Johnny O
Well-Known Member
Getting near decision time. Lease is almost up. I have a 2005 Trac, 3.73 gears, larger 265/75-16 tires. Didn't bother with a lot of mods since I lease. Average maybe 14 mpg.
Looking at going back to a Ranger 4x4, 3.sl0w, 5 speed, like I had before that I averaged about 18, 22 on a highway trip. Problem is, gotta go to a regular cab now to get the 3.sl0w and I love the Trac's seats and other features.
OTOH, usually I'm in it by myself. Junior will be starting college next year and my kids don't live with me anyway.
My buyout at lease end is $14,800. Playing around with payment calculators, it looks like a 3 year lease on a Ranger or 4 year loan on the Trac would be about the same monthly payment, either of which is about $100 less than I pay now. $100 would buy a tank and a half of gas.
So if I drop say, $1200 on a Y-pipe, exhaust, XCal2, Zabteck CAI and TB, whaddaya think I'd get? Has anybody done all that?
Or Plan B, get that Mustang GT I've always wanted and find some beater truck for $1000.
Even the wife pointed out that the last time I got a cheap beater it ended up not being so cheap with everything that kept breaking.
Looking at going back to a Ranger 4x4, 3.sl0w, 5 speed, like I had before that I averaged about 18, 22 on a highway trip. Problem is, gotta go to a regular cab now to get the 3.sl0w and I love the Trac's seats and other features.
OTOH, usually I'm in it by myself. Junior will be starting college next year and my kids don't live with me anyway.
My buyout at lease end is $14,800. Playing around with payment calculators, it looks like a 3 year lease on a Ranger or 4 year loan on the Trac would be about the same monthly payment, either of which is about $100 less than I pay now. $100 would buy a tank and a half of gas.
So if I drop say, $1200 on a Y-pipe, exhaust, XCal2, Zabteck CAI and TB, whaddaya think I'd get? Has anybody done all that?
Or Plan B, get that Mustang GT I've always wanted and find some beater truck for $1000.
Even the wife pointed out that the last time I got a cheap beater it ended up not being so cheap with everything that kept breaking.