After my TSX purchase in early 2003, we're ready to update the wifes vehicle from our current minivan to a 4 by 4 pick-up. We have 2 kids and are thinking of buying a tent trailer or small camper and I still want a dirt bike down the road as well. We want a 4 door truck that has these capabilities. After owning our TSX 20 months we still feel like we bought the best car for the money, which is my question. Whats the best truck for the money? I know diesel costs a lot more but we plan on keeping the truck for probably 5+ years. Ford people say Ford, Chev people say Chev, but nobody really brags about the Dodge other than the fact that they have 2 great motors, third if you include the V10 Viper motor. To me its the best looking with the Ford being a close second. For some reason the Chev/GMC doesn't appeal to me, but neither does the Toyota Tundra, but it does have a quality feel to it. Don't care for the Nissan, Dodge Dakota or Chev Colorado. I know I'm comparing some mid size to full size, but fuel costs and vehicle size do bother me. Anyone have an opinion

1) Dodge RAM Quad Cab 4 by 4 with a 5.7 Hemi or b) Cummins diesel
2) Ford F150 with 5.4 Triton or b) F250 with a Powerstroke Diesel
3) Toyota Tundra or the new Tacoma (this truck has surprised me 245hp/281tq)

 

my dad owns the 2003 RAM 1500 HEMI...now..its a great truck..with good handling for a truck..and just gotta love the HEMI..but..when he bought the truck..the Nissa Titan wasn't avaliable..and if it was...we would of got that..

well..what im tryin to say is that..get the titan.. best bang for u're $

2003 Dodge 1500 RAM HEMI

pros: Great power, good handling for a big truck, love the looks.

cons: drinks gas like milk, dad's truck already having tranny issues, cheap lookin interior, feels like driving a bus.

hope it helps

 

F250 Powerstroke is my own favorite.

But I wouldn't say no to a Cummins either.

 

My wife drives a 2002 Tacoma and it's been bulletproof. I do like the new tacoma as well, and a friend of mine had great luck with his Tundra.

Personally, I think Toyota and Nissan have great offerings in the fullsize truck market, and I'd certainly look that direction if I was buying.

 

I had a V-6 Tundra and later upgraded to a V-8 Tundra. Best damn trucks, especially compared to the Chevy I had. I say Toyota, can't go wrong w/ them.

 

Thanks guys. I'd like to hear some opinions on the diesels vs gas. If I could only make up my mind on this subject it would make my purchasing decision easier.

 

None of them. I would get a Z71.

 

If you need to haul, diesel is always the most powerful route, as well as economical, usually.

 

I like the new tacoma, think I might check one out once stock builds up. Not really into the fullsize trucks, but if I were to pick I think the f150 looks great. Not sure you would really benefit from a diesel unless the camper was 5k+lbs. Think it would be overkill for hauling a tent trailer or bike.

 

From personal experience, the Ford F150 is an excellent truck.

 

For towing, Diesel is definitely the way to go BUT: You have to do a lot of it to make up the difference in cost over the gasoline engine (close to CAD$10K) and the Diesel option is usually only available on the heavy-duty chassis which is also a premium from the base model. Agree with heyitsme that it's overkill for a tent trailer type load. That said, I'd go with the Ford Powerstroke or the Dodge Cummins over the Chevy Diesel offering, but otherwise I'd give the Avalanche a good look (the de-uglified non-plasticky model).

 

I say the new Ford F150, new Toyota Tacoma, or the Chevy Avalanche are good choices.

 

Traxxas REVO

I have never owned or shopped for a Truck.

 

The new tacoma is definetely a nice truck, I was surprised by the size of the 4 doors interiour, but was dissapointed to learn that the 6 speed manual had a 5' box and you need to get an auto to get a 6' bed. After looking at the specs its not much shorter than a full size, but it is narrower.

Your right about the overkill with a diesel, the idea was having the possibilty of then looking at a 5th wheel travel trailer, where you definetly need the extra pull of a 3/4 ton of 1 ton, plus get the fuel savings. There is a premium cost to purchasing a diesel and it seems to not have a pay off unless you own it 5+ years or really need the payload and towing. I'm still trying to figure out if its all worth it, or just settle with a smaller invoice price on the gas truck of my liking and pay the extra fuel costs and be somewhat limited as to the towing capabilities.


I guess thats why leasing might be an option. Lease a Tacoma for 3 years and if we're really into a larger travel trailer tahn upgrade. Ijsut wish I could make up my mind

 

Would the avalanche carry a dirt bike in its bed? I thought it was to short, or is there a bed extender?

 

Well as far as diesels, I've driven some heavy loads with an f250 diesel and some very heavy loads on a cat. diesel engine which ford uses(http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=8703&x=7). Recently ford has changed their diesel engines to comply with ca emission standards which i know nothing about, never driven new one, but I've heard one and its quite silent.

 

I'd have to recommend an 04 F150. I had a 2000 F150 for 3 years, nice truck. The new F150 rocks, the exterior is sweet, and the interior with the floor shift is awesome too. If all your gonna pull is a small camper, and a dirtbike sometimes, I get the 5.4 gasoline engine. If your talkin a large camper or 5th wheel, I'd opt for the diesel in an F250 or F350.

 

Nissan Titan

 

You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't look at the Titan.....

 

Look:



Hehe.

 

Fuck the Nissan...Buy a truck from a manufacturer that's been makin trucks for a long time. If I'm buying a truck today, I'm buying a Ford.

 

Ford's been making cars for a long time too. I don't have to tell you how much they suck.

 

Have you owned a Ford Car? There not as bad as you might imagine. I can't remember anymore rattles or hvac failure in the Fords I've owned, as in the lone Acura. If you haven't owned one, keep your mouth shut.

 

My family has owned a Ford. 1980 Ford Fairmont. We kept the car for 14 years, but it gave us a sh*tload of problems... basically it died sometime in its 10th year... too many engine/tranny issues and was constantly in the shop. That was the last American car we've owned.

On the other hand I'm driving a 1995 Acura Integra, 102K miles, never had a single engine/tranny issue. My only compaints are a few dead bulbs in the center console and chipped paint. Lots of chipped paint. There is no comparison in terms of quality between Ford and Hondas. Hopefully you can get help on this site for your rattle issues.

 

u do realize that nissan's been building trucks since the 50's or the 60's right?

 

Ford would be my last choice... and yes..i've owned a ford..

 

Ford cars are not Ford trucks, and vice versa. I think Ford is better at building light trucks than cars.

 

Our last F150 at the office had over 600,000km on it hauling steel parts to and from customers and suppliers (usually 500-600 lbs at a time) and all it needed was regular maintenance and wear & tear items like brakes and shocks.

The thing would not die and it looks like our new F150 is even stronger than the last.

 

Tie rods havn't corroded and fallen off just yet?

Anyone see that special CBC Newsworld recently? Several people lost the steering on their trucks whiel driving. Ford issued a TSB and refuses to repair the parts for out of warranty vehicles. Apparently this is law in Canada. This effects the previous generation of F150's BTW.

 

We could say pretty much the same of Honda with it's 4th and 5th gen Accords.

sauceman, who's had a ball joint break cold while driving at 120kph in a curve in winter...

 

My choices of trucks would be:

1. Chevy Z71
2. Toyota Tacoma
3. Toyota Tundra

Ford is not even an option with me.

 

I used to want a Silverado...till they looked like (almost bought one )

Tundra or Titan for me

 

I know a lot of people who own the Z71. Been able to drive a bunch of them before, on and off-road.

Tundra or Titian...Tundra.

 

I didn't say buy it, I said look at it. After you do buy the Ford, do yourself a favor and never try and go one on one with a Titan. It will smoke your ass. But in your case, Ignorance is bliss I guess....

Look at all of the awards the Titan has won this past year:

"2004 Automobile Magazine Allstar for Pickup Truck" essentially, Truck of the Year Automobile Magazine

"2004 Pickup Truck of the Year" Four Wheeler Magazine

"Most Significant Vehicle of the 2004" Edmunds.com

"2004 Tow Vehicle of the Year" Trailer Boats Magazine

It deserves a look

 

If you decide that you need the Diesel engine, get the Ram. Cummins can't be beat in the Diesel industry (except by Cat, who doesn't make engines for the class of trucks we're talking about). You'll also get more torque to work with (towing capacity will depend on other equipement).

If you don't need the Diesel, get a Tundra Double Cab.

 

If I were to get a Japanese brand truck it would be the Titan, they can tow more, are bigger, and are much faster then the 3/4 fullsize Tundra. And for an American truck I would definitely pick the F150, much more refined, quieter, and better built then the other American trucks.

 

I'm going to agree with you, I've driven a late model 2004 Dodge Cummins, may have been a 2005, it still had plastic on the seats. Anyways I was surprized how quiet the motor was at idle, a big improvement over past Cummins. It has a monstrous 610 lb/ft/torque at about 1800rpm and it sure feels like it, step on the gas and your moving pretty damn good for what truly is a huge truck in a quad cab 4 by 4. Our company owns a F350 supercab 4 by 4 and it too goes pretty good too and looks bad ass; so its a tough call between the 2 big diesels. I've heard the Cummins to be the better powerplant, but Ford is better everywhere else.

For a gas truck the Tacoma with a V6 almost has the horsepower (245 hp) of some V8's so it is a surprise and can tow 6500 lbs (with tranny cooler) which is not bad, if I'd get a V6 I'd like a manual tranny (especially The 6 spd being offered) but Toyota in their wisdom built a foot shorter bed on the manual The Tundra now somehow feels outclassed by their smaller brother, the V8 only has 282hp and a 7000 lb tow and really doesn't feel a whole lot bigger yet its 10" longer, it does have more hip room, but going with captain chairs up front I really don't care to much for the kids as they have lots of room in the back seat.

Based on info here I guess I should look at the Titan. I did price one out and it was inline with domestics including a 4.8% lease rate. Fully loaded they were around 52K CAD. Nissan is the new comer here. The only decent truck they've built a reputation on is the Pathfinder (SUV), but I'll give it another go. All the postive press must mean something. Sidebar - When I think of rust....one name stands out more than any other...........Datsun/Nissan. Now I know it was a long time ago, but when buying a truck....a long time ago means something

 

I have a Ford F-150 with the 5.4triton, it ride like a car, and hauls major ass. Thats my recomendation of course i ma biased!

 

My dad has had both Ford F250 diesel and now a Chev diesel HD. THey are great for power (infact he added a chip to his Chev and it is pushing about 400hp), but he has had nothing but trouble with both the Ford and Chev. Both has been injection problems. WOuldn't buy one, I would go for the F150 5.4, best looking truck on the market IMHO, with the Nissan second. Before I had the TSX, I owned a F150 for a few years, never really had any issues with it.

 

Just like Clutch said, if you don't need the diesel get the TUNDRA. Tough to go wrong with a Toyota. It's hard to beat the reliability of most Toyotas.