When is the right time to say goodbye to a reliable workhorse?

Tom
Update by Tom Suddard to the Ford F-250 project car
Jul 25, 2023 | Ford, F-250, Ford F-250

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Photography Credit: Tom Suddard

Our Ford F-250 has been more than just a project car—it’s also a member of the family, our home away from home, and a faithful companion for four years and 30,000 miles. But while this truck is family, it’s also a key piece of our business. Events like the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, the Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge, and Classic Motorsports Road Tours wouldn’t happen without our truck… a truck that’s now 22 years old with 202,000 miles on the odometer.

As much as we love the F-250, the time has come to upgrade to a newer truck with fewer miles. Why? Well, it’s one thing to miss competing in a race because your truck broke down. It’s another to miss hosting a race because your truck broke down.

Maybe we’ll regret this decision—the F-250 has never left us stranded and always gotten us where we needed to go on time. And it shows every sign of continuing that streak for years to come.

But as the odometer keeps increasing, we have to acknowledge that trucks don’t last forever, and it’s time for the F-250 to move on to a life with fewer deadlines and fewer responsibilities. Call it a well-earned retirement, and we’ve listed our F-250 for sale on Facebook Marketplace to free up space for our next truck.

If you’re interested, we’ll happily offer a discount for any GRM reader. 

What’s replacing the F-250? We’re a fan of weird drivetrains, as evident by this V10/manual transmission truck. So instead of buying a gas or diesel, we’re going electric: You can follow our experience living with an F-150 Lightning here:

[It's been a month, so let's start the build thread: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning]

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Comments
Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/25/23 3:51 p.m.

The best time is right before it becomes an unreliable workhorse. Like when I decided to sell my 2000 Tundra and the starter went out as soon as I listed the ad. Whoops.

Apexcarver
Apexcarver UltimaDork
7/25/23 4:28 p.m.

nah, I am in a similar boat with my daily. While the GRM community spirit might be that we can keep a hunk of junk alive forever, the will is lacking for my daily driver.  ESPECIALLY as I dont want to get stranded with young kids. 

 

An added aside, the features that they are throwing into even the cheaper new vehicles...  What I am buying is not expensive in terms of new vehicles, and I am getting heated seats/steering wheel, integrated trailer brake control, a radio compatible with my phone with steering wheel controls, blind spot detection, a camera that shows you the hitch as you back up to hook up, etc....   For daily duty, well  I must be getting older, as these things are increasing in desiraeablility to me...

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
7/25/23 8:04 p.m.

And SOLD! The F-250 is retiring to a carefree life towing a fishing boat on weekends--I hope it serves the new owner well. 

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos)
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/25/23 8:39 p.m.

Either you *seriously* undervalued that truck (and $9500 seems a bargain) or there was just another weirdo looking at the right time.

 

Appleseed
Appleseed MegaDork
7/25/23 8:43 p.m.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
7/26/23 9:34 a.m.

In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :

The guy showed up in a really nicely restored early Toyota pickup to buy it, so I definitely found another weirdo like me. I think that was a fair price for all involved. 

RacingComputers
RacingComputers GRM+ Memberand Reader
7/26/23 2:33 p.m.

In reply to Appleseed :

Had not thought of Mauldin in years.

 

My Dad had a couple of his cartoon books.

 

Thanks

Fueled by Caffeine
Fueled by Caffeine MegaDork
7/27/23 8:01 a.m.

Before it really poops the bed.  My suburban went to 209k miles before I threw in the towel. 

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