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kjbasser t1_iy1994o wrote

You’re talking about spending roughly 100% of your yearly income on a vehicle that you may use to make some money on the side. Bad idea, you can’t afford it

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Werewolfdad t1_iy1076a wrote

How much will you realistically make doing this side work?

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rodiraskol t1_iy14a7d wrote

If you need a work vehicle, why not consider a small utility van like the Transit Connect? Just eyeballing the MSRPs, it may well come cheaper. And it might even be more practical.

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Aleyla t1_iy1il85 wrote

>I am a diesel mechanic

Ok

>Not to mention, on any used vehicle I’d have to add in a warranty….

Why? If you’re a mechanic then why would you want a dealer to swap parts that you can do yourself?

> I’ve got my eye on a 2022 single cab f250, priced at $52,000. snip I can’t help but think this would be a dumb decision.

That’s because the way you are thinking about this is wrong.

Start with how much do you think you could make doing this side gig on a monthly basis? Be realistic. Is the amount you would be paying for this truck, plus insurance, gas and maintenance be more or less than that? Because that $580 is just the bottom number of what this thing is going to cost you each and every month.

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Aleyla t1_iy1le4p wrote

Adding a little more to this: A work truck is just a tool that enables you to do a job. It is no different than a 1/2” ratchet or a hammer in your toolbox. It’s not something to be obsessed over.

It will be scratched and dented, beat up and abused. But at the end of the day it must make you more money than it costs you.

Everything you’ve said ( OP ) makes it sound like you arent seeing this as a tool you need but rather as a thing you want - and that makes this whole conversation the wrong way of looking at it. Go look at the tools in your toolbox. Why did you buy each of those? Apply that same logic here.

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nozzery t1_iy12ari wrote

Why don't you try long-term renting or short-term leasing a truck to get your side gig off the ground, and then if things look good then you'll have a better idea of the profit potential. But on the surface, yes, buying a truck to start a side-gig with unknown upside is not a good move, at all.

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SolutionLeading t1_iy15nxl wrote

Would you still be able to afford the payment when you move out, on your current income?

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Logger351 t1_iy19aj7 wrote

Where do you live? Diesel techs are in high demand. Our company is starting our techs at a much higher rate with incentives to start.

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racf599 t1_iy1jl4u wrote

why do you think you need a 3/4 ton truck instead of a 1/2 ton? the parts and tools you'd be hauling around probably won't weigh so much that the extra capacity is necessary. you should also be aware that many people will look at your shiny new truck and think you are either overpriced or dumb. you will have more street cred with the farmers if you aren't driving a pavement princess. in fact, the older the truck the better. it shows you can keep the oldies running.

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r3dk0w t1_iy1kfna wrote

I don't have an answer for you, but when I leased my truck part of the lease agreement said no commercial use of the truck. If you're doing a finance, you might check the terms for phrases like that too.

Also, if you are using it for business, you need to check with the insurance company for the same reasons.

I'm not sure what field work you would do but a used van can be found for $5-10k and would provide security for any tools, supplies, or other things you are carrying. Having a truck is an open invitation to anyone to easily take what you are carrying in the back.

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