Thinking about a Pickup

[dustino8]

Here is what I posted on another forum:

Hey all. I'm looking for your thoughts/advice on a pickup purchase. First a little background.

We (wife and I, two young kids) currently drive a Pilot and Civic. The Pilot is owned, the Civic is leased, with the lease coming to an end in August. We spend a fair amount of time in the summer months at the lake and we tow a small travel trailer with our Pilot. It has served us very well, however with two kids and all the stuff that goes with them on extended camping trips, the trailer is going to get heavier every year and I think its time to upgrade to a pickup and give the Pilot a break in her old age.

I've thought about upgrading to a larger SUV, but I've looked at the economics and its less costly for me to get into a truck. Additionally, there are several times per year that I borrow a truck from work for weekend projects, etc. and would be handy to have one of my own. I've given it a lot of thought and decided to give up the economical civic, keep the Pilot since its paid for, and purchase a pickup. My plan is to buyout the 2005 Civic SE ($7500 buyout as of next month) and sell it and put the money towards the truck. I should be able to easily get $10,000 for it as its in mint shape with only 45K km. You can let me know if this is a bad idea.

As for the truck, my budget is a used model in the low 20's. I would like a full size, 7000lbs plus towing capacity, crew cab (extended may be an option), definately 4x4, less than 100K km, and not too picky about options. I don't want a bare bones truck, but leather etc. is not required. Something with a centre console, not a bench seat, would be nice.

I'll list the makes with my thoughts on them :

Chevrolet/GM Silverado/Sierra:
I could get into the current gen and stay within my budget. I'm not willing to go with the previous gen. I have quite a bit of time behind the wheel on the previous gen through work and I think the interiors are terrible and the reliability is near awful. The drivetrains are solid, but that's about it. We still have a couple of 2005 Sierras at work and they are in the shop near monthly.

I like the style of the current gen, interiors are improved, and so far the reliability has improved according to consumer reports. However, there is always the lingering question of whether or not GM will be around, so powertrain warranty may be a concern.

Nissan Titan:
If I had to choose a truck on passion alone and ignored reliability, I would choose a Titan. My Dad has a 2005, and l love the 5.6. However, reliability is questionable in the early years (think differentials), and don't think I could fit a 2007 or 2008 into my budget.

Toyota Tundra:
Previous gen Tundra is not an option, as I can't stand the interior (climate control pod reminds me of an older Ford Taurus), plus towing capacity is on the low end. I would definately go with a current gen, but once again, can't fit a current gen into my budget.

Ford F-150:
Looks OK, reliability OK, just doesn't do a lot for me. Would have to be a previous gen, not the current '09 and up. Never driven one, maybe I would be impressed. I could get into a well equipped '06 or '07 and stay within my budget.


That's my summary and what is going through my head right now. I'm looking forward to any thoughts on this. I guess with what I have said above, I'm leaning towards a GM product. Can you believe, a two Honda owner leaning toward a GM product .

Here is a link if you'd like to read the responses so far:

Link

I'd really like to hear from you Piloteers on which direction you would go.

[sblvro]

never really drove a gm product until I borrowed my uncles horse trailer, an 85's silverado, yup that one and it was durable as ever, towing a huge horsetrailer all over the southern states and midwest. when I came to pick-up my SUV, drove the escalade hybrid and liked it and got hooked. drove nice and gets good mileage for such a huge truck. the differentials and drivetrain looks bulletproof like previous gen and that is why it is the truck in your workplace because it is what it is, a workhorse. getting those miles already and looks superb in terms of relaibility, etc. I would choose a GM. american metal!

[ollicat]

I was in a similar situation. Had a Civic and a Pilot with 3 kids. Selling the Civic because now I have a 2008 Dodge Ram Mega Cab. I bought the Mega Cab as a 1.5 year old vehicle and got 38% off new pricing. It only had 17,000 miles. Love my Mega Cab! I have enough room to take most of the neighborhood with me.

[dustino8]

Originally posted by sblvro
the differentials and drivetrain looks bulletproof like previous gen and that is why it is the truck in your workplace because it is what it is, a workhorse.

Well, I wouldn't say thats why my workplace chooses GM. I work for a consulting firm. My Civic would get us most places that we travel. We do have two survey crews that give the trucks some minor abuse, but some trucks barely leave the asphalt. The reason the owners choose GM is because thats who they get the best deal with.

[rocky]

Based on years associated with the industry, my bias for pure domestics is GM before Ford. I really dislike the far higher loadbed on the Fords

You are spot on about the Nissan. Toyota's talked about mauled right now, but adversity should make them even better. But with both these trucks, resale value must be questionable.

My money would be going to GM in this competition.

[jl_ss]

I have a 2004 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. It hasn't been bulletproof but I'd likely buy another now that they have the 100K warranty. My main problem with the Ford was that it had the shortest bed of the crew cabs. The Tundra was overpriced at the time and the Nissan and Dodge had bigger reliability issues.

The things I like about the Silverado are:

1) Got it for 75% of MSRP after Rebates and Discounts (Toyota couldn't come close in price on a much lesser equipped Tundra).
2) Reasonable length bed in a crew cab,
3) Plenty of interior room.
4) The autotrac tranny with the AWD option - there is traction when there are only patches of slippery road where 4wd is not really an option.
5) The autolocking rear differential.
6) Factory power folding mirrors to get into my garage without getting out to fold them in by hand.
7) Was very reliable for 3 years
8) Great mpg for a 5.3L if driven reasonably (15 mpg city/20 hwy)


Dislikes:

1) Not so reliable after 3 years - but I would be comfortble with the 100K warranty addressing that.

[sblvro]

my hybrid's 8 year, 100K mile warranty took care of whatever concern I had about the product

[dustino8]

Well I ended up with a 2007 Tundra. Found one about an hour away that was traded in by an older gentlemen and only had 46000 km. Got a good deal on it. Follow the link in the first of this thread for more info, or look here for a couple pictures.