Truck talk

My 2006 Nissan Xterra is nearing the end and its replacement (probably in late summer or fall of this year) will be a truck. I have no brand loyalty to speak of so have cast my options wide.

Initially I thought a mid-size truck like the Toyota Tacoma would be my target, but was underwhelmed after driving it and its competitors (GMC Canyon, etc.). It looks as though it will be a "regular" full size truck. It will get used for everything from hauling a canoe trailer to negotiating rough logging roads hunting. It's not going to be "worked to death" in a commercial application.

I've driven the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150, and Ram thus far. I'm planning to drive a Chevrolet Silverado as well. Currently I have liked the Tundra and F-150 best. Couple questions:

1) The Tundra has a fantastic reliability record and most Toyota trucks I know of are still going strong a decade plus later. I also have heard (and seen reviews) of its 5.7 liter engine being very thirsty, even by V8 truck standards. Have owners found them to guzzle fuel relentlessly or is it similar to every other truck - all of whom are terrible on fuel? I am used to poor fuel economy - my Xterra with BFG KOs rarely gets better than 14 - 15 L per 100 km.

2) Will the F-150 hold up? In my vehicle buying experience (granted, no domestic full size pickups over the long term), my import vehicles have held up better (mechanically and body wise). I'm buying the truck as a ten year vehicle and don't want a rusting unreliable beast when it is a 7 years old with 150 000 km on it.

I find the imports rust faster than domestics imo. Next month is GM truck month so you may find a good deal

Just curious what you didn't like about the Ram truck to me they have the best interiors and power train...also there is an all new 2019 ram 1500 coming out new from the ground up, maybe wait to check that out...

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Originally Posted by kokes

Just curious what you didn't like about the Ram truck to me they have the best interiors and power train...also there is an all new 2019 ram 1500 coming out new from the ground up, maybe wait to check that out...

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Ram LOL.

My son just bought a Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel ,not much change from $100,000 and it was a demo.Within days a Battery charging problem related to a faulty sensor,took them a week to get the part.Yesterday transmission fluid on the driveway,took it in and rubber seal already gone replaced.He has another sensor gone that needs replaced which is called the Intelligent Battery Sensor,waiting for that part.In today,s mail this morning a recall notice for 'Brake transmission shift interlock" good job the lad got a 10 year all parts warranty.I will not burden you with the cost quoted for simple oil filters at the dealership.

He did not take dad,s advice but here it is Toyota,Toyota,Toyota. Read JD Powers awards for the past 20 years.LOL

If that does not convince you go on auto trader and compare Toyota used truck prices to the Domestic Garbage and the light will come on.

I had no major issues with it on my test drive The Hemi is a powerful engine and the interior was functional and comfortable. I guess I just don't trust Chrysler products that much. My wife had a 2011 Jeep Patriot that was a pretty cheaply made vehicle. I know, the Ram is a Chrysler "flagship" and probably made to a much higher standard, but I also read a lot of stories similar to Gilroy's son below. Also, I've seen a disproportionate number of Ram pickups around town with pretty substantial rust on the quarter panels and rear of the cab.

I drive a Ram 1500 4x4 Quad cab with the 5.7h. In winter I average 12.5l/100 when not towing. We have 7 of these at our office and @ 200 company wide. If they were a problem they wouldn't buy them. Pay attention how many Rams you see on the road. I get 700kms easy on a tank of gas. My 2015 has only had oil changes and its first set of brakes at 165,000 Kms. My wife had a Jeep Liberty that was like a mountain goat but had too many issues. Won't buy another Jeep but would buy a Dodge Ram absolutely. The modern full sized trucks are all good products and will easily give you 10 years of service and better mileage than your Exterra.
My mechanic just bought a new Ram and has been in the business for 30 years. He also told me they are starting to replace turbos now and the repair bills are usually over $4k. Whatever you choose I would go for a V8.

After hitting a deer last year and writing off my nissan xtrail,,,I ended up buying a brand new GMC Canyon,,,4 door 4 wheel drive,,, Short box, Fits in the garage, half decent of fuel and I picked it up when they were offering 20% off..... Out the door price was just over $35000,,,,7000 less than Toyota....
If you are not in a hurry GMC usually offers discounts come October/November

Also do your dealing at the end of the month when the sales managers are scrambling to make quotas. My wife works at large dealership, trust me on that one. Best deals are the last couple days of the month.

You are going to get good and bad in ALL models. I would definitely go with full size. I drove the mid size for about 10yrs. I now have a 2016, 1500 Ram diesel and have had no issues at all. I had the same truck in 2014 got a good deal to go to the 16. Neither truck has been back to the dealer except for oil change. Both trucks have averaged 10.7L/100, which is way better than any of my other vehicles have ever gotten. I tow my boat from April to November and have quad in back other than that, with a lot of city driving. Just go full size and with the one that you feel comfortable in.

Right off the bat, I am an F250 guy (will never own anything but, and next one will be a diesel). I have had the RAM 1500, F150, in 3.7, ECO boost and 5 litre. All good trucks, but the 3.7 and eco boost really don't save that much money over the 5.0L. The main issue for me is towing the big boat, 30ft trailer and truck camper/trailer during hunting season. SO depending on your usage, size your truck accordingly.

However, the other day in downtown Ottawa I seen the new Chevy or GMC small truck and it had a diesel in it. Have not looked it up yet, but I thought that was very cool.

The small truck diesels are coming to North America, having spent the better part of 6 years on missions overseas it always amazed me that North America did not have more small trucks in the diesel market.

Good luck and stay away from as many bell and whistles as possible. Power windows, good sound system and A/C is all I look for and vinyl floors for cleaning.