08 CHEVY

[jeffster]

I hate to be the voice of reason here, but there is a very good reason why Toyota and Nissan have been able to make inroads in to the full size truck market. I have never been a basher of any brand just because I prefer a GM, or whatever. As long as someone is buying American, I really don't care and I am not going to bash them. However, the big 3 have relied on that American-made loyalty to get away with the crap they have been putting out for years. All 3 suck to be completely honest.

While I love my Dmax, don't think for a second I think it is acceptable to have a $50k truck with leaky tranny lines, leather that is so thin they may as well call it paper (I think paper would crease less, actually), crappy front end rake and components, ridiculous pump rub problems, only 2 supported tire sizes which are both a joke and even then it is **** to get the truck reprogrammed (I went from stock 245 to 265 which is factory on the 3500, yet I had to spend hours fighting to get it reprogrammed and supported - no I don't want a programmer to do it), and the list goes on an on. While the truck has been solid from a drivetrain perspective, I am far from pleased with the final product at the price point they are asking.

At some point, if they are going to survive, two things have to happen in my opinion:

1. Emissions and EPA mileage have to be accommodating for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks.
2. The manufacturers have to start building a quality vehicle, which means stop putting out crap when you know it is crap. Step up and do the right thing, even if it costs money.

People will spend $5k+ more on a truck if they know that the extra money went in to making sure it is the best truck it can be and is going to be reliable, which earns them back way more than the $5k initial investment. Sure you have people that really don't understand money and investments and they'll continue to shop for the cheapest vehicle, but then again, those aren't typically the ones that can afford to buy a $50k+ vehicle anyway.

But, when all of a sudden the cheapest option is a foreign vehicle that IS reliable and DOES have most of the features that people want, guess what people are going to start buying? It has already happened to the 1/2 ton market and it is only time before they get into the larger truck market too (assuming again emissions and EPA MPG don't kill the whole thing).

Just my $.02

 

[amolaver]

i shopped all three last year for a new dually and ended up buying the chevy. the duramax/allison combo was heads and shoulders above the other offerings. the 6.4 seems to be an improvement over the 6.0, but at the least was getting much worse mileage. the 6.0 trucks were basically a disaster for ford - everything from fires in the vans to popped motors when the injectors stuck open if they were run for short amounts of time (shuttling around a dealers lot for example). i liked the ford exterior, but the interior was the most plasticky and cheap feeling IMO. the ride wasn't as nice as the chevy, and it was louder. having dealt with trans problems on the older 7.3's and a taurus, i don't trust ford's (auto) transmissions. the old dodge engines (12v) were known for anvil reliability. the new engines had cooling/rad problems, and they are the most 'truckish' of the three - very rough riding, cheap feeling interior, and even louder than the ford. dodge has also had the most issues with the new emissions equipment from what i've read.

the duramax/allison has been great for me. my primary use is pulling around a 12-14Klb race car trailer, and i love the comfortable ride, nice interior, and QUIET. it isn't any louder when pulling than w/o the trailer which i find amazing.

i was originally looking for a used '06, but was shopping when diesel was $4.75-5/gal, and they were giving incredible deals. when i got to the dealership to look at a particular '06 and it had been stolen from the lot, i started looking at new and fell in the love with the interior. yes, i have to spray silicone on the door's rubber seals occasionally to prevent squeeking, and had to go to the dealer for an ECU reflash (recall), but other than that, with 18K miles on it, i'm very happy with the truck.

that being said, if you are happy with your 06, i wouldn't be in a rush to trade. you'd probably take a financial bath, so unless you REALLY like the new interior, it would be a tough sell for me.

ahm