Buying A New Truck

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I've never drove one or know the price point, but I was in my buddy's Tundra the other day, and the interior blew the F150s away which was loaded. With Ford, you are getting a pretty standard interior. The Tundra has a pretty luxurious cabin.

Yeah, I was in a few Tundras on Saturday. The Limited or whatever their high-end trim level was is a very nice interior. Lexusish even. You definitely pay for it, though.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Personal preference i guess. I hated the interior of the tundra, but I really like my F150 Sport interior... The Sierra was nice except for the fact you can't get a console gear shift (which is high on my list), and the back seat was too small for car seats.

Just out of curiosity, why is console shift important to you? I personally cant stand console shift. It screws up the location of the cup holders, and takes up space needlessly.

[The Familia]

I have a 2010 Ram 1500 Sport which I bought new at the time. Love it!! No question about it. It has been very reliable and performed exceptionally well. I highly recommend getting the bed liner sprayed. Worth every penny. I found the Ram Hemi engine out performed everything else on the market at that time. I love the look of the Ram over everything else and their interior is very sharp and classy. Stay away from Ford.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Yeah yeah I just have a mental disconnect because a truck is a quintessentially practical vehicle as opposed to a toy to me. Forget it. Carry on. I'm actually curious as to why no one has mentioned diesel.

Not sure if it's been mentioned in the 25 or so posts since you asked this for the second time, but I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that his budget (~30) is pretty entry level for trucks to begin with, and switching to a diesel is going to add a minimum 10k on a new purchase. Probably more, actually, as thus will eliminate some base model options too. Plus, he goes from barely needing a truck, to a big 3/4 ton. Only half ton option is a dodge, and it sounds like he's gearing towards Ford, if I read correctly (who doesn't have a half ton diesel offering - yet). . Even still the dodge half ton diesel is not for the price conscious consumer, and I haven't checked used prices, but they usually retail value well enough that he won't be getting the craziest price for a slightly used one.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Buying new, I'd get a Tacoma way before I'd get a Colorado. Tacomas hold their value crazy well. The Colorado will plummet.

Very true. But I would still take the GM trucks over the Tacoma because of the diesel. I wouldn't get a gas Colorado/Canyon though. I would hold off until the Ranger came out.

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Just out of curiosity, why is console shift important to you? I personally cant stand console shift. It screws up the location of the cup holders, and takes up space needlessly.

I don't know its a comfort thing to me... all of my vehicles have been console shift with the exception of my '71 F-100 which was "3 in the tree".

And the new F-150 has a wide console so there is no sacrificing cup holder space.

[burn_this_city]

Trucks should have column shift.

[Nufy]

I would take a column shift over that stupid dial that the new Dodges have these days.

Go to turn up the radio and end up in low gear...

My 2011 has a Console Shifter, 2 cupholders plus 2 storage areas...

No sacrifice in room at all imo...

[taco.vidal]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Same logic (your Civic example) was the reason I bought the FX4 to begin. It was cheaper than the Explorer I originally went to purchase despite it having as many or more options and a lot more towing capability (and it looked much more masculine).

The bolded part is what sells a lot of trucks and is where the stereotype of insecure and inadequately equipped men driving big trucks comes from.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

For what it's worth, I drive a 2014 F-150 supercrew ecoboost. Absolutely love it.

I have the same and it's a solid vehicle. It also has the integrated trailer brake and the locking rear axle on a low trim level (XTR). Not really crazy about the changes they made to the interior but it's fine. I've had great experiences with F-150's, there is a reason they sell millions of them. Had a 06 Lariat for 8 years with no problems at all. My advice would be to pick up a 2 year old lease return, you'll save a ton of money and the vehicle is still basically new, you can get lease returns fairly easily with <50K.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

If you are cheap when it comes to vehicles, why would you buy new?

Because used truck pricing in Alberta is stupid. Guys get max financing on them and sell them for what's left owing, not what they're worth. I looked extensively at used and for 5k more I got a brand new truck, vs. a 2 year old model with 45k on it.

I'm a huge proponent of used vehicle purchases (not as much as Sliver, but close), but trucks are one of the two I'm pretty adamant against. Not in this province anyway. Also tack on whether or not you might never have a clue if it was a field truck, and I wouldn't buy a used truck if I was using your money.

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I really like the new GM small trucks.

Love the 'small' trucks. Still amazes me that they're basically the same size as a regular half ton from 15 years ago. Wow vehichles have gotten stupid big. Anyway. My personal beef with the compact truck market, is that asking price is the same or more as a 1/2 ton, and you're cutting payload and seating. If you could walk into a Canyon for 20-30k, awesome. Unfortunately when I priced out a similar spec to my 1500, it was the same price for half the truck.

Originally Posted by Sliver

Buying new, I'd get a Tacoma way before I'd get a Colorado. Tacomas hold their value crazy well.

Will you still fall out of the floorboards a year after ownership due to the rust? Serious question. I'm not sure if the new ones have fixed that issue but when I was in the market the Taco frame rusting was guaranteed as a Mazda rusting around the wheel wells.

Originally Posted by Nufy

I would take a column shift over that stupid dial that the new Dodges have these days.

Yeah but on a column shift you can't crank the dial and say "this one goes to eleven"

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

See, it just seems like a moderately sized SUV would serve the purpose better here and be far, far more practical and bang-for-the-buck, both in terms of vehicle cost, quality / lifespan and fuel economy.

The argument of "do you really need a truck?" is completely valid and not asked enough, but when it's followed up with "a moderately sized SUV..." you just lose all credibility.

Moderately sized SUV's* handle like a pregnant yak. Most people think they handle like a car and drive them as such, and can't figure out why they rolled over on the Smith-Dorrien. At least with a truck most people expect the handling of a pregnant yak.

Gas mileage? I assume you've never filled up an SUV or a truck. I get better mileage with the unloading V8 in my truck than I have on two other SUVs with equivalent horsepower. You want to throw in the argument of getting a 4-banger SUV, that goes out the window when you start towing or head out to the mountains.

Vehicle cost? A similarly equipped truck will be less than the average SUV. Lifespan AFAIK is similar, and parts are substantially cheaper because there's so many more of them out there, less models to choose from, and they don't go through as many re-iterations.

IMO an SUV has two pros over a truck.
- Everything can go inside. While to me, this is a con, some people like the fact that luggage et al won't get dusty in an SUV like it will in a box. I'm the opposite, since I can take oil down to the recycling center, or throw whatever else I want in the box, hose it out, and my interior stays sparkly clean.

I've gone on multi-week ski trips with 4 other adults comfortably seated, with 8 pairs of skis and everyone's luggage in the box. You can't do that with an SUV.

And storage space in most SUVs is highly overblown. I could fit more into the cargo area of a Pontiac vibe than a similar vintage Pathfinder. You want to suggest an SUV over a truck you may as well suggest a VW golf too.

Pro #2 - parking & maneuverability. Trucks suck in the city as a DD. SUV's get the edge for that.

To the OP, I don't know if any of that was on topic, but to answer your post, I'm happy with the GMC. Get a bed liner, and a topper, or a cover. Personally I like the BAKFlip HD and have had one for a number of years.

*the Cayenne GTS being one of the exceptions, but now we're +100k range.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

The bolded part is what sells a lot of trucks and is where the stereotype of insecure and inadequately equipped men driving big trucks comes from.

This might be the dumbest post I've seen in a while. People want to drive car that they like the look of, and if it's a male in their 20s and 30s, they are more likely going to want a more aggressive looking and feeling vehicle on the road whether it be a car, truck, van, or bicycle.

[2Stonedbirds]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Trucks should have column shift.

Trucks should have a stick. IMO anyways, diesels certainly. I get the new transmissions are up to the task but having to order a diesel truck with a stick is some major BS.

[Sliver]

Tacomas were just redesigned for this year so I would hope they have the frame rust under control. If the don't, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't affect their resale anyway hah.

Agree on buying new for trucks, too. They hold their value ridiculously well.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Because used truck pricing in Alberta is stupid. Guys get max financing on them and sell them for what's left owing, not what they're worth. I looked extensively at used and for 5k more I got a brand new truck, vs. a 2 year old model with 45k on it.

I'm a huge proponent of used vehicle purchases (not as much as Sliver, but close), but trucks are one of the two I'm pretty adamant against. Not in this province anyway. Also tack on whether or not you might never have a clue if it was a field truck, and I wouldn't buy a used truck if I was using your money.

People can ask as much as they want for their used vehicle, doesn't mean you have to pay that. You can get good deals on lease returns at auction, close to dealer wholesale if you are patient. I bought a 2 year old lease return Lariat in 08 for $21K, drove it for almost 8 years and sold it for $11.5K. Can't do much better than that. Used prices have gone up since then but there are still deals to be had.

You can also get some decent deals if you look at lease takeovers, my current vehicle is a lease. Most of the listings are ridiculous bad deals but there are really good deals here and there.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Jacks

People can ask as much as they want for their used vehicle, doesn't mean you have to pay that.

I understand that. But when everyone is looking for 10k more than a truck is worth, it's tough. Yes, patience can pay off, but I don't see the same ROI on a truck vs a luxury or sports car. Factor in the US buying trucks now for pennies on the dollar here and it gets compounded.

Originally Posted by Sliver

Tacomas were just redesigned for this year so I would hope they have the frame rust under control. If the don't, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't affect their resale anyway hah.

They've gone through 2 re-designs with the same rust issue. They may, they may not. Mazda has been ongoing for what, 15 years now? The Protege rusted in the same spots the Speed3 does now.

Resale value I agree with, but that's on the consumer. The worst part about resale value and model loyalty, is that people go off 10 year old mis-conceptions. IE Subaru, sure the engines lasted 400k, but that was 3 generations ago, the new ones blow in half that time. "Toyota is rock solid!", yeah, they were, but since going to mass-manufacturing, they have the reliability of Ford, Chevy, or any other mass-produced vehicle.

[MG153]

I have a 14 sierra cc all terrain, and I love it. Big step up over the 12 sierra I had. Huge improvement on interiors and exterior, IMO the best looking front end of any truck on the market. Personally i find the new fords to be fugly and im glad i went the direction i did. Fuel mileage has been better then I ever expected. About 12L/100k city if you don't have a lead foot, and around 10 on the highway. Obviously towing will increase this number but with a truck bed full of camping stuff I can make it to the shuswap on half a tank ( no trailer yet ) about 8-900kms a tank highway, almost had a 1000km tank last summer Enjoy your new ride whatever you do decide on.

[indes]

I own a ram 2015 2500 6.4, made the switch from a 2008 ram 3500 cunmins. A gas will never tow as good as the diesel does, but for the 5-10 trips I pull a trailer every year it works just fine. Any trailer over 7000# I would get a model with a bigger engine (gm 6.2, Ford 6.2, ram 6.4). The base engines will tow them but it's a horror on fuel and the tranny.

[flamefan74]

Another vote for F-150. Bought one a couple years ago with the XTR package for $30,000 including V-8. Was more than capable for what I needed and had most options I was looking for. No complaints so far.

[Fuzz]

Ya, hate that small trucks are so expensive. I love my S-10 but when it is time to upgrade I hate that a full size is the same price. Hard to justify.