it might be time for a new car

[t-maxxracer32]

Whatsup guys.

So heres the scenario.

A freind of mine wants to buy my 2000 f150 for 9k straight up cash. I bought it from my dad for 8k 3 years ago and its all paid off and everything. I put maybe 3k into it for tires rims etc but it does not have any crazy modifications to it. about 70k miles. according to KBB its worth around 9500.

the reason im coming on here is for guidance... I think most of you will say just keep the truck and dont waste money on a new car, and usually I would agree but my friend is offering me pretty much what it is worth and I highly doubt in the future anyone else would offer near that.

so lets just say i sold the truck for 9k and I have about 3k saved up right now.. I dont want to spend more than 15k possibly because i would like to pay the car or truck off before i head off to college (may-august not sure when)

I get paid about 400 a week steady so a monthly payment wouldnt be a huge deal, and my job will carry on once im going to college so even if i dont pay the car totally off it wont be a huge deal.

enough of the boring stuff. WHAT CAR/TRUCK SHOULD I BUY!?!

since im not wanting to spend 50k my options are somewhat limited.

im not into older cars due to the fact that i do not know how to work on them and i just like the luxary of newer cars..

trucks are a heck of alot more expensive for a nice setup and id want to buy my truck lifted so my 2 options here are a newer f150 and a tacoma. The tacomas are more expensive in like the 17-18k range but are WAY sick. the f150s are about 15-16 and still really nice.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false


as for cars.. they are so much cheaper than trucks and i can get something SO sick for 15k
thinking possibly... a charger.. maybe an 04-08 mustang, possibly a CTS.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false


what do you all think?

i should mention.. i would not get any dodge truck, titan, altima, civic.. really any average car.. I dont like 4 runners xteras expeditions.. etc.. If im going to spend my money i want it to be sweet. that is the bottom line..

cars are quicker more fun to drive, but i think id miss sitting high up like I do in my truck. Also, with a car.. there are some places you cannot go.. like the desert or over a curb, etc. trucks kill gas like no other too.
both cars and trucks have their ups and downs but ive never owned a car so i dont exactly know how it would be.
I drive my moms 08 hybrid to school mon-thursday (due to saving gas..) and cant wait to get back in my truck because the stupid hybrid has absolutely no power.. its just a sissy car so i cant base my hatred towards cars on that..

to sum it up.. my moral dilemma.. basically i dont know whether to keep my truck and save up all my money for college n such (have a college fund that should last the rest of the way) or should i sell my truck and get something new knowing that i will pay it off before i go to school.. AND if i sell my truck should i go balls out and get a sick tacoma for 18k or should i just get a nice newer f150 for 16. or should i get a sick car for 15k? shoot even some cool cars go for 10-12. i could probably pay that off straight up.

sorry for such a long thread.

thanks for any help!