Pickup Shopping

[luvrbus]

You guys with nice pickups I haven't bought a new pickup since 2000 so my wife told me to buy me a nice pickup it will probably be the last one 

Long story but short version I wanted a 4 door with a Allison and diesel engine I fill out the form on the internet and get a quote back from the dealer no frign way am I going to pay almost 60 grand for a pickup do they really sell for that much ?

[TomC]

I was just at the L.A. Auto show and Ford had a F350 4X4 crew cab dually with 6.7 Diesel and automatic (Ford's 6spd automatic is built bigger than the Allison) that had a sticker around $75K!

Take a look at the Dodge 1500 with the VM based 3.0 V-6 diesel and ZF based 8spd automatic. Well over 20mpg. One guy cruised the entire width of the U.S. in one of these pickups, and at 60mph averaged 41mpg. Pretty efficient. The V-6 engine is so good, Gale Banks is making hop up parts for it and states it is strong enough to get 600hp out of it. Dodge is selling so many, they are doubling production next year. It is the only pickup I know you can get 4 corner air suspension. They sell for around $40k. Good Luck, TomC

[Oonrahnjay]

I was just at the L.A. Auto show and Ford had a F350 4X4 crew cab dually with 6.7 Diesel and automatic (Ford's 6spd automatic is built bigger than the Allison) that had a sticker around $75K!

Take a look at the Dodge 1500 with the VM based 3.0 V-6 diesel and ZF based 8spd automatic. Well over 20mpg. One guy cruised the entire width of the U.S. in one of these pickups, and at 60mph averaged 41mpg. Pretty efficient. The V-6 engine is so good, Gale Banks is making hop up parts for it and states it is strong enough to get 600hp out of it. Dodge is selling so many, they are doubling production next year. It is the only pickup I know you can get 4 corner air suspension. They sell for around $40k. Good Luck, TomC

    !!!

[mc6er]

In my search for a 4 door dually (just looked at Ford/Dodge) I couldn't find a decent one less than 60

[John316]

If you are going for a 1/2 ton, the F150 is hard to beat, in my opinion. I LOVE my truck. I have a 2011 quad cab, and it is nice.

However, I have started to take sideways glances at the new Dodge 1500 that TomC mentioned. With that kind of fuel mileage, I could be very tempted. One of my buddies has one, and he really likes it.

If you want a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel, tricked out, look at paying upwards of 60K. If you aren't hauling much, go for a 1/2 ton, and get it loaded.

[luvrbus]

Dodge is out of the question for me I want nothing to do with Fiat at any price it goes back a long way on a piece of Fiat equipment I purchased 

[sparkplug188]

JMO Buy a nice 1/2 ton if you want to haul some sheets of plywood and a bass boat.  If you need to haul a large camper or yacht, skip the overpriced light duty trucks and get a medium duty truck.  You can get a International 4700 hauler for half the price of a F450.

[John316]

Dodge is out of the question for me I want nothing to do with Fiat at any price it goes back a long way on a piece of Fiat equipment I purchased 

ROFL. I give my buddy heck all the time for driving a Fiat. I will NOT let him forget that his truck is powered by a little tiny car.

Then F150 all the way. My next one will be Eco boost. I have driven several now, and like them.

[expressbus]

Luvrbus,

Bought a new 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with the Hemi. I bought it because I felt the Hemi would go the way of the first (301/331/354/392) and second generation of Hemi motors (426) - that is out of production. Well they are still hanging on. I love my "old" Dodge. It has 133,500 on the Odo and climbing. Only problem I had was a broken valve spring (the tach does not show a red line so I have routinely wound her tight). It was within the first 100,000 miles thus covered by warranty. Of course back in 2003 Mercedes was still involved with Chrysler Corp. Now the Hemi is thirsty when hauling around 5,800 lbs and with four wheel drive it gets about 16 on the interstate and drops to around 12 in town. I've been dragging it behind the bus since March of 2007.

I love my truck and so does the wife. We like to get out on the open road, turn off the radio and just listen to that Hemi humming a sweet tune. Nothing like it.

Will

[Beesme]

I just love my 81 vw diesel rabbit pickup ! I know not gonna tow with it but I do put 25 40lb bags of coal in it and it drives same with or without the weight. Avg 50 - 60 mpg . Hell of a toad . Gen truck n of course bus all diesel with my transfer pump all runs ... Had to throw that in. Heck most peeps look at the truck just as much as the bus both antique plates . Next yr bus gonna say hound and truck gonna say wabbit uno wabbit chasin the hound hehe

[Jon]

Following what Will has said, I recently went from my 1500 Dodge to my current 2500 with a Cummins and 6 speed manual. The price was ridiculous, but you can either spend it and enjoy what you have earned, or let someone else enjoy your money when you are gone.

Hey Will, 19 on the highway, 16 around town. Time to move up.

[bevans6]

GM owns half that VM company that is making the little diesel, but haven't put it in anything in North America yet.  I read that Banks has been contracted to do the military version for the US military.  If I was a Dodge guy I would not know which way to turn, or what sand pile to put my head in.  A Dodge built by Fiat with an engine from a company owned by GM.  I went with Ford, if only because my sister is an engineer there, she is working on the new Mustang now.

FWIW, after both GM and Dodge trucks, the Ford (2005 F250 PSD) is the best actual truck, in my opinion.  GM was the worst (I had three or four of them, little sister was working for GM at the time so I got a family discount back when that actually meant a good deal), the Dodge was fine but man that Hemi was thirsty...  The thing about the Ford is that everything actually works, and doesn't piss me off all the time, which can't be said of the other two.  Just my experience, of course.  This truck could do me in yet...

Brian

[eagle19952]

My money would be aimed at a nicely restored 1979 F 250 Crew Cab, Lariat edition, big block 460....at 1/3 the cost of new I'd have plenty left for gasoline

[John316]

While we are talking trucks.... . This is why I love working on the computer. You can work from anywhere. I actually had my laptop and 24in external monitor set up on my tool box. It was fantastic.

[luvrbus]

I have owned Fords with 7.3 diesels they were good I had Fords with the 460 gas 8 miles to the gal,I had a Dodge with a V10 lol I don't want another of those, my daughter had a 6.0 diesel in a Ford that was a piece of junk.  

If I buy it will probably be a GMC or Chevy they are so quite on the inside compared to the Ford or Dodge,I am still looking but my pride won't let me pay 60 grand for pickup that will depreciate $20,000 when you drive it home.

The best and most trouble free pickup I ever own was the 88 Jeep Eliminator it lasted me and 2 grandsons 311,000 miles still running on the original engine they still use it around the farm