Buying A New Truck

[automaton 3]

I have a Silverado and love it. Has been comfortable, bulletproof and good full mileage compared to the others.

The majority of my family and friends have trucks so here are some observations.

Those with F150's really like them. Ecoboost is nice but the advertised fuel economy is tough to achieve in real-world.

Tundras are nice inside but brutal on gas. Personally not a fan of the styling. "Limited slip" rear end is a joke compared to the others. Like the power rear window glass.

Dodges are nice initially but have lots of problems.

The Ridgeline is a minivan with a small box. Not a truck.

F150 and Sierra/Silverado are your best overall choices imo.

[btimbit]

I'm on mobile right now, otherwise this could be a 15 paragraph post.

Simply put, there's no such thing as a bad truck these days. Drive all of them, see what you like, see what prices work for you and away you go.

I just got rid of my Sierra half ton to get a Ram 2500 cummins. Both are fantastic vehicles.

For value, I think the F150 is the way to go. Friend that I work with just got a brand new crew cab XLT, nearly fully loaded, sport package, 3.5l twin turbo v6, for just under 40k. Lose a few options and even go to the 2.7l and you can probably get that near 35k. Cheaper still If willing to go for an extended cab, they're just begging people to buy those.

[2ArmBands]

Pretty much agree with post above. Drive them all... It's hard to go wrong these days. I feel like all the trucks are good. I have work truck and a personal truck and they are both great.

My personal vehicle is a Tundra. The Crewmax is awesome I don't think you'll find a more spacious cab in the half ton market. Heck even my rear seats recline. It's been very solid and dependable.

Work truck is a Ram 2500 and that thing has taken an absolute pounding. I've been impressed with how Dodge has come along with their interiors. All around a good rig as well.

At the end of the day it just comes down to personal preference and ofcourse price. Good Luck!

[PepsiFree]

Driven a few so far. Really narrowing down my selection. The advice in this thread has been great.

Before I get into the 'deal' phase of things I had a question:

Is there a cheap/decent place for accessories?
I'm thinking a bed liner, maybe a cover, and MAYBE step bars (oh, and mud flaps!)

I know the dealership will put all that on if I want it, but I don't necessarily need it all right away and DEFINITELY don't need to pay a premium for any of it. But... I would also like to avoid doing any of it myself (unless it's easy for the non-mechanically inclined).

Suggestions?

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Driven a few so far. Really narrowing down my selection. The advice in this thread has been great.

Before I get into the 'deal' phase of things I had a question:

Is there a cheap/decent place for accessories?
I'm thinking a bed liner, maybe a cover, and MAYBE step bars (oh, and mud flaps!)

I know the dealership will put all that on if I want it, but I don't necessarily need it all right away and DEFINITELY don't need to pay a premium for any of it. But... I would also like to avoid doing any of it myself (unless it's easy for the non-mechanically inclined).

Suggestions?

buy everything you can online.

Bedliner I would wait a few years. Since they scuff the crap out of the bed when they put it on, I figured I'd wait a few years and get it done later.

[burn_this_city]

Get the dealer to do the bedliner, the rest online or through cap it or another local place.

[Kybosh]

Spray in bed liner is the way to go IMO.

[2Stonedbirds]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Those with F150's really like them. Ecoboost is nice but the advertised fuel economy is tough to achieve in real-world.

Really? Anecdotal evidence warning, but everyone I have talked to who owns a eco boost either loves them, or hated them and pitched them shortly after taking delivery. Ford seemingly found a way to manifest a enigma into an automobile. Never talked to anyone who is like "yeaaaah my eco boost is ok..."

Just my own observation.

[flamefan74]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Get the dealer to do the bedliner, the rest online or through cap it or another local place.

I second this. When searching around, I found the price on spray in bedliners the same whether through dealership or not. Was easier for me to pick the truck up with the liner already in it. The other accessories I found were cheaper outside the dealership.

[2Stonedbirds]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Driven a few so far. Really narrowing down my selection. The advice in this thread has been great.

Before I get into the 'deal' phase of things I had a question:

Is there a cheap/decent place for accessories?
I'm thinking a bed liner, maybe a cover, and MAYBE step bars (oh, and mud flaps!)

I know the dealership will put all that on if I want it, but I don't necessarily need it all right away and DEFINITELY don't need to pay a premium for any of it. But... I would also like to avoid doing any of it myself (unless it's easy for the non-mechanically inclined).

Suggestions?

Suggestions for someone who cant install their own nerf bars, cover or maybe mud flaps?

Yup. Buy the ridgeline. Enjoy your new car.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

Suggestions for someone who cant install their own nerf bars, cover or maybe mud flaps?



Yup. Buy the ridgeline. Enjoy your new car.

"Can't" and "would rather pay someone to do it for me" aren't the same thing, gramps.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

Suggestions for someone who cant install their own nerf bars, cover or maybe mud flaps?

Yup. Buy the ridgeline. Enjoy your new car.

Hur Hur!

Op, try life without the step bars first. I hated them because if you have them but don't use them, they get your pants dirty.

Box covers are sonething you really need to think about before you buy. There are three different kinds and they all have pros and cons. Kind of too much to type on my phone right now, but they are definitely cheaper at various truck accessory places or Kijiji.

Sprayed bed liner is mandatory.

[2Stonedbirds]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

"Can't" and "would rather pay someone to do it for me" aren't the same thing, gramps.

You're the kind of guy who'd bitch if he was hung with a new rope.

It was a joke, lighten up.

[Jacks]

Just an option to ponder. I've always been a big proponent of wood box liners. They protect the bed without scratching the crap out of the things you are hauling around. When you are done with the truck you can easily unscrew and remove the liner and you'll have a gleaming factory fresh bed underneath just in time for resale.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

Really? Anecdotal evidence warning, but everyone I have talked to who owns a eco boost either loves them, or hated them and pitched them shortly after taking delivery. Ford seemingly found a way to manifest a enigma into an automobile. Never talked to anyone who is like "yeaaaah my eco boost is ok..."

Just my own observation.

Interesting, I guess the people I know all fall into the "love it" crowd. I have heard plenty about how thirsty the ecoboost becomes if you put your put in it, or are towing.

[2Stonedbirds]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Interesting, I guess the people I know all fall into the "love it" crowd. I have heard plenty about how thirsty the ecoboost becomes if you put your put in it, or are towing.

My one buddy swears by it, loves it, wouldn't trade it for anything else.

He drives mostly highway, and hauls air.

Another buddy had one that saw regular trips down the gravel for work, and he used it a couple times to haul his sled trailer. Sold it after a month and picked up a Dodge.

Heard some complaints about fuel mileage from the eco boosts, but again heard quite a few people rave about them. Depends who you talk to I guess? They are a nice truck to ride in, that's all I can speak to, I've never owned a eco-boost.

[Jacks]

I don't mind the ecoboost, the difference in mileage coming from the 5.4L is huge. I keep thinking it must be near time to fuel up, I look down and there is still over 1/2 a tank. The only thing I don't love about it is it's lacking in off the line power, as soon as the turbo kicks in a couple seconds later it has lots of get up and go though. Haven't towed any trailers yet but I imagine it wouldn't be great towing something heavy without the low end tourqe of the V-8's or diesels. A light trailer like OP is talking about should be fine though.

[Weitz]

I get great mileage on my eco boost.. Its not a truck however.

[2Stonedbirds]

I'm honestly surprised the 1/2 ton Dodge diesels didn't take off in popularity moreso than they have.

Good fuel economy in a half ton that can still tug a load? Sign me up.

Maybe the higher price tag either makes potential buyers balk or bite the bullet and go all in on a regular diesel?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Driven a few so far. Really narrowing down my selection. The advice in this thread has been great.

Before I get into the 'deal' phase of things I had a question:

Is there a cheap/decent place for accessories?
I'm thinking a bed liner, maybe a cover, and MAYBE step bars (oh, and mud flaps!)

I know the dealership will put all that on if I want it, but I don't necessarily need it all right away and DEFINITELY don't need to pay a premium for any of it. But... I would also like to avoid doing any of it myself (unless it's easy for the non-mechanically inclined).

Suggestions?

Truck Nuts. Negotiate well enough and they'll throw them in, maybe even install them for you.