NEW TRUCK....Recommendations?

[steeplechaser2]

My Ford F150 4X2 is getting on in years and miles....thinking about a new rig or newer rig....any make and model recommendations...4X4 problems to stay away from, etc??? I've been really happy with my Ford, but I have heard some bad stuff about some of the new 150 4X4 transmitions, etc....

[Macgyver55]

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As far as 1/2 tons, I really like the GMC's, but not the Chevy. You may think they are the same but they have lots of differences.

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Other than appearance or standard options, I'd be interested in what differences are you talking about?

[Valv]

Ok, Ok, I found the PERFECT truck, it's Toyota built Ford crew cab (long box of course) with an GM Allison transmission Cummins TurboDiesel.

Wouldn't it be nice ?

[jltimm]

Come on now! Wake up Valv! Your dreaming!

[LwnmwnMan2]

Since the original poster was talking new truck, I'll finally put my info in.

Since '94, I've had a '94, '95, '96, '01, '02, '03, '05, and now (2) '06 Dodge 2500s. Before the '02, all were 318's for 360s, the '02 and later, all are the Cummins.

In between '96 and '01, I drifted from Dodge, and had a '98 GMC 2500, a '99 F-350 7.3 dually, and an '00 F-350 with the 350.

I run a lawn mowing / snowplowing business with 2 trucks, and run newer trucks to keep them in warranty, tax purposes, other reasons.

I try to trade one truck in every 3-4 years, although the dealer I run through, keeps me in good enough deals where sometimes I trade in the following year.

Anyways, one truck is always hooked up to either a 24' enclosed trailer weighing in at about 12k lbs, gets used 7 days / week in the summer to the tune of about 25k miles in 7 months. The other 5 months it's got an 8.2' Boss V-plow and gets another 5-6k miles on it, around 30k miles / year.

The second truck is something of a driver / back up truck, not hooked up to the trailer all the time, has about 10k miles / year put on it.

The '94 Dodge, the rear end dropped at 70k miles.

The '96 Dodge I had to sell after 8 months, I was 23 at the time and got 4 tickets in 8 months and could not afford it anymore. I then bought a '95 Dodge, which I ran up to 150k miles, sold it with doing nothing but the usual wear on it.

The '98 GMC, it was a lease truck, I had for 65k miles. The brake booster went out at 39k miles.

The '99 Ford F-350 7.3 I bought with 26k miles. It would not start when the temps were below 40 degrees and the humidity was above 60%. Even if I ran chargers on the batteries, plugged it in, and used ether, sometimes it would still not start. Not good for a plow truck.

I've never had a problem with the transmissions on the Dodges. I've also traded them in before 100k miles. The last 2, the '03 (80k miles) and the '05 (25k miles) the dealer needed to get rid of the new trucks on the lot, (I did lawn work for the new car manager) so it's not a good judge of equipment.

But the '02 had 110k miles, and the truck was still solid. The '00 F-350, the front end needed to be rebuilt at 85k miles.

Needless to say, when I was looking at the '05 Dodge, I was leaning hard towards a GMC, since I mow the GMC dealer here as well, but I just couldn't justify the extra $4000 for 2 less letters on the tailgate.

My '06 Cummins / Dodge 2500 quad cabs have both been in the shop already, less than 4500 miles on each. Both have had the fan clutch replaced, the one has had 2 bad radiator hose clamps that have broke.

There's a reason that I've own so many Dodges, but that's my own opinion. I've got cousins / uncles that'll never get in a Dodge, nor have they experienced the same issues that I did with the other brands.

One last deal I'll point out, hopefully you've not already bought a truck.

When you're looking, look at the stock numbers. If you're not too set on the color and / or options, look for a stock number on a truck that's much different than the others.

I deal with the Dodge dealer here in Forest Lake. The two trucks I bought last fall, the stock numbers were 9030 and 9156. Most of the other trucks were 98xx or 97xx. Basically, I knew going in to talk with them, that I was looking at trucks that have been sitting on the lot for an extended period of time.

When I buy a truck, it either has to be white or gray / silver, 4x4, diesel, 3/4 or 1 ton. Other options, it doesn't really bother me one way or another. 99% nowdays are going to already have pw / pl, cd, air, power drivers' seat, etc.

It should get you an extra $500-1000 off if you take one that's been sitting there a while, since the dealer gets money back from the manufacturer.

[Powerstroke]

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Other than appearance or standard options, I'd be interested in what differences are you talking about?

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Is that all. appearance and standard options. Yeah on a GMC they are standard but they are extra on a Chevy... Certain motors aren't available on the Silverado like they are on the Sierra and I like the overall appearance of the GMC better. Thats coming from a pretty strong Ford guy.

Val, Man now you've got it all figured out.

After reading some of lwnmwnman's stuff its very obvious that number one, he is very hard on equipment and that has a lot to do with the line of work. I think you should invest on some medium duty vehicles.

But the real point is no matter what brand you buy its gonna have its problems. No one is better than the other in any considerable way.

Test drive a few and you'll find something that fits YOU.

[LwnmwnMan2]

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Other than appearance or standard options, I'd be interested in what differences are you talking about?

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Is that all. appearance and standard options. Yeah on a GMC they are standard but they are extra on a Chevy... Certain motors aren't available on the Silverado like they are on the Sierra and I like the overall appearance of the GMC better. Thats coming from a pretty strong Ford guy.

Val, Man now you've got it all figured out.

After reading some of lwnmwnman's stuff its very obvious that number one, he is very hard on equipment and that has a lot to do with the line of work. I think you should invest on some medium duty vehicles.

But the real point is no matter what brand you buy its gonna have its problems. No one is better than the other in any considerable way.

Test drive a few and you'll find something that fits YOU.

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The medium duty vehicles won't really work in my business, due to the size of the properties that I maintain, especially in relation to plowing. Banks, smaller restaurants, small strip malls. It'd be nicer yet to service them with a compact tractor, or skid steer, but the drive between says that's not feasible.

Dodge is coming out with a 4500 and 5500 for 2008, I'll be due for a new truck now about 2009, so I'll look at them then.

The biggest reason yet I stick with regular 2500's, is because my dealer gives me such good resale, I don't want to limit that. Plus, the service department puts me to the front of the line now, especially when it's snowing, which when your business depends on your vehicles, means more than anything.

[Jeremy airjer W]

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But the real point is no matter what brand you buy its gonna have its problems. No one is better than the other in any considerable way.

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I beg to differ!!

[federline]

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The later model chevs are still living up to there standard of the same old thing. I have replaced a bunch of catalytic converters and fuel pumps on these. Pressure regulators, water pumps, 4x4 switches, and abs sensor/wheel bearings have been picking up lately as well.

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Airjer- You've just rattled off the list of repairs my 99 GMC Sierra has seen since I've bought it. But then again, I'm running over 165,000 miles on it right now too. When you look at the big picture, I have not had too much work done on a truck with 165K on it.

-Fuel Pump & Fuel Pressure Regulator were fixed at the same time.

-Front/Left wheel bearing last summer

-Water Pump just last week

Is the ABS sensor the front wheel speed senser? There is a current factory recall on the wheel speed senser.

Other than that, typical stuff like tires, brakes & rotors, shocks have needed attention.

I really like those new GMC/Chevs! I can't wait to pick one up used in a few years.

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Like Chris, I have a 99 Chev Silv, same truck. (Don't start with me on the sticker details between a Chev and GMC 1/2 ton! Its the same truck at the core!)

This truck is amazing in terms of eating up what I throw at it. I trust it implicitly.

I've had the same general repairs, I'm at 14x,000. Add a power window regulator. You can map out what repairs a Chevy will need based on the rate you put on mileage (or how many times you roll the window up and down!), its scary.

You know, quality has two meanings to me:

1) Consistent, predictable, affordable repairs when they are needed, affordable acquisition cost. (Shadetree Cooter Syndrome)

2) Factory-unblemished state retained for a long time, expensive catastrophic repairs when they are needed, expensive acquisition cost. (Elitist Technophile Syndrome)

Having owned both sides of the fence, I go with #1 now!

I've owned esoteric vehicles, and boring utilitarian trucks, sedans and minivans lately. I love my new life, where I just play with gasoline fuel pumps, and water pumps, and hand-pluggable sensors and tailpipe parts. It sure beats turbos and $600 instrument clusters and diesel injector systems!

"Cooter"

[Jeremy airjer W]

Too many big words for this guy!

[Powerstroke]

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But the real point is no matter what brand you buy its gonna have its problems. No one is better than the other in any considerable way.

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I beg to differ!!

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I guess what I mean is you're almost guarenteed some work required unles you lease or trade in every 2 years. I did that for quite a while and never had any repairs requiring shop time. I got sick of renting vehicles so now I own and thus you ahve a few prolems here and there. I own a Nissan and this has been fantastic for the last 50K miles. I've never owned a vehicle this long other than my wifes car which is 7yrs old and has about 75K miles on it. Super reliable and it was in the Car and Driver top 10 since it came out in 2000. Can't complain about that. We'd get a new car for the novelty of having a new car, but this one runs great and doens't have a payment.

Obviously certain brands are superior to others. One look in consumer reports will tell you that. Among the 3 American auto makers, they are all putting out comparable products with each having their own "quirks".

[hamrej23]

looking for a truck hey?

03 chev duramax- 90k on it?

fit the bill?

[caseymcq]

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Certain motors aren't available on the Silverado like they are on the Sierra...

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The same motors are available in the Chev as the GMC.

The Half tons offer six different motors and the three quarter and one tons offer two.

The only differnces between Chev's and GMCs are cosmetic.

[hamrej23]

Alright-

Being in the car business for a long time it is fun to read these!

first off i want to tell you that the gmc, and chev, are brothers and sisters, built at the same plants, built on the same frame.

If i were going to buy any 2500-3500 it would be a dodge. diesel or not. half ton gotta go with a GM. ford just hasn't changed anything and they dont have anything outstanding like the dodge dielel, or the GM's ride and comfort.

Last but not least, about the stock number thing. it does not matter. Net Net Net is still Net Net Net. no matter how long it has been on the lot-- GM, FORD, Dodge corporations do get kick back, but its the same whether it has been on the lot 190 days or 8 days. as long as its the same year.

Eveyrone has there preferences. but those are mine. as long as you don't buy a foreign truck your good in my book!

luck!

[hondavxr]

It's funny how you said "foreign" when Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are the only true domestically made trucks now. Those manufs. usually use close to or over 90% domestic made parts, including the frame. Where is GM and Ford trucks built now, how about Canada and Mexico. Where is Dodge trucks parts coming from now, how about Germany. I guess there is a new definition for "domestic".

[jltimm]

Thank you for that reply!

[hamrej23]

actually i work at a dodge dealership and they are no parts from germany ----sorry.....and by the way, where does your money go when you buy a foreign truck??? HMMMMM not in our lakes, or rivers, but oversees.... funny. plus, 90% of foreign trucks are shipped here from oversees,then put together here.. so when the next farm bill, or natural resources bill comes up and doesnt fo through, don't complain my friend.

[Duffman]

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where does your money go when you buy a foreign truck???

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I'd like to think my money from my Tundra purchase went towards paying the American workers who assembled it here in the ol USA. Vs paying Canadian and Mexican citizens to assemble them Dodges.

Also, Daimler/Chrysler is over 80% owned by German citizens and industry .

According to Automotive News: "you may think that the Dodge Ram is an American vehicle, but it's really not: Because Dodge is owned by a German company, DaimlerChrysler, and because its parts content does not reach the US threshold of 75 percent, it's actually an import."

It's a global economy people, welcome to the 21st century.

http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/inthenews/07-10-06.html

Just havin some fun.

[hamrej23]

errr wrong-- diamler chrylser isnt a german company---- chrysler part is american- and joined with diamler(mercedes branded) you know the only mercedes parts in the ram?? not many- more in the chryslers. ex given 300c. its only the transmission, intsrument paneling and a few other things...plus. when you buy a tundra, your marketshare you bought does not go to the usa. but yeah your employees still will get paid no matter what they build in the U.S. dodge, nissan, ford, gm. but your money wont stay with america.

[Duffman]

I'm just messing around with ya, these truck brand threads can become quite comical.

When it comes down to it, I couldn't care more less about which CEO's pockets I'm lining. From the guy in Japan with a 1/2 acre Koi pond in his yard, or the US guy living in a gated community with five waterfalls emptying in to his backyard pool, cause there's a good chance neither of them give a rats butt about me and which vehicle I purchase.

The Chinese will own everything anyway in a couple decades, so why fight it? Didn't you see Blade Runner?

[hamrej23]

ha i agree, we should all go over there and see how we are suppose to run a country--- haha

[theoilman]

I've read through most of this thread, and not a single person has touched on my experiences of new vehicle purchases. First, I would rather buy locally from a local dealer, it just seems that I might get better service. But of the last 4 new vehicles I have bought over the last 20 years only one was I able to buy locally.

Just some background, I'm in a city with nearly 200,000 population, and at least one each of all the major and minor brands represented.

The last vehicle I bought is a 2006 Sprinter. I tried buying it locally - my wife or I was on the local lot 3 times, the last time I had 2 questions that they were supposed to call me back with answers - they never called. I tried dealers from Orlando, FL to Minneapolis, MN. Of 12 Dodge dealers, only 2 called me back and the prices from them were for flat sticker! I called a Freightliner dealer 2 hours away, he had the vehicle I wanted and gave me a fair price first phone call.

End of September 2001 I was on my local Chevy dealer looking for a new vehicle for family - they wanted to sell us a new 2001 S-10 Blazer (with 2002s on the lot). Their offer for a year old new vehicle was flat sticker (and would not come off of it). We went out of town about 30 miles and instead of 2001 bought 2002, instead of S-10 Blazer bought TrailBlazer, went up a level on option package - all for 4 digits LOWER price.

Sometime around 1995 were on our local Ford dealership looking for a pickup truck. In 20 minutes on the lot could not find a salesman to help - they were sitting on their butts!.

In 1986 we did succeed on buying locally - the sales manager for the dealership was our Sunday School teacher - we had an in! And did buy and got a good deal.

And none of this has had a bit to do with service later - actually we have needed very little.

How do these car dealers stay in business? I thought they were in the business of selling vehicles, but I was certainly wrong.

Good luck with whatever you buy!