Campfire

[gingerK]

Sheila, I guess you have to consider age and mileage on the truck when deciding whether or not it's worth putting more into. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and get something else rather than continuing to pour money into a "money pit". $2K is a lot of money to pour.

[MelissaD]

so I have a question tonight when does one stop putting money in the money pit?
in my case the truck now it needs a computer chip!!! what else can go wrong with it?

Sheila, I've never owned a new vehicle unless you count the 5er. I figure what 6 months of payments would be on a replacement vehicle. If my repair bills cost over that then I look for a new vehicle.

Trucks right now seem to hold their value. I don't know what kind or size of truck you have. $2000 for the computer seems high. Depending upon the age of the truck it might be worth a salvaged computer from a junk yard.

You also might check here http://www.usedenginecomputers.com/ at least you will have an idea if they are jerking you around.

All I know is a new F350/3500 dually is around $50-60,000 and I can buy a lot of parts for that.

Good luck.

[snowball]

so I have a question tonight when does one stop putting money in the money pit?
in my case the truck now it needs a computer chip!!! what else can go wrong with it?

Sheila, I've never owned a new vehicle unless you count the 5er. I figure what 6 months of payments would be on a replacement vehicle. If my repair bills cost over that then I look for a new vehicle.

Trucks right now seem to hold their value. I don't know what kind or size of truck you have. $2000 for the computer seems high. Depending upon the age of the truck it might be worth a salvaged computer from a junk yard.

You also might check here http://www.usedenginecomputers.com/ at least you will have an idea if they are jerking you around.

All I know is a new F350/3500 dually is around $50-60,000 and I can buy a lot of parts for that.

Good luck.

my truck is a dodge ram 1999 diesel over 200000 miles just replaced the tranny last year my nephew is the one working on it he has done so for many years since we first got it used...however he didn't replace the tranny (long story there) the last time...he says that the truck is getting tired I tell him it really needs to last me at least another 2 years...perhaps then I can afford a car payment...my daughters idea is to have some one tow it down to Arizona and then back up and get a smaller car...good idea just don't know that I could come up with that kind of money twice a year...my general thoughts is that it would be cheaper in the long run to keep it going for awhile longer ...oh yes it's a 2500 and I pull a 36 foot 5th wheel with it...would love a 3500 used or new but !!! oh well hopefully I will know something today he is looking for a used one...guess they are hard to find...and not under warranty either.
I did find out today that the truck in the shape it's in now is worth about 6000 if in better condition would be worth 9000...also has only 238000 for a diesel not bad...the used chip is about 300 so we are continuing looking

[Irmi]

Shiela, I can understand your frustration. We have been looking for a computer module for one of our cars for several years. A new one is extremely expensive and a used one isn't cheap. Because of the price of vehicles, we run all of ours into the ground and have lots of people make fun of us because all our vehicles are so old. At this point and time, it's cheaper for us to repair and continue driving. I wish you well with your decision.

[chalet05]

Sheila, I feel your frustration! I was only having minor issues with the old truck so took me awhile to convince myself to spend the money, but I am so glad I did! But only you can decide what you are comfortable with.

Beth, I bought the black 'strip' elbow doohickey. It seems to really help. I find my elbow flares at times but is fine most of the time. Right now it is just the driving causing the flare up. Too much computer mouse will do it, too.

[Bethers]

Anita, I'm glad you're feeling a difference, too. I have to be extra careful to not do things at work with it on.

Irmi, I pretty much ran my motorhome to the ground and will do so with my car. I do take care of it, got the oil changed today, etc. But I'll drive it till it's ready to die, most likely.

[Olive6001]

I have no advice or experience with buying new cars. I drive mine until I don't feel safe doing that and then usually sell them cheap to someone who knows what they're getting, can't afford more, and really needs transportation. (I don't sell unsafe cars.) RVs may turn out to be a whole different deal. After this trip, I think of them as houses with wheels rather than cars with beds and potties. Who knows what's going to happen now that I have the open road bug.

I'm in Price, Utah parked at the Walmart. I'm tired after two full days of driving, but it feels good to be heading toward home. The scenery yesterday and today was breathtaking as usual. I wish I had a way to remember everything I see. I bought Birdie's old camera, but even with the lenses, it doesn't capture the beauty of the landscape, of big vistas and far off mountains. Oh well, I remember the feeling if not each panoramic view. I think my favorite moments of this trip have been when I'm driving by myself just taking it all in. Still, I can't imagine doing this all the time. I miss my kitchen and my library and my stuff. Tina, if you read this, I haven't bought even one painting! Haven't been to galleries or done any shopping other than food and some sturdy shoes. I'm rambling. Tired. Life is good. I'm safe and happy and will sleep like a rock. Happy Trails. Travel safe.

Nikki

[Acadianmom]

It's nothing for us to drive a car or truck 10 to 15 years. I usually just give them to my sister. Her 3 sons are mechanics and they can keep them running another few years. It's usually when the air conditioning is too expensive to fix that makes us get rid of one. My DH traded his 2006 F-350 diesel dully last year because we spent over $3,000 on it and it was still leaving him on the road. That truck should have lasted longer but three shops couldn't find what was wrong with it. I can remember when we thought getting 50,000 miles was good. Vehicles are usually made better today.

Martha

[BirdbyBird]

Good restrain on your part Nikki, but then you have been very busy collecting all sorts of images in your memory.......

[dpf]

We drive until they die. My work car is a 95 Tracer ready to turn to 179,000 and my "good" car is a 2005 Taurus at 80,000. I have no idea what the mileage is on the other 10 vehicles we license!

[Bethers]

I've decided I'm going with my original plans and on to the next job in a few weeks. The brace is helping way more than I expected. I won't overdo and if I can't do it, I'll have to leave early. That said, I need the money. I feel good to have the decision made.

Nikki, you've been having a great trip. And not all off us are meant to be full time. Find the mix that works for you.

[chalet05]

Beth, no offense because there are a lot of things I don't remember, but where is your next job? Thank you so much for the elbow info because that wrap has made a huge difference!

[gingerK]

Beth and Anita what is the "black strip elbow dohickey"?

We too, keep our vehicles for a long time. My Jeep is the newest one, an '06 with 110K on it. We have 2 Ram trucks, an '05 and my '01. Neither of the trucks have many miles on them. My truck mostly sits idle with the camper on it until I need it unless I have to haul my trailer or use it for back up transportation if the Jeep's in the shop. But my son owns a mechanic shop and we own an autobody shop so we tend to keep our vehicles in very good repair.

[avalen]

Beth and Anita what is the "black strip elbow dohickey"?

think they are referring to the elbow brace Beth has to wear for her injury

[chalet05]

The black strip doohickey (sorry I couldn't think what to call it the other day) is a Velcro tennis elbow support by Ace. It's worn just below the elbow. I have seen people with these black bands at their elbow and had no idea what they were! There is also more of a 'sleeve' brace that goes from below to above the elbow.

Sure has made a difference already.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... 05649&rt=d