Opinions on trucks

[patrick_g]

Don't forget the GMs, either. They just won back to back truck of the year awards and get the best fuel economy of the V-8 1/2 tons. Remember, the OP is looking for fuel economy.

My '07 as been nothing short of extraordinary.

Right, don't forget GM's like the Cadillac pickup or if you are a Ford man look at the Lincoln pickup. Both of these will make you LOOK GOOD during your commute, not be too de classe for female accompaniment, and sorta work as a truck too.

Pat

 

[canoetrpr]

I'm not sure I could get a Cadillac or Lincoln pickup dirty enough if I had one.

I saw a Lincoln pickup in a driveway in my parents neighbourhood and wondered why the heck would they brand a pickup as a Lincoln I guess someone was interested in one.

 

[canoetrpr]

Jimmy, you guys might yet convince me to do a 3 car thing I guess. If I go down that route then I won't be spending too much money on either a commute car or a pick up.

I looked around and what I can find is:
- 1/2 ton pickups are REALLY good prices after 100k km or so
- 3/4 ton pickups are good prices for gas engines - as above.
- 3/4 ton diesel pickups really do hold on to their value - even after a lot of km.

I guess if it were going to be purchased as a third vehicle, I would have to go with gas. It would not be run very much and I probably could not justify the premium I would have to pay for a diesel pickup.

 

[JiminGa]

that's exactly what I found when I bought my truck. I looked at the diesel trucks and they hold the $5k premium through out their life. the difference in mileage isn't enough to make up the initial cost and the higher cost of fuel, unless you tow alot. I ended up with a f250 with the v10 4x4 crew cab king ranch. It has about 206k miles on it and has only had a speed sensor and one coil pack replaced besides the usual tires, plugs, brakes. It rides pretty stiff empty, but put 500 lbs in the bed and it rides great. I bought it used 2 yrs old with 83k miles for less than half sticker. I spoke with the owner about it's history, he traded for a diesel and wished he hadn't.

 

[NuBota]

Jimmy, you guys might yet convince me to do a 3 car thing I guess. If I go down that route then I won't be spending too much money on either a commute car or a pick up.

I looked around and what I can find is:
- 1/2 ton pickups are REALLY good prices after 100k km or so
- 3/4 ton pickups are good prices for gas engines - as above.
- 3/4 ton diesel pickups really do hold on to their value - even after a lot of km.

I guess if it were going to be purchased as a third vehicle, I would have to go with gas. It would not be run very much and I probably could not justify the premium I would have to pay for a diesel pickup.

If you go the third vehicle route - old and used is a viable option IMHO. I spent months looking - it WAS frustrating -but finally found exactly what I wanted for a good price in the F350. No frills work truck. No A/C, power windows or locks, cheap stereo, and ugly. Would not have gone with it if it was a primary vehicle. I had to do some wrench turning - replace rusted brake lines, new brake caliper (rusted bleed valve snapped of), rear brake job (drums/shoes), new ECM wiring harness (mouse chewed up), etc, but over the course of 6 years, well worth in my book. Just liability for insurance since it's so old.

 

[jimmyj]

The beauty of a work truck is that it's not the end of the world if it does not have all of the comfy options or the spiffiest paint job. And, who really cares what the mileage is if it is only for intermittant local use. Delivered 70 bags of wood shavings yesterday and picked up free scrap steel and 2x large round bales yesterday. Sweet.

 

[newbury]

I think that the "work" truck should be one of the first vehicle purchases of a family as soon as they have a basic commute vehicle covered.

It covers those times you see the perfect bargain that is LARGE and you can't go rent a truck. Examples recently in my life:
UNadvertised clearance on bagged cypress mulch (more than 50% off, I actually think it was priced wrong) that you had to take when you paid for it. Oh, heck I'll take 40 bags.
Clearance on interior doors (I took 30).
Or you have to move the sofa.

But I never bought a "truck", I bought a work "van". My second one is an '88 Ford E350 Diesel Maxivan that started life as a work type no window van, got customized with a raised roof (which dropped mpg's from 18-20 to 14-16). Spent about 22K.

It tows, it'll hold lumber 12' long to 14' between the seats with the doors closed
With the 2 passenger bench seats out it's got a LOT of space 12'L x 5'10" W x 5'6"H.
With the seats in I routinely put in 4 children, the dog, all the stuff for a two week trip, and a tv. Loaded up in Alexandria, Va at 0200 and drove to Tupelo, MS in 14 to 16 hours, with only 2 fuel stops. Occasionally I put a basketball hoop in the back
I finally had to replace the tail pipe last year.
I've built two decks, three sheds, remodeled, finished the basement, I've hauled enough mulch to fill a conference room.

We use it for a camper WITHOUT towing a camper, generally for 1 or two weeks per year.

My biggest problem is that year ('88), and a couple of others, Ford designed the A/C to use little O-rings held in by springs which would always start leaking after about 3 years. But who cared? Freon was cheap

Now I admit it's going to be tight getting a BX24TLB squeezed in, but I think w/ a folding ROPS, removable BH, and removable bucket it might be doable if I take a wheel off to get it thru the door (specs say 45.1", I can slide in a 4x8 sheet of plywood, but barely)

But it can't do fifth wheel

 

[Runner]

Another vote for the beater truck as the "third vehicle". I couldn't imagine being wthout a truck. On the other hand, I also can't imagine why anyone would want to drive one to work everyday unless they needed to.

As much as l love my truck (got two of 'em) I would never want to pay for the gas or go through the hassles of parking one for daily use.

Another thought about "work trucks" too: you can get them pretty darned cheap NEW, so if you don't mind a work truck, and are willing to look at it as an investment, a new one might make sense too, even as a third vehicle. I bought my F350 work truck new in 2004 with the idea that it would be an investment I would have for the rest of my lilfe (or, at least it's life) and it cost about half the price of the fancy, leather-lined models.

Of course, I'm kind of weird too, I actually LIKE work trucks and would prefer one to a fancier model.

 

[arrow]

I think you need to revamp a thought process here. I'd get rid og all your current vehicles. You have a great car in that the Honda is a 5 speed. Not too many of those around but they are worth their weight in gold for those looking for such. To you however, (physical problems) it does not fit into your world so it is the wrong vehicle for your house. Get an automatic car. Your second vehicle should be a crew cab arrangement of some sort such as a Dodge Dakota quad cab. If you feel you need 4wd then get it in the truck. A good used one can be had for $12000 or less. they are spacious enough to put in an entire family if you need to carry the whole family. It will take the place of the van. One with the 4.7 V8 willl tow close to 7000# and there are enough gizmos out there for you to be able to carry 16' planks with an extendor. You'll get close to 20 in summer with 2wd (youd also do well with the 3.7 six if only 2wd) and get that 14 -17 with 4wd but gas mileage will not be as critical if you can take the car to work. This way you'll have the family vehicle, (the truck) a vehicle you can take to work if you need to pick up something on the way home (truck) and a car that will carry you to work most of the time. Your wife will have a vehicle and you'll only need the two cars and one can now be 4wd if you need it. If you are not carrying more than six people in your family, this can be a very plausible solution and keep you in just 2 cars. Otherwise spend the money for a third vehicle (pu) that is in good enough condition to make the 60 mile round trip on an occasional basis but you should probably get rid of the car at any rate. (dang, that Honda car must get over 30 mpg)

 

[doxford jim]

Some good suggestions with regard to the truck/third vehicle.

I have two trucks and have had them since new:
1986 F250 4x4 6.9 diesel
2002 Dodge 3500 1 ton 4x4 dually with the 5.9 Cummins engine.

The Ford works well still, though it is showing signs of rust finally (road salt in cental BC). It has hauled a lot of different things and really doesn't owe me anything. Was expensive when new - most vehicles are. Gets around 17mpg on highway and 16mpg mixed driving. No computer chip and easily repaired.

Dodge 3500 dually great vehicle but has the 47re transmission. Pulls well and gets around 21 mpg highway and 18 mpg mixed driving. Drive by wire and potentially expensive for repairs and maintenance - I do my own so it isn't bad yet.

If it was me looking for a work truck, I would wait and look for an older diesel that had been kept in good shape. A reasonable truck should not be too expensive and the outlay would be minimal (hopefully). A new truck is $50,000 plus nowadays - thought with the current recession prices have changed a lot. That being said, older used 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are more affordable and there are great deals out there if you are patient.

The one older Ford engine that is potentially bad is the 7.3litre - the cylinder walls are thinner and prone to potential cavitation problems. The 6.9 engine seems to just keep on running of maintained properly. The Dodge engine that seems to be the best is the 12 valve Cummins - which is all mechanical and no computer chips to mess you up. Easier to maintain and parts really quite reasonable costwise.

Don't know if this is any help or not, but I would certainly look around, take your time and ask questions (as you are now doing). Keep the Honda Accord - 40+ mpg is a big savings over 18mpg. Use the work truck for work and carting stuff around - no big outlays and insurance much cheaper.

HTH

Jim