F-this snow. I want to buy a truck!

[burn_this_city]

I've driven all the domestics while working in the field.

Dodge - The 1500 drives really nice, almost SUV like, kind of skeptical about the overall quality and longevity, the Hemi is a pig on gas but has nice power.

Ford - The F-150 is a really nice truck, the ecoboost is awesome, but I know a guy that blew one up already tuning it.

GMC/Chevy - I consider them the best overall truck, especially the 2014, they are more refined and in my opinion a bit nicer than the F-150.

The new Sierra would be my first choice, with the F-150 a close second. You really can't go wrong with any of the above and perhaps its my bias that places the Dodge in 3rd.

I have a 2007 GMC 2500HD, it's been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned, just oil changes and fluid maintenance until this year, when I had to do a bit of suspension work at 160,000km, but that's because it's on 33" tires with a small lift. If I left it stock it would probably have needed no work until now.

[greyshep]

I dont have a great deal to add to the above comments. I agree that domestic is the way to go when it comes to full size trucks.

Also, maybe its just me but I think Toyota needs to re-evaluate its acronym choice. Whenever I see TRD on the side of a truck, I immediately read it as Turd.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Yeah I was looking at it strictly from the fact that a Tacoma is not a real truck.

Test drive F-150, Tundra, Silverado, Sierra, Ram 1500. I have a Tundra and love it, my buddy has a F-150 ecoboost and loves it (had a Silverado and likes the Ford better), father in law has a Sierra and loves it. No one has had any problems with any of those so far (knock on wood).

Oddly enough no one I know has a Ram.

I think the Tundra is sick, too. I don't understand why they don't sell more, maybe it's a pricing thing. I'm tall and I sat in the back of my cousin's crew cab all the way to Revelstoke in the winter and pure comfort. I hear some people say they're ugly, but I think they're great looking.

[WCan_Kid]

Originally Posted by Sliver

As others have said, though, Chev and Dodge are great trucks, too. Just watch the value on the Tacoma...it's really not there, man.

Don't totally disagree with most of what you're saying, but the resale on Tacos tends to more than offset the "less bang for your buck" aspect of the value comparison. My '06 spent a fair bit of time off-road and was used for service work in the oilpatch for 4 years, when I sold it there was a scar down one side from sliding into a tree on a tight trail, it was obviously worked when you looked at it and had close to 200,000 kms. I sold it for quite a bit more than what I paid for the full size, diesel '08 superduty lariat with just under 100000 km that replaced it.

For a used truck, though, domestic all the way for the same reason as above. You can get a lot of truck pretty cheap by finding one that was bought new by someone that didn't fully grasp that they were buying a truck. I've owned, or had for company vehicles, Fords, Dodges, Chev/GMCs in both 1/2 ton and heavy duty forms as well as the Toyota. There have good, solid trucks and lemons from all badges, as mentioned the biggest difference is going to which "feel" you prefer.

Fair warning - trucks are not all that great in winter conditions compared to an AWD car or SUV. The people that bomb around in conditions like the last couple of days comfortably aren't that way strictly because of the truck, most of them would do just fine in a Civic or Corolla...

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by pylon

When it comes to trucks, buy domestic, and 2-3 years old.

I'm all over used vehicles (especially bikes/sport/luxury). Trucks are one of the few exceptions. When I was shopping for mine, I looked at the domestic 2-3 y.o. range. Guys wanted 30-35 for a 3 y.o. with 60-70 kms on them. Used trucks in Calgary seem to sell (or are listed at) what's left owing on the truck, not anywhere close to what IMO they're actually worth. I paid marginally more for mine than a used model. (However I'll preface that with the fact that if I buy new it's at the model year end clearance - and because of that I got my truck I got 0% *with* all the cash rebates).

(haven't read through the thread - sorry if this info isn't pertinant - this is also similar to what I posted in the other truck thread) Personally, I love the GMs. I'm also really biased. My dad/grandad were GM truck guys so that's what I gravitated towards. I like the styling, and enjoyed the ride. The new Dodges IMO look awesome, ride nice, but are the worst in the fuel economy category, and had way too large a blind spot for my liking when I test drove it.

The Fords are decent (my buddy has an eco-boost and loves it). I'm not huge on the Ford styling personally.

Real world numbers I'm getting 13-14 L/100kms over the course of 30,000kms. Probably 70/30 hwy city. Maybe 60/40. The one huge drawback for the GMs is the walnut sized gas tank compared to the Fords.

Honestly today I think it comes down to personal preference (in domestics at least). Talking to Dodge/Ford/GM owners they all like their respective vehicles. I don't think you'd go wrong with any of them so go out and do some test-driving.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by habernac

Ugh, I drove a Topaz. It would stall if you left it in gear, so you had to be in neutral when you were at a light (it was an automatic). the body looked great on that old piece of crap, though. Just couldn't stand the motor.

I loved my '84 Ford Tempo (first car)!

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I'm all over used vehicles (especially bikes/sport/luxury). Trucks are one of the few exceptions. When I was shopping for mine, I looked at the domestic 2-3 y.o. range. Guys wanted 30-35 for a 3 y.o. with 60-70 kms on them. Used trucks in Calgary seem to sell (or are listed at) what's left owing on the truck, not anywhere close to what IMO they're actually worth. I paid marginally more for mine than a used model. (However I'll preface that with the fact that if I buy new it's at the model year end clearance - and because of that I got my truck I got 0% *with* all the cash rebates).

(haven't read through the thread - sorry if this info isn't pertinant - this is also similar to what I posted in the other truck thread) Personally, I love the GMs. I'm also really biased. My dad/grandad were GM truck guys so that's what I gravitated towards. I like the styling, and enjoyed the ride. The new Dodges IMO look awesome, ride nice, but are the worst in the fuel economy category, and had way too large a blind spot for my liking when I test drove it.

The Fords are decent (my buddy has an eco-boost and loves it). I'm not huge on the Ford styling personally.

Real world numbers I'm getting 13-14 L/100kms over the course of 30,000kms. Probably 70/30 hwy city. Maybe 60/40. The one huge drawback for the GMs is the walnut sized gas tank compared to the Fords.

Honestly today I think it comes down to personal preference (in domestics at least). Talking to Dodge/Ford/GM owners they all like their respective vehicles. I don't think you'd go wrong with any of them so go out and do some test-driving.

Yeah, when I saw pylon's post about used domestic trucks being cheap I went straight to Kijiji last night and couldn't find any good deals. I buy almost everything used as well, but you can pick up (get it?) a new truck at the end of the model year for less than the same model a couple years old on Kijiji. Certain times of the year they practically give them away. Mind you, pylon's a lot more plugged into the industry than I am and probably sees some great deals on trucks.

[kevman]

It looks like it's all been covered already but the new Ford EcoBoost engine are impressively good on gas with plenty of power.

If you're in the market for a "compact" truck the Frontier is seriously under rated. Better than the Tacoma in almost every way and cheaper to boot! However, don't fool yourself and go compact for better fuel economy. Every one of the new domestics will easily get better real world mileage than a Tacoma or Frontier (or Titan or Tundra for that matter).

No matter what truck you end up with ditch the stock rubber and buy some DuraTracs. They're winter rated and live up to the hype in all conditions!

[mykalberta]

If you dont need to tow, dont need it for work then why not just buy an SUV?

Subaru has alot of used SUVs for under 30K with low KM and if you want a vehicle thats good in the snow then nothing compares to a Subaru.

Wont get as good gas mileage but thats what happens when the 4 wheels turn properly.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

If you dont need to tow, dont need it for work then why not just buy an SUV?

Subaru has alot of used SUVs for under 30K with low KM and if you want a vehicle thats good in the snow then nothing compares to a Subaru.

Wont get as good gas mileage but thats what happens when the 4 wheels turn properly.

Trucks are way cheaper than SUVs. I was looking at getting an Expedition for a while, but they're like $70k. All they are is an F-150 with a topper for an extra $40,000.

[Muta]

Make sure you buy truck balls too! Nothing says Alberta and Calgary better than a large set of plastic cojones!

[RedMileDJ]

nm

[t0rrent98]

If you ask me. Get the Subaru Forester instead. I had no problems plowing through the snow drifts the last two days and my Impreza hatch is quite low.

[Kybosh]

I think it's funny when people ask for pickup truck recommendations and inevitably someone recommends a completely different vehicle. It's like going to a restaurant and ordering something you want and someone swings by and says "just get this dish, it's got the same amount of calories so it'll get the job done".

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Trucks are way cheaper than SUVs. I was looking at getting an Expedition for a while, but they're like $70k. All they are is an F-150 with a topper for an extra $40,000.

I was looking on Subaru Calgary (both locations) last night and they didnt have a vehicle over $30K for anything they sell, Tribeca, Cosstrek etc.

If people dont need bulk storage in the back or towing capability why one earth would they buy a truck if inclement weather is the only driving factor. Some trucks can be almost as bad as some cars if you dont put any weight in the back. Other than the clearance height there is no reason if you dont need it for what trucks should be used for.

Its just an option since he mentioned the need for possibly a few car seats.

Think about the purchase logically - you will still need to drive this vehicle in good weather, and park it.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I think it's funny when people ask for pickup truck recommendations and inevitably someone recommends a completely different vehicle. It's like going to a restaurant and ordering something you want and someone swings by and says "just get this dish, it's got the same amount of calories so it'll get the job done".

The first post indicates he might not need a truck - the primary purpose of this thread it seems is to find a vehicle for him that wont get stuck in a snow drift 5 minutes from his house.

A truck is not the only vehicle for that, in fact its probably not even the best vehicle for that particular job unless he is also planning on using it for hauling or towing.

[automaton 3]

I have an '09 Silverado and it has been flawless. I shopped around at the time and did like all 3 of the domestics, all nice trucks. What sold me on the Chevy is the Autotrac 4x4 system (would not buy another truck without it or a similar system) the Eaton G-80 locking rear differential, active fuel management (works seamlessly) and the 5 year/160km powertrain warranty.

A buddy just bought a new Tacoma SRD and is regretting buying it already. Looks nice when sitting still but is slow, tinny and does not get very good gas mileage (my full size Silverado does better). The interior reminds me of a 90's Corolla.

The Silverado/Sierra are new for '14, talked to a few guys that have one and they rave about them. Good luck with your shopping!

[pylon]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

If you ask me. Get the Subaru Forester instead. I had no problems plowing through the snow drifts the last two days and my Impreza hatch is quite low.

Only get a Subaru Forester if you are a lesbian.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

What sold me on the Chevy is the Autotrac 4x4 system (would not buy another truck without it or a similar system)

I'm so used to that I forgot about it. Wicked system.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I'm so used to that I forgot about it. Wicked system.

What is it?