New Truck Time!

[Guest]

Considering all the new finance packages available for trucks, its time to finally look seriously to replace my 93 Dodge.
Generically pretending Ford, GMC and Dodge are the same, my dilema is that when I get into the 2500+ series of trucks, the base V8 engines are rather large.
I'd appreciate any input on gas mileage before making a final decision.

GMC 6 liter is the old 396, probably not a gas saver.
Dodge 360- Power but an awesome gas guzzler.
Ford 5.9?- Don't know?

If each of these are gas suckers, I may stay with another 1500 series of truck as the extra capacities are not really necessary.

My choice to last a long time will be 1500 or 2500 extended cab, v8, full 8' bed and 2 wheel drive with posi-rear. Other goodies are as available. The 1500 series of trucks have the smaller v8s which I know will get better than the 13 I now get with a v6.

Tell me what you like about your truck and what you hate. Best pricing I have so far is the GMC.

Thanks

Jim

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Jim,

Have you considered a diesel? I have a 00 F250 Crew Cab powerstroke 4 X 4 that I absolutely love. I get 15-17 mpg towing a 16' enclosed trailer full of tools and upwards of 18-20 empty. The cost added about $4k to the price but resale on those trucks seems to stay pretty high. My wife has a GMC yukon, but we love the comfort of the truck so much that we end up using that as the family car most of the time. Good luck in your choices.

Sam

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

the chevy 6.0 is not the old 396, its a new block config (all for sizes are the same block with dif, bores and strokes). It gets about 12-13, and abot 11 with a trailer. I have talked to a few with the 8.1 with the allisson tranny. They get about the same MPG.

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Have you considered the Toyota Tundra? With its 4.7 V8 it has plenty of pulling power. I have one, accesss cab and 6' bed, and love it. Check it out!!!!

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Thanks for the posts, I hope to do something by the end of this week.
The diesel I would love, except it appears to be an expensive investment for about 11,000 miles a year average. I do have a tendency to keep my trucks longer than most so maybe I should take another look. It appears that ALL the mfg larger v8s are getting the same 13 I get now?
Paul
I assume your comments are based on 4w drive? This is one reason I only want 2w drive.
Frank
I sort of blew off the Toyota as an early review stated great power from pump to pump, about 11 I recall. 11 by a pro driver sounds like 9 to me?

This truck is a long-term investment. The 93 only has 94k, but it really is time for a bigger truck.

Thanks
Jim

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Jim
Take a strong at the 3/4 ton in both Ford and Chevy with a diesel i have a 97 version of the truck that Sam has and I am impressed with it More money yes but 100,000 mile warranty

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Jim,

Maybe I should just sell you mine. Only 40K miles and loaded with leather, 4 door, 4 X 4 etc. My wife might get pissed,,,,but hell,,,everything is always for sale. I can always get an 02. heheheh

Sam

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

I bought my 98 F-150 new by going to edmonds.com, picked the options I wanted, 4.6 V-8 posi ,extended cab etc. put the prices together, (dealer cost plus profit) then faxed it to dealers asking if they would order it for this price. Got 2 responses and the truck for 20g's( $175 more than I offered) Good Luck.

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Steve
As most posi's have a low ratio do you find it a detriment or benefit? Now looking at Ford 250's with open rear end for better highway ratio.

Jim

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

I think it's a 3.37. I took a 700 mi trip to get my son's college junk and got 15 mpg. Posi's a lot cheaper than 4WD for the snowy days and if the weather's too bad it stays in the driveway.

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

In upstate New York that would be to many days, I'll pay for 4WD and work an extra 5-10 days.

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

If fuel economy is the issue, you may as well go for a gas engine. The extra cost of the diesel package for most trucks is so high that at 11K miles a year you probably will never recoup that cost. For example, at $1.30/gallon, and 11,000/yr. the difference in annual fuel cost for vehicles averaging 12mpg vs 18mpg is about $400. Over an 8 year period, the extra fuel mileage saves you $3,200, not enough to even cover the diesel package.

The same holds true for 2- versus 4-wheel drive. I've had many 4wd vehicles over the past 10 years. I've lived in downstate NY and in PA, pretty much average winter weather. I can count on one hand the number of times I used 4wd, and only on one occasion did it make any difference at all between getting somewhere and maybe getting stuck. It definitely did not justify the $4-5k extra cost it put on the vehicle. Add the potential reapir problems associated with a transfer case etc., and you don't have a good investment. Of course, if I lived in New Hampshire, or North Dakota, this would be an entirely different case. Ironically, snow removal here in southeast PA is so pathetic that it was easier to get around in NY. That too may be a factor for you.

A posi rear is a good value. Most only cost a few hundred extra, or are part of a larger equipment package that's a decent value. I've seen situations where a posi will get you out of a jam that 4WD won't.

My personal choice would be an F-250 crew or club with a base V8, posi, and the extra suspension and cooling packages, and the class IV towing package. If no extensive towing was involved I'd go with the F-150 in the same configuration.

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Hey Craig, I'm glad to see someone else shares my opinion about 4WD for a work truck. You described my F-150 to a T. I still say if the weather is so bad you need 4WD to get to the job, I'd rather park my 2WD Posi than gamble on some smuck whacking me and putting the truck in the shop.

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Jim -

Just put 8000 miles on my 2001 2500hd Chevrolet ext cab Duramax Diesel. The best riding / handling truck I've ever owned . Pulls my 10 k utility traler like it wasn't there.

12mpg pulling
15 mpg around town
19-20mpg over the road at 65-70mph

Diesel was expensive - but well worth the investment in my book !

Mike

[Guest]

Re: New Truck Time!

Thanks for all the input. It appears that the mfg. are extending the financing promotions so I still have time to look.
The diesel comments have all been positive and I am considering it. At $6000 though I would need to keep this truck a long time for a payback, so I currently side with Craig about cost. I do keep a truck for many years though, so I have to be careful I don't just talk myself into it for the wrong reasons.
Tried the Ford 150 and deleted it as a choice as the vision lines infringe on my comfort zone, too tall I guess.
I have found the dealers are not bargaining very much as there is no incentive for them when the financing is so low. One dealer was downright nasty that I expected additional discounts or add-ons besides the low trade-in they offered for my old truck.
Would like to hear more about the GMC 6.0 liter motor?

Jim