Yeah, I know. I'm supposed to be the vehicle expert. Yesterday, my son says, "Hey, I'm hiring another guy and I need you to buy

another vehicle. Maybe even two. I'd like to hire two guys." While I was thinking that this is an excellent idea, I was also

thinking, why doesn't he hire someone in the car business? The cost of the vehicles we already own is three times what I am worth,

dead or alive. Anyway, if any of you have preferences, good or bad, I'd love to hear them.

By 2015/2016 Toyota will be selling The new diesel Tacoma I think they are calling it the "Tacoma Mule"

And Dodge is supposed to be coming out with their 1/2 ton diesel truck.

My buddy got a Jeep Cherokee with the new Dodge eco-diesel. Like lots of HP at 27 mpg? Really cool and he went over $50.000.oo....Ouch

Gill Sport will be presenting their new Clown Car in Nov,,,,, at the Circus Circus car show in Vegas........

And I am going to guess that this particular vehicle will be a great success with a certain part of our clientele. Thanks for that

"cutting edge" report, Vinke.

A new car is one of the worst investments you will ever make, unless your business specifically requires it. Until one comes out that runs on horse manure or leaves (both of which are in abundance at AOWC World Headquarters), your best bet is a 2-3 year old, well-maintained vehicle (remember, it's a work truck; ain't supposed to be a chick magnet!). Let some other poor sap's wallet take the beating on the first-year depreciation.
I have to chuckle every time some rookie spends 40 grand on a new truck...then sells it after a year of losing money.

"I have to chuckle every time some rookie spends 40 grand on a new truck...then sells it after a year of losing money."

I agree Dave. I've seen it happen many times in my area. Either a sell off or repossession. Some only last months. A few months ago I saw three Pest Control trucks in a secured repo lot. All looked to be newer Chevrolet Colorados with service toppers.

Fixed it for you......

I like anything in the work truck series,,, (currently it is chevys in the past dodge)

No carpet on the floor!

As for the clown car,,,,,,,could you imagine the look on you clients face when 15 guys pile out to do a remediation,........Priceless!!!

My 2014 Transit Connect had everything on it, $26,000. Our 2013 Transit Connect, likewise, $23,000. Even my wife's 2011 Toyota Sienna

was $25,700. ( And will make an excellent ADC vehicle when she wants a new one ) The 2010 F150 was $33,000, and you're right, that

one was a terrible waste of money.

Boy, those prices for that much enclosed space sure are good, Wink. I really just prefer two walls and an air gap between me and skunks, stinky boar raccoons & g-hogs or the occasional hot snake.

Dave, I will be the first to admit that my sense of smell is probably what got me in this business in the first place. ( I don't have

any ) My son agrees with you entirely. I just asked one of our techs that will be getting one of the new vehicles, what he wanted,

and he drives a 2009 full sized Ford van now. He was very hesitant about getting a pick-up because of the lack of room. My son is

thinking about the smells associated with our business and I applaud him for it. But he drives a Toyota Tundra, ( The most expensive

vehicle in our fleet ) and I bet I can get just as much stuff in my Transit Connect and probably get nearly twice the mileage.

My veh. of choice would be the dodge sprinter van with the compartments on the side maybe with the pickup bed and the side compartments and a versa lift. If I live long enough to replace or add to my fleet;-) thats what I would buy. Maybe I might put everything in my covered trailer for big jobs so I don't forget anything and pull behind my beloved duramax.

Thanks Paul, ( Why is it that every super intelligent name in this business is Paul? ) This also happens to be the year that Ford

claims to be introducing the Transit ( Not the Transit Connect) that is supposed to compete with the Sprinter. Kind of why I was

asking questions. Is there a vehicle out there that can be tuned for our type of business? Mileage, space, and no odor?

Just bought a 3 yre old transit 280, best vehicle i have owned for work,still have to rack it all out yet,loads of room, and i wont have to empty half my gear out to get my dogs in

Before change of the post...I agreed.

But how does spending new price on a new truck make sense ?

If you were able to buy two for the price of one in my book you are ahead. And can buy more traps, ladders, racks, and well....

Vinke- It looks like Paul W. has some tough critters in Wisconsin. He sent this message to me-

"This is the reason you don't see very many clowns in our part of the state"

I hope paul is OK?>??????,,,,,, I warned him about wearing loose or torn clothes around machinery...........