How to Pick a Pickup - Car Forums

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How to Pick a Pickup - READ ONLY

265 messages, Last post on Apr 15, 2000 at 1:10 PM

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#226 of 265 Focus by gwmoore

Oct 29, 1999 (1:32 am)

bham1,

You really need to give more info. Other than driving to work, and driving around farm, what else are you going to do. How long is your drive to office? Towing? Camper? Hauling? How bad are the roads on the ranch? How much money are you willing to pay?

These are vital. Almost universally speaking, Dodge and Ford have excellent diesels and better 3/4-tons & 1/2-tons for heavy use, GM has great V-8 engines (good power & mileage) for their 1/2-tons & 3/4-tons for light and moderate use. Dodge offers a mid-size truck (Dakota) that can accomplish a lot that the big-guys do in an easier-to-handle package. Toyota, Nissan and Ford (Mazda is same as Ford) have good compact trucks, although their backseats are probably too small for your use. You need to elaborate your needs.

#227 of 265 Re: Post #191 and Others who want Pickups for Campers by rs_petty

Oct 29, 1999 (9:08 pm)

The all time best recommendation I've heard on this topic is to pick out your camper first then purchase a pickup that meets the requirements. There is a lot of difference in weight between brands and sizes. You may find that a 3/4 ton just won't do the job comfortably for a 12 foot slide in and you really should go with a 1 ton dually, but you don't need a 1 ton for an 8 foot pop-top.

#228 of 265 Used T100 vs. Chevy C/K by jjholmgr

Nov 06, 1999 (7:40 am)

Hello intrepid truck drivers.

My father is looking to get a used pickup truck (about a '93 or so). He primarily will use the vehicle for commuting in Southern California with heavy use on weekends for hauling landscaping and home improvement supplies. His expressed concerns are reliability/service costs and gas mileage.

He's leaning toward a full-size p.u. He's already nixed getting a Ford (please no hate mail!) based on past experience. Opinions on the T100 vs. a Chevy C/K based on his needs?

Thanks.

#229 of 265 More details re: post #248 by jjholmgr

Nov 06, 1999 (7:55 am)

His commute during the week is about 50 miles round-trip freeway driving plus work-related drives to various So Cal vendors w/ his company...so comfort is important too.

Weekend cargo duties would mostly be various items like lumber, gravel, soil, and of course the dog. Light use on dirt roads would only be an occasional factor and 4WD is not required.

Price range is apx. $8-9K.

#230 of 265 Good little pickups by br459

Nov 09, 1999 (3:48 am)

Is there anyone out there that owns a 93 or older Mazda pickup? I have to say that these little trucks are about the most reliable trucks I have ever had. I have 256,000 on mine and several of my friends have well over 200K on theirs. Not a problem. Not much power, but I don't need it anyway. Why they stopped making the Japanese version of this truck I will never know. Probably because dealer mechanics had nothing to do at Mazda dealerships. :-}

#231 of 265 jjholmgr by gwmoore

Nov 11, 1999 (4:56 pm)

Get the Chevy C/K with the 350. Should be more comfortable, more powerful, better mileage (yes, the 350 can/should get better than 20 mpg; the T100 would be less than that and have WAY less power). The T100 is not that good of a truck from all I've heard. They really aren't a full-size pickup.

#232 of 265 What the best value #2 by hoenen

Nov 15, 1999 (2:53 am)

just to add the price range is in Canadian Dollars

#233 of 265 Which pickup to buy by clarkent

Nov 17, 1999 (2:59 am)

I'm looking for a new pickup. Primary use will be to tow a popup trailer (GVW 3500 lbs) and perhaps later to tow a larger trailer about 5000-6000 lbs. I favour the 2000 GMC Sierra 1500, extended cab, short box, 2WD; engine - Vortec 4800 V8, Auto Trans., Trailer package, locking diff., 3,73 rear axle ratio.
Other possibilities I'm considering are Ford F150 and Dodge Ram 1500.
Can any of you tell me which of these vehicles you prefer and why you favour it? Also which of these would you avoid and why?

Thanks in advance.

Clark in Toronto

#234 of 265 Clark by gwmoore

Nov 17, 1999 (5:39 pm)

Consider the Sierra with the 5.3L. You won't regret the added power (economy will be very comparable). GM has been having some innitial quality problems (rattles, shutters, etc.), particularly on the 1500s, but I think it is probably hit & miss (there are plenty of very happy customers, warranty will cover, and they have hopefully corrected problems for Y2K). Of the trucks you are considering, however, this is the most complete (best back seat, ride, power, economy). GM has the best gas powerplants.

I'm a Dodge owner and like the Rams (mainly the 3/4-tons w/diesel), but I think their 1500s are inferior to Ford & GM (aged design).

The Ford may have the best quality/dependability, but does not offer as good engine, backseat as the GM.

#235 of 265 Greg by clarkent

Nov 18, 1999 (4:20 am)

Thanks for your advice. The 5.3L will cost me about another $1200 over the 4.8L - my budget is already stretched. According to specs. in the GM brochure, with the combination I indicated, I should be able to tow a trailer with 7800 GVW which is more than I should need (unless I'm being short-sighted. Can you expand on your reasons for suggesting the 5.3L? Thanks

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