Sound Board Needed

ckruzer

ckruzer

Infidel
Joined
Jul 2, 2015
Location
asheville nc
Hey all. Ive been silent, but still browsing/reading. Love this group.

Would love to get a sound board's 2cents worth of input. Bash me, jerk me, tell me to GTFO. Whatever. Lol. Its easy to second guess yourself sometimes. Also its cathartic and helpful to just type this out.

I am 34 and I have ownership in a very successful business that I started 12+ years ago and it has grown tremendously, and do about $XXk after taxes not including dividends. Recently have gone through a divorce (that's a sad romance story). Since then I now work remote with the Co still, with occasional onsite work, and I have bought a 3000sqft home in Fairview (making 1.5x payments). Currently, I have a 2018 Ram 3500 4x4 Diesel Bighorn w/Options with g56 and deleted and leveled on 35s and wheels and aux gas tank and aftermarket clutch, paid for no loan. I have a 2020 harley that I do about $700 a month on (2.5x payments). Ive been considering getting a grocery runner (buying outright something 10yrs old). Other than these above bills (plus utilities) I don't have any debt. The ownership in the business is shared with father of the ex. The relationships are all still good, just sad. There is the possibility that in the near future there would be a buyout ($ per month for X years), which would point me in the direction of finding a new venture to start. IF this ends up happening all the bills are still affordable, I am not leveraged to the hilt. IF I romantically move on and its discovered, could it cause an emotional monsoon that injures a professional and fair buyout?

With that little summary. I have been seriously considering selling the truck. Its a dream truck. Its solid. Reliable. Never a tweak wrong with it. Its new and paid for. But it is more truck than I need and see myself needing at anytime in next 10+ years. It was initially purchased for pulling a large RV and also doing runs for the business commonly carrying max capacity loads in the bed. The manual transmission is awesome and a solid piece of machinery, however without actually being used for a workload, the manual transmission just ends up being more annoying than helpful in city traffic as a errand runner. Getting a cheap errand runner, would fix this, and this reliable truck could remain a reliable asset for future towing of a boat, ohv toys, or stolen bank atm machines.

With it deleted I cant just walk into Ram and trade in. Plus a trade in, Nada deems its only worth $50k on a avg trade in value. If I did this route I would just end up prob getting a newer truck. Scared of hemi. Hmm, sounds like the same truck just auto without all the money put into it for upgrades... I could do a private trade for a same or newer year of similar mile - but that carries significant risk as well. Plus this truck still smells "new" when you get in it. I could do a private sale and possibly get more for it... I don't want to get into someone else's problem by trading - so new seems like the only safe answer?

Im attracted to downgrading into something new without payments. and without the manual transmission. I fear the moment I do, I will regret having gotten rid of this truck.
 
1) That actually DOES seem like a lot of debt to me…everything but the house and a single reliable piece of transportation, is what I’d drop.
2) Dealers are paying stupid money for trade ins these days…so probably worth getting a carmax/vroom/etc offer and negotiate upward.
3) Your business should already have something that resembles articles of incorporation that outline liquidation and exit strategies. Review those for buyout potential…if you don’t like the terms or they’re non-existent, get an attorney and draft something better.
 
I'm failing to see why you wouldn't just do private party sale, or look into Vroom etc (the delete thing may or may not matter).
Good trucks are in such high demand right now
 
UTfball68 said:
1) That actually DOES seem like a lot of debt to me…everything but the house and a single reliable piece of transportation, is what I’d drop.
2) Dealers are paying stupid money for trade ins these days…so probably worth getting a carmax/vroom/etc offer and negotiate upward.
3) Your business should already have something that resembles articles of incorporation that outline liquidation and exit strategies. Review those for buyout potential…if you don’t like the terms or they’re non-existent, get an attorney and draft something better.
Click to expand...

The only debt I have other than the house is the bike. Which I could pay off now if I wanted to, but using it to build credit up further after the dent the house purchase made. Its low payment that I can pay double or triple on easily and knock principle down fast and not be out a lot of $ in interest. You may have missed it, but the truck is owned outright, no debt. Yeah it seems the dealers are. Havent considered third parties like carmax etc. Yes the business has an operating agreement. When I mentioned the concern it was just to elaborate all that is on the table. I.e. What if the buyout drags out and there is no revenue coming in for a period of time...

braxton357 said:
Sell it privately for 60k and downgrade to a 6 year old 1500. Get out of the partnership with your ex father in law. If you have a good mortgage rate, let it ride.
Click to expand...
Selling privately could definitely yield more than the trade in. Im biased about a 6 yr old vehicle as a main vehicle. I prefer and always have done at least one new vehicle as a main reliable means of transport.

RatLabGuy said:
I'm failing to see why you wouldn't just do private party sale, or look into Vroom etc (the delete thing may or may not matter).
Good trucks are in such high demand right now
Click to expand...

Yes I could private party. I guess what I am getting at is indecisiveness about something that is paid for and reliable currently
 
ckruzer said:
Yes the business has an operating agreement. When I mentioned the concern it was just to elaborate all that is on the table. I.e. What if the buyout drags out and there is no revenue coming in for a period of time...
Click to expand...


I guess I did misread the debt. But overall That’s why I said an exit strategy, and not an operating agreement. Two very different things. If you don’t have some sort of contractual buyout package, you’re doing it wrong. I’ve never been part of a bonafied business where I don’t get paid inside 6 months. Buyouts are typically a reserved amount in working capital.
 
ckruzer said:
IF I romantically move on and its discovered, could it cause an emotional monsoon that injures a professional and fair buyout?
Click to expand...
I would definitely not do anything that would push any emotional buttons before that is settled.

Is the main point that you don’t like the truck as a DD? The market is smoking hot for diesel trucks, especially with no emissions equipment. Sell it on CL/MP and buy a DD of your liking.
 
ckruzer said:
I guess what I am getting at is indecisiveness about something that is paid for and reliable currently
Click to expand...
You could still sell it and still buy something outright that's cheaper and reliable.

Edit : But sometimes having a vehicles that makes you happy when you turn the key is worth a lot of money. At least it is to me. You don't seem like you're hurting for $, so if you want to keep it, you could, I'm sure. Life doesn't always have to make the biggest financial sense.
 
If you don't NEED a 1 ton diesel 4x4 truck right now or in the near future, then I would put it up for sale and ask a dumb high price. Some fool will pay it. The market is stupid right now. Then go buy a used 1/2 ton truck like Braxton said.

No need to fear older vehicles. I DD a 12 yr old minivan with 170k miles on it, and it has never left me stranded. My truck is a 21 yr old Ram 2500 with 240k miles on it which has also never left me stranded.
 
Last edited:
Thats a tough one if you like a 6spd. If you wanted to replace it in the future, It would be expensive and hard to find a clean one. But you could make good money on it right now.
 
83oldyoda4x4 said:
Thats a tough one if you like a 6spd. If you wanted to replace it in the future, It would be expensive and hard to find a clean one. But you could make good money on it right now.
Click to expand...

This. Depending on miles and options a g56 Ram could bring pretty much top of the market private party and cover almost any newish 1/2 ton truck, but good luck getting another one in the future without paying that same premium.

Duane
 
I didn’t click on this for a while cause I thought you needed sound equipment :laughing:

You could get a small fortune for that truck in this market. Deleted won’t even matter if you ask me. Dealers will even buy it and play dumb when they sell it, but try to beat you up. Private party would be best and I bet in the price range it would bring, you wouldn’t even get many time wasters.

You sound high maintenance on vehicles if I’m being honest. A 6 year old vehicle may as well be brand hammer new to me, but I’ve always driven high mileage vehicles. If you really feel that way and something with 125-150k miles bothers you, it may be best to just stick with what you have.

But if it were me, I’d sell all of that stuff and buy a straight up beater pickup and a good daily car, then sit on a pile of cash waiting to make my move.

But based on your comments, it may be best for you to keep the truck and just buy a daily. That truck will still be worth a fortune in 3-5 years, maybe not as much as right now, maybe even more, but certainly still a lot. The only thing for sure is you almost won’t be able to replace it down the road.
 
Last edited:
If you bought the house in the last year or two, and didn't do any crazy cash out or have bad credit, your interest rate should be 3% or less, so I wouldn't worry too much with that debt, especially in an Asheville suburb. The value should outpace anything else you can safely do with the money, and the market should be hot for the foreseeable future, so liquidating that within a month or two should be doable.

I wouldn't pay money for a Harley, but I understand some people would, and since you're flying solo, you need something to pick up chicks with, so $700 a month might be worth it.

As far as a practical grocery getter, I've had 4 diesel cars, and will keep buying them for DD's until the government stops me. The big Volkswagen emissions scandal really put a hurting on the values, and you can pick up a nice 2011-2015 Passat TDI for around or under $10k, and be able to average about 40mpg in a nice, reasonably sized car. If you want something fast and cheap and still getting 30+mpg, a 2009-2011 BMW 335d is fun stock, and a blast once deleted and tuned, and can be picked up for under $10k depending on miles. My current DD is an Audi A6 TDI, and it knocks down 30mpg while being AWD, comfortably carrying 4 adults, all the creature comforts you would expect, and 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. They are a little more expensive, but can be had in the sub $20k range depending on miles and options. Not quite as fast as the 335d stock for stock, but AWD guarantees traction so it launches better 95% of the time.

With that said, I wouldn't get rid of the truck unless you just want something different. I've seen dealers selling deleted trucks, so I assume that just depends on the dealer. NC being a safety only state for diesels should make that fly under the radar. If you have the diesel bug, you can get a half ton diesel from any of the big 3 that is new and great on fuel with sufficient torque to tow 8-10k in a package that rides well and handles traffic and parking lots better than a 3/4 ton.


All that aside, I thought this was a thread about audio equipment. 🤷‍♂️
 
drkelly said:
If you don't NEED a 1 ton diesel 4x4 truck right now or in the near future, then I would put it up for sale and ask a dumb high price. Some fool will pay it. The market is stupid right now.
Click to expand...
This. If you're in no hurry or need to sell it, just list a at ridiculous price. Maybe you'll get lucky and make a fortune. And if not, just keep enjoying it.
Basically its a question of how much that smile on your face when you're driving it is worth. Set that value, list it and rock on.
 
Is said truck a dually btw? If so, I might can work you up a deal….
 
Personally, I'd keep the truck. That was the last year or next to last year for a manual transmission and you've already got it setup like you want it. Go buy a shitbox to ride around in. Doesn't even have to be a beater. Could be one of them little diesel VWs like Matt was talking about. There's two things I never sell...guns and paid for trucks. I was going to sell one of mine, but finally decided against it. I only drive like 13 miles round trip a day for work, but if I was much further I'd probably have something smaller to cruise around in that got 30+ mpg just because, why not?

As for the business thing, I'm not real savvy on that jazz. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize it though. I mean, get yours, by all means...just keep it on the down low.
 
Keep the truck, buy a cheap DD beater.
Sit on the business.
Since things went south with the wife, daddy will eventually want you out of the way, and things don't seem to be a problem.
He'll do anything for his little girl and you'll be able to beat him up for your part.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
Personally, I'd keep the truck. That was the last year or next to last year for a manual transmission and you've already got it setup like you want it. Go buy a shitbox to ride around in. Doesn't even have to be a beater. Could be one of them little diesel VWs like Matt was talking about. There's two things I never sell...guns and paid for trucks. I was going to sell one of mine, but finally decided against it. I only drive like 13 miles round trip a day for work, but if I was much further I'd probably have something smaller to cruise around in that got 30+ mpg just because, why not?

As for the business thing, I'm not real savvy on that jazz. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize it though. I mean, get yours, by all means...just keep it on the down low.
Click to expand...
Only thing I'd add is get rid of the bike.
Its a fun item an not a necessary item. A beater is not a have too but more usefull than a bike out of season. If your about the two wheel daily fine. I lived that, don't regret it, but my bike was paid for and resale wasn't a goal of low mile. Harley's aren't the investment they used to be.

Business would be my number one. Get that settled and get the "ifs" out of that financial question. I bet just like me a divorce was never in the goal post.....don't let your income do the same.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Only thing I'd add is get rid of the bike.
Its a fun item an not a necessary item. A beater is not a have too but more usefull than a bike out of season. If your about the two wheel daily fine. I lived that, don't regret it, but my bike was paid for and resale wasn't a goal of low mile. Harley's aren't the investment they used to be.

Business would be my number one. Get that settled and get the "ifs" out of that financial question. I bet just like me a divorce was never in the goal post.....don't let your income do the same.
Click to expand...
Resale is good now though just due to the market but you have to sell to an indiviual rather than a dealer.
 
here is my thoughts for what they are worth. Keep the truck. Sell the bike. Buy a "FUN" beater/DD that may needs so things fixed or finished. your working from home, and sounds like your mental plate is full. find something to keep you tinkering on and your mind busy on besides the business and the ex. sometimes spending the money to keep yourself in the right mind frame is worth it.

you said the motorcycle is build credit back up. a Credit card or personal loan can do the same thing.
 
Still curious if the truck is a dually or not. We need pics!
 
Croatan_Kid said:
Still curious if the truck is a dually or not. We need pics!
Click to expand...

This was last year I think. its the fully loaded big horn with all the options, excepts seats are cloth and no sun roof
Disclaimer: yes, the wings were out because I actually towed something. They stay in if not towing

signal-2022-01-28-143637_001.jpeg
 
Back
Top