Need Advice on a Truck

[executor]

I would like to buy a truck, don't really care about the brand, just looking for best bang for the buck. I don't need a monster V8 that can pull a jumbo jet either. I would like 4 doors full size crew cab. Gm/ chevy have 8-9k cash purchase price discounts. I'm just wondering if it is better to buy used or new. 2 wheel drive or 4*4? I don't want to get killed at the pumps if gas shoots up so the smallest engine would be what I'm going for and I guess that means a mid-sized truck.

I could get $2k off extra if i go for a new chevy/gm with Visa earnings. If anyone has suggestions I would appreciate it. I am not a construction/ tradesman and I live in the city but, I will be moving to a slower mode of life in the country within the next few years were trucks are more practical, plus I could use it to carry around my bike.

[Pete_Coach]

Lemme see, $2K from GM points, why would you not use that?
You don't need a truck cause you live in the city but,may be moving to the country therefore need a truck? I think you may believe a bit too much in stereotype?
Get a small car with a bike rack. Works well in the city and country. :)

[Flyer]

Get the Ironhide truck...

[executor]

http://www.shiptonblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/ironhide.jpg

lol, i don't think so. and by bike i meant motorcycle. i don't think i can throw that on the rack of a small car. not being stereotypical, my tastes have recently changed and i love the idea of the versatility of a decent pick up. especially in the winter getting clearance over the snow, may be more useful, my little car struggles in the city as the city takes its sweet time to get my street plowed.

i guess i need to list specific models if i want better feedback, i'll do some more research on gm/ chevy models and post back. the value has to be better on a new truck with those deep discounts.

[Mattones]

I found a 09 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI V8 4x4 for $24,000 Black on black.

GREAT DEAL on the new 09 Ram. I just bought one and am getting better MPG both on the Highway and city then my bosses 08 F150 and his brothers Tundra. Gotta love the MDS feature!

Alot of people say Dodge is a 'gas Guzzeler. But honestly they really improved the Ram in the 2009 model. Really comfortable seats too!

Before i bought the ram i was so close to buying the 2009 GMC Seirra. Both trucks are great looking inside and out.

[executor]

makes me sick to think we paid $23k for our dodge caliber 2 years ago.

[executor]

I found a 09 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 HEMI V8 4x4 for $24,000 Black on black.

GREAT DEAL on the new 09 Ram. I just bought one and am getting better MPG both on the Highway and city then my bosses 08 F150 and his brothers Tundra. Gotta love the MDS feature!

Alot of people say Dodge is a 'gas Guzzeler. But honestly they really improved the Ram in the 2009 model. Really comfortable seats too!

Before i bought the ram i was so close to buying the 2009 GMC Seirra. Both trucks are great looking inside and out.

how did you get that price for the ram, i built something similar on dodge.ca and it was 30,595 before tax after $6k in discounts

[mkerian]

So you want a full size pickup, not neccessarily a monster V8, and would like to use your GM points.

Well, you have a lot of options.

Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra (The only diff. between them is the exterior, all mechanical components are identical)
- For you I'd recommend either a extended cab or full size (although honestly a extended cab is perfectly fine, it seats 5-6 adults comfortably, unless you have 3 6.5 ft 300 pound kids.)
- If you're using it to haul a motorbike, then the 6.6ft bed is fine.
- I would also select the 5.3 AFM (automated fuel management system, cuts v8 to v4 when cruising on highway) as it offers great power and nice fuel economy, at least for a truck, and it has a 6speedauto
- As for the interior, depending on your tastes its up to you, but I would NOT recommend the wood grain captain's chair set up, if you want luxury then look at my other selections. Otherwise, the regular interior the GMC/chevy come with are great IMHO
- If you want 4x4, then its an option you can select with all models, but beware, if you select a base WT trim, the 4x4 shifter is floor mounted and gives off a cheap vibe (not helpful for resell value)


Ford F150
- Dont get the Regular cab for this model. Its too expensive compared to the GMC/Chevy
- I would go for the extended cab, FX2 (or FX4 if you want 4x4) 6.5ft bed
- The 4.8 3valve engine is the best choice. It has a 6speed auto transmission, whereas the 5.4 triton uses more gas and is actually only marginally more powerful
- The interior is great on all models, as the 2009 refresh really kicked it up a notch for Ford.
- Great customizibility for all your desires, check out ford.ca if you want to see all the options

Dodge Ram
- In my opinion, while Dodge did redesign this model for the 2009 year like Ford, you'd be better off avoiding this selection. My reasons are:
- The Ram's best engine choice is the 5.4 hemi, and its too much gas and money compared to engines you can get with Ford or GMC/chevy
- Interior wise is pretty great, but when you look closer, as well as after heavy wear and tear and use, the Ram's interior will fall apart much faster
- Just cant compete

Toyota Tundra
- As much as fanboys of American trucks will rant and rave, this truck can and does stand with the best of them
- It has 5.7 V8(i believe) engine, 6speed auto, that offers great power (not so great fuel economy) Its low cost sibling a 4.7 V8 is perfectly fine as well, and it has a 4 or 5 speed auto. (For 2010 a new lower cost V8 is coming to the Tundra, so if you can wait and like the Tundra, Id wait for that one)
- Interior is great, a little too Trucky in my opinion, but def. better than the Ram, slightly better than GMC/Chevy, and equivalent to Ford
- Reliability is fine as well. If you research on the web, ppl will say its terrible (there was a problem with the gear selection on the 07, which is where ppl are justifying their statements) or Amazing. Id say its just as good as Ford or GMC/Chevy
- A con tho, its going to cost you more. Unless your a good negotiator, or have a good relationship with a dealership, expect to pay more.

Nissan Titan
- Avoid. I would place it similar to Dodge. Engine choice is limited. Uses most fuel out of all of the above. Interior is fine, but again, not exceptional.
- Mite cost more, might not, but I just cant find a reason why the Titan is anywhere near the above

Whew. So, hope that helps. Again all the info I gave you concerns new trucks. If you want used, all the above just went through recent refreshes, Dodge and Ford were 2009, and the rest were 2007. Honestly, the way prices are now, its probably a much better bet if you get a new (especially if you have GM points), or 1-2 yr old truck.

Hope that helps. If you have any more questions feel free to pm me.

[Mattones]

how did you get that price for the ram, i built something similar on dodge.ca and it was 30,595 before tax after $6k in discounts



That site doesnt show what DEALERs have on their lot.

I message you with what i found at THAT price. :-0

Hope its still there because its a STEAL!. I bought my truck there.

[Mattones]

[QUOTE=mkerian;8578254]
Dodge Ram
- In my opinion, while Dodge did redesign this model for the 2009 year like Ford, you'd be better off avoiding this selection. My reasons are:
- The Ram's best engine choice is the 5.4 hemi, and its too much gas and money compared to engines you can get with Ford or GMC/chevy
- Interior wise is pretty great, but when you look closer, as well as after heavy wear and tear and use, the Ram's interior will fall apart much faster- Just cant competeQUOTE]

You havent sat in the 09's have you? The interior frabric on the seats seem pretty tough made. really improved from the years before. Only time will tell when i go in and out with my tool belt on.