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HunterUnderSaddleGirl · Mar 29, 2019 2:17 AM

Hello,

Just hoping for some advice.

For a few years now I have been casually dreaming about having my own truck. I have not been actively searching though because I am having a hard time guessing what I will need in the future. I think, that mostly my hope for a truck is just a fantasy, however, I can come up with some legitimate reasons. The first being that I have a horse, and you kinda need a truck to pull a horse with a horse trailer.... The other thing is that since I have turned 16 my Mom has been letting me use her car. Which compared to what high school/ college students drive it is VERY nice. However it's a Hyunda with 187,000 miles. I'm used to cars lasting until 300k, but you just never know.... And things have been breaking and just this month it cost me 1000$ in maintenance. Also it will cost 640$ to fix my air conditioner! So even though I live in Arizona, I think I'm going to have to continue without an air conditioner.

When I have my horse I don't know what kind of traveling I am planning on doing. I don't know if I will have the time, will, or money to go to horse shows. So I don't know if she will just stay at the place I am boarding. I will however will be taking her up to Montana with me for 2020 fall semester. But that far there are pros and cons to hiring somebody or taking her myself. I will need a vehicle up there for me too. But I do NOT have a trailer. Normally my trainer hauls my horse everywhere I need to go. Or mom takes her 1/2 ton truck and borrows my trainer's trailer. However I will be going to school 2 hours away, so although I think that Carla (my trainer) could take me up there at first it is unlikely that she would be able to take me anywhere.

So... anyways... that was my introduction.

I do have more money saved up than your average teenager. However it is small enough that it will go quickly. Thankfully I have full tuition at the college.

A year or less ago I fell in love with a blue ford 2003 truck that was either a 3/4 ton or full ton. Diesal. Gorgeous.... And about 3x my price range.... So obviously my budget is pretty small. I would prefer a full ton, but would compromise on a 3/4 ton. So after that truck there were a couple trucks that caught my eye, but they were all half tons. So, I've been able to put my hope on hold.

So today on my way to Mom's BF's house I saw a truck for sale. It's a '92 3/4 ton Chevy. Just about everything has been replaced within 2 years. From brakes to new engine, to lots of other things. He says 8000$ worth of stuff. But it's just too small to pull his toy hauler. It does have 323000 miles though. But I took it for a test drive, and everything feels great. Only wants 4500$ for it. (four wheel drive and air conditioner too!)

So I don't know if I should be jumping on this or not. It seems like Mom is going to let me keep driving the car for a while, but I don't want to assume, and am at the stage where I am (supposed) to be taking care of myself now. She jokes about upgrading her truck and letting me have her truck, but honestly? Not holding my breath. My Dad says that I'm in his will for his full ton 99 diesal Ford. Which... my Dad is 68 years old, but is going great, and I have plans for him to live another 30 years!

Another thing I have to consider is insurance. So far the car is still on Mom's insurance... I could pay cash for the truck but would still have to pay for insurance etc. Also it gets less than 1/2 the gas mileage my car currently gets....

I had issues getting links to work from my hosting site, but I am going to try and post pictures on here too.

Any advice?

HunterUnderSaddleGirl · Mar 29, 2019 2:19 AM

Cheers · Mar 29, 2019 3:36 AM

My only main advice is to get a mechanic you know and trust to go over it if it looks like you might buy.

Also remember that in addition to those insurance and gas costs that will be over and above what you’ve been paying, you’ll also have registration/tags and possibly regular roadworthy inspections with a car of that age. Also personal property tax. And is there a fee you need to pay to get the title shifted to you? If so, do you pay that or does the seller pay it? Sales tax? Lots of hidden costs to these transactions!

Timelessstars · Mar 29, 2019 11:45 AM

Ok first question when you get a rig. Why not ask if you can put it on your parents insurance? But pay whatever the cost is to add your vehicle to the insurance and the monthly insurance cost? That’s what I’ve been doing for the last 4 years and I’ve saved a ton of money doing that. So I would see if that is at least an option.

As long as you’re only going to be pulling a 2 stall horse trailer there are several other vehicles that could pull that without a problem. A suburban, expedition, a Durango those are just the ones I know off the top of my head. I’m currently driving a Durango, and love it. It has the same engine in it that is in one of my dads pickups, so it has plenty of power to pull a horse trailer. When I looked at the cost to buy it $1,800 seemed to be the average for one. So your options are not limited to pickups unless you want it to be, you might find something else cheaper and upgrade to a pickup later.

Something I highly recommend thinking about is gass mileage. It can cost you an arm and a leg if your vehicle has bad gas mileage. Something I would ask about for the ‘92 Chevy.

You said you were coming to Montana for collage I Highly suggests getting your horse up here the summer before you start college. That is what recommend to me when I was looking at getting 2 of my aunts horse from Arizona. Her body will need time to accumulate to Montana weather which is similar to yours in the summer, but vastly different in the winter. We’re in the beginning of spring up here and my mare just lost the first of her winter coat, and she is still very fluffy and has another to go before she will be in her summer coat. Your horse will probably need a bit for her body to realize she needs a very thick winter coat. So for her sake, that’s my suggestion. Blankets are fine, but it gets to be -20/-50 and that is not counting windchill so a winter coat is still important. We consider -50 cold but -60 is not uncommon either.

I hope this helps you with your decision. :)

If you have any questions about Montana just send me a PM.

RipshinCreekFarm · Mar 29, 2019 1:35 PM

I am going to echo what Cheers said, and whatever vehicle you consider, find a trusted mechanic to check it.
My husband is a TOAT, and we usually have a project vehicle floating around. Our work truck is a 98 Dodge Ram that has nearly 500k miles on a gas engine. I do not recommend this for the faint of heart.
The '92 Chevy had be totally reworked, and if you seriously consider it try to find out where the parts came from and what a new engine means. Factory parts can be harder to find as a vehicle ages, so you would want to find out if the replaced parts came from a known brand with a warranty (usually 1-2 years) or if they were the cheapest thing found on Ebay (this leads to four letter words). Find out what new engine means as well - for some it means crate, for some it means reconditioned. And although running gear has been replaced, at that age you have metal fatigue and the bolts that hold things together can get dicey, so body work can become a possibility.
Some of the cons of older vehicles: age means repairs, usually poor gas mileage, emission testing could be an issue in some states, finding good insurance coverage, finding good parts.
Some of the pros: usually cheapish, low registration fees/tag taxes (in my state)

HunterUnderSaddleGirl · Mar 29, 2019 2:54 PM

Yes, I will probably take it to my Dad's mechanic, or my friend John that works on trucks a lot.

I hadn't thought about that too much! I am SO upset that my Dad and Helen sold their old expedition for only 1,000$. I was SO certain I knew what was wrong with it. (wouldn't start). But I'm pretty sure that's because they locked it, and the security system would cut fuel to the engine. Everything else in it was GREAT! But that was 3 years ago when I wasn't looking for a vehicle for myself.

I'll have too look into Durango's! I didn't know that they existed much less that there were that inexpensive, something to consider.

Yes, I am worried about my girl this winter and next winter. Right now she is leased out in PHX, then in September I will get her back and move up north to 7000ft where they get at least a few feet of snow every year. She has been under lights the past 4-5 years so I'm worried she won't grow a coat. Although 2020 I would probably head up there in May, and stay through December. My sister lives up there and offered me a free room. There is a public boarding place within a mile of her house that I could work off board. But no actual barn. Just a mare motel and shelters. However there is a place a mile the other direction that does have barns, but I think it's private. So I don't know what to do.

Yea.... On a good day my car gets 22, although it has gotten as low as 17. Usually it gets 18 though. The truck gets 9-10.... so that sucks.

I will probably message you about Montana.

He has completely reworked it. He showed me the extensive list of what was new, and I was actually kinda impressed.The engine which now has a lifetime warranty from a local trusted mechanic. He said he would be happy to show me the paperwork from. that

I want a truck soo bad! Even just to drive around in. But after I pay for my schools Ireland trip, and this truck I think I would be down to about 1000$ total. So about a couple months worth of food. lol.... But I will need to buy a truck if my Mom randomly decides that the car is falling apart again and sells it out from under me. I would rather not be buying something in a panic.

HTRanch · Mar 29, 2019 7:19 PM

My advice as a fellow college student is to figure out how much you will be hauling your mare at school, and if there is someone else with a rig you could borrow in an emergency. I go to school a 25 hours drive away from my hometown, and I also have a job on top of school. As much as I would love a truck, for this season of my life I couldn't have anything better than the car I have now (2012 Ford Focus). She might be a plain jane commuter car, but 35mpg can't be beat! My boyfriend (hometown 8 hours away from school) has a 2008 (?) Chevy Colorado that he put a lot of thought into buying. While he loves having a truck, he does wish he'd bought something with better mileage, because driving back home over breaks gets expensive.

HunterUnderSaddleGirl · Mar 29, 2019 7:40 PM

Good points HTRanch. I really wish I knew the answer to those questions. I have so many questions about my future, and that is ultimately why I am having this conundrum to the question of getting the truck. Will I have the time/money or desire to go to horse shows? The place I am considering boarding her in N. Arizona is a H/J trainer, and although I do jump my girl, I don't know if I would haul with them to shows. Most of the state breed shows would be 4 hours away. There are extensive forrests if I want to go out riding as far as trail riding.

My school has a really good exchange program. So even though my school is only 2 hours away from home, I might exchange to other places. Like Montana, or Tuscon. I don't know how far away Missoula is, but I would probably just fly back home for 60$ if I want to visit. Although my sister has only 2 cars that barely work, so I would need to drive a car out there. Then once I'm there there is no one that could haul her. But I don't know if there's APHA or open shows there anyway. And again would I have the time/money or desire to show? But again the vet conundrum. At home my Mom's BF is also our veterinarian( and he's solely a traveling veterinarian) so hauling is not an issue, but I haven't thought that far ahead to any of the schools I'm going to.

And the other thing I just thought of is safety. There's a lot of 2 lane roads between home and my school. The truck has some weight behind it.

I think if I used this truck for pulling/working, it would be a steal. If I just leave my horse at wherever she's boarded, and ride her wherever than I need to be practical and accept the gifts given, and put a hold on the fantasy. I just don't know! As it is now I think I could get through at least one semester without working and still have enough money (I will probably work part-time though anyways). If I did get the truck I would have to work. Which is worth it if I can use it and show, but a waste if not.

Cheers · Mar 29, 2019 9:24 PM

I would assume that you will not have enough time to study/make good grades, work, and show your firs year of college. Adjusting to living on your own and doing all the simple daily chores that come with having to take care of yourself will be hard, as will adjusting to the academic work load, and to a social life where no one tells you to go to bed at a certain time. Having time to ride at all will be difficult enough.

I would tend to tell you to get something small with good gas mileage and very very safe for your first year. Something big enough for you to haul around your tack and a bale of hay but not something heavy enough to haul a trailer. If you get the opportunity to show and can beg a ride for your horse, awesome, but your academics need to be your top priority. You can always resell the small car next year and buy a truck once you have more certainty of what your life is like in college. Just take good care of it in the meantime!

Cheers · Mar 29, 2019 9:26 PM

(I personally am a huge fan of hatchbacks. Big enough for 4 people or 2 people and a ton of stuff in the back, small enough to fit easily into any parking spot and get fabulous gas mileage, and generally cute and fun to drive. But I’m biased and own a little Suzuki Swift hatchback myself)

HTRanch · Mar 29, 2019 9:51 PM

Yes! Hatchbacks are amazing! I'm also biased, but I love my little car. She's gotten me through a lot.

And expect college to be an adjustment. I'm a junior and I'm still trying to figure out how to manage time well because my homework load and responsibilities are constantly changing. I'd love to be able to get up at 4am on weekends to go horse show, but most weekends I just appreciate the time I have to sleep lol. College is a challenge, and you are totally up to it, but make sure you manage expectations. There are lots of students on here who get the struggle and are here for you.

HunterUnderSaddleGirl · Mar 30, 2019 5:23 AM

I love my car! I just hope it keeps going, and so does Mom's truck so she doesn't ask for the car back! So happy with the car. It's been getting 17mpg, but the 1000$ of maintenance must've done something as it got just over 20 today.

Yea... I'm kinda worried about it. I've been fortunate enough to take some college classes while still in high school, but my mom is absolutely convinced that I have no study habits that I'm going to trip and fall pretty badly. I understand some of her reasoning, but I know that I am going to try as hard as possible, and get help the second I need it. I do plan on doing 3 programs, but I have already told myself that I would not be upset with myself if I dropped the dual language major. I am TERRIBLE at learning another language, but I want to be able to say I tried.

I think that I have pretty much given up on the truck. I still wish I could think of a halfway reasonable solution. I kinda wish that my Dad would have even let me talk to him about it. But he was exhausted on top of his normal weirdness.. I only got to "cute truck, and affordable", and he starts shouting "Affordable to who? Not Me! But Bill Gates could line them up and blow them out of the sky if he wanted to!" Real helpful Dad.

I wonder why I enjoyed driving that truck so much. It didn't really accelerate per se. It didn't feel particularly big. Even the dashboard looked kinda bland next to my car. But it was still kinda exhilerating. But, I guess that's motivation to do your best in life so that you can have the things you want.

HTRanch · Mar 30, 2019 6:17 PM

College will be an adjustment, but you can do it! Freshman year especially can be tough as you adjust to being on your own. My study habits changed a lot from high school, but I had to figure out what worked best for me personally. Everyone studies differently.
It's good you are willing to reach out for help. My professors are always happy to let me come to their office if I don't understand something, and they have been calming presences for me in the really tough life situations too. And get yourself a good roommate and loyal friends! My roomies are my lifeline.

Haltanny · Apr 1, 2019 8:17 PM

Maybe I'm biased, but a dodge dakota sounds like it would be Perfect for you. They can pull a 1-2 horse trailer, but still get excellent fuel mileage when not hauling. If you get one with a back seat, its like the best of both worlds. I have a 2001 Dakota sport 5 speed. I get 22-27 miles per gallon depending highway/city. About 14-18 mpg with a trailer, depending on exactly how heavy and how hilly of an area. They're generally cheaper than a big truck all around - purchase cost, maintenance cost, fuel, insurance, taxes have all been comparable or cheaper than a car. If you really want a truck, maybe start looking into them? I bought mine for $900 cash, a couple hundred to fix some minor things (needed a headlight and a window) and it's been an excellent truck for 4+ years (with regular maintenance of course).

HunterUnderSaddleGirl · Apr 1, 2019 8:35 PM

That does sound great! I haven't seen any, but I will definitely keep an eye out. That is even better gas mileage than my car.

HunterUnderSaddleGirl · Apr 16, 2019 9:34 PM

Getting all terrain tires for the car today so it will do better in a snowy environment! Lots of drama to get here, but I think I’m excited! Just hope Moms truck keeps running great so she doesn’t ask for my car back...

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