Let me preface this with saying I have never been married to a manufacturer. First truck was a Ford, second was a Dodge ( a lemon at that), and I am now looking to part with my Chevy. However if I buy anything other than a Chevy my in-laws my disown me. lol! I am really leaning toward the Ford with the Eco Boost turbo charged V6. Would love to have a Ford Raptor but it’s a gas guzzler which is the very thing I am trying to get away from. I spent over $1000 in gas hunting and the year isn’t over. I didn't even really take any trips like I usually do. So if I can get something that is more gas friendly without losing anything I am all for it! I know it’s kind of personal preference but what are everyone else’s thoughts. Please keep your passion for a specific manufacturer out of it. lol!
GM and Ford are GREAT ... I do not like Dodge at all ... let me also say that I was a Fixed Operations Director for a multi-franchised dealer that had all 3 .... and the Dodge's by far had the worst service records ...
I would agree on the Dodge. I bought a Ram new in 94'. The thing was horrific. Paint peel, 3 transmissions, bad coil, emissions issues, a tone of recalls just to name a few. 2 of my buddies both have Rams and haven't seen to have a prob. But those guys are kind of city. I had some type of trailer hooked up more often than not. I still have a bad taste in my mouth from it. Not sure if it will ever go away.
My family has also had bad experiences with Dodge. Most of them drive fords, and most of them are farmers. They put those trucks through hell, and they last forever. If I was going to buy a truck, I'd be picking a ford.
I have owned a GMC, an F-250 Powerstroke, and 2 F-150s along with my Toyota Camry. I could care less about logos. That said, I absolutely LOVE the 04-08 body style for F-150s. The new ones are nice too, but the 04-08 hold a special place in my heart lol. I bought a truck that had been badly abused this last go around. It had a front end collision that I didn't know about until after I drove it home (terribly shady dealership outside of Atlanta). The front end collision caused some front wheel problems, including some wheel bearings needing replaced to get it properly aligned. To top it off, the owner/dealer before me had it serviced with the wrong type fluid in the rear end, and I needed to have the rear end rebuilt as well. (drove fine, but had a grinding noise I wanted eliminated). I have sunk $2500 in repairs on this truck within 3 months of owning it, not because of a bad truck....just a bad owner. Knocking on wood as I type this, I THINK I have all issues worked out. Regardless, I will NOT be trading vehicles again for several years to come. I have a 04 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 and an 05 Toyota Camry both paid off in full. I should get plenty of years out of each. Truck being left in Kentucky solely for use pulling trailers for work and to take hunting on my trips home. Camry is my daily driver while i live down here in Birmingham. It works out good. Several of my friends have Dodges and have had terrible luck out of them. I like Chevy and Fords best, but like the body style and interior room of the Ford better. The bailout fiasco just sealed the deal on that opinion. Several years from now, If I trade in both vehicles towards a newer truck to drive, it will be another F-150.
I'd go with a Ford... but I'm forever ruined on Chevys after the government bailout. Seen too many mopars fail in the tranny department to ever want to buy one. I'm currently driving a '01 chevy silverado 2500hd with the 6L. I bought it new so it's been my baby but I expect soon the repair bills will outweigh it's overall value. Oh and it gets about 14 mpg on the highway so I feel your pain there.
I was tol dthe 01 and 02 chevys were great years for trucks. I have an 02 with 95,000 on it. Been the best truck I have ever owned. Other than 2 sets of tires and brakes this fall I have done nothing to it. Really wish chevy would change their body style........
95K? Lightweight!! I have 170,000 on mine. I guess should I have major drivetrain troubles tomorrow.. it's about due.
I've had a Ford since 05, bought it with 100k, have 198k on it now. I've put in a new motor, new tranny, and a few other things since I bought it. It's been solid for the last 40k. I'm looking to upgrade in the next year or so, I'll be buying either a new silverado or a new f150. Right now I'm leaning toward the silverado, it seems like you get a little more for your money.
Started out in 88 with a F150 with a 300 6 in it. Put a lil over 230k on it before it was run hot by an employee. Got a 93 next with the some motor. Replaced the tranny at 195k and had over 250k on it when I sold it. Had a 99 with a v6 and it lasted 230k with no problems. Wife drives an 02 F150 with a v6 and it's got a lil over 160k on it and going strong. Have an 08 F250 6.4L with about 90k on it and it's a great truck. It gets about 21 mpg without a load and around 16 mpg with one. I'm a masonry contractor and all the trucks except the wifes pull my equipment. Up graded to the 250 to pull bigger loads.
If I were buying a new truck, it would be a new Ford. Not sure which engine package yet though. Ford warranty is awesome, if you even need it. I've driven both and to me the Fords ride better and just have better overall quality. Chevy is a lot more squeeky on the inside and rides a little rougher. I have a 2000 F150 with 187k miles and I treat it like it simply can't be hurt. It hauls load after load of wood, use it on all my hunting trips no matter how far (2 hours or so each way) and yet I even still drive it to church and on the weekends. I simply love the truck. I couldn't actually think about buying a different kind. Now, emotions and my great experience out of the way, you have to look at this from a birds eyes, the company overall. I am a big fan of Ford warranty. They cover a lot stuff, and even stuff they shouldn't. I've heard reports of some unhappy customers from GM because they are not covering a lot of warranty stuff due to the government takeover.
Had several....started with a ford ranger, then an '01 silverado, '04 Tacoma, '04 f-150, now a '05 silverado.....the best out of all of them was by far the '01 silverado....that was my baby and I kick myself still for trading it for the Tacoma, it made since at the time since I was traveling so much with work....but my personal preference is to stick with Chevys.....by the time I trade again that might change but I just like them better...
I have a 97 GMC Sierra with a 305 I put torsion bar keys and 2 more leaf springs in the back, it rides like a log wagon. It actually broke all the screws in the dash and cracked the vents for my defroster I love that truck though. When the engine goes out, I will probably put a 350 in it. I figure my 33" tires with my 305 gets 12 mpg, with a 350 I think it will actually get better mileage. Once I save enough pennies, I will be buying a 98-02 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.9L Cummins and a 5 speed transmission. No worries about the transmission, and the Cummins engine lasts forever Not to mention getting 20 mpg while having the power to tow about anything I would need.
I was close to pulling the trigger on a 2011 f-150 with the eco-boost a few months ago or another Jeep. The ole 04 F-150 FX4 Supercab talked me into some new tires and I put new brake shoes on it and it drives like it did the day I took it off the lot. I have had great luck with Ford trucks and will likely get another one of these days, but not having a payment in three years has been nice.
I think I have talked myself out of buying a new truck for the time being. Was reading rumors and what not and it appears Ford & Chevy are due for a refresh in 2013, or possibly 2014. Would love to see some new body styles! I think I'll keep running my 04 Chevy for awhile yet. It doesn't even have 100K miles on it. I love working from home. Maybe, I'll look back into buying another boat. Had to sale it when I went back to school because I couldn't make the payments. Would love to get to some pub ground that is only accessible by water. Anyone want to talk about boats? lol!
Nice Boat! I can't contriubute anyting to this thread. I have a 06 GMC like it but only put 3000 miles on it in the last year. I really need to drive the dam thing more.
Thats a nice boat but not praticle for me. I was thinking something more like this: http://www.loweboats.com/showroom/welded-jon/roughneck-jon/rv190cc.php
General Motors can rot in H*** as far as I'm concerned! TOOK BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE BAIL OUT...WHILE FORD REFUSED IT! All their execs and CEO's got bonuses, while Ford did it the right way. Ford will get every dollar I spend on a vehicle from here on out, my wife's vehicle was a mistake, one she nor I will make every again. Ford tried putting out an ad campaign that discussed how they didn't take the bail out money and had people who stated that was one of their deciding factors....I say tried because the government put a stop to the new ad campaign....WONDER WHY?!
