First snow today so another 4 wheel vehicle thread - truck shopping

[charlie b]

The seats in my Dodge and my two brother-in-laws Fords are very comfortable.  I've had the Dodge out on a couple of 15hr days.

[Muley]

Seats are such a personal preference, just like recliners and mattresses.  I prefer fairly hard, rigid seats (and mattresses).  Anything I sink down into hurts my back after a while.  I think the best way to buy a new vehicle is to rent one for a week or so and really take a test drive.

I like all motorcycles.  I like all pickups.   I just like some more than others

[Kentktk]

I've read nothing but good things about the Ridgeline and the new one is supposed to be even better. But it's definitely designed to be the truck for guys who don't really need a truck if you get what I mean. As such it would probably work for me, except it wouldn't be as good off-road.

Most guys don`t need a real truck and a Ridgeline is perfect. Anyone who REALLY needs a real truck needs nothing more than a basic vinyl floored AM/FM radio equipped one.

[charlie b]

Unless you want to tow a larger trailer around the country in comfort  :)

[Kentktk]

Unless you want to tow a larger trailer around the country in comfort  :)

Most

[Rough Edge racing]

  Or haul building materials or loads of firewood...And many drivers like sitting up high in a truck and the feel of a V8 engine..

[Kev m]

  Or haul building materials or loads of firewood...And many drivers like sitting up high in a truck and the feel of a V8 engine..

But conversely

 You can haul building materials or firewood, just less, and/or you can pull a utility trailer. So if the need isn't "a lot, everyday" you might be better served with something smaller.

And many drivers like better handling, easier parking, and more fuel efficiency.

It's all a trade off.

[Gliderjohn]

Appreciate all the thoughts and comments.
GliderJohn

[Rough Edge racing]

But conversely

 You can haul building materials or firewood, just less, and/or you can pull a utility trailer. So if the need isn't "a lot, everyday" you might be better served with something smaller.

And many drivers like better handling, easier parking, and more fuel efficiency.

It's all a trade off.

 Yes and it's also true that many midsize "trucks" get about the same fuel mileage as base model full size truck in real life driving...

[charlie b]

Most guys don`t need a real truck and a Ridgeline is perfect.

Yes

Anyone who REALLY needs a real truck needs nothing more than a basic vinyl floored AM/FM radio equipped one.

No.  Many who really need one, yes.

And many can get away with a good SUV or hatchback instead of a truck, but they buy a truck instead.

And most who buy SUV's don't need them either.  If they REALLY needed one they could use one with a radio and vinyl flooring.

Just like most people don't need a motorcycle and those who REALLY needed one could get buy with a 250 scooter.  ;)

[Kev m]

Yes and it's also true that many midsize "trucks" get about the same fuel mileage as base model full size truck in real life driving...

Agreed, and that's likely because so many are approaching the size of a full size truck (crew cab mid size vs standard or extended cab full size).

Again it comes down to priorities, what do you want/need/use more, the cab or bed?

[Aaron D.]

My favorite truck philosophy was on an ad on te ferry to Nov Scotia, an auto parts store that featured parts for old trucks.

"The best thing about an old truck is you can treat it like an old truck-and isn't that why you have a truck in the first place?"

[charlie b]

Reminds me of a rancher out here.  When he bought a new truck he'd park in next to the stables and get out a hammer.  He'd put a dent in each fender.  He said that way he could use it as needed and not worry about the paint :)

He never traded in a truck.  As each one died he just put it next to the others.  Probably had 10 trucks, from 50's to now.

[Gliderjohn]

Quote from charlie b:

Reminds me of a rancher out here.  When he bought a new truck he'd park in next to the stables and get out a hammer.  He'd put a dent in each fender.  He said that way he could use it as needed and not worry about the paint :)

Well if he was just a bit more patient the cattle would provide the dents just fine.
GliderJohn

[Scud]

My favorite truck philosophy was on an ad on te ferry to Nov Scotia, an auto parts store that featured parts for old trucks.

"The best thing about an old truck is you can treat it like an old truck-and isn't that why you have a truck in the first place?"

YES. I love my old truck. And parts are cheap and easily found...

As a counterpoint:  When new, my Tundra was a luxury car with a huge trunk. I got the"Limited" with heated leather seats, entertainment system in the back seat etc. Perfect for road trips with 5 people and lots of stuff and/or a trailer. I think the idea of a "luxury truck" is that is satisfies the need for comfortable transportation - and the need for a real truck (which might only be 20% of it's use for many people.) And to reinforce an earlier point - it's also a convertible when all 6 windows are open (4 doors, sunroof, and rear window).

[rocker59]

Most guys don`t need a real truck and a Ridgeline is perfect. Anyone who REALLY needs a real truck needs nothing more than a basic vinyl floored AM/FM radio equipped one.

Ridgelines are not perfect, and they're not "trucks" !!!

To paraphrase you: "Anyone who really needs an automobile NEEDS nothing more than a basic vinyl-floored model with the radio delete option".

Nobody "needs"  the luxury accouterments seen on EVERY automobile over the last 25-years...

[Kev m]

Please all this posturing with the term "needs" is silly. You'd all be much better off admitting most of what we're talking about is wants.

[rocker59]

Please all this posturing with the term "needs" is silly. You'd all be much better off admitting most of what we're talking about is wants.

 :1:

My point, exactly.

[Gliderjohn]

I pretty well know what I want I guess I am inquiring for information on weaknesses and strengths of the major truck brands. It appears pretty clear from the replies that Toyota makes the most reliable overall vehicle which is no surprise. Then again I can do a lot of repairs for the 4-6K more in price over the other big three for similar late model trucks.
My mechanic leans toward Ford but says coil packs have been a weak point. GM products seem to wear front end parts quicker and Dodge appears to nickel and dime with a lot aggravating small things that add up. This kind of info is more of what I am looking for.
Concerning seating when I was working I put a fair number of miles on Suburbans and Excursions. I found seating quite comfortable on either. 17 miles to the gallon with a half a dozen high school kids at interstate speeds I thought was quite respectable on the late model Suburbans. The Fords were less but a bit older.
GliderJohn

[Scud]

Needs:  Food, water, shelter, clothing, motorcycles.  Everything else is just wants. 

GliderJohn - looking forward to see what you end up with.

[Aaron D.]

My wife's '99 F150 tried to kill her several times. Seizing brake calipers (several times, despite regular dealer service) worn ball joints(!) until we installed greasable units, and finally the broken tie rod end that took away her steering on a city street. All within 7 years of ownership from new, and starting to show rust.

Comfy and nice to ride in though.

[Sheepdog]

Concerning seating when I was working I put a fair number of miles on Suburbans and Excursions. I found seating quite comfortable on either. 17 miles to the gallon with a half a dozen high school kids at interstate speeds I thought was quite respectable on the late model Suburbans. The Fords were less but a bit older.

My '95 Suburban 1500 lasted over 300K before switches started to fail. I donated it to a church that used it as a people-mover for a year and then sold it. It's still running and in use in New Orleans. Recently, I bought a 2000 Suburban 2500 that only has 100K miles (for $900 and in awesome condition). It doubles as a passenger bus and a (excellent) trailer hauler. However, if you drive it alone it's tough to justify 16mpg (less with a trailer). For your stated mission, you will save a bunch of money over time with less truck...

[rocker59]

Yes, the Ford coil packs are an issue. Marsha has had all of hers replaced on her Expedition. it's annoying when one or two of them go out and the car won't idle smoothly

[Murray]

I pretty well know what I want I guess I am inquiring for information on weaknesses and strengths of the major truck brands. It appears pretty clear from the replies that Toyota makes the most reliable overall vehicle which is no surprise.

If only they were as reliable as they claimed, its ok the USA hasn't been inflicted with the utter crap box which is the V8 diesel 70 series landcruiser the Hilux isn't much better BTW.

[fotoguzzi]

Yes, the Ford coil packs are an issue. Marsha has had all of hers replaced on her Expedition. it's annoying when one or two of them go out and the car won't idle smoothly

on wife's tribute 2 coils went out, NAPA wanted like $90 each.. I got a 6 pack on Amazon for $34. shipped.. they looked identical!

[kenvil1]

It might not be a truck, but I love this picture,

[oldbike54]

It might not be a truck, but I love this picture,

 Oh yeah ! Probably a Cooper Norton Formula 500 racer 

 Dusty

[charlie b]

My wife's '99 F150 tried to kill her several times. Seizing brake calipers (several times, despite regular dealer service) worn ball joints(!) until we installed greasable units, and finally the broken tie rod end that took away her steering on a city street. All within 7 years of ownership from new, and starting to show rust.

Comfy and nice to ride in though.

Interesting cause our '99 Ranger was perfect mechanically for almost 100k miles and was a great off road truck.

But.....it had something funny in the interior computer.  It would decide the front door was open and leave on the interior lights.  Or it would decide not to let you run down the driver's window (passenger side was fine).  Glad it didn't decide to mess with the heating controls  :)

There are some bad years for most trucks.  Dodge had some transmission problems on the 3/4T for a few years (up to about 2013?).  Not sure if it was diesels only or what.  There were long discussions about it in the RV forums.  One iteration of the Cummins fuel control system was pretty weak (~2005??).  Our 2009 had ball joint recall.

Back a decade or so ago Dodge was known for interiors that would fall apart.  Ours has not, so maybe they fixed it?  Or I got lucky.

[Sheepdog]

My ex-wife brought an '84 Bronco II to our home in Albuquerque. It had the pneumatic emission control system and required constant work to keep running. I went outside one morning to find it had been stolen overnight. Instead of the usual cussing and gnashing of teeth one associates with getting ripped off, I felt a sense of peace. That Ford was that bad...

[Kev m]

I dunno. These days it's generally hard to buy a crappy vehicle.

Any brand can break, and any brand can last a couple hundred thousand miles.

At the end of the day buy what you want cause life's too short to drive something you don't like seeking to save $1k on repairs over the life of a $50k vehicle.