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I posted a thread awhile back on what vehicle to buy I ended up buying a 2016 Mazda 3 and using a trailer to pull my bike.. I really regret this decision as I just don't find my self riding a lot anymore because it's just so sketchy pulling a bike on a 4x6 trailer with a small car.. really want to trade it in for a truck but want to keep my payment around $300 a month. What do you guys think?
My hopes would be to get this down to around 20-22k
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Do you have a use for a full size truck? You might be better with a mid size or an SUV/Crossover with one of those bike hitch carriers. If you're getting a truck just to carry your bike to and from places you don't need a full size. I know a van isn't as cool or for everyone but they are practical and you have less chance to have your bike stolen than a truck.
Keep in mind that your gas bill will be going up.
Edit: Other than that Chevrolet makes a great truck. Never had big problems with them.
"Sorry Goose, but it's time to buzz the tower."
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Oh, 
The thought of a mazda 3 towing makes me smile. Score yourself a cheap ranger, dakota, s10, whatever on craigslist real quick. Smaller trucks perfect for a one man moto crew, great gas mileage, and they're usually fairly low budget so you can beat the crap outa them.
Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst.
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-MAVERICK- wrote:Do you have a use for a full size truck? You might be better with a mid size or an SUV/Crossover with one of those bike hitch ...more
I was also looking at tacomas and colorados. Better gas mileage with them. But to answer your question no at the moment I don't have a use for a full size truck
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Why not just get a small used affordable truck?
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-MAVERICK- wrote:Do you have a use for a full size truck? You might be better with a mid size or an SUV/Crossover with one of those bike hitch ...more
Well if you don't have any use for a full size truck now or in the near future I'd look at getting a smaller truck. Cheaper to buy and more economical than a full size truck and it will do exactly what you're looking for.
Good luck with your search.
"Sorry Goose, but it's time to buzz the tower."
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You mention you want to stay around 300/mo. Keep in mind that $ 20,000 @3.99% for 72 mos is $312/mo. So unless you paid cash for that 2016 Mazda 3 ,its going to be very difficult to buy a newer full size 4x4 and keep your payment anywhere near 300. Just to give you the financial viewpoint.
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So you are going from one extreme to the other I see.
This is exactly how people get in bad financial shape. You likely have a payment already on the Mazda. And now you want to trade that in, and of course we all know you are not going to get out of that deal whole. So you are going to roll over what you owe left into another payment onto another used vehicle.
Do the sensible thing and go get a 10-15k max used vehicle. 25k truck on top of what you have to roll over on the Mazda is beyond stupid.
Go to Craigslist or Carmax and look around in the 10k-15k range. Lots of decent vehicles in that price point.
Sorry to be a bit harsh but I think someone should tell you what you need to know. Not what you want to hear.
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I had a 2010 Canyon. Great little truck but little is the key word. Your tail gate will be down and IMO it really isn't any better then that little trailer you are using. For the money, you can find a used full size truck. If you can find a long bed, go for it and stick a tool box on there. That way if you you ever wanted to get a 14' or 16' enclosed for your moto stuff, you can tow it down the road at 80 no problem.
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This may be the best option.. I just want whatever I get for it to have lower miles. Im open to any years it doesn't have to be brand new.
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How often do you go to the track? If it's once a week, just rent a pickup from UHaul for $19 and call it good. Otherwise you're screwing yourself by rolling your losses from one vehicle into another.....
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Sorry to crash convo but SUMDOOD from Clemente, I saw your post with track crew t-shirts and want to know if you would email me for a chat and pictures. Thankyou dav.johnson@hotmail.com
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This is a fantastic idea. If all you need a truck for is to take your bike someplace, gauge how many times you actually do that. Save some money if you can; buying cars is a huge money pit. Believe me - I know!
I used to bum rides with my buddies to the track when I owned a car. If you have that option, use it!
Braaapin' aint easy.
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Or you could invest in a larger aluminum trailer and keep the car. Bigger steel trailer would work to, a buddy who tows hia bikes with a wrx had me weld up rails that are 3 feet. Even if a bike comes un hooked it stays in the trailer.
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Hey guys, I think what I'm gonna do is pick up a van for moto and keep my car for work. Have found some vans with relatively low miles for around 4K (in my budget) plus I think it would be fun to build. Get the truck down the road when I can get the one I want and better off financially (I'm only 21) lol
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Leasehackr ! Lease a new truck. Sell it at about 30 months....go to the site. Read. It'll make more sense.
If I was you I'd sell the car. And buy a relatively nice used van. Box it out. You can live out of that thing when need be.
GP740
Since 1987
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GeorgiePorgie wrote:Leasehackr ! Lease a new truck. Sell it at about 30 months....go to the site. Read. It'll make more sense.
If I was you I'd ...more
Terrible gas mileage for a van though. I drive my Mazda for work.
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Looking at how it is loaded, you are probably a little light on trailer tongue weight, which is why it feels sketchy to you. I'd get a slightly longer trailer so the bike can sit parallel in the trailer instead of diagonal, and put both the fan and cooler up front as well. Pretty much any car should be able to tow 600 pounds worth of trailer and dirtbike.
The backup plan of buying a van makes sense too though.
Nick
-2015 Grom grocery getter
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2800?? that's the cost of a clapped out Honda Civic! I'd jump on this one of I was you bro...152k miles is not bad for those motors with the right maintenance. If you don't have the cash but you have the credit, you could get a credit card from a union with a lower interest rate for withdrawls and pay cash for it. Pay that sucker off in less than a year and you OWN a sweet LOCKABLE BIKE HAULER that you don't have to worry about. Got a gearbag stolen out of my bed once. The contents cost a lot more than this van does.
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If it’s a 14 or an early 15 avoid it. They are cheaply built and shake at speed. I dumped my 14 as soon as I found out they didn’t polish the cams. GM dealerships already have cam and valve repair kits available for when the trucks start grenading at 120k. My 14 shook from 60 - 70 mph like a tire was out of balance, and Chevy basically told me to get fucked after taking it to them 4 times.
Washed up moto and enduro weekend warrior.
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That is pretty sketch man. I mean it works, but..yeah....I'd definitely wanna truck too in your position.
