The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: seeker_two on November 25, 2009, 09:45:10 AM
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I think I've hit the point where I'll soon need to trade in my trusty Frontier for something a bit larger....something in the half-ton, extended cab range...probably 1-2yrs used. I've looked at the players, and my top three end up being the Tundra, the Silverado, and the F-150...however, I kinda like the Rams (despite hearing of some mechanical problems). It's mainly going to be my commuter vehicle (so good gas mileage is a must), but I do need the bed space for moving light "Home Depot" type loads, brush & limbs, and the occasional furniture (my wife has plans....evil plans :o ). No heavy towing in mind, so a V-6 is good...don't mind a V-8 if the gas mileage is good....
What do you all think? Which do you prefer?
Also....does anyone here have any experience with the variable displacement engines that Chevy & Dodge use on their trucks? Are they worth having?....or should I just stick to the regular engines.
Thanks in advance..... ;D
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FORD
Family has owned them for years no problem
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Believe it or not, I have a Ranger with a V6 and have put nearly 1500 lbs into the bed with no real problem. I get 20+ mph and saved nearly 10 grand over a base F-150....going on 7 years now and have only had to repair the flex-tube part of the exhaust and replace the rear shocks. Both of which I was able to do myself.
It's my wifes daily driver so the mileage is low but since you're not planning on towing, if you don't mind the ride of a small truck, the Ranger might work for you.
I won't give GM or Chrysler another dime of my money!
The Tundra is a great truck but so is the Tacoma....again for what you're using it for, why buy the larger of them?
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I have an 02 Tundra and love the thing! 4.7 V8 TRD 4X4. Other than routine maintenance and a set of tires, I've had NO problems. 18 in town and 24 highway. The ride of the Tundra is also a big plus.
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Get as much truck as you can in the range you want. I'm a Ford fan. I drive an F-150 Supercab FX4 2004. The V-8 engines are the way to go. You will be disappointed in a V-6. My two "do overs" in the truck would be to go ahead and get the SuperCrew cab and get a column shifter instead of the flow through console with the "stick" shift. If you are looking for a used truck 1-2 years old I'd get a 2008 F-150 Supercrew cab with the V-8.
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Currently driving the '08 Tundra. Best vehicle I have EVER owned. Half ton with 5.7L V8 and a six speed transmission. 17City, and 23 Hwy. The Transmission is a huge plus, basically what they did was take the Allison Trans and tweek it just enough to avoid patent infringement. Works like a dream. Also the engine pumps out a lot of power. 381hp and 401fp Torque. Warranty is not a s good as some, but Toyota has long been know for quality and longevity. Not to mention that Obummer doesn't control them.
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Tundra owners.....take notice...as well as other models....
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/toyota-consumer-safety-advisory-102572.aspx
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Toyota Tundra provides AMERICAN JOBS. they are built in the Bay area of Ca.
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Get the Toyota IMO. Why support UAW producing an inferior, over cost product?
ALL manufactures have had recalls, but at least as a whole the Japanese produduct is worthwhile. We all know it's sad but true.
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Tundra owners.....take notice...as well as other models....
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/toyota-consumer-safety-advisory-102572.aspx
I looked really close at this, but I really don't see how this could be an issue, unless you are prone to putting the accelerator all the way to the floor. Of course, I don't have all weather floor mats either, so I guess it's not a problem for me.
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Buy A Chevy.......us poor government parts pushers need a raise!!!
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I drive a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab with the 5.7 hemi V8 engine, had it from new, and apart from regular oil changes and 3 sets of tyres it's had ZERO maintainance issues.
I'd rather not have a truck at all, being more of a comfy sedan type of bloke but it's a necessity on the ranch (and Lady Bic has one we can use when needed) - deer feed & fencing supplies in, and trash & carcasses out.
The next vehicle however will probably be the smaller tricked out Toyota truck (Tacoma?) 4WD and all the off road stuff, it should serve for almost all of the current needs and be a good 'apocolypse' vehicle
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I have to vote F-150. Why pay more for a toyota? Mine's a '98 and still going strong. It needed some break work and I need to replace the window motors, but thats it. I did have a torsion bar break 8 months in (just plain weird) but it was under warranty and no problems since, despite beating the hell out of it off road. I had a Ranger also. It ran great, but I wouldn't buy one unless you're short. At 6'2" its just not a comfortable ride. No leg room, and I had to hunch forward a bit to see. With the F-150 I can put it on CC and strech my legs all the way out, a huge plus on long drives. Engine wise just say NO to a V-6. You will regret it every day you own it, particularly with an extended cab. Its cheaper and gets better mileage, but its not enough power. The Small V-8 is adequate, but also look at the large one. I'm the kind of guy who who buys new for the warranty and drives a car till it dies. If I don't get 200k plus, I feel cheated. I got the larger V8 with the towing package for this reason. The larger battery, superior cooling system, oil cooler and the fact the truck is only pulling its own weight mean less work on the engine. At 75-80 I barely break 2000 rpms and thats in the heat of Fl. and Tx., as well as in hilly country (where my V-4 Ranger was getting passed by Winnebagos with it floored). I pay for it in mileage, but you can buy a lot of gas for the price of a new rig. The truck is bullet proof, reasonably priced and its hard to beat the warranty. Mine is 4wd with off road tires, so the mileage sucks, but in 2 wheel, they are very reasonable, and the ergonomics are great. This huge. The extra thousand or two you save for something that doesn't fit you well is false economy 3 years down the road.
FQ13
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I looked really close at this, but I really don't see how this could be an issue, unless you are prone to putting the accelerator all the way to the floor. Of course, I don't have all weather floor mats either, so I guess it's not a problem for me.
I posted this for info only. Toyota is making some of the best vehicles made in America these days and this doesn't change my opinion of them. I read one article of a Lexus that killed a cop and the three in the vehicle when it went out of control. Apperantly, no one knew how to turn off the ignition to slow the car down.
Sad but shows the ignorance of some people.
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Chevy/Ford/Toyota..... Man, we could be here for a while.
Hey, which do you guys think is the better combat handgun the Glock or the 1911?
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Chevy/Ford/Toyota..... Man, we could be here for a while.
Hey, which do you guys think is the better combat handgun the Glock or the 1911?
I vote "present"..... ;D
Chevy no longer exists.....
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Ford.
I would not buy a 'Government Motors'.
Sorry, Red.
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Chevy/Ford/Toyota..... Man, we could be here for a while.
Hey, which do you guys think is the better combat handgun the Glock or the 1911?
The 1911. Glocks suck. ;D
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I've had to Ford Rangers and there were some design problems that really ticked me off. I swore I'd not reward Ford by buying another HOWEVER: Ford didn't take bailout money and is winging it on their own.
Plus, I've really liked the Nissan Pathfinder we bought my wife a while back. Been very reliable. I was leaning towards a Nissan pickup for me when the time comes.......but Ford didn't take bailout money.
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I've had to Ford Rangers and there were some design problems that really ticked me off. I swore I'd not reward Ford by buying another HOWEVER: Ford didn't take bailout money and is winging it on their own.
Plus, I've really liked the Nissan Pathfinder we bought my wife a while back. Been very reliable. I was leaning towards a Nissan pickup for me when the time comes.......but Ford didn't take bailout money.
Neither did Nissan ::)
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how can you have an F-150 and a 30-06 if you get a dodge?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGoiiwxTWeE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGoiiwxTWeE)
beside F-150. i have owned 3 and would trust my life on it.
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how can you have an F-150 and a 30-06 if you get a dodge?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGoiiwxTWeE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGoiiwxTWeE)
beside F-150. i have owned 3 and would trust my life on it.
I LIKE it!
Is that lucky SOB Blake still datin' Miranda?
Saw 'em on a huntin' show together.
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I would stay away from the new tundra... the last 2 model years its been either number 1 or number 2 for LEAST reliable new car/truck.( car and driver, motor week and a few others)
over the years i've had just about every truck you can think of... the only truck I've ever had last is a ford( remember I'm a general contractor, so I abuse the hell out of them.) I currently have 2 ford trucks now, a 350 and a bronco( tows my boat) both have well over 300k miles on them. in both cases the motor has never been touched.
There is a old saying when it comes to trucks, and its been proven time and time again...
if you want a truck to drive, buy a chevy.
if you want a truck to work, buy a ford.
if you want a truck to just sit there and look good, buy a dodge.
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I drive a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab with the 5.7 hemi V8 engine, had it from new, and apart from regular oil changes and 3 sets of tyres it's had ZERO maintainance issues.
I'd rather not have a truck at all, being more of a comfy sedan type of bloke but it's a necessity on the ranch (and Lady Bic has one we can use when needed) - deer feed & fencing supplies in, and trash & carcasses out.
The next vehicle however will probably be the smaller tricked out Toyota truck (Tacoma?) 4WD and all the off road stuff, it should serve for almost all of the current needs and be a good 'apocolypse' vehicle
I know this may stir up a mess of questions. I read the book "LIGHTS OUT" that is mentioned on one of the threads here.
1. Just how bad is an electromagnetic pulse going to mess up all the newer vehicles ?
2. Will the EMP damage the vehicle if its not running at the time of the event ?
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I'll answer your questions in reverse order.
Yes, and completely. EMP will destroy the parts on the shelf. those computers that operate everything from your engine to your door locks ? Kiss them good by.
http://www.onesecondafter.com/
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True on the EMP, but honestly, what are the odds on it being an issue? I would put it far down the list of my "which truck to buy" checklist. If you're really worried, buy a used truck and a horse. ;D
FQ13
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True on the EMP, but honestly, what are the odds on it being an issue? I would put it far down the list of my "which truck to buy" checklist. If you're really worried, buy a used truck and a horse. ;D
FQ13
But honestly, 18 months ago, what were the odds of an Obama Presidency?
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My brother bought a Dodge that was made in Mexico and he said it was the worst POS he ever bought. Then he bought another one. ??? ??? ??? No thanks. I'll buy something else.
My current truck is a 9 year old Chevy. The power mirrors don't work anymore, but I broke one of them on an orange barrel. I can't blame that on Chevrolet. The gas gauge works 99.99% of the time but not 100%. It goes all the way to empty for a second then goes back up to the actual reading. Get a V-8 no matter what brand you get. The smallest V8 Chevy is 295 horsepower which is plenty for me.
My previous truck was a Chevy too. When it was 7 years old the alternator quit on me. That was the only problem it ever had. They're good reliable trucks. Most of my friends have Chevy trucks and none of us has had a serious problem.
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(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6954/carstrucks0033qy.th.jpg) (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=carstrucks0033qy.jpg) (http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4188/carstrucks0027fv.th.jpg) (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=carstrucks0027fv.jpg)
(http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/4646/dsc000114yd.th.jpg) (http://img353.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc000114yd.jpg) (http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/2603/dsc000095bj.th.jpg) (http://img353.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc000095bj.jpg)
I bought it new in 1991. Only 120,000 miles, but I've never had any major issues with it. It's a standard cab with a 8' bed. It just fits in the garage. 5.0 V-8, and gets around 15 MPG back and forth to work. If I had to do it all over I would have bought the Diesel version. I'll keep it for a good long while. It would be nice to get something newer, and they are sure dealing on full size trucks now with a rotten economy. I just don't like the idea of parting with that kind of money for something that isn't going to get me there any better or faster. Bill T.
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Nice truck Bill.
It's amazing how long an AZ vehicle can keep it's looks. Up here, it takes about one winter to shorten the life of any vehicle about 10 years.
My truck is a 2003 and the bed has a big hole rusted through where the heat shield seperated from underneath. The salt and water/snow/mud/sludge/ick just kept eating away at it before I realized it...
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Being born and raised in Chicago really taught me to appreciate the weather out here. It is all but impossible to keep a vehicle looking nice there. Constant rain, snow, and worst of all salt, just destroy cars and trucks. About the worse thing here is the Sun. If you keep the paint heavily waxed, it helps a lot. Lately Melanie has been using this stuff called "Wax As U Dry". After the final rinse she sprays it directly on the still wet paint, then towel dries. It leaves a wax on the paint, and works really well. There are several products out there that work much the same. What's nice is if you get any on the glass or flat black areas it doesn't dry with that white film conventional car wax does. This is her 1991 5.0 Mustang. It's got 140,000 miles on it, and still is fast as hell. All that has been done was I had the trans rebuilt about 30,000 miles ago. Bill T.
(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8452/carstrucks0044ed.th.jpg) (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=carstrucks0044ed.jpg)
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I have had 5 trucks 4 of them being Dodge in my short life. 1. 1976 Dodge D100 with the 225 slant six. Easiest truck to work on. Large hood and fender space and everything was on the topside of the motor. Good ole truck 2. 1990 Chevy half ton 2wd with the 4.3 v6 preVortec. POS. Although in fairness to the truck I was a 17/18 yo Kid. Probably was a little harder on the truck than I could have been. 3 1996 Dodge 2500 4wd. 360 engine. Probably shouldn't have boughten "that" truck but with the proper maint it was a good truck for me. 4 2003 Dodge 1500 4wd with the 5.7 Hemi. Had it for 5 years and Never had any trouble with it. Hit a Coyote going home from the farm last year and when I went to get a new Licence plate bracket I traded trucks.. to the 5th one. 2007 Dodge 2500 4wd with the 4 Door cab. I had forgotten what I was missing from my previous 3/4 ton pickup. Rougher ride being a downer but not worrying about towing my boat has been a relief (The 1500 would tow it but the 3/4 ton handles it so much better.) Been in my possession for almost a year now and again.. Not a glitch in it! (knock on wood)
I am a firm believer that any veh is what you make of it. I personally like Dodge the best. GM are second. Ford is Third. All "Foreign Named" trucks after that. Everyone can say what they will but it is ultimately your decision to buy what you want, like and can afford. Happy Shopping!!
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(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/71/163707857_2520f4e67e.jpg)
Dodge Power Wagon! ANY year.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/3805463136_a93b29e038.jpg)
'56 F100
(http://www.customclassics.net/images/57pickup500.jpg)
'57 Chevy
You pick! It's all down hill from there.
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I have been driving a company P/U for the past month or so--a 4-door Dodge Hemi V8. It's got about 63,000 on the clock. I'm no lead foot, but I have never had a vehicle as thirsty as that beast. It's got a lot of power and will definitely accelerate, but it uses lots of go-juice. That, and the turning radius is awful.
A couple of years back I had this same discussion with a contractor friend of mine. He owned an F-150. He said he got it to tow his boat when he wasn't using it on the job. Claimed that the Dodge P/U wouldn't do the job as he had personally witnessed on several occasions. I know I wouldn't buy a Dodge. I have had a couple of Rangers and a Sonoma of my own. Also a Frontier. The most dependable were the Rangers. The most comfortable was the Frontier (but costly to repair several times in the 119,000 miles I put on it, and the synchros were going when I sold it). The Sonoma was a POS. Don't know if that applies throughout the range of vehicles made by any company, but I'd be strongly inclined to go with the F-150.
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I've have an 06 Tacoma extended cab (new body style) that I bought new. Other than oil changes and scheduled maintainence, it's been a rock. It has 115K on it now, and is still going strong. As a work truck I'm getting 22 mpg combined highway/city. You can fit 4 adults in it, but only for short hops. A four door version would be my next vehicle, especially now that my grandchildren are getting older.
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I have been driving a company P/U for the past month or so--a 4-door Dodge Hemi V8. It's got about 63,000 on the clock. I'm no lead foot, but I have never had a vehicle as thirsty as that beast. It's got a lot of power and will definitely accelerate, but it uses lots of go-juice. That, and the turning radius is awful.
A couple of years back I had this same discussion with a contractor friend of mine. He owned an F-150. He said he got it to tow his boat when he wasn't using it on the job. Claimed that the Dodge P/U wouldn't do the job as he had personally witnessed on several occasions. I know I wouldn't buy a Dodge. I have had a couple of Rangers and a Sonoma of my own. Also a Frontier. The most dependable were the Rangers. The most comfortable was the Frontier (but costly to repair several times in the 119,000 miles I put on it, and the synchros were going when I sold it). The Sonoma was a POS. Don't know if that applies throughout the range of vehicles made by any company, but I'd be strongly inclined to go with the F-150.
I do agree with the statement about it Liking the "Go-Juice" Wow does it ever. I got with my 03 about 12.5 mpg and my 07 is surprisingly a little better at about 15. It really hurts only driving a mile to work now though.. My avg gage says it is down to about 12 mpg right now since the farm season is over and I'm not going down the road anymore.
Now.. not to start any quarrels but pretty much everyone else I know besides my Dad drive Chevy products and my truck turns better than all of them. We even took my buddy's 06 chev halfton 4wd to a big parking lot and turned it measured and did the same with mine.. it was about 3' shorter. Just wondering... The company truck is it a 4 door and "Long" bed?
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Here is the guy that was on national news for his "Buy a Truck get a Gun" advertising.
http://www.max71.com/
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We had a few dealers here in the Phoenix area that were doing the same thing. One of the Ford dealers was offering a $500.00 gift certificate good toward an AK-47 at one of the local gun shops. It seems to be catching on as sales slump. Bill T.
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We had a few dealers here in the Phoenix area that were doing the same thing. One of the Ford dealers was offering a $500.00 gift certificate good toward an AK-47 at one of the local gun shops. It seems to be catching on as sales slump. Bill T.
I love it! Buy a gas guzzler and get the evilest of EBRs as a bonus! ;D Take that you tree hugging gunbanners, right in the....
Honestly, If I were in the market for a truck I would think about flying to Phoenix to buy from that guy. I did it with my truck. I waited till the end of the model year and looked on--line for a short bed F-150 with a tow and off road package. The best deal I found was in OK. So I took a $99 dollar flight from Austin to OKC, the dealer picked me up and I drove home. I saved money and got exactly what I wanted. The only thing it cost me was the travel time as the savings paid for trip expenses several times over.
FQ13
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The one I linked is in Missouri and sells nation wide.
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I love it! Buy a gas guzzler and get the evilest of EBRs as a bonus! ;D Take that you tree hugging gunbanners, right in the....
Honestly, If I were in the market for a truck I would think about flying to Phoenix to buy from that guy. FQ13
Here is the dealer:
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Buy-a-car-get-a-gun-67864587.html
The gift certificate "costs" 1 dollar with the purchase of your new vehicle, and is redeemable at Bear Arms here in town.
http://www.beararmsaz.com/
They sell really nice AK's. I bought one from them! Bill T.
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The one I linked is in Missouri and sells nation wide.
You lose money if you do that Haz. Dealers generally charge a hauling fee, and it means that at best your rig is on a truck or at worst "Jose Cuervo" is behind the wheel if its a short hop. Also, if you spend the $10 to buy one of those books on truck prices, they give you not only the dealer cost for every item, but also what he is paying to the car company every day it sits on the lot. I got my truck for 1% over dealer cost, about $700 over his expenses. That will only work under good circumstances (end of the model year, less popular model, "bad" color etc) but if you do it right you can save. Frankly now, with a gas guzzling truck, if you can find an '08 or even an '09 still on the lot and are willing to come in, pay cash and drive it away, you can probably get a hell of a deal if you do your reasearch.
FQ
PS Edmunds.com is alo a good resourse, but just research and talk directly to the manager or owner. Also SAMs has a car clup that lets you buy for I think 3% over cost, but you should be able to do better on a full size truck if you do it yourself.
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LORD, FQ!
Please don't preach trans cost to me. I am a freight broker.
Also, I was just making a remark. Not advocating the best prices or best dealer or anything else.
Ya remind me of my GF. If I mention that it is raining I get tens minutes worth of how gutters work, what the forecast is, how rain is formed and the latest on rain wear!
::)
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LORD, FQ!
Please don't preach trans cost to me. I am a freight broker.
Also, I was just making a remark. Not advocating the best prices or best dealer or anything else.
Ya remind me of my GF. If I mention that it is raining I get tens minutes worth of how gutters work, what the forecast is, how rain is formed and the latest on rain wear!
::)
Chill Haz, I was just trying to share some money saving tips. Take it or leave it.
FQ13
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Both Ford and GM are offering 0%, 72 month financing on many large truck and SUV models. That's what amounts to "free" money for 6 years. I know you'll get the vehicle for less if you pay cash, but if for example, you're getting good interest on an annuity, you can simply pay for it with that, and never touch the principal. A bit like those Colorado banks that were offering Weatherby Mark IV's in place of interest on a CD some time back. You got the gun up front. Bill T.
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1st as many know, I run an automotive repair shop, but not domestic. When I needed a new truck, Dodge was the lowest priced, but with known issues, 1) automatic transmission failure. 2) rear differential failure, mainly the pinion bearing.
I bought a 2001 1500 rwd club cab new, and at 15000 miles, changed the rear diff fluid with synthetic, also changed the tranny fluid with synthetic. Now at 112,000 miles I have replaced the water pump and nothing else, it has been a good truck, the dash is cracking badly, and a little research said this was common. I think the Toyota is the best choice, but at added cost. Friends and clients that have them, love them. 2nd I would go with GM, but they have a few issues as well. Look up any recalls on anything you want to purchase, and it will tell a lot. Last, buy 2 yr olds, coming off lease and so forth, enough time has gone by to show potential problems, what we call pattern failures, and you will save $$$$$. Buying new in this new economy, with the bail out and so forth, is iffy. Especially the new Dodge and Ford diesels.