Been thinking about getting rid of Armada

4654 Views 38 Replies 14 Participants Last post by ggeorgie, Sep 22, 2005

Poohdaddy

Discussion Starter · Sep 13, 2005

I must be crazy, but the combination of high gas prices and the Armada's mileage is killing me. I dont really need the Armada, I'm a single man, no kids ... I just fell in love with it .... and it was the only vehicle I liked at the time.

I didnt expect gas prices to reach $3 .... and I kind of miss having a truck to throw stuff in the back .....

I figure I could get into a Frontier or Tacoma for less payments per month and less in gas cost ... and that way more to go towards my boat I plan on getting next year

am I crazy? I havent even owned the Armad a year.

Anybody want a sweet Mada?

1 - 20 of 39 Posts

92TripleBlack

· #2 · Sep 13, 2005 (Edited)

Your choice. Its personal. I love mine and have other cars so I use it when I want and don't let gas get to me.

But also remember, you will take a bath selling it. Probably loose $10k. Not that your payments, gas wouldn't go down, or that you won't loose that later when you resell, but you will be getting another ding when you get the new truck, so in the long run, its one more depreciation you'll need to cover. 10 years from now, you'll be out the extra cash. That amount covers a lot of gas and extra payments.

scr38

· #3 · Sep 13, 2005

Do the math before you do this.Say you drive 15K miles a year. At 15 MPG in the Armada and gas cost of $3.00 your fuel cost for a year would be $3,000. If you get a smaller truck that gets 20 MPG your fuel cost for the same distance would be $2,250, a savings of $750 a year. I would guess that you will take at least a $3,000 loss on the sale of your Armada. It would take 4 years of getting the better gas mileage to pay for the loss.
I'm sure not going to attempt to tell you what to do, but you should carefully study all the factors involved, not just the current price of gas.

PumaFiveOh

· #4 · Sep 13, 2005

Why not just trade it in for a Titan?? If you can find a good used Titan to exchange with yours, then you won't be taking as much of a bath...and you get to have the truck that you want and still keep the armada look.

However I'm also in the same boat as you, only have a girlfriend with no kids....I just got the armada becasue I fell in love with it. But recently I've been thinking about trading mine in as well....but I'm only considering on trading it for a luxury vehicle if I do get rid of it. I really want the new Infiniti M45 or maybe a CLS class benz. I'll see what happens.......

Poohdaddy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 13, 2005

I dont think Ill take a bath, especially if I sell myself.

What do you think I could get for it? Armada SE 2wd, Deep Water Blue, Graphite Cloth Interior, only add ons from factory are Rear mud guards and Rear cargo mat. I have added, Nissan OEM foglights, Street Scene Grill, Pioneer Mp3 CD AM FM, Polk Audio 6x9s in the front doors, Pioneer Tweeters in dash, Profile 300w amp, Infinity 12" sub with Qlogic box, tinted windows

92TripleBlack

· #6 · Sep 13, 2005

Edmunds gives you $24500 for private party sale with 10k miles in my area in FL. Probably $25k with the goodies, $23k trade-in. Standard depreciation. Car max is selling your rig for $28k with 18K miles on it.

BTW, sell the accessories seperate and put the stock stuff back in. You will make more as dealers don't give you any $$$ for aftermarket stuff.

Poohdaddy

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 13, 2005

I would be removing goodies if I traded in .... however I would ask $28.5 Private party .... it all depends if I go test drive something and I like it

cfranzen

· #8 · Sep 13, 2005

I really don't understand what everyone is freaking out about. Yes gas is more expensive woopity doo. I have heard so many people talking about getting something more economical maybe a hybrid. They just don't understand how long it would generally take to make up for the extra money they would be spending on getting a different vehicle. It just doesn't make much sense to me. Hell just paying the sales tax on a new vehicle would likely cost you more than what you will save in gas for the year. I'm gonna keep on rolling strong in my urban assault vehicle. Hopefully you all will do the same.

blkjack

· #9 · Sep 13, 2005

cfranzen said:
I really don't understand what everyone is freaking out about. Yes gas is more expensive woopity doo. I have heard so many people talking about getting something more economical maybe a hybrid. They just don't understand how long it would generally take to make up for the extra money they would be spending on getting a different vehicle. It just doesn't make much sense to me. Hell just paying the sales tax on a new vehicle would likely cost you more than what you will save in gas for the year. I'm gonna keep on rolling strong in my urban assault vehicle. Hopefully you all will do the same.

I know I will.

92TripleBlack

· #10 · Sep 13, 2005

cfranzen said:
I really don't understand what everyone is freaking out about. Yes gas is more expensive woopity doo. I have heard so many people talking about getting something more economical maybe a hybrid. They just don't understand how long it would generally take to make up for the extra money they would be spending on getting a different vehicle. It just doesn't make much sense to me. Hell just paying the sales tax on a new vehicle would likely cost you more than what you will save in gas for the year. I'm gonna keep on rolling strong in my urban assault vehicle. Hopefully you all will do the same.

Exactly. 15k miles a year as standard mileage.
For Armadas, that's $3k in gas a year.
Hybrid is $1200 a year in gas. You save $1800 a year.
If you loose $8k on the trade, you need 5 years to make the loss up on gas.
The Frontier or Pathfinder saves you $500 a year. Save $100 a month in payments. In the long run, you will loose far more with one of these than just sticking with a Mada.

Madablows

· #11 · Sep 14, 2005

Trade In

92TripleBlack said:
Exactly. 15k miles a year as standard mileage.
For Armadas, that's $3k in gas a year.
Hybrid is $1200 a year in gas. You save $1800 a year.
If you loose $8k on the trade, you need 5 years to make the loss up on gas.
The Frontier or Pathfinder saves you $500 a year. Save $100 a month in payments. In the long run, you will loose far more with one of these than just sticking with a Mada.

You also have to factor in car payments, car insurance and if your over all happiness. If you arent happy with what your driving it is worth it, obviously these guys arent enjoying the Armanda either or else they wouldnt be considering it. I am selling mine Saturday no matter how upside down I am in it I am figuring 4000 dollars. I am not buying a replacement car as I am going to Afghanistan in January and will be able to save my 600$ a month 120$ a month in insurance and 180$ a month in gas. Plus I will be happy. Maybe in 10 years I will buy a new Armada when they are more establised and only have one or two possible problems as opposed to 300!

92TripleBlack

· #12 · Sep 14, 2005

Madablows said:
You also have to factor in car payments, car insurance and if your over all happiness. If you arent happy with what your driving it is worth it, obviously these guys arent enjoying the Armanda either or else they wouldnt be considering it. I am selling mine Saturday no matter how upside down I am in it I am figuring 4000 dollars. I am not buying a replacement car as I am going to Afghanistan in January and will be able to save my 600$ a month 120$ a month in insurance and 180$ a month in gas. Plus I will be happy. Maybe in 10 years I will buy a new Armada when they are more establised and only have one or two possible problems as opposed to 300!

I factored in the payments. $100 more a month for Armada. Insurance difference would be negiligable, depending on stae. Maybe $20 a month difference? In your case, I would sell, as you aren't going to use it at all or go to something different. I would guess though you are probably $8-10k below the initial sticker price in value. This is the average depending on miles, options, and model. You can also modify this by how good a deal you got initially.

inf3rno

· #13 · Sep 14, 2005

cfranzen said:
I really don't understand what everyone is freaking out about. Yes gas is more expensive woopity doo. I have heard so many people talking about getting something more economical maybe a hybrid. They just don't understand how long it would generally take to make up for the extra money they would be spending on getting a different vehicle. It just doesn't make much sense to me. Hell just paying the sales tax on a new vehicle would likely cost you more than what you will save in gas for the year. I'm gonna keep on rolling strong in my urban assault vehicle. Hopefully you all will do the same.

AMEN TO THAT!! nuff said... :machinegu

NorCalJay

· #14 · Sep 14, 2005

In my situation it all depended how much I drive a year. My total gas bill last month was over $500....I had to do something.

Since I now drive 20k a year (75 miles roundtrip) just to work - not including weekends, I bought a 30mpg commuter at 14k w/tax.

In only 3 years:

The $14k commuter will be roughly half paid off with the money I saved on gas. Probably equal to the remaining value. So I break even.

But,

I'll have 60k less miles on the Armada & have the warranty the full 3 yrs. Sure I won't be 'experiencing' the plush Armada everyday but also won't get tired of driving it. Driving that much in any car you love will make you sick of it if you don't switch it up. And the weekend getaways will be that much sweeter.

On the flip side if my commute was just a 1/3 shorter (50 mi roundtrip) like when I bought it I would keep driving the Armada alone.

See less See more

92TripleBlack

· #15 · Sep 14, 2005

NorCalJay said:
In my situation it all depended how much I drive a year. My total gas bill last month was over $500....I had to do something.

Since I now drive 20k a year (75 miles roundtrip) just to work - not including weekends, I bought a 30mpg commuter at 14k w/tax.

In only 3 years:

The $14k commuter will be roughly half paid off with the money I saved on gas. Probably equal to the remaining value. So I break even.

But,

I'll have 60k less miles on the Armada & have the warranty the full 3 yrs. Sure I won't be 'experiencing' the plush Armada everyday but also won't get tired of driving it. Driving that much in any car you love will make you sick of it if you don't switch it up. And the weekend getaways will be that much sweeter.

On the flip side if my commute was just a 1/3 shorter (50 mi roundtrip) like when I bought it I would keep driving the Armada alone.

20K a year=$4k in gas a year at 15 mpg.
Commuter gets 30mpg, so you are saving $2k a year in gas. How does this pay off a $14k car in 3 years? Extra insurance and interest on $14k also.

Importz

· #16 · Sep 14, 2005

speaking of gas do you guys think this item works? i checked his feedback and people seem to be happy with it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7999822993

92TripleBlack

· #17 · Sep 14, 2005

No, it doesn't work. It is a gimmick. Look up Tornado. We use these things as running jokes. Its kinda like applying a cream to your thighs so they will get thin.

sinnerFA

· #18 · Sep 14, 2005

I'll sell you one made out of a coke can and for half the price too!

92TripleBlack

· #19 · Sep 14, 2005

sinnerFA said:
I'll sell you one made out of a coke can and for half the price too!

Hey SinnerFA, is that a Desert Eagle 50 magnum in gunmetal blue?

NorCalJay

· #20 · Sep 14, 2005

92TripleBlack said:
20K a year=$4k in gas a year at 15 mpg.
Commuter gets 30mpg, so you are saving $2k a year in gas. How does this pay off a $14k car in 3 years? Extra insurance and interest on $14k also.

"The $14k commuter will be roughly *HALF* paid off with the money I saved on gas. Probably equal to the remaining value. So I break even."

My math shows 154/ month gas savings including full insurance (but not interest), which roughly equals depreciation. Maintenance costs shift to the commuter. Kind of a toss up unless one easily goes with an even cheaper commuter. I just spent a little more getting an Acura for the fun factor.

Not meant to be misleading for other's situations but unfortunately that means it may cost the SAME or a little more in the end when I sell the commuter at any point. BUT for me, that's better than having an Armada 'beater' with 80k+ miles in 3 years.

My saying, "You can always justify anything (to yourself)".

Back to the original post, REPLACING the Armada depends on what car you get next (price,mpg,utility). My guess figuring the depreciation & tax loss as mentioned by others, it's probably better to just keep it since other than mpg the Armada is a really all-around niiice rig. If I was single I'd keep it for the party vehicle of choice, but Poohdiddy, you sound like you've made up your mind.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 39 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.