Another "What to get" thread

[someday]

I don't tow heavy anymore...so need for a diesel for me.

I talked to him today about different options. He is mainly interested because of the increased gas mileage with diesels vs gassers.

[Kermit]

I talked to him today about different options. He is mainly interested because of the increased gas mileage with diesels vs gassers.

Typo: "I don't tow heavy anymore...so* need for a diesel for me." should be no*


Not worth upcharge if you aren't towing. Most are $7000 more over the gasser version, $7000 grand buys an awful lot of fuel.

He should really go test drive a Ford eco-boost, honest 17-20 mpg "if" you keep your foot out of it...BUT has plenty of power on tap. Not a Ford Eco, fan boy, it gets the better fuel economy out of the half tons, and has power to boost. A Chevy 6.2 Vortec Max will average 14-18 depending on driver, and as low as 10 mpg's. Tundra 13-16ish...might be the best built out of all of them.

Heck test drive all of them all and see what he likes best...plus would be a good idea to put down on paper cost of ownership comparisons. That is if money
is an object...if one is worried about fuel economy, I would assume it is.

In the end there is no "one" perfect vehicle, gotta buy what fills the needs and the desires.


Devil's Advocate, Eco-Boost Raptor...

SDHQ_Raptor_RoundUp_2011049.jpg

Tundra

DSC02069.jpg

The GM

581623_10150745318553337_439545545_n.jpg

And for some reason...I just don't like Dodge...never really have, not sure why..

[Jimmeh]

I talked to him today about different options. He is mainly interested because of the increased gas mileage with diesels vs gassers.

My dad was hell bent on getting a diesel for that same reason, until I showed him the differences between maintenance costs for gas vs. diesel. Not to mention repair bills. He now says he's happy with his half ton gasser.

As a GM owner, I will attest to the longevity of the truck and the comfortable ride, but I don't like the costs of suspension parts, and for some reason mine has been eating front suspension stuff like crazy. If he plans on using it for more than a fairly mild trail, I would personally stay away from the GM's purely for that reason. And I know I will probably get yelled at for saying this, but after driving one for a couple of years now in a fleet of them, I would also stay far away from the Powerstroke diesel. The service truck I drive is a 99 F450 with the well loved 7.3 liter. 88,000 miles on it, and it drives like it has 10 times that. It is extremely gutless, and the automatic transmission seems to cycle over all the gears way too often for my tastes. It probably doesn't help that it has a 12 foot steel flatbed with a 5,000 pound carry capacity crane on it, and that it weighs in at a whopping 14,000 pounds, but with all the hype that it gets, I have been extremely unimpressed. Luckily, I don't have to drive it as often anymore.

If I had to choose between the big three, I would probably go with Dodge again. My old one seemed like it needed very little in the way of maintenance, drove fairly comfortably on and off road, and wasn't too bad to look at either. However, given the opportunity, I would love to find a new gen Tundra. My supervisor has one with the TRD package, and I love the stance of it and of course being a Toyota, it has a great fit and finish on the inside as well as the out. That 5.7 doesn't have a hard time getting out of it's own way either.

[Ejdinatale]

Bronco.jpgThanks for all the input. I will go test drive a few and from what is being tossed around Im now considering a gasser. I basically wanted something for dirt road, Im not going to take it on anything crazy. I can tow my bronco around for the tough stuff. I wanted the option of putting a big popup camper or flip pac. I might even want to tow my bronco or eventually a boat. I was leaning to a Diesel because I have heard that they run forever. I plan on using the truck for my everyday vehicle until its payed off then keeping it for towing/camping. Im sure Ill have a few more questions down the road.

Thanks again

[Kermit]

Welcome.

Didn't know you were towing plus a camper, diesel for sure then. Gas mileage will be awful with a gasser, not to mention down on power.

[someday]

Ej - it was never brought up about towing the bronco (or eventually a boat). I would definitely go with a diesel between longevity, torque and gas mileage.

I agree with Kermit, never liked dodge, dont know why. However, the power wagons sure are sexy!

Keep us posted after your test drives.

[Hawkz]

I tow my TJ and have a Flippac on my Ram 1500 with the 5.7. It tows fine, but MPG is usually around 9-10. My 1/2 ton is just more comfortable than the heavier trucks I have driven.

No doubt a diesel will tow better, but maybe 2% of the miles on my truck are towing, so it wasn't my highest priority...

[crazyeyez]

i'll toss in my $0.02, but from what i experienced with my cusin and his trucks. he was big dirt bike and ATV guy and he had one of those toy hualer campers. started with a hemi 2500 4x4 ram. pulled no problem, but sucked on gas. then he got a 07 2500 4x4 sport Cummins. it was an awesome truck if you ask me. rode great and smooth, more then enough power. but he wanted an SUV so he could store stuff inside it. enter a ford excursion powerstroke. he didnt like it very much, ride, noise, diesel smell. he soon got rid of the ford. he sold off most his toys and now has an Armada.

[bftank]

ejd-

are you stuck on a new model for any reason in particular? the older ones tend to last longer and get better mileage. just curious.

[Kermit]

I agree with Kermit, never liked dodge, dont know why. However, the power wagons sure are sexy!
.

The newer body style is growing on me, believe this belongs to a member on here.

Saw it on the Carli Suspension website.

Dodge is the only manufacture still offering a manual transmission in the fullsize trucks, not sure on the petrol, but know for sure on the oil burners.

P1076454.jpg