Thoughts on truck selection...

[Dargo]

I also was curious to know with the GM product, GMC v. Chevrolet?? Is there anything with the potential Chap 11 of this company that would make one favor a Chevy due to GMC potentially going away??

John M

GMC is staying. Most Pontiac dealers generally have (had) Pontiac, Cadillac and GMC. With Pontiac being history, GM had to leave GMC in place or almost every Cadillac dealership in the country would fold. How many single line Cadillac dealers have you seen? What gets me is Buick staying. I only have business in 5 midwest states, but Pontiac outsells Buick handily in my area. Oh well...

Either way I wouldn't worry too much about the impending bankruptcy affecting your GM warranty. The government already stuck their foot in their mouth and guaranteed the warranty from GM. Why do you think GM's attorneys are trying to get out of paying dealers for warranty claims in the bankruptcy being planned? Leaving customers high and dry on their factory warranty would almost certainly spell doom for that franchise and GM knows that. The government showed their hand too soon on that matter. Who may get hurt the worse is the GM suppliers. I haven't heard GM guarantee that they'll get paid for the GM parts they have produced and sent to GM and GM stores. Hopefully they don't get stuck holding the bag.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Axing Pontiac makes sense to me. Why does GM need two brands that basically compete with each other on the same price level? Buick slots in as an upscale brand above Chevrolet but below Cadillac. Buick has some nice vehicles that I could actually envision owning. I hope this doesn't mean the end of the Holden Monaro based Pontiac G8? Hopefully, it will be re-badged as a Monte Carlo.

 

[jcmseven]

nmu,

I understand your point. When I test drove the GMC, I felt the truck to be mechancially sound but it did not seem as well contructed as the Ford I have. The Chevrolet I drove seemed MORE tight than the GMC. Why that would be, I do not know. I know the panel will say, here he does again, but driving a Ford, it seems like a much heavier duty truck and well made. The problem for me is I do not need a huge truck, just would like the diesel engine. I also feel as though I need, and could justify, a 3/4 ton truck for the type towing I do. On paper the GM trucks seem to fit the bill as they are smaller than a 250 yet offer the family friendly features I need and still have available diesel power. I no longer modify my trucks so as it comes is as it goes. That 150 was a great truck, I just wish it had more power. It would do the job, just not well in some cases.

John M

 

[JESSE1]

Is the GMC actually smaller than the Ford or does it just feel smaller? If it's as long and wide as your Ford you won't be accomplishing much by trading.

 

[nmu98]

JCM,
The Chevy and GMC are the same truck to a point. The interiors a pretty sound, but I have had a few pins break, and they made a lot of noise when door panels were no longer secure. My GMC dealer told me that they had a few problems with bad door pins from the factory.

The chevy has plastic front bumper sides. They look chrome, but they are not. I hate to say it, but i learned a lot by taking each home with me and washing it once. Many parts I thought were solid were not, and others that looked flimsy were solid.

The GMC leather IMHO is better. My nieghbor has an identicle truck to me in a chevy, and his leather is fading and is not as soft as mine.

Is the ford built better. I don't know. Some parts are heavier, some are not. To me, it sounds that the GM truck will be good for you. I don't think you will dislike it. And if you change cars every two years, its not much of a risk.

IMHO, you will love the drivetrain. I don't think you will be in love with the rest of the truck, but I don't think you will dislike it. It will tow thinks wonderful, but will always sound a little "tinny" went you knock on the body panels.

 

[aczlan]

I don't know how old the O/P is, but I can also tell you that "older" guys tend to drive GM's and Ford tends to appeal to younger guys. NOT ALWAYS, but in the majority of cases.

This may not be applicable being as I have only ever driven Chevrolet vans (no pickups) but I have driven Ford trucks (F350 and 450) and vans (E350), I qualify as a "younger guy" and as a "big guy" (5' 11" and over 250#) I much prefer Fords (at least Ford E350 vans) over Chevrolet vans (Express 3500) for 3 reasons

1. Seats: The seats on the Chevrolet Express vans we have ('04 and 05 3500s) are mounted ~6" more to the left of where they were on our '04 and '05 Fords, this makes me sit farther left than in any of the other vehicles I have driven (which feels odd) and the way that the controls for the power windows are mounted in the door they dig into my leg. Before you ask, no I cant sit more to the right, the seat is too narrow and the armrest is in the way. Also, the Ford seats are more comfortable.
2. Mirrors: The Chevrolet mirrors don't have blind spot mirrors in them, whereas the Ford vans/trucks have 5"W x 1.5"H blind spot mirrors below the main mirrors (from what I have seen this lack or blind spot mirrors may carry over to the trucks as well, but the ford trucks have the best mirrors I have ever used for towing (this was on a '99 F350SRW and a '00ish F450DRW with a stake side dumpbox on it) towing a 20ish foot enclosed dual axle trailer with 5+ zero turn lawnmowers in it).
3. Blind spots: the Express vans have a very wide center column which can hide a car that is ~2 carlengths behind you, they don't show in the side mirrors or in the rear view mirror

In the defense of the Express vans, they have traction control (which just seems to drop you to 1/3 of your engine power if your rear wheels start to slip), remote entry, car alarm, power everything and heated rear windows, but I would trade those to have one of the Fords back any day of the week (especially when I need to tow something)

Aaron Z

 

[Highbeam]

I went from a chevy full sized truck to a 2000 F350 diesel crew cab. I wanted a dodge but the prices were so good on fords. I have really noticed the higher bed and step in height as a negative. These SD Ford trucks are tall with no way to lower the front and only the lift blocks in the rear. Once I get over the height, the inside is superior in size to the GM equivalent crew cab. Much more room in the rear. Quality is very good on both.

SOunds like you need to first consider the daily parking issue as a high priority. I would NOT tow the big trailer with a half ton product nomatter what the silly tow rating says.

I am a younger guy but I want a lower truck. The fords look great and work great but don't need to be so tall.

Have you ever loaded firewood into a truck with a tailgate that was well above your waist?

 

[Builder]

nmu,

I understand your point. When I test drove the GMC, I felt the truck to be mechancially sound but it did not seem as well contructed as the Ford I have. The Chevrolet I drove seemed MORE tight than the GMC. Why that would be, I do not know. I know the panel will say, here he does again, but driving a Ford, it seems like a much heavier duty truck and well made. The problem for me is I do not need a huge truck, just would like the diesel engine. I also feel as though I need, and could justify, a 3/4 ton truck for the type towing I do. On paper the GM trucks seem to fit the bill as they are smaller than a 250 yet offer the family friendly features I need and still have available diesel power. I no longer modify my trucks so as it comes is as it goes. That 150 was a great truck, I just wish it had more power. It would do the job, just not well in some cases.

John M

The current F-150 would be a great truck if it had about 75 more HP available as an optional engine.

GMC & Chevy HD's are built on the same assembly line(s). The differences are subtle. I actually like them based on the different models. I like the GMC "classic" more than the chevy "classic". But I like the '08 NBS Chevy a little more than the NBS GMC. I really like the '01 Chevy HD with the power bulged hood.

I think the Ford feels more solid than the GM product because of the front axle architecture differences. The Ford has a solid front axle, the GM has a flexible front axle. Flexible always feels less solid than solid. The payback is that it rides better, and when IFS hits a bump, the tire that didn't hit the bump stays put on the road. In a Ford SFA, both tires react when hitting a bump causing a more jostling ride. I find my GMC in everyday bumby road driving is much better handling for those reasons. It's just simple physics.

Dude, unless you have a 1,200lb plow haging off the front, you'll never need a SFA for what you do. Crap, a military HUMMVEE doesn't have a solid front axle, they have IFS and they are pretty tough.

If you no longer modify, then you're better off with GM. You start with more torque, more torque at lower RPM, more HP, more transmission gears, manual shift capability, a tranny made by Allison and a bigger 11.5" locking rear axle.

I can't understand why you're not driving a GMC or Chevy already ( based on what you're needs are) other than the hesitation of leaving Ford because of brand loyalty.....j/k

If you had to keep a truck for 5-10 years, I could see the hesitation, but every 1-2 years? How bad could it be?

 

[Builder]

Is the GMC actually smaller than the Ford or does it just feel smaller? If it's as long and wide as your Ford you won't be accomplishing much by trading.

HD's are smaller. I'd say about 7/8ths the size of a SD in the cab. You can have a keg party in a Superduty. I really like that. The GM is a little lower in roofline height. More of a "cockpit" feel. SD is more of a "cabin" feel. I'm only 5-10, 225lbs. I've never felt cramped in any way. I see huge guys driving HD's.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Around here we see lots of retired folks driving GM products. Mainly due to this was one of the largest area's for GM until they pulled out in the late 90's. They seem to be brand loyal but its getting to be less and less. I guess what others have said about the lower clearance and softer ride factor in also.. When I was looking at trucks 2 months ago at a local dealer who has GMC, Chevy, Cadillac, Pontiac, and Toyota all on one lot I noticed it was a ghost town. I asked the sales men how they were doing and he said the loyal GM customer base is dying off and now they are focusing on the Toyota sales. I would say in my area 75% of GM trucks 3/4 ton and larger are White Collar Guys.

As for the Fords you see plenty of weekend warriors and White Collar Guys like me driving them but the majority of the sales, I would guess 60% or more, are farmers and contractors. We have a strong presence for hot shooters around here due to our location for used leased cars from Detroit and RV and Boat deliveries from the factories in Norther Indiana and I would say 90% drive Fords and Dodges. Hardly ever see one in a GM around here. Also 75% of the trucks with plows hanging on the front are Ford's. I am sure this is due to the front axle arrangement. Plus I have never seen a wrecker or ambulance that is not a Ford.

The Dodges are the favorite among the young guys and landscapers. Again the hot shooters like them but its still probably 2 Fords to 1 Dodge. They are also very strong with guys like Welders and quite a few Farmers, much more than GM.

As for 1/2 tons Ford rules the roost around here. I would bet well over 50% of the 1/2 ton trucks in Indiana are F-150's. I would guess GM comes in around 25%. Dodge and the Toyota's and Nissan's are about even with a major swing in the last few years towards the Toyota's and Nissan's. They are really not taking much of the Dodge business but are stealing them from GM and Ford equally. Primarily due to the them being made in Indiana and one state away.

Again this is not scientific data, just my observations.

Chris