Post by: Firethorn on November 28, 2007, 06:40:01 AM
I'm single, no kids, currently living in ND out in the boonies. It's 30 miles to work, and my house is fairly old. I want to do most of the work myself.
I currently own a manual transmission 30mpg Saturn SC2. I have only ever regularly driven cars of this size range. Yes, I have driven a big truck a few times, I haven't been particularly fond of it. Mostly worried about jacking up somebody else's ride. One problem with the car is that it gets stuck relatively easily in deeper snow.
I am NOT planing on disposing of the Saturn, it's fully paid off, still reliable, and I enjoy driving it.
So I figure:
Extended cab pickup, with the full length bed - some 'secure' storage in the cab for cased guns, full length bed allows me to stuff more items in there if I'm doing something big.
4WD - to help with getting around in winter.
Diesel - Improved milage, and I see biodiesel winning over ethanol. Biodiesel is available here, at the pump, ethanol isn't.
In addition, older used, so I can pay cash. With two vehicles I can do a lot more of my own car work. I'm somewhat scared of doing much more than an oil change/tire rotation and ending up with an undrivable vehicle.
So, any suggestions? Vehicles to look for? Brands/models/years to avoid? I have no brand loyalties or fears. Ford, Chevy, GM, peterbuilt, doesn't matter.
Post by: grampster on November 28, 2007, 06:42:24 AM
Post by: K Frame on November 28, 2007, 06:47:11 AM
Post by: Firethorn on November 28, 2007, 06:51:00 AM
Stay away from Dodges. Lots of problems, especially transmission.
Would sticking with manual transmissions help with this? I know they're a somewhat rare feature, but I really prefer the additional control, and the extra milage is nice.
Post by: mfree on November 28, 2007, 07:14:07 AM
Post by: charby on November 28, 2007, 07:18:11 AM
Post by: Ben on November 28, 2007, 07:21:15 AM
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 28, 2007, 09:02:35 AM
Stay away from Dodges. Lots of problems, especially transmission.
They are okay if you stick with the manual. The early mechanically controlled Cummins engines are about as bulletproof as it gets, and the rest of the powertrain is Spicer and Dana. The cab and interior controls on the older "PowerWagon" style bodies are crap, though. The redesigned semi-style bulldog bodies appear to hold up okay, though not as well as the Fords seem to.
Another vote for a mid-90s 3/4 ton or heavier Ford with the 7.3 Powerstroke. As long as nobody's been messing with the turbo or fuel systems they are rock solid.
Brad
Post by: Boomhauer on November 28, 2007, 10:23:09 AM
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Diesel - Improved milage, and I see biodiesel winning over ethanol. Biodiesel is available here, at the pump, ethanol isn't.
Actually, you won't get that much better mileage out of a diesel than you would a gasoline engine. I've got a friend with a newer F250 Diesel and it only got 19.5 or so miles to the gallon- according to the fuel computer.
Plus, a diesel takes a whole lot more oil when you change it.
I am absolutely in love with my 1999 Chevy Silverado 1500. It's got the 4.8L engine, and has plenty of power for everything except heavier towing- manual rates it at 6000 lbs towing capacity. It's also got the Z-71 4x4 Package. My father just got a '99 Suburban with the 5.7 engine, and he gets 18.5 MPG on the highway, and it rides really, really, nice.
It gets about 20 MPG around town.
I don't think Toyota or Nissan make either of their trucks with diesels, but good luck finding a Toyota used. No one wants to get rid of them.
I have really nothing against Ford, but every Ford I test drove while looking for my truck had poor ride quality. Worse than my POS beatup S-10 Blazer. I was looking at a 2001 F-150, and I could have had it for $9000 cash, but the transmission had been removed and swapped for a new unit. I looked up that year model, and seems to me that they had some transmission problems. Some of the mid 90's Ford diesels apparently had transmission problems, too.
Good luck finding something that isn't way overpriced, beat to hell, or too new. I had a very difficult time finding a truck around the $10,000 and 2000 year model mark. The dealers don't like to keep anything over 7-8 years old, and used car lots love to pass off a POS. It may look nice, but be a turd underneath.
Oh, and Carfax is your friend. They don't catch everything, but they have a nice deal- a month of unlimited reports for $5 more than running a single report. And they saved me from a couple of polished turds.
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 28, 2007, 11:15:37 AM
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Actually, you won't get that much better mileage out of a diesel than you would a gasoline engine. I've got a friend with a newer F250 Diesel and it only got 19.5 or so miles to the gallon- according to the fuel computer.
Only 19.5 miles per gallon? You need to be around trucks more. I remember a time not long ago when NINE point five miles per gallon was considered incredibly good.
HP for HP, diesels will get 30-50% better economy than a comparable gasoline engine. My father has proven that over and over. Pulling a laden cattle trailer (upwards of 15000 lbs) he gets around 13 mpg with his Dodge diesel. My brother has a Dodge truck identical in every respect except engine, which is the V10. The RAR is even the same. Pulling the same load the same speed he gets around 9.
Brad
Post by: Finch on November 28, 2007, 11:20:36 AM
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 28, 2007, 11:29:02 AM
Quote from: Finch
I'm fond of the Tundras myself.
You might be a little less so after seeing this. I'm surprised the Toyota's bed didn't fly completely off as bad as it was flexing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zShwG9l1F0Q
Brad
Post by: Ben on November 28, 2007, 12:18:15 PM
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 28, 2007, 12:21:18 PM
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The 6.4 is actually a more efficient engine than the 6.0 and would be getting in the low to mid 20s without the extra smog stuff.
Not to mentiont the Super Duty line has the aerodynamics of a brick wall.
Brad
Post by: Ben on November 28, 2007, 12:23:34 PM
Seriously, I wish they would have kept the old front grill. Looked much better in my opinion. But then they couldn't have fit that big ass Mac truck radiator in there.
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 28, 2007, 12:27:00 PM
I don't call mine the flyin' brick for nothing...
Seriously, I wish they would have kept the old front grill. Looked much better in my opinion. But then they couldn't have fit that big ass Mac truck radiator in there.
Seriously, I wish they would have kept the old front grill. Looked much better in my opinion. But then they couldn't have fit that big ass Mac truck radiator in there.
Get the black-grille version (the "entry level" grille and light package). I like it better than the big chrome job.
Brad
Post by: Ben on November 28, 2007, 12:31:14 PM
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 28, 2007, 12:39:05 PM
Brad
Post by: Tallpine on November 28, 2007, 12:43:33 PM
Except stay away from those old Turbo 350 automatics which were a POS and sucked away half of the horsepower.
Post by: Boomhauer on November 28, 2007, 12:47:44 PM
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1973-1987 Chevy or GMC. You don't find anything more simple and rugged than that
I reiterate that finding something good is hard. Especially finding one of those year models that isn't beat to *expletive deleted*it. It took me 5 months to find something that wasn't a piece of junk. I've seen a grand total of two '80s Chevy pickups that hadn't been modified drastically and were in good shape. Both were $5,500-$6000
Post by: Ben on November 28, 2007, 12:53:51 PM
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Could always take the chrome grille off, scuff it, and paint it.
Or Line-X
Post by: charby on November 28, 2007, 12:58:27 PM
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Could always take the chrome grille off, scuff it, and paint it.
Or Line-X
Or Duracoat
Post by: never_retreat on November 28, 2007, 03:22:02 PM
FWI my 2002 f250 7.3L has 197k on it. All original. Only thing I've done is breaks, tires, and front ball joints.
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on November 28, 2007, 04:34:27 PM
Post by: roo_ster on November 28, 2007, 05:56:01 PM
I will, however, toss in a curve ball. I own a 1997 Nissan Ext cab PU. 4 cyl, 5spd, 1/2 ton in the bed & 3500lbs towing. 22MPG in town, 20MPG with the 10% ethanol *expletive deleted*it. 27 on the highway with real gas. 150K miles and no major repairs.
In almost 6 years of owning a house made in 1959, I have wished for a bigger, stronger truck maybe 3 or 4 times. We have been in a constant state of home repair, so we make a lot of trips to Home Depot, the nursery, etc. My Nissan has had all regular maintenance and is still going strong. When I get rid of it, it will be because I am tired of driving the same vehicle for 10+ years or because I need more seating.
Post by: Art Eatman on November 28, 2007, 06:16:15 PM
My down-the-hill neighbor has an 80-ish Dodge with the Cummins. 24 mpg, running empty. He bought it way used, and had some minor tweaking on "stuff", but all the power train has been reliable these last two or three years.
Post by: Tallpine on November 29, 2007, 07:19:11 AM
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I reiterate that finding something good is hard. Especially finding one of those year models that isn't beat to *expletive deleted*it. It took me 5 months to find something that wasn't a piece of junk.
Yeah but you could rebuild it bumper to bumper for less than the price of a newer one. With high gas prices, they seem to be almost giving away old trucks around here.
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I'm still happy with my '85 Toy 4WD PU.
I'm sure you are. And so is everyone else! Might as well buy a lottery ticket as try to find one for sale.
Post by: Firethorn on November 29, 2007, 05:56:37 PM
I think I'll just have to keep saving for a while. In a year I'll have enough money saved up to pay cash on a 90's era truck. Unfortunately it looks like diesel is commanding a price premium today.
Some research into new trucks shows all sorts of options to look for - down to the ratio in the differentials.