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How to Pick a Pickup - READ ONLY

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#1 of 265 How to Pick a Pickup by Nancie

Oct 12, 1997 (4:42 pm)

My parents are looking for pickup truck. They've sorted out the
reasons why they need one, but it's hard to know which make and models
to look at first. Of course, we'll start here on edmunds.com by
looking at the picks for hottest trucks. But, a little feedback from
other truck owners would be helpful. Any ideas? What things should
my parents keep in mind before beginning their search? Which make and
model would you steer us to first?

#2 of 265 Motormouth by Motormouth

Oct 17, 1997 (12:44 am)

Hiya, Nancie...


Well, I'd need to know a little more about what their intended use
is. For example, if they plan on hauling a 5th wheel trailer, they'd
better go for a full-size, beefed-up suspension with the biggest
engine available. I'd also recommend 4-wheel drive.


However, if they are like many folks who simply want a utility
vehicle that also hauls "stuff," then perhaps a 6 cylinder short-bed
will do the trick.


If, like my friend Snake, they just want to look cool and impress the
neighbors, they need professional help or, like Snake, perhaps
incarceration.


Assuming that's not the case, however, there's a whole world of
differences in what's available. That's the wonderful thing about
trucks: Each manufacturer makes something for every application, and
the name on the hood is often the only thing in common with the rest
of their line.


If you can give me some examples of what they're going to rely on the
truck for, I'd be happy to make recommendations, as I'm sure other
visitors to the site will also be happy to do.


Motormouth

#3 of 265 Lugging stuff.... by Nancie

Oct 27, 1997 (6:10 am)

Hi, Gerry. My mother is a professional furniture mover...not that she makes money at this. She just likes to rearrange furniture and she's got lots of it. She's apt to move everything in her living room from her home in Delware to her beach place in Maryland just for a change. Then, of course, there's the furniture she "lends" me from the furniture lending library.


Really, some of this is true. Mom and Dad like to move end tables, a chair now and again...presents for the grandkids. They antique so they like being able to take things home right away at those auctions.
So...what do you say? Any suggestions? All are welcome.

#4 of 265 Motormouth by Motormouth

Oct 28, 1997 (7:29 pm)

Well, Nancie, considering the amount of furniture she moves, and the distance, I'd recommend she go with a full size pickup with a V-8 engine.


Howeverm, since you can't always plan on the weather cooperating, she may want to consider a full-size SUV. You can haul lots of stuff in the full-size ones, plus you don't have to have an additional "family vehicle."


On the other hand, if she's hauling sizable items (like sofas etc.), she'd be best to stay with the idea of a good ol' Pickup... and just be sure to hold on to enough change to buy a good tarp to cover everything with.


In the Pickup category, I'd recommend she look at the Dodge Ram. Truly, all the major manufacturers have good products, but for some reason I am just drawn to the Ram like a moth to a flame. It is a think of beauty and, with the V-8, should be more than able to handle what your folks give it, and it will be all smiles.


Check out the New Trucks section and you'll see that it can be a bit pricey to purchase new, so they may want to check into a lease.


Oh, one more thing: I'd recommend staying away from the 4x4 in any truck unless you REALLY NEED IT. It adds significantly to the cost of operation plus the insurance is a lot higher!


I hope this helps.


Anyone else have some suggestions for Nancie's folks?

#5 of 265 beercan by beercan

Nov 22, 1997 (3:59 am)

Hi Nancie;
I guess I am like your dad I just like driving a pickup. Like the song states I'm a pickup man. I have ordered a 98 Dodge 1500 club cab long box with a V8 . I did not order 4wheel drive or the Quad doors because I don't think I need them. I looked at the Ford but they look kind of Whimpish looking so I picked the Dodge. I do not even consider General Motors they only make city pickups

#6 of 265 Ram Quad or Ford F150 HMMMM? by rportello

Dec 01, 1997 (6:36 pm)

My apologies if this is a repeat question to those of you out there. I am looking to buy a new pickup in the spring of '98' and have narrowed my choices to the Dodge Ram Quad Cab or the Ford F150 Extended cab w/third door. I am partial to Ford vehicles but really liked what I saw when I went and test drove the Dodge. There is no question that it's features and look are superior to the Ford but my real concern is in the reliability of the engines in either of the vehicles. Anyone out there have an opinion on which truck is the most reliable. I realize I will hear from biased Ford and Dodge owners, please share your war stories with either maker. I have heard far to many war stories about Dodge transmissions and would like to have a better idea how prevelant these problems are. Thanks to any one who responds.


Rick

#7 of 265 rich by richflynn

Dec 02, 1997 (5:08 am)

Interesting comment, rportello. I recently looked at the Dodge Quad door. I almost fell in love (ALMOST, I SAID!) with the truck. The only thing that saved me was no diesel was available at the time. The ride was ROUGH, especially on the CA concrete freeways. I bounce fairly badly in my F-250, even with softened rear springs. Then I saw the picture of the '98 F-250 HD shown at SEMA in Las Vegas. The 7.3 l diesel specs were listed as 500 ft/lbs of torque and almost as much bhp as the 7.5 l gas engine. The article in Autoweek (11/17 or 24) said that it was to have a quad door arrangement. Everyone has said that the ride of the SLA suspension of the new style Ford is like going from a truck to a Towncar(?).


Anyway, I'm waiting to be able to order the new Ford model.


Rich

#8 of 265 rportello by rportello

Dec 02, 1997 (2:18 pm)

Rich,


Thanks for your response, it's the kind of feed back I am looking for before I purchase. I took
a look at the F250 HD and was very impressed. It
sounds like you lean more towards buying Ford. I am sure I will end up buying Ford again but I wanted to get the general feeling from pickup truck owners, how Dodge rates out there. The
Ram series of Trucks is the first Dodge truck in a long time that has turned the heads of Ford owners that I know. My brother-in-law was a die hard Ford truck owner and swore he would never buy another truck other than Ford. It really surprised me when he said he was considering a Ram Pickup. I quess I want to make sure I am not overlooking a potentially better vehicle. I am an engineer and my nature is to research things to death, especially the quality and reliability aspects of a product. My gut feel is that Ford has been and will remain the most reliable truck on the road. Any opinions agreeing or disagreeing are welcome. Thanks again Rich


Rick

#9 of 265 daihatsubill by daihatsubill

Dec 06, 1997 (3:21 am)

I have been looking at the big 3 trucks,too. The Chevy/GMC is really beginning to show its age, and I plan to hang onto this truck for a while. I think the Ram is the best looking truck out there, but I don't like the fact that the V-8s are actually the old 318 and 360 cube gas hogs from the sixties.
I've spoken to a few people with their new trucks, and according to them (and the EPA stickers), an F-150 with the new V8 gets the same gas mileage as a V6 Dakota! Overall, I think I'm sold on the Ford. I would appreciate any comments.

#10 of 265 mharde2 by mharde2

Dec 06, 1997 (5:05 am)

Im with you diahatsubill. When you drive the others, they are nice, but there just seems to be something missing. You just don't feel the quality that you feel in a Ford. If you know what I mean...

Messages Page 1 of 27

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