What would you do?

J

johnr

New member
I have a 1989 Chevy 3/4 ton truck that I use for towing my c-dory locally. It has 189,000 miles on it. I paid $1500 for it. The head gasket just failed and it's a $1500 fix. My daily driver is a 2011 Honda Element, which I like, but I cannot tow my c-dory with it. I am considering one of two options:

1. Fix the Chevy and keep the Element.

2. Scrap the Chevy, sell the Element, and buy a brand new (or very late model, low milage) daily driver that can also tow.

Some added bits: 1) I'm not too concerned about gas milage, I drive my element less than 8000 miles per year. 2) I have a family of four.

I'm torn. Of course another option is to buy another beater truck and drive that until it fails, but I don't think I'm going to do that. Other than the head gasket, the 89 Chevy is in ok shape. It doesn't burn oil, brakes and tires are good. No rust. It wired for trailer brakes. It's the devil I know.
 
I'm cheap. I'd just fix the truck. Any other option will cost way more than $1500.

(Of course, I'd just do it myself. Total cost would be about $100-150 for gaskets and fluids. Well, that, plus a weekend of my time...)
 
AK Angler":1dlbo70r said:
I'm cheap. I'd just fix the truck. Any other option will cost way more than $1500.

(Of course, I'd just do it myself. Total cost would be about $100-150 for gaskets and fluids. Well, that, plus a weekend of my time...)
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You're hired!
 
For beginning and end of season put in/take out and the occasional winter trip I would recommend just borrowing your buddy Andy's truck, that's of course when Minnie Swann isn't attached to the hitch.
 
If you don't need to tow often, maybe borrowing is an option.

If you are thinking of replacing the Element anyway, dump the truck and get a ridgeline or pilot.

Do you use that truck for anything else?
 
sillawydna":2ge42m4c said:
For beginning and end of season put in/take out and the occasional winter trip I would recommend just borrowing your buddy Andy's truck, that's of course when Minnie Swann isn't attached to the hitch.
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Do I know you? I think you may be confusing me with another johnr who lives in Bellingham and has an Element and an old beater truck and a c-dory named the Surf Scoter. There are quite a few of us.
 
Agree with Thataway, as usual.
With a 3/4 ton diesel truck you can go to Lowes when you need to buy some light bulbs or whatever.
My truck will hold a lot of them.
cheers!
John
 
If I may be a bit contrarian, driving is by far the most dangerous thing we do on a regular basis. Buy a late model truck and rest easy your family is protected by the latest safety features. My 2009 Tacoma is mid-sized, seats four comfortably, has airbags all over the place and will tow 6500 lbs. I'd mention the good mileage but you said you didn't care about that 😊
 
Johnr, Before you make a decision purchase a couple of bottles of a product called "Bars Leak". Its an "old school" blown head gasket and cracked engine block sealer that has worked for me many times. As long as you are towing locally and are not tempted to go long haul, it just might do the job. Its a cheap gamble and worth the time to give it a try. Let us know how things go.
 
My opinion? If Bar's Leaks can plug a blown head gasket, it can certainly plug oil passages. And that is not a good thing... The only time I'd use that stuff is if I knew I was going to be junking the rig, but I still neeeeeeeded to get a few more miles out of it first.
 
williwaw":2zlssl1z said:
If I may be a bit contrarian, driving is by far the most dangerous thing we do on a regular basis. Buy a late model truck and rest easy your family is protected by the latest safety features. My 2009 Tacoma is mid-sized, seats four comfortably, has airbags all over the place and will tow 6500 lbs. I'd mention the good mileage but you said you didn't care about that 😊
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Ha! A new Tacoma is precisely the truck I was thinking of getting.
 
Short term idea; would be to have some oatmeal for breakfast and then pour the rest of the container into your radiator. Keep the rpm's down.
Long term
From the looks of the previous posts toss the Element. Get the Toyletta.
:mrgreen:
D.D.
 
Will-C":1z8ghjwr said:
Short term idea; would be to have some oatmeal for breakfast and then pour the rest of the container into your radiator. Keep the rpm's down.
Long term
From the looks of the previous posts toss the Element. Get the Toyletta.
:mrgreen:
D.D.
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Noticed your chevy tag line. I'm also looking strongly at the V6 Chevy Colorado.
Any thoughts about that vehicle?
 
johnr":2bhzwmr8 said:
I'm also looking strongly at the V6 Chevy Colorado.
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It won't help your dilemma now, but the 2016 model year Colorado (as well as GMC Canyon) will be available with a smaller Duramax diesel.

I think a midsized pickup / diesel combo would be a pretty nice setup for towing a 22. I couldn't be happier towing my 25 with the full sized/Duramax.
 
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