Help with buying new truck!

[GnomeWizardd]

I am trading my 99' Ford Ranger in next week or so It has 42K and in good condition. I will be getting a NEW full size truck but I dont know what I want. Max price with tax can be 24K what you guys think?

[MrBill]

2 words for you: DODGE HEMI ;)

[pseudonym]

2 words for you: DODGE HEMI ;)

Ahahahah, NO :)

F-150 all the way. You aren't gonna be able to get a Hemi for under 24, and its not as good of a truck anyways.

edit// Ooopsies, the pick wasn't up when I wrote my response ;)

[GnomeWizardd]

I am thinking of the F150. The dodge and GMC and nissan for the same price all have a V6 and the ford is a V8

[MrBill]

Ahahahah, NO :)

F-150 all the way. You aren't gonna be able to get a Hemi for under 24, and its not as good of a truck anyways.
See the picture I added to my post. It can be done for under 24k. :thumbsup:


btw...I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Chevy man, but I'm not the one looking for a truck. ;)

[pseudonym]

Ugh, Chevy trucks, like a tupperware. Could they put any more plastic on those ;)

[GnomeWizardd]

yea but crap on everything else!

[Rot Katze]

I suggest just a nicer, used truck

[GnomeWizardd]

I pull a trailer every day for work I want a new one with a good warrenty! my rangers trany just went the other day. It was under warrenty and ill get it back monday but still want to trade it in

[GnomeWizardd]

plus the new Ford F-150 2004's are very very seksy

[GnomeWizardd]

here is the one / color I like This is standard 4.6L V8 engine
I am going to offer my 99" ranger in gret condition with 42K miles and 15K for it and Ill get it

[Black Hawk]

I would get one of these :rarr:

[GnomeWizardd]

PRICE??? I know it aint no 24K

[Black Hawk]

I don't think it has a price yet. Link (http://www.dodge.com/srt-10/index.html?context=srt_home&type=ImgNav) :D

[Thrax]

0-60 in ~5 seconds on a pickup. ROFL. Sweeeeeet.

[TheBaron]

dodge ought to call that truck "the lightning killer" although i'm still not sure i wouldn't pick a lightning. mmmmmm eaton supercharger

[Gargoyle]

I've always liked the Tundra, but I am a bit of a Toyota fanboy.

4x2 V8 Access Cab SR5 4-speed automatic $23,985
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2004/tundra/models_access.html
http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/tundra/gallery/exterior/photo_1.jpg

It's a little more expensive, but without looking up specs, I believe the engine is supposed to be pretty impressive.

[a2jfreak]

OH YEAH!

Hemi all the way, baby! I love my Hemi! :)

I have a 2003 Quad Cab with the Lone Star Package
(Basically the 20" wheels along w/ different gear ratio).

The MSRP on my truck was right at $31,000.
After taxes & extended warranty I paid approximately $25,500.
Before taxes & extended warranty I paid $22,988.

Hemi power, baby! :D :D :D

2 words for you: DODGE HEMI ;)

[a2jfreak]

Oh yeah, here's a pic of my truck. More can be found in the web garage thread.

http://short-media.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1142&stc=1


Oh yeah, btw, it don't get any more "seksy" than Dodge. :D

[GnomeWizardd]

yea right! Ill take a pic of my pimp ranger when I get it back from the garge when the finish the new transmission ( it was under warrenty only 50 bucks to fix ) Then when I get my new truck ill post that beast too

[a2jfreak]

If it's a ***-150 it'll be an ugly beast. ;D

[GnomeWizardd]

hey now I am only 20 I cant afford too much!

[a2jfreak]

Dude, my Hemi (with tax and extended warranty) is just a shade outside of your budget.

All you have to do is drop the Lone Star package (the 20" wheels and different gear ratio) and it will be within budget. Or, you can just get the Regular Cab version--my Quad Cab is noticeably more expensive than a Regular Cab.

[GnomeWizardd]

Naa I am still a Ford man. I never had a problem with any fords ive drivin and that truck will be #4. Only reason my Tranny went is the truck is too small for the trailer

[a2jfreak]

Oh yeah . . . whatever you get, the best thing for you to do is check the Saturday and Sunday papers. Dealerships run some very good deals in the paper that they don't always advertise at the dealership itself. Use that price as your starting point. If they won't budge on the price (not too uncommon if it's a very good price (like below invoice)) then you can see if they can throw in some extra stuff (body-side moulding, or whatever).

Also, I don't know your financial status nor that of your family so I have no idea whether you'll be paying for the truck outright or taking out a loan. If you are going to finance, it is normally cheaper to take out a loan with your bank AGAINST your own money.

Say you have $24K in a CD. Say that CD earns 3% interest. The most the bank can charge you is 5% interest for borrowing against your own money. That's like getting a loan for 2% (PLUS you keep your money in the bank & you OWN THE TRUCK . . . not the bank) so the truck becomes immediate equity for you.

Dodge had a deal going that I could take $2,500 off the price of the truck or finance the truck for 5 or 6 years at 0%. I took the cash back because that put me in a better position if I were to borrow against my CD.

Anyway, just some food for thought. Whatever you get, spend your money wisely and enjoy your truck! :D

[GnomeWizardd]

0% finacing right now on the F-150's

[a2jfreak]

But is it 0% OR $X cash back? Or is it just 0% or is it BOTH 0% AND cash back?

If it's an OR situation, you might be best taking the cash back and borrowing against a CD (assuming you have a CD with enough money, or can get one).

[GnomeWizardd]

I jsut 0% financing and thats what i can use 2500 cash back wont help with 5% financing

[a2jfreak]

Were you using my 5% figure, or is that what it would actually cost you?

If you were using my figure, keep in mind you'd be getting 3% interest FROM that 5%, so it's like only truly paying 2% interest. A bank can charge no more than 2% more than what they give you for your money. They can charge no less than 1% more than what they give you for your money.

[MrBill]

Gnome: Perhaps the the thread title should have been "Help with buying new FORD truck". ;) :D


As bad as I hate to admit it, I currently own two Ford Rangers. 1986 Ranger I bought new ($6,417) and haven't driven it in over a year. 1991 Ranger XLT I inherited a couple months ago when my father-in-law passed away. The '91 only has 58,000 miles on it.

I also own a '86 Chevy C10, '91 Camaro and '03 Impala. I'll probably sell the '86 C10 and '86 Ranger this spring. I want to get a used Z71 (can't afford a new one). If I get a Z71, I will probably get rid of the other Ranger so I will have all Chevrolets. :cool:

[citrixmeta]

dodge ram 1500
awesome truck

[a2jfreak]

Probably would be a more suitable title.

I'm a Dodge man, but a not too distant second is GM. I perfer GMC to Chevy, though, purely for aesthetics. However quality-wise they're the same truck/suv so whichever design team floats your boat the best is the way to go when choosing a GMC/Chevy.

Gnome: Perhaps the the thread title should have been "Help with buying new FORD truck". ;) :D

[celcho]

hehe. it really should have been i'm getting a ford truck... here's why.

the new f-150 is pretty sweet. the interiors are very nice. the engines are better than before. i had a 2000 f-150, and although i don't think i'll ever have a truck as my main car again, i do like the new f-150 a lot.

check out www.autospies.com they have a service where you pay them 500 bucks and they get you a deal on the truck that's at least 500 dollars better than what you got on your own, or you get your money back. check it out. they have some good people there.

[a2jfreak]

I had to re-read that because at first I thought you said that autospies would get you a $500 better deal for $500 deal, which would be pointless, but it's $500 or better for $500. Not quite as pointless. :)

[Clutch]

My dad has an 03' RAM 1500, we have had a lot of problems with it, we just got it out the dodge place againg becauase the rack and pinion went out on it. My dad told the owner of the dealership that if he had to bring it back one more time for it to be fixed then he is leaving it there and going to buy him a new F-150. I mean don't get me wrong it is a sweet truck, it rides good and all but we have had so much **** go wrong with it, and we just got it last year.

[pseudonym]

I've seen test numbers on just about every truck out there (this is more technical stuff, power steering fluid temp, etc etc. Kind of stuff you won't see anywhere cept from the manufacturers tests) and generally the new F-150 is out in front just about all the time. In most cases you are looking at Ford, Dodge/Chevy (Fairly close), Toyota, (No info on new Nissan at the time). I'd take the Ford because the A) Chassis is better and stiffer B) The new trannys are slightly better imo C) they look better outside and D) They look WAAAY better inside. Dodge comes in a distant second if you must, but I've never liked their stuff (And I've towed with just about everything out there, and for the HD stuff the F-350 is MILES ahead of the Dodge, and about a lightyear ahead of the Chevy).

I'll try and hunt down the JD Power numbers on mechanical problems for the 3 makes.

[GnomeWizardd]

Going prolly fri night to the ford place tom going to doge then wed ill go to chevy and look around not buying anything till this weekend!

[a2jfreak]

When Dodge come out w/ the new Bodystyle I said to myself "All that needs to happen is for Chevy and Ford to screw up and come out with some butt ugly trucks and Dodge will have a chance to go from #3 in sales to #2."

Well, Chevy came out with that hideously ugly "cat eyes" design on the Silverados. Check.
Now, Ford came out with possibly the ugliest truck ever made (maybe the new Nissan is just as ugly . . . not seen enough of them to make a clear decision). Check.

Now I just need to sit back and wait and see if Ford and Chevy screwed up enough.

Also, Ford uses very deceptive advertising when they compare their trucks to the Major of Truckville. Who drives in the first 1000RPM band? No one! In fact, give a truck engine even a small amount of gas and the RPM shoots well above 1000 to something more like 1400. Therefore the Ford having more "initial torque" is almost completely useless and Ford only mentions their more low-end torque bit to deceive and trick buyers into thinking the ***-150 has more power than the Hemi. What a load that is.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Clutch: Sucks you've had issues with your truck. If it's a lemon, get Dodge to buy it back.

As for Fords being built better? Not in my experience. That belongs to either Dodge or GM. We've never had a Ford product that was anything but a steaming pile of trash. For my hard-earned money I'll buy something that isn't Found On Road Dead every few weeks.

Also, keep in mind anyone can make a bad vehicle. It just happens. Engines are so precise. Transmissions deal with tons of stress. There's thousands of things that have to be perfect or else BOOM. I don't fault any company for making a few bad vehicles, but when every vehicle I've had from a particular company (Ford) is trash, then I start to look down on that company very much.

As for the Interior: I've not seen the Nissan and I forget what the Tundra looks like, but the new Ford is better than the old Ford, but that's not saying much. Dodge still has the nicest interior of any truck I can recall.

My cousin loves two things: Apple and Ford.
I despise both.

//Edit: It's been a while since I've seen the Lincoln truck (Edgewood, was it?) but that had a pretty nice Interior. I still perfer the Dodge, but that was probably the second best interior I've seen.

[Gargoyle]

If I had to pick from just the domestic makers, I'd have to go with Dodge. I don't particularly have a problem with Chevy, Dodge is just a preference (better interior and exterior appearance). Buying a Ford just seems like asking for trouble. I don't think any of the domestic makers can hold a candle to the overall endurance of a Toyota, but all of the Fords I've seen have taken a turn for the worse before even hitting 100k miles.

100k miles and my Toyota is just getting started :D

[celcho]

lincoln blackwood is what you're thinking of.

the 2000 ford f-150 4.6L v8 i had gave me ZERO problems. not a single time did anything go wrong whatsoever. the check engine light never came on even once. i treated that truck so bad it's unbelievable. i should have broken that transmission even though i sold my uncle that truck with only 14k miles on it. i went through a set of tires on the back in less than 7000 miles. so maybe you've bad luck with fords, but every single one my family has owned except my dad's 98 expedition has been perfect.

i haven't seen a new ford interior first hand, but in reviews it's supposed to be MUCH more expensive feeling and appearing.

if you want to compare the last generation ford to the dodge out now, that's just not fair. the dodge it was designed to compete against was far inferior in every way, unless you liked the look better. chevy's previous generation was so far away in quality it was sad.

[a2jfreak]

No, I compare current model to current model. That's only fair.

If I compare an older model, then I compare both older models.

I have a 2K Dodge Ram too. Been a great truck except for something in the drive train that ruined the first tranny and has taken a good chunk out of the second. Dodge's fault? Maybe. Still be a very good truck and my Dad (a Ford guy) thought it had LOADS of power just two days before the tranny went completely out (and trust me, it was VERY sluggish.). Fords are generally more sluggish so my Dad didn't notice.

Anyway, I disagree that the old Fords were better than the old Dodges.
My Dad has a 2K Ford. He had a '97 Ford before that. Two of my uncles have Ford F-350s. One Grandfathers has a Blackwood (thanks for the correction). One of my Grandfathers has a Dodge 2500 Diesel (late '80s or very early '90s model). One of my uncles has a Silverado (had a Silverado before that and an F-150 before that). One of my uncles has a Dakota. One of my uncles has a Dodge Conversion Van. Overall I'd say the Fords seem much more prone to having something go wrong than GM or Dodge.

When my Dad gets a new F-150 (Hopefully I can convert him to Dodge) or one of my uncles or grandfather then I can compare directly my Hemi to the new Ford.

lincoln blackwood is what you're thinking of.
if you want to compare the last generation ford to the dodge out now, that's just not fair. the dodge it was designed to compete against was far inferior in every way, unless you liked the look better. chevy's previous generation was so far away in quality it was sad.

[pseudonym]

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.


You just keep telling yourself that, and maybe it'll come true. There is a reason why Ford outsells Dodge and Chevy, its not magic, its that their trucks are better and they have been that way for years. There is also a reason why most industrial companies out there use Ford trucks, and not someone elses.....

I've yet to understand how you think the new F-150 is so insanely ugly. That Dodge design doesn't flow worth crap and would be the ugliest truck around, if Chevy didn't take that away from you :)

[a2jfreak]

I don't know what's worse. Putting down Dodge or building up Ford.
Both are sins. :D

Put on some gloves. ;D

[GnomeWizardd]

bahahaha! this is great! I am going to ford tom night cause I talked to a friend who is the head service manager at The lincoln place across the street. He called up his friend and told him treat me right or else! I know he already is going to go look at my ranger and then call me back with prices/ Invetory of trucks i told him I am looking at.

[GHoosdum]

IMHO, you can't go wront with the 0% financing AND $2000 back that Dodge is giving right now. Plus the 7/70 powertrain warranty beats everything except for the 100K that Hyundai gives you.

I don't think that any of the TRUCKS made by domestic manufacturers have the large number of build quality problems that domestic cars have, but Dodge has always been my first choice. Ford is a close second (I think Chevs are butt-uglym and I've never had a good GM vehicle), but power is WAY down on the 4.6L compared to the 5.7L Hemi. I mean, it's a HEMI, c'mon!

And I'd like to just say that I agree with the folks who said you should retitle your post - I don't even know why you bothered posting if your mind was already made up before you posted...

[GnomeWizardd]

naa when i started i wasnt sure what i wanted but now I do since i have a new F-150 in my driveway. Pics to come tom

[GHoosdum]

Personally, I like the styling of the new F-150 better than the previous model. I like the Ram more, though, but the Chevy's a LOT LESS!

[pseudonym]

naa when i started i wasnt sure what i wanted but now I do since i have a new F-150 in my driveway. Pics to come tom

An excellent choice sir, I knew you wouldn't fall to the dark side :)

[a2jfreak]

Oh but he has.
Poor Gnomester. He doesn't even realize it.

Before Gnome gets that ***-150 he she test drive a Hemi, or two or three or four! :D

HEMI POWER, BABY! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[GnomeWizardd]

test drove tow hemi's didnt impress me at all

[muddocktor]

I've been looking at the new Nissan Titan's myself. I'll be replacing my wife's Dakota by the end of the year and the Titan looks real nice and has good power too. Thinking of the crew cab version because my wife wants 4 doors on the next truck we get.

[pseudonym]

Oh but he has.
Poor Gnomester. He doesn't even realize it.

Before Gnome gets that ***-150 he she test drive a Hemi, or two or three or four! :D

HEMI POWER, BABY! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Hmmmmm, lets go check what the best selling vehicle in the country for 22 years is....... Wow, its the F-150, what a surprise!! (821,865 to 449,371 for your lowly Dodge)

***-150 eh?? Someone is a bit jealous I think. Are you making up for something else with that 5.7 liters?? You have an image truck, Gnome has a truck that can do work :)

[a2jfreak]

More people choose AOL than almost anything else. Does that make AOL better?
Face it. Many people buy things because "my father did" or "my mother did." Dodge makes the longest lasting trucks on the road. Not Ford. Not GM.

Yeah, the 5.7 liters is making up for the lack of power in those Fords. :D

I seriously doubt a comparably equiped F-150 will be able to keep up with my Hemi.
345HP & 365ft-lbs of torque is just a bit too much for those Fords to overcome.

To borrow a line from Kanez: Ford is the Riki Lake of the truck world. :) It might be popular, but I wouldn't be caught dead with it!

[pseudonym]

Dodge makes the longest lasting trucks on the road. Not Ford. Not GM.


So thats why last year the top 3 most dependable trucks in America were:

1) F-150
2) Tundra
3) GMC

Interesting.......

And the highest ranked for initial quality were

1)F-150
2)Chevy
3)Ram (there ya go!! Ya got one on there :))

Again, very interesting. Its no fluke Ford outsells Dodge almost 2:1 on the truck market. Its not based on "my dad bought one". Its based on the fact Ford builds superior trucks.

Source: JD Power

[celcho]

"Dodge makes the longest lasting trucks on the road."

uhhhh, you just told us about the transmission failing in yours, so...

obviously, they're not all like that, but that's not a good sign.

[a2jfreak]

Stuff happens, even to Dodge.
Dodge isn't immune to mishaps, but a tranny or two doesn't mean Dodge is bad.

Every Ford we've ever had spent more time either in the shop or broken down in the driveway than it did working and that is the truth. No hyperbole. Just the truth. I understand some people swear by Fords, but I'm not one of them. Every Ford we (my mother's side of the family) haave had has been a pile of trash. My dad's side of the family hasn't had as bad a fortune with Fords, but I still wouldn't really say the Fords they've had were high quality.

I my experience (and the experience of most (definitely not all) people I know personally) is that Dodge and GM produce much better vehicles.

[GnomeWizardd]

I was at dodge and asked them how many per week they sell they gave me a print out. fod gave me a print out too ( got friends in both dodge and ford ) the new F-150 is outselling the Doge 3:1 now

[GHoosdum]

Where are the photos of your new effie, Gnome?

[Rot Katze]

Ok, I don't care what you guys say, but the '88-98 Chevy's are the best trucks in my opinion..can't go wrong with that good ol' beast. Style wise, I love the new F150's and GMC's. Really, they are all quality trucks..whether it a Toyota, Dodge, Ford, Chevy, etc. The new Nissans are very nice too in my opinion.


About Dodge dependability...I must say, our Durango has been put through hell and back, and back, and back....and is still treated like ****.. offroad and on road...and the transmission sifts smooth and the 5.2L 318 is still running strong...Hell the thing has been rear ended twice and still runs like a champ, and tows like a beast...probably the best Truck/SUV we've ever owned. And this is a 1998 with 85,000 miles.

Oh yeah, the and the Hemi is awesome.

[GnomeWizardd]

I am going to take some pics after I am done cleaning it tom cause ive taken it to work and got alittle muddy going off road for a real "test"

[GHoosdum]

Ok, I don't care what you guys say, but the '88-98 Chevy's are the best trucks in my opinion..can't go wrong with that good ol' beast. Style wise, I love the new F150's and GMC's. Really, they are all quality trucks..whether it a Toyota, Dodge, Ford, Chevy, etc. The new Nissans are very nice too in my opinion.


About Dodge dependability...I must say, our Durango has been put through hell and back, and back, and back....and is still treated like ****.. offroad and on road...and the transmission sifts smooth and the 5.2L 318 is still running strong...Hell the thing has been rear ended twice and still runs like a champ, and tows like a beast...probably the best Truck/SUV we've ever owned. And this is a 1998 with 85,000 miles.

Oh yeah, the and the Hemi is awesome.

So your note next to your avatar says "Car dude" but from this you seem to be more of a truck dude. Either way, :thumbsup: to ya!

[muddocktor]

I just test drove the new Nissan Titan Thursday and I was really impressed with it. They have some features in those that I haven't seen in American trucks and the sucker has mucho power too. Even though it's a DOHC V8 in it, it has plenty of low end grunt and I really like the truck bed option you can get for $900, which includes 5 rails to put adjustable tiedowns on plus a factory installed coating like the Rhino Liner inside the bed. The msrp is also running about 2k-4k less than Ford, Chevy and Dodge too, for similarly equipped vehicles.

[GnomeWizardd]

I didnt like the titan cause the l;eg room in it was not enough compared to the F-150 plus being 6ft 5in i need every inch! it had decent power but the F-150 was faster and actually Bigger

[Rot Katze]

So your note next to your avatar says "Car dude" but from this you seem to be more of a truck dude. Either way, :thumbsup: to ya!


heh well, I do drive a car/truck...I need to change it then..


btw Gnome, I forgot to say congrats on the new F150