New Truck

[sunalsorises]

I need a new truck. My Tacoma access cab is done. I can still get decent money for it, though, so now is the time to sell. My new truck needs to seat two kids—9 and 6–so I must choose between an extended cab or a crew cab. I am leaning crew cab because the kids do grow.

I also must choose short bed or standard bed. It just seems to me the short bed is a waste. I’m open here, though.

I want to stick to a budget of $35-45 K. In other words, I don’t need a lot of fancy extras. I don’t need towing but I do need 4x4. I’d like a decent payload but truthfully, I don’t haul a lot of heavy stuff.

Please weigh in on your experiences and thoughts to help make this either more confusing or, hopefully, less.

Final piece of information. I am looking Ford F 150 (possibly an F 250) or a Silverado 1500. I’m open to a Tundra.

 

[CyberB0b]

Go with a used Raptor.

 

[SlammedZero]

Obviously this will be subjective to the poster, but from my experience, Ford F-150s are rock solid. What's funny is I used to hate Ford. Gave my Ford buddies crap all the time and openly trashed the brand. Then I started dating this girl in 2005 and one day she rolled up in a new standard cab F-150. Having been able to experience that truck for the next several years it really changed my outlook on Ford. Fast forward to today and I'm on my second F-150 and love it. In fact, when I was out shopping for my current one I have in the driveway, I test drove other brands and gave them a fair shot to steal me away. Couldn't do it. Back to the Ford dealership I ended. lol

I would definitely try to get a crew cab. I think you will be much happier in the long run. As for the bed size, that will depend on your needs. Mine is the shorter 5.5 ft and it's been perfectly capable for me. I don't work out of my truck or anything, but for home improvement jobs and the odd cargo item here and there, it's plenty long enough.

Also, with Ford, you have a few motor options. Mine is the 3.5 EcoBoost. Absolutely love it. It has a ton of power and great torque. I have a 27' travel trailer that weights 7200 lb dry and it tows it like a boss. Some people have issues with trucks not being the good ole' boy American V8 but that isn't an issue for me. I just want good power and practicality. It has both.

 

[catiii]

My 97 Ford Explorer lasted 23 years - it's all the things that went wrong and cost big bucks during those years that caused me to say I will never ever ever buy another Ford. When it finally died for good - I donated it and had it towed away as I wasn't going to throw away another dime on it. Good riddance money pit!
Note: Best pickup I ever had was a Dodge.

 

[Tabascocat]

I am partial to Ram but any of the 1500 types are solid, Ford would be last on my list. I have a crew cab too and recommend that. Mine has the 5’7” bed and honestly, anything longer would look funky. If you buy new, make sure to get the extended warranty, lots of new technology than can and will need maintenance. Mine is now a year old and I’ve brought it to the dealer 4 times for minor technological fixes. The neg 18 cold snap did wonders to my sensors.

I would also buy four new tires for the 4x4 as soon as you leave the lot. Those factory tires are terrible. Also, look around for a dealer demo, usually has around 5K miles on it and 5-10K cheaper

 

[JoeKing]

Only you know exactly what your needs are. Don't trust anyone else, do your own research. The information is out there and all the manufacturers are eager to share the information on their product. Don't be afraid to test drive a dozen or so makes and models before you narrow down your search. I love it when it's time to purchase a new truck. I make my face known to every dealer in my local era and some even farther away. I'm in a large state(Texas) but that didn't stop me from test driving trucks all over... from Amarillo to Houston. If competing dealers find out you are giving all of them a chance to meet your needs, they will work harder to give you what you want at a better price. They want your business so it's up to you to take charge, become your own expert, and don't settle. It's your money!

 

[Aviano90]

My wife gave me her blessing to go get the GMC AT4 but I just can't seem to pull the trigger. I have a feeling I am going to pick one up sooner or later.

 

[sunalsorises]

Only you know exactly what your needs are. Don't trust anyone else, do your own research. The information is out there and all the manufacturers are eager to share the information on their product. Don't be afraid to test drive a dozen or so makes and models before you narrow down your search. I love it when it's time to purchase a new truck. I make my face known to every dealer in my local era and some even farther away. I'm in a large state(Texas) but that didn't stop me from test driving trucks all over... from Amarillo to Houston. If competing dealers find out you are giving all of them a chance to meet your needs, they will work harder to give you what you want at a better price. They want your business so it's up to you to take charge, become your own expert, and don't settle. It's your money!

sage advice. I was just looking for other’s experiences. In the end, it is up to me.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Get another Tacoma. I'm on my 3rd and my wife is on her 4th 4 Runner. My son is still driving my 2003 Tacoma at college right now. I've got the 2016 4X4, 4 door, TRD package, with a short bed and have had no trouble hauling family, 2 Labs, kayaks, dead deer carcasses, tons of camping equipment, pallets of grass, and anything else I want in it. Before Toyotas I drove an International Scout, a Chevy Silverado, Chevy Z71, and a Ford F150 but I'll never go back to any of them. Toyota makes the best vehicles I've ever driven, but I'm not into bells and whistles and reliability is my #1 criteria for a truck. Plus at 6 and 9 you don't even need a car seat anymore and your kids will have plenty of room. I've had the 2003, 2010, and the 2016 and none of the 3 have ever been in the shop. Get the tow package though. Even if you don't tow it's great to be able to hook up a cargo basket or bike rack to the rear.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

You could turn that vehicle into a time machine if you want. All it would take would be about 4 jet engines welded to it. I can help you do it if you want. What you do is have two on one side pointing forward and another two on the other side pointing backwards. You turn them all on, making the truck spin counter clockwise to go back in time. Then to come back forward in time, you flip the engines opposite to make the truck spin clockwise and come back forward in time. It's pretty nifty. Let me know if you want to do that.

 

[JoeKing]

You could turn that vehicle into a time machine if you want. All it would take would be about 4 jet engines welded to it. I can help you do it if you want. What you do is have two on one side pointing forward and another two on the other side pointing backwards. You turn them all on, making the truck spin counter clockwise to go back in time. Then to come back forward in time, you flip the engines opposite to make the truck spin clockwise and come back forward in time. It's pretty nifty. Let me know if you want to do that.

That sounds like the hard way of doing things. All you need is a flux-capacitor powered by 1.21 gigawatts and 88 mph on the speedometer.

 

[jsb357]

That sounds like the hard way of doing things. All you need is a flux-capacitor powered by 1.21 gigawatts and 88 mph on the speedometer.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/flux-500.html

 

[Vtwin]

I've been a Ford guy since Ronald Reagan was president. I'm on my fifth now.

The 2018 F150 Supercab 4x4, I have now is the best one I've had yet. By pickup truck standards, it's a rocket with the 5.0L, ten speed trans and 3.55's in the rear end. I'm over 22mpg on the current tank, and over 20mpg on the 25k miles I've driven it. Payload capacity is around 1900lbs, tow capacity around 10klbs, on this setup.

I've never had any major issues on any of mine. That's why I keep buying them. The rust is what gets them, in these parts.

I'm hoping the aluminum body will give me 15-20 years out of this one.

 

[Jammer]

I've always been a Ford F-150 guy as I've had multiple Ford trucks over the years and never had a problem with any of them. I bought my last Ford F150 in 2002. It is a Lariat. The leather seats are torn, but other than that, it's been an awesome truck. Still original alternator, water pump, radiator, engine (obviously), A/C, and just about anything I can think of. It would take a lot of convincing to get me to get another brand.

 

[Dallas_Cowboys50]

Tried gettin my first truck this past weekend, a 21 Ford Ranger STX 4x4...Couldnt pull the trigger though, $5500 Down, $560/MO (I Dont have great credit but Ive Had a Fiesta through the same dealership for almost 4 years and never missed a payment) was too much to stomach. I just couldnt justify that much when I know I wouldnt really use it as intended (not outdoorsy and dont haul stuff) and the excitement and allure of being a truck owner would fade after a few months......Still debating the $460/MO 21 Escape though, that push to start and rotary shifter were pretty sweet, even though its not like its hard to turn a key or use a traditional gear shifter. Also kind of liked the auto start-stop thing, although that seems like itd destroy the starter alot quicker, who knows......Just want somethin bigger, the Fiesta has been great mechanically and economically, but just so dang tiny and no giddy up.

 

[CyberB0b]

Tried gettin my first truck this past weekend, a 21 Ford Ranger STX 4x4...Couldnt pull the trigger though, $5500 Down, $560/MO (I Dont have great credit but Ive Had a Fiesta through the same dealership for almost 4 years and never missed a payment) was too much to stomach. I just couldnt justify that much when I know I wouldnt really use it as intended (not outdoorsy and dont haul stuff) and the excitement and allure of being a truck owner would fade after a few months......Still debating the $460/MO 21 Escape though, that push to start and rotary shifter were pretty sweet, even though its not like its hard to turn a key or use a traditional gear shifter. Also kind of liked the auto start-stop thing, although that seems like itd destroy the starter alot quicker, who knows......Just want somethin bigger, the Fiesta has been great mechanically and economically, but just so dang tiny and no giddy up.

Don't focus on the monthly payment, focus on things that matter like purchase price and interest rate. I get the itch for something new every so often. Nearly bought a GT350 and a Tesla on whims. I have found when I really want a big purchase, I set a reminder in a month. If I am still interested in it, I will pursue it. If not, I won't. Still going back and forth on a Tesla Model S P100D though

 

[JoeKing]

@sunalsorises... is any of this convincing you to do your own research?

 

[sunalsorises]

@sunalsorises... is any of this convincing you to do your own research?

I've been doing my own research. What you see here is a pretty good summary. Everybody has a slightly different take. For me, I think the crew cab is probably the way to go for the kids, although I had a loaner Tundra for about 6 weeks back when I had the frame recall done on my Tacoma. The Tundra was just the extended cab but the door opening normally made it decent. At any rate, I don't like the short box but I can't find a dealer that has the crew cab/standard box combination. The crew cab/short box must be a good seller. At this point I might take conehead up on the time machine thing and go forward to see what I end up getting.

 

[Montanalo]

You could turn that vehicle into a time machine if you want. All it would take would be about 4 jet engines welded to it. I can help you do it if you want. What you do is have two on one side pointing forward and another two on the other side pointing backwards. You turn them all on, making the truck spin counter clockwise to go back in time. Then to come back forward in time, you flip the engines opposite to make the truck spin clockwise and come back forward in time. It's pretty nifty. Let me know if you want to do that.

Flux capacitor option?

 

[Vtwin]

Tried gettin my first truck this past weekend, a 21 Ford Ranger STX 4x4...Couldnt pull the trigger though, $5500 Down, $560/MO (I Dont have great credit but Ive Had a Fiesta through the same dealership for almost 4 years and never missed a payment) was too much to stomach. I just couldnt justify that much when I know I wouldnt really use it as intended (not outdoorsy and dont haul stuff) and the excitement and allure of being a truck owner would fade after a few months......Still debating the $460/MO 21 Escape though, that push to start and rotary shifter were pretty sweet, even though its not like its hard to turn a key or use a traditional gear shifter. Also kind of liked the auto start-stop thing, although that seems like itd destroy the starter alot quicker, who knows......Just want somethin bigger, the Fiesta has been great mechanically and economically, but just so dang tiny and no giddy up.

We just replaced our 2013 Escape with a 2021.
Been real happy with both of them. The turbo charged engine has plenty of giddy up when that turbo spools up.

I generally hit the auto stop off button, but I have found you can keep it from shutting down by not putting the brake pedal all the way to the stop.