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Best Compact PU - Toyota, Nissan, Chevy, Ford? - READ ONLY

49 messages,  Last post on May 17, 1998 at 8:43 PM

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#10 of 49 Brutus by Brutus

Mar 18, 1998 (10:33 pm)

Someone in one of these other chat areas mentioned that the T-150 will be made in the US so they won't be subject to the big import fees, which should correspondingly bring down the price. I suspect if the price is close, Toyota will probably do fine in the light duty truck market, but I certainly wouldn't expect any quality difference from the Big 3 to be significant. The pride of the Ford Motor Company is their F-Series. I just don't see Toyota ever coming near to challenging the sales figures of the F-Series. Then again, I'm partial to Ford trucks.

#11 of 49 Mirlo by Mirlo

Mar 19, 1998 (4:08 am)

I'm a Toyota fan. This has nothing to do with "buy American", my bottom line is value for the dollar. In my 54 years in "earth school" I've owned 50+ (so old I can't remember) vehicles. Many good, even more bad! First Japanese vehicle a Toyota Corona in 1969. Also Opel, BMW, SAAB, Honda etc. The real truth (obviously from my perspective) is the Japanese caught on early that "quality" versus what the manufacturer determined the consumer wanted, was a key to selling vehicles!


Quantum leap to here and now. We (America) finally caught on! Vehicles produced in our country today are competitive with Japan. Bout time! I think the Toyota V8 pickup(Lexus engine origin) will be a competitor in the "transportation" segment of the market. "Real trucks" are still dominated by U.S. big three.


I own a 1992 Lexus LS400 (one of the best but we're gaining) and a 1994 Chev C1500. I also have a 1990 Winnebago Class C Motorhome (Ford C350 460 ci). Presently I'm looking to purchase a new HD pickup to pull a 5th wheel (selling motorhome). The new Ford F250/350 Powerstroke vs Dodge diesel is my delima! Gut feeling is Ford but I'm not convinced. 5th wheel will be in 32' to 40' range.


Comments appreciated!

#12 of 49 Brutus by Brutus

Mar 19, 1998 (7:42 am)

I think your gut feeling about Ford is right, but there are people on this site who have owned more than one of the big free and tow fifth wheeler trailers. They can give you better advice.


I, kind of, like to think that the foreign competition got the edge because they saw the mpg being a factor quicker than the US market and then had more money to improve quality......Alright already, I know I'm reaching. Still, it's hard to imagine them being competitive in the full size market, much less the HD market. But the track record is good. I'm counting 0n Ford, Chevey and Dodge rising to the occasion. If they don't, the only reason they will stay on top is if they lease their trucks to rent-a-car places like Ford did with the Taurus.

#13 of 49 richflynn@yahoo.com by richflynn

Mar 21, 1998 (3:27 am)

Let me relay a story with a point. My son, 6'4" and about a 32" inseam, (i.e. A very tall torso.) had to get a new vehicle. He did not want another Wrangler due to leaks and squeeks. He went out and looked at everything. He definitely did not want the same brand that dad drives. (He's a kid, would you expect anything different?) I kept telling him to find something that he fits in, is comfortable and meets his needs for passengers. The final decision making was a 'must have' option and the Explorer's 6 way power seat. We joked that the decision maker was the 6 way power seat. His word was 'pitiful'. Now a month and a half later he loves the Explorer. (Dad drives an F-250).


We really can't tell you what truck to buy. Decide the functionality that you need. Figure out which brands provide that functionality. Look and drive those brands. Check out the little things. Like, the location of the A/C vents, the rake of the seat back, the comfort of the seat belts, the shape and location of the radio knobs, etc. There are little things that turn out to be so anoying that make you hate the vehicle. I had one car where the handle for the window was always just above my knee. After 10k miles I went out and bought the removal tool for the handle and adjusted it so it was more comfortable. The car that I hated last week suddenly became a pretty good car teh following week.


If there is some little thing that anoys you on the test drive, at 1500 miles you'll hate the feature. At 10k miles you'll hate the truck and at 15k miles a dealer is going to get another truck sale at your expense.


Rich

#14 of 49 richflynn@yahoo.com by richflynn

Mar 21, 1998 (3:46 am)

Mirlo,


Before you spring for a F-350 or Dodge 3500(?) you want to check out your 5th wheel specs. Length is usually unimportant when choosing truck capacity. The two things that are important are hitch weight and total trailer weight.


Typically I would expect the 5th wheel hitch weight (i.e. The weight placed in the truck bed by the 5th wheel trailer.) to be in the 1000-1500 range. For a 35-40 foot 5th wheel I would estimate that 10,000 pounds empty and 13,000 loaded.


Here is the rationale between F-350 and F-250.
Both have a towing capacity (From memory as I'm 2500 miles from home.) of 13,600. With diesel, auto trans and 3.73 rear end. The difference between F-350 and F-250 is about 1000 pounds of bed capacity. The F-250 can easily handle 1500 pounds. Why get the F-350 when the '99 Heavy duty F-250 will meet your needs? It's a little more money, same power but rougher ride, especially when empty. Remember you're going to go some place and then un-hitch. You really don't want to have a rough riding vehicle for your running about.


BTW - As I remember, when I looked at the Dodge, the capacities were about the same or less. (I may be wrong as the right coast has me leaning West towards home.)

#15 of 49 Frisk by Frisk

Mar 22, 1998 (8:16 am)

I am looking to buy a new 98 Tacoma extra cab. It
anyone has some feed back on the 98 Tacoma I would greatly appreciated it.
                
                    Thanks,
                      Brendan

#16 of 49 Mirlo by Mirlo

Mar 23, 1998 (1:00 am)

Richflyn,


Thanks for the excellent feedback! Got the specs for the new Ford and it's 6" longer than my garage! Arizona sun is "not" kind to vehicles.


Glad I'm not in a hurry!


The thought of F250 vs F350 is certainly valid. Methinks I'll probably go with a 3/4 ton when I figure out what to do with the garage situation.


Appreciate the comments!

#17 of 49 richflynn@yahoo.com by richflynn

Mar 25, 1998 (1:44 am)

Mirlo,
When I lived in Phoenix the trick was alrenate direction parking. (i.e. On M-W-F at work, park heading north and on T-TH heading south.) That way you sun-bleach the whole vehicle in twice the time it takes to do one side, unevenly. It took 4 years to do it to my metalic gold '69 chevy. Paints have gotten better since then. Here in LA my '92 is just starting to show signs of sun bleaching.


The other thing is, don't order metalic colors. My brother-in-law works for a paint manufacturer. He tells me of the matching grief that the auto body shops go through and that metalics are the worst, with silver being the absolute worst.


The new 250 that I've ordered is white with the rocker panels silver. I expect that the silver will be bad in 3 years, but there is so little of it that it wont really matter. If I were in Phoenix now, the color would be three tone, white, white and white.


Rich

#18 of 49 danz28 by danz28

Mar 26, 1998 (8:48 pm)

Interesting stories about full size pickups but what does that have to do with compact trucks?

#19 of 49 Mirlo by Mirlo

Mar 27, 1998 (1:31 am)

danz28


Started out on Toyota, just got carried away! Once I found someone interesting to chat with, without an E mail address this is the only forum to continue communication.


P.S. I like compact trucks, that's how I ended up here in the first place. However, basically I enjoy any and all trucks. Will try and stick to subject of header.


Regards,


Mirlo


Mirlo

Messages Page 2 of 5

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