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OT: Truck: Chevy vs. Ford vs. Nissan. vs. Toyota vs. Dodge

bowiestar2003

bowiestar2003

Member
Jun 3, 2011
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Lexington, SC
Now with my car nearing pay off, I'm looking to get a truck. I used to have a Chevy Colorado and it was a reliable, dependable, all around good truck, but not enough room for a car seat to put my 2 year old in. So, I wanted to see some of your opinions on trucks by manufacturer.

I love Chevy trucks. Not so sure about Ford, because my family has owned Ford Explorers and other Ford cars and they all have went down the crapper. I like the look of Nissan and Toyota trucks, but they seem higher in price compared to a Chevy or Ford. I like RAM, but I've read where they have transmission and other mechanical issues when manufactured.

Feel free to post whatever opinion you want on your taste of trucks. Thank you all for helping me in this.
 
I have a 2013 Tundra Crew Max. I absolutely love it. My wife and I have had Toyota vehicles since we got married, and never had any issues that weren't the fault of a wreck. I had a 2010 Tundra Double Cab (my first truck). I was in love with it til some drunk lady smash into it on Christmas Eve a few years ago. (my truck was parked). She broke the rear axle and the drive train, had to replace the wheel housing on the driver side rear. It was pretty bad, but she was going about 50 mph. Thank God we were in the house. Anyway, the shop that fixed it messed up the main electronic box (I forget the technical name) and it killed the alternator on a drive home from Knoxville, TN.
None of that was the fault of the Tundra and I had not had any issues with before and I've not had any issues with the newer truck either. I love the way it drives, the cabin is massive and has room for three adults to sit in the back with plenty of leg room. I'm 6'4 and when I had the Double Cab, an adult couldn't sit behind me, now anyone could comfortably sit behind me. It is a breeze loading kids car seats because of the extra room. If you're not looking to haul a bunch of long stuff and you don't need a huge bed, get the Crew Max Tundra and you will NOT be disappointed. The only draw back is that it only comes in a 5.5 ft bed, if it were any longer it would be massive. I have not run into any situations where my bed isn't big enough.
I drove every major truck makers product between my two Tundras, the only one that came close was the RAM and I steered away from it because my best friend had an 01 and it had terrible transmission issues. They are now made by Fiat, and I refuse to buy an Italian made truck.
Some will laugh at that and say, "well you bought a Japanese truck". Do your homework first, almost 90% of my truck is American manufactured and assembled in San Antonio, TX. No other full size truck has that high a % of American made parts.
I have never put my truck in a situation it didn't handle flawlessly.
You have to know what your main needs are, will you be towing/hauling? Do you have a boat/camper? Weight?
Or will you use it like me, as your daily driver, with the need for lots of space and the occasional haul some stuff around?
 
The Chevy Silverado is a great truck. Durable and fuel efficient as well. A friend of mine bought a 2015 Silverado crew cab and said it had better fuel economy than his 2012 Toyota Tacoma he used to own. Here is a link that may help you with your decision

http://www.edmunds.com/truck/
This post was edited on 2/17 9:59 AM by korncock76
 
get any of them other than the Nissan titan. or the dodge

the ram looks great but they have a lot of transmission issues down the road. the Nissan titan isn't a real truck....it looks nice ,but Im not convinced its gonna stick around. its annual sale numbers tell me that it might not last.

cant go wrong with F-150, Silverado/Sierra, or Tundra.
 
I have a Ram and love it! Almost paid off but only 115k, so I plan on keeping it for quite a while longer. My suggestion is get whatever fits you best and drives the best, honestly their all about the same so get what you like.
 
I have a 2009 Silverado crew cab. I love the truck... I think its the best vehicle I've ever owned. Can't say enough good things about it.
 
If you want a truck with more backseat leg room get the Ford F-150. I have the 2013 FX4 version (Garnet in color) and I love it. My kids are 17 and 15 and we drive it to FL on vacations. I opted for the V8 even though the salesman tried to push the EcoBoost V6 heavily. The 2015 has an all aluminum frame. Not sure how I feel about that. Yes it is 700lbs lighter, but you don't necessarily buy a truck with fuel economy in mind.
 
Originally posted by EECOCK2007:
If you want a truck with more backseat leg room get the Ford F-150. I have the 2013 FX4 version (Garnet in color) and I love it. My kids are 17 and 15 and we drive it to FL on vacations. I opted for the V8 even though the salesman tried to push the EcoBoost V6 heavily. The 2015 has an all aluminum frame. Not sure how I feel about that. Yes it is 700lbs lighter, but you don't necessarily buy a truck with fuel economy in mind.
Click to expand...
Not an all aluminum FRAME on the 2015 F-150.....it has aluminum BODY panels. Big difference.
 
The F-150 is not an Explorer, it is the Best-Selling Truck for 33 Straight Years and the Best-Selling Vehicle for 28 Years.
If they were crappy trucks, they wouldn't keep leading in sales year after year........and Ford didn't take the government bail-out. My 2011 super cab V-6 with 300hp averages over 19mpg and have gotten 24mpg on trips, great truck.
 
Don't get back into debt would be my advise. If you are finally paying off your car, you will like not having a car payment. Put that money in the bank for a few years and then go out and pay cash for a car in a couple of years. Maybe saving that car payment for two years and selling your car, you could get a good used one for cash with no car payment.
 
Originally posted by mtubs18:

Don't get back into debt would be my advise. If you are finally paying off your car, you will like not having a car payment. Put that money in the bank for a few years and then go out and pay cash for a car in a couple of years. Maybe saving that car payment for two years and selling your car, you could get a good used one for cash with no car payment.
Click to expand...
Never buy a new car. It is one of the the worst financial decisions you can ever make.

I have a 1995 F150 and a 2000 Ford Explorer. Have driven more than 400K miles and haven't had to make any major repairs yet.
 
IMO, Ford F-150 no doubt.

If you want fuel mileage look at the EcoBoost. They still have a lot of horsepower. The 4 door has a ton of leg room even with the front seats all the way back.


As someone else said, there is a reason they have been the #1 selling truck for as long as they have been. Great trucks.

I would personally stay away from any Dodge product. Just look at most smaller used truck/car lots. They are full of Dodge Ram's for a reason.
 
Originally posted by uscfan1981:
Never buy a new car. It is one of the the worst financial decisions you can ever make.
Click to expand...
Probably true if you get a good used car which is not guaranteed. I have done OK by buying new and keeping for 10 years.

BTW, don't people want trucks that can hold 4x8 sheets of plywood and sheet rock? My Caravan mini van could do that and it was handy.
 
A lot of people are telling you to look at the Ford, and for good reason, they're selling them at fast rates. But, do some research before you do that. F-150 is the best selling truck for good reason, they make more of them than any other truck combined and when you visit a used car lot, the truck you see the most of, is a F-150. People buy em and sell em so fast they don't' know anything about it. I looked long and hard at a 2013 FX4 SuperCrew. It has less room than the Tundra in the back seat, for sure, but it is still very spacious. I would caution you against buying an Ecoboost, as they are having a REALLY hard time figuring that thing out. Go to some forums where members post there likes and dislikes about each vehicle. tundratalk is a good one that I frequent, there are others for other brands
My best friend bought a 2010 Crew Cab chevy 2500 HD diesel, the interior was falling apart a week after driving it off the lot. the oh $h#t handle broke when his wife grabbed it, the sun visor broke out of the ceiling when she moved it into position, and the dash fell apart about a month later. He loved the diesel truck, and needed it to pull horses, but the inside of the chevy was cheap plastic.
He now owns a 2011 Ford f-150 platinum ecoboost. It's been back in the shop more than he has driven it. It continued to go into Limp mode b/c of the condensation forming and falling onto the turbo. The stupid dealership couldnt' figure it out. I had read up on them because I was looking at them, and I immediately knew what was wrong. They finally fixed it. he needed something else worked on about a year ago, and was out of a car for a week. It's been in the shop a lot!! Do some research. Reliability, comfort, safety, power= hands down Tundra
bells and whistles, stylish graphics, aftermarket performance parts= Ford
My 2013 has a 5.7 Liter V8 with 381 horses, and I get 17 mpg on the hwy.
If you're buying a full size truck, there is no need to be worried about the mpg
 
I am retired Allstate agent but have a dealers lic. since I retired. I go to sales just to have something to do and the dodge trucks have filled up the lanes at the major dealer only auctions. They are being repoed at a huge rate and you can guess the reason. Ford, Chevy and Toyota trucks are bringing the best prices at wholesale auctions. Most high priced trucks will be dependable with good care, I wonder about the new ones that are breaking soon after purchase, is there a young driver in the house?
 
The best truck money can buy
2015-ford-f-150-order-guide.jpg
 
Originally posted by Ratheolcoach:
A comparable Tundra will cost, on average $10k less after wheeling and dealing and last twice as long!
Click to expand...
+1

Go with Toyota. Always and forever.
 
you are getting a lot of mostly useless advice in this thread, there isn't a nickel's worth of difference between the 1/2 ton versions of the truck from the big 3 American makers. If you want good advice, spend the extra money and get the 3/4 ton or full 1 ton version of whatever you decide you like the best. then you'll see a real difference: you'll be able to beat the ever-lovin hell out of it for the rest of your life and it will keep right on going. you'll never have to buy another truck.
 
I suggest you test drive each one paying attention to features and interior trim. Buy the truck that best fits your needs and budget. I owned a 2001 Ford for years and it was a very good truck. Pros: very dependable Cons: 5.0 was underpowered for towing my camper I bought a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab in early 2011 and put 80,00 miles on it without a wink of trouble. Pros: Plenty of room for the family and the 5.3 liter motor made good power. Cons: It had a cheap interior and lots of all black plastic that scratched too easy. Also the center arm rest latch broke and I had to buy the complete lid. (expensive) I purchased a 2014 Ram 1500 Laramie with a 5.7 hemi and 8 speed transmission April of 2014 and really like the truck. Pros: Very strong motor and great gas mileage and the truck is loaded. Cons: it's a Dodge and I don't expect it will hold the value my Ford or Chevy did.
 
I'm a big fan of the ecoboost ford. They produce a lot more power and torque than the v8s regardless of the fact it gets better mileage. When thy irst launched he coboost they had the turbo intake inside he fender pulling air from the splash area in the fender. Pretty dumb but it has Ben redesigned since and now the turbo does not suck up water and cause limp mode. My dad bought a new 2014 when they first came out in later 2013 an it has been great. Super nice inside, roomy and we the power. He was owing his 34 ft camper with a suburban for years. He pulled t with te truck and said it was like night an day. Way more power buil in active sway control where it brakes wheels o straighten he load and peed oes not drop on hills. This compared to his 5.7 liter v8 suburban was night and day.

If I wasn't interested in towing, I would go tundra because it's a toyota an you can't go wrong there. But for overall with the need of real towing, go ford with ecoboost.

I personally would not and will not ever in any way hope or om spend one cent or one minute buying or driving a dodge or Chrysler product. Look at older cars on the road. The ones that smoking from h exhaust are most commonly dodge or Chrysler. Not gonna happen.

In general, i must add, trucks are insanely over priced.

I'm a buy new or almost new and drive for ten years + kind of guy.
 
All the full size trucks in the brands you mentioned are very good quality.....except for dodge. Only brand that I would never own. The new Chevys r really nice trucks!
Posted from Rivals Mobile
 
i luv my toyota crew cab.....pulls decent.....lots of room for me and my fat ass buds when we go fishing.....i think its like a sequoia.....they hack it off from the back seat i think....which leaves you like a 5ft 6inch bed....more room for hauling fat buddies, but less room for hauling wood
 
If you want a truck that will hold its value, then go Toyota. Me and a friend each bought trucks around the same time in December 2008. I bought a 2008 Toyota Tundra and he bought a 2009 Dodge Ram. Both were loaded and cost about the same new. We both just traded our trucks for business reasons. My Toyota got $10,000 more trade in value and both had 75,000 miles. Plus mine was a year older. True story.

My other Toyota story is I bought a 1990 4Runner used with 25,000 miles for $14,000 back in 1992. I drove it for
7 years and put over 100,000 additional miles on it. I sold it for $10,000. I drove it for 7 years for only $4,000 and only had to change oil and replace brakes/tires...not counting other routine filter changes, coolant flushes, etc.

I have owned Toyota for 30 years with no major issues...just routine maintenance. Go with Toyota.
 
Toyota Tacoma is 10 years old, no problems, and still rides like new. Paid 23500 for it New, and was offered 16000 for it awhile back
 
Toyota. Mine is 16 years old with 260k miles. Land cruiser but I assume all their trucks are the same.
 
I had tundra and hated it. Reasons unknown but grew tired of the look. Bought the new 150 king ranch two months ago and love it Just preference I guess.
 
2007 tundra crewmax limited is my ride had it the whole time !coming up on 140k miles. the paints nearly flawless the interior is still quiet and all electronics work. had no issues what so ever, change the oil every 5k miles. I put two sets of tires on it and I did the brake pads once all around , that was super easy too. 5.7 plenty of power all my buddies comment on that and the rooms insane.

This post was edited on 2/18 3:22 PM by wilmington-cock
 
Love my Dodge Dakota Laramie. Sweet ride and plenty of power and plenty of room in regards back seat. Good mileage, too.
 
Originally posted by mtubs18:

Don't get back into debt would be my advise. If you are finally paying off your car, you will like not having a car payment. Put that money in the bank for a few years and then go out and pay cash for a car in a couple of years. Maybe saving that car payment for two years and selling your car, you could get a good used one for cash with no car payment.
Click to expand...
I 2nd that advice. Pay off the car, save up a while, and pay cash for a used truck with about 150,000 miles on it. At that mileage, it doesn't really matter what brand you buy - it comes down to the particular vehicle and what your trusted mechanic thinks about it once he gets it up on the rack.

When it comes to trucks, it's pretty much impossible to give advice without knowing what you plan to do with it. The only requirement you alluded to was room for a car seat. If you need a family vehicle, honestly, I'd suggest just keeping a car - they are a lot cheaper to buy, maintain, and fuel than a truck. Beyond that, what you plan to carry in the back and how often and what, if anything, you intend to tow and how often and how far would be important to know. I personally find the Dodge Ram pickups to be a better value than the Fords and Chevrolets, but all 3 are fine. I suspect if you needed a serious tower, you'd have mentioned it, but if you do intend to do any regular significant towing over distances farther than across town or to the lake, 3/4 ton or larger is really the only way to go with my preference being the Dodge Cummins diesel engine. But that's a serious work truck - don't spend that kind of money unless you have a real need.
 
Just traded my 2009 Tundra For 2015 Tundra. My 2009 had 268,000 miles on it. I use my trucks for work and they are used hard. Never had any issues with my 2009 Tundra, so I hope that my 2015 will come close to being as good a truck as my 2009 Tundra was. Been in business since 2006 and had lots of transmission problems in my 2006 Ford. Traded it with 96,000 miles.
 
Chevy and Toyota are the best in my opinion. I have owned an Avalanche and Silverado myself- the engines they out in their full sized trucks are damn near impossible to kill. 300,000 Miles is about an average minimum life expectancy if all you do is change oils from time to time.. They run great, haul whatever you need, are comfortable and average price for full sized trucks... Which is to say THEY COST A S*** LOAD OF MONEY NEW, but they hold their value as well or better than any others. The Tundra from all I have seen and heard is a great truck and they look great too. My Dad has a Tacoma, super basic model and loves it.

I have never had anyone in my family who owned a Ford and didn't regret it... That is a total of 4-5 vehicles I can recall off the top of my head from Mustangs to Vans to a Escorts... GARBAGE. Every damn one of them. Absolute trash. People say Ford has changed, it is better now, they out their best engine in the trucks.... Go ahead and drop 45K on a tin can if you want, I will never recommend to anyone that they buy a Ford in my lifetime. My experiences have been that negative with them.

Dodge is supposed to be a great truck, I just flat out don't like the way the Ram looks.

Nissans are made out of plastic.
 
Originally posted by CaliCock:
you are getting a lot of mostly useless advice in this thread, there isn't a nickel's worth of difference between the 1/2 ton versions of the truck from the big 3 American makers. If you want good advice, spend the extra money and get the 3/4 ton or full 1 ton version of whatever you decide you like the best. then you'll see a real difference: you'll be able to beat the ever-lovin hell out of it for the rest of your life and it will keep right on going. you'll never have to buy another truck.
Click to expand...
This is actually really solid advice... IF he is buying a work truck. If it is a daily driver, the larger versions will costs thousands more in gas every year and the extra beating it will take might come in handy about two times total over the course of the next 10 years.

if it is a work truck, get the GMC 2500 or 3500 Diesel... You could drive that Mfer through a brick house without slowing down! Hell if money is no object, get the Tonka!
Click it:

This post was edited on 2/18 11:09 PM by Gamecock Lifer

Oh wait.. NM, I forgot it is a FORD! LOL
 
same as i bought 20 years ago,,, toyota, nissan, honda.... longevity wise
 
For a 1/2 ton, F-150.

In regards to a smaller truck, I would recommend a Toyota Tacoma. Don't like the Tundra but love the Tacoma's. They are some tough trucks and are great for hunting when you need to go off-road a good bit.

I bought a 1987 Suzuki Samurai 4x4, lifted and basically gutted, and you want to talk about a mud vehicle. Not much that short wheel base cant get through. A lot of fun!
 
How you all put 100,000++++ on a vehicle is beyond me. I'm itching for something new at the 50,000 mark!
 
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