small/midsize truck with extended/crew cab.  You really can't beat the versatility of them.  I have a 2006 Ram 1500 that only gets 10-12 MPG but I have a 1995 Subaru that I drive daily so gas mileage isn't really an issue.  I don't use my truck every day (sometimes not even weekly) but I sometimes wonder how anyone gets by without a truck.  If you do get a truck, you'll find "friends" you didn't know you had who will always need help moving something. lol

    You could also consider a Caravan with stow-n-go seating.  I know a van isn't exactly cool, but I see quite a few people who use them as contractor vehicles.  

    0Reply
  • Matt P.
    Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 4 votes
    8y

    whatever you get make sure it can fit a few 4x8 sheets of drywall. Also a truck with a window that opens between the cab and the bed is very useful for long pieces of lumber.   

    1Reply
  • Matt P.
    Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 4 votes
    8y

    And keep in mind when it comes to SUVs and trucks; American makes are just as reliable if not more than foreign made. 

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor · Brooke Park Drive · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    8y

    Buying 2-3 years used is better value than buying new

    0Reply
  • Brian H.
    OP
    Carolina · Member since 2017 · 519 posts · 222 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Chris Szepessy:

    I suggest a small/midsize truck with extended/crew cab.  You really can't beat the versatility of them.  I have a 2006 Ram 1500 that only gets 10-12 MPG but I have a 1995 Subaru that I drive daily so gas mileage isn't really an issue.  I don't use my truck every day (sometimes not even weekly) but I sometimes wonder how anyone gets by without a truck.  If you do get a truck, you'll find "friends" you didn't know you had who will always need help moving something. lol

    You could also consider a Caravan with stow-n-go seating.  I know a van isn't exactly cool, but I see quite a few people who use them as contractor vehicles.  

    My main issue is this will be my primary vehicle. My Subaru is about done with its life. Costing too much to keep it running. More than it is worth at this point. And, for the first time in my life, I can afford to buy a vehicle that is maybe 2 years old!  

    The vehicle being my primary vehicle is why I was thinking SUV for normal driving/REI driving since they sometimes have a 30+ MPG rating. I would love to have a primary sedan that had even better MPG and then a truck but I just cannot afford that yet. I am tired of beaters! Not just the money that ends up being put into them but also, I run a restaurant full time (70+ hours a week) and then do the REI on the side, so Idon't have time to work on my own vehicle or have it going back to the mechanics much since I need my vehicle all the time!

    Anyways, that is the reason I was curious about the idea of a full SUV (Hyundai Santa Fe is what I was looking at, great MPG, very highly rated/reviewed, still ha 5000 lbs. towing capacity, and all wheel drive for winter) and then owning a decent trailer to haul bigger stuff like appliances.

    With all that info, people still leaning towards just getting a truck?

    Thanks everyone!

    0Reply
  • Brian H.
    OP
    Carolina · Member since 2017 · 519 posts · 222 votes
    8y

    @Account Closed  Iwas looking at Toyota 4-Runners, Toyota Sequioas, Honda Pilots, or Hyundai Santa Fes (All based on reviews/ratings I have spent hours on)when it comes to SUVs. They would all fit that with back seats down.  

    The trucks I was looking at were the Ford F-150 (can't imagine I need an F-250) or Toyota Tacoma.

    Thank you guys for your input thus far!

    0Reply
  • Chris Szepessy
    Catskill, NY · Member since 2018 · 636 posts · 668 votes
    8y
    If it were me, I’d still be leaning towards a truck. A Toyota Tacoma probably gets around 20 MPG. Not quite as good as the Santa Fe, but just the versatility/convenience I feel makes up for it. I’ve always been a truck guy, so I may be a little bias towards them. Not sure if you’ve test driven any of the vehicles you’re interested in, but doing so may take a couple off your potential list. A 3/4 ton truck is probably overkill for what you need. A half ton or midsize would most likely do just fine.
    0Reply
  • Brooks F.
    Southwest, OH · Member since 2018 · 34 posts · 9 votes
    8y

    I always like the "Best of both worlds".

    I have a full size truck + a high fuel economy sedan. The truck is junky enough that I don't mind USING it. So many people have expensive trucks and they are paranoid about mulch or wood or anything else in the bed. You want a crappy enough truck you can actually use it.

    Then I have a nice sedan for DD duty that is comfortable, safe, and good fuel economy.

    Works out wonderfully, and its cheaper to have both than 1 nice truck.

    0Reply
  • Brian H.
    OP
    Carolina · Member since 2017 · 519 posts · 222 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Brooks F.:

    I always like the "Best of both worlds".

    I have a full size truck + a high fuel economy sedan. The truck is junky enough that I don't mind USING it. So many people have expensive trucks and they are paranoid about mulch or wood or anything else in the bed. You want a crappy enough truck you can actually use it.

    Then I have a nice sedan for DD duty that is comfortable, safe, and good fuel economy.

    Works out wonderfully, and its cheaper to have both than 1 nice truck.

    My issue is my Subaru wagon is really causing issues and costing a lot to keep running. I can't afford more than one vehicle at this point. I guess I will go with a higher MPG mid-size SUV and Ican use a trailer to move stuff if I need. Then get a truck down the line.   I do a lot more driving where I am not hauling, so at this point I feel like maybe the higher MPG makes more sense since I do drive a lot?

    0Reply
  • Paul Dorn
    Cleveland, OH · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 2 votes
    8y
    I have to suggest a truck. So much versatility with them. Newer models of the ram 1500 can run off two cylinders when on the highway. My dad just got 26 mpg going over to eastern Washington and back.
    0Reply
  • Chris Cliff
    Lynnwood, WA · Member since 2009 · 38 posts · 9 votes
    8y

    Currently I'm pondering a used Transit Connect.  Can't dump mulch/gravel and so on in the back, but can haul all sorts of things and is utilitarian enough to not care if it gets dirty.

    0Reply
  • Linda S.
    Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    8y

    @Brian H.,

    IMO you need a work truck for your properties.. something you can do dump runs in, get drywall, get flooring, something that can be very functional!     We have a 1987 Nissan, does great!   I'd absolutely recommend an older, cheap work truck (under $2K), and then a car or SUV for everyday, that gets better gas mileage.   

    1Reply
  • Mike CumbieBusiness Member
    REALTOR® · Brockport, NY · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    8y

    @Brian H.

    What do you do daily will help answer your question. If you are never going to be towing anything then towing capacity is moot. If you are looking for something that could handle towing some appliances then it is still pretty irrelevant as a Chevy Cruze could tow a dishwasher and stove. Do you currently own property that you are self managing? Are you flipping? Do you have a regular 9-5 that you drive 65 miles each way to? Without more information most suggestions are just personal preferences.

    Just my 2 cents.

    1Reply
  • Chris Cliff
    Lynnwood, WA · Member since 2009 · 38 posts · 9 votes
    8y

    Personally I'm considering a Transit Connect or a Ram Promaster City.  Big enough to haul most things, but still small enough to park in the town. Gas mileage is still in the low 20s, and they have lots of space inside. 

    0Reply
  • Chris Martin
    Investor · Willow Spring, NC · Member since 2009 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Brian H.:

    @Account Closed  Absolutely.  Was looking maybe 2016.

    @Matt P.  Iwas looking at Toyota 4-Runners, Toyota Sequioas, Honda Pilots, or Hyundai Santa Fes (All based on reviews/ratings I have spent hours on)when it comes to SUVs. They would all fit that with back seats down.  

    The trucks I was looking at were the Ford F-150 (can't imagine I need an F-250) or Toyota Tacoma.

    Thank you guys for your input thus far!

    An option that you could consider is buying from . I have bought 2 trucks from there in the past 2 years, both running fine but would be considered 'beaters'. The Dodge RAM 2500 (~260K miles) was $551.51 and my RAM 3500 (38K miles, destined to tow my Bobcat T-770) was about $2600. Both of my buys were in Raleigh, where we pay more than places like Boone or Elizabeth City... where drivable vehicles sometimes go for $500. 

    2Reply
  • Chris Szepessy
    Catskill, NY · Member since 2018 · 636 posts · 668 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Chris Martin:
    Originally posted by @Brian H.:

    @Account Closed  Absolutely.  Was looking maybe 2016.

    @Matt P.  Iwas looking at Toyota 4-Runners, Toyota Sequioas, Honda Pilots, or Hyundai Santa Fes (All based on reviews/ratings I have spent hours on)when it comes to SUVs. They would all fit that with back seats down.  

    The trucks I was looking at were the Ford F-150 (can't imagine I need an F-250) or Toyota Tacoma.

    Thank you guys for your input thus far!

    An option that you could consider is buying from . I have bought 2 trucks from there in the past 2 years, both running fine but would be considered 'beaters'. The Dodge RAM 2500 (~260K miles) was $551.51 and my RAM 3500 (38K miles, destined to tow my Bobcat T-770) was about $2600. Both of my buys were in Raleigh, where we pay more than places like Boone or Elizabeth City... where drivable vehicles sometimes go for $500. 

    Why do these vehicles go for so cheap? Not enough bidders to drive up the prices?   

    1Reply
  • Chris Martin
    Investor · Willow Spring, NC · Member since 2009 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Chris Szepessy:
    Originally posted by @Chris Martin:
    Originally posted by @Brian H.:

    @Account Closed  Absolutely.  Was looking maybe 2016.

    @Matt P.  Iwas looking at Toyota 4-Runners, Toyota Sequioas, Honda Pilots, or Hyundai Santa Fes (All based on reviews/ratings I have spent hours on)when it comes to SUVs. They would all fit that with back seats down.  

    The trucks I was looking at were the Ford F-150 (can't imagine I need an F-250) or Toyota Tacoma.

    Thank you guys for your input thus far!

    An option that you could consider is buying from . I have bought 2 trucks from there in the past 2 years, both running fine but would be considered 'beaters'. The Dodge RAM 2500 (~260K miles) was $551.51 and my RAM 3500 (38K miles, destined to tow my Bobcat T-770) was about $2600. Both of my buys were in Raleigh, where we pay more than places like Boone or Elizabeth City... where drivable vehicles sometimes go for $500. 

    Why do these vehicles go for so cheap? Not enough bidders to drive up the prices?   

    It depends on the vehicle. In my cases, I didn't mind having an older vehicle that some would consider ugly. The 2500 just needed a battery (I take a jumper box with me). I did replace brakes after driving it about 10,000 miles, mainly because I was using the truck to tow a chipper... so more preventative maintenance than anything.  But I have to say, it took me about a year to win the bid, since I wanted to stay patient and get a true bargain. 

    So to answer the question, older drivable vehicles go cheap because dealers prefer to buy the newer vehicles and push the newer model prices up some. I've talked to them in the yard. At this point in the economic cycle, there are fewer used cars for dealer inventory so the prices have crept up. But older vehicles that have acceptable impairments (dings, dents, maybe sheet metal damage, etc.) but aren't leaking fluids and start and sound 'normal'... there are some reasonable buys if you stay patient, even (occasionally) from the high volume sales areas like Raleigh. 

    Here's a trick. Wait for the state to put a lot of the same (or similar) model vehicles up for bid at the same time. My 2500 purchase was one of 18 Dodge and Ford trucks with service bodies (Knapheide in my case) that went to action on the same day. I bid on 4, won one. Just be careful on your inspection and avoid the trucks leaking fluids or rusty, IMO, unless you are mechanically competent. My 2 cents. 

    1Reply
  • Greg Fitch
    Rental Property Investor · Chapel Hill, NC · Member since 2017 · 144 posts · 89 votes
    8y

    If you have gotten by all these years with a Subaru, I am assuming the need to schlep sheetrock and spackle in this vehicle is minimal? I just got a Toyota Highlander Hybrid; it is a very comfortable drive and the line has been out for years so knock wood any bugs have been addressed already. If you are in your car so much I would say find a vehicle that is really comfortable to be in and has high reliability. 

    Consumer Reports is a tremendous resource here - truly unbiased research. Very useful videos. Look and see what tens of thousands of car owners have said about their experience.

    I am getting 27 mph so beware you'll be hard pressed to get to 30 mph with any mid sized SUV - unless you only drive on uncongested highways. I was searching for good mileage too.

    Also you might look at AAA's car buying service out of Charlotte. I used them for the Toyota and saved thousands of dollars over dealer prices and the car was driven to work so the experience was amazing.

    Both of those memberships are about $40 but well worth it.

    0Reply
  • Vernalene Perez
    Municipality Of Concepcion, MIMAROPA · Member since 2016 · 57 posts · 4 votes
    8y

    the For F-150 is great as well as Hyundai Santa Fe. buy whatever you think is best for you

    0Reply
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