comparing pickups

koorbloh · **comparing pickups**

so....

i'm looking into buying a "new" pickup.

sometime within the next year-ish.

I have 4 options: new full size, used full size, new mid sized, used midsized (you prolly could have guessed that last one, eh?)

ok, so, my "options" aren't very narrow.

I know that.

I'm not (that) brand loyal, but I love the colorados and silverados, canyon and sierra's are the same, just different options and such....

like the tacomas, hate the tundras

hate the rangers, don't dislike the f150's

like the dakotas, like the rams

those are the ones that are on my radar.

here are my requirements:
2 or 4 wd... (2wd will get a locker)
~20mpg highway
"extra" or single cab, none of those fucking 4 door things
fit 2 sport bikes side by side or at least 1 with the gate up
able to tow a small boat (really....a small boat, not what rich people call small, but like small) or maybe a couple bikes on a trailer, but a real hitch is a must, not a bumper ball, and wires
rear sliding window

ok, so discuss!

new vs used

full size vs mid sized

2 vs 4wd

extra vs single cab

ok, so, here's really what I"m looking at:
I see lots of similarly pickups in these 2 types: extra cab mid sized and single cab full sized.
full sized pickups seem a bit nicer than the mid sized.
full sized pickups have more cab room than the mid sized, but the mid sized I see have the extra room in the back
full sizes have longer beds
I see a few 2wd pickups like this in both categories for 10-12k$
I see a few 4wd pickups like this in both categories for 14-16k$

hmm....

so you see....not an easy choice....

whatchoo guys think?

Mikercw · 01-03-2009, 07:27 PM

let me do some looking and get back to you on this....

cobra525 · 01-05-2009, 07:07 PM

You wont get 2 sport bikes in the bed of a truck, even a fullsize. If you want to do it with the tailgate up it will have to be full. I am currently looking for a truck also, but my search is considerably more narrow than yours.

koorbloh · 01-05-2009, 07:24 PM

I have gotten 2 sport bikes in the back of my s10.

I also had my old vfr and my rebel in at the same time.

:p

dexterdog · 01-09-2009, 01:55 PM

I think it wouldn't be a problem with getting two sport bikes in the back of my F250. The bed is huge.

On purchasing a new or used truck. Right now, You can get an unbelievable deal on any new full size truck. All manufacturers are offering great incentives and zero percent financing. This could of course get better or worse as the year goes on. New compact trucks like the Tacoma or Colorado you should be able to get for invoice or lower but you might have to work for it and the interest rates aren't as good as the full size but are still quite good in the scheme of things. Also consider that even though you didn't mention Nissan, the Titan is dead and now will be a rebadged Ram so you might be able to score a deal there.

As far as used is concerned, you can get a great deal on used but the problem is the great price you can get on new plus all the incentives it is tough to go used unless you get an unbelievable price.

dexterdog · 01-09-2009, 09:32 PM

Another nice little tidbit since you like the Colorado/Canyon. In '09 they are available with the 5.3 V8. Can you say,"Badass"?

koorbloh · 01-16-2009, 09:43 AM

not looking for badass, so much, as a pickup that's nice to ride in.

strangely, I did some searching on just how bad the 2wd silverados with the v6 were....

they weigh 500 pounds more than my s10, and it's the same engine.

I've never run out of power with my s10, just bed space.

anyone have any v6 halfton as a light duty and/or commuter rig experience they'd care to share?

dexterdog · 01-18-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

not looking for badass, so much, as a pickup that's nice to ride in.

strangely, I did some searching on just how bad the 2wd silverados with the v6 were....

they weigh 500 pounds more than my s10, and it's the same engine.

I've never run out of power with my s10, just bed space.

anyone have any v6 halfton as a light duty and/or commuter rig experience they'd care to share?

I wouldn't buy a full size with a V6. Gas mileage with the V8 option would be almost negligible fuel mileage wise because it wouldn't have to work as hard to move the weight.

Sure, you said the full size only weighed 600 lbs more but you also said that you needed more bed space. More space means you would want to load more plus you are already 600 lbs more right off the bat compared to your current 4.3 setup in your s10.

koorbloh · 01-19-2009, 07:46 AM

what I haul isn't dense. I'm looking for personal experiences with them, not what you think or have heard. I know it won't have the power of a v8, I know that. I know that the small chev v8 gets about the same mileage as the v6 chev. I also know that the price difference is pretty impressive, and if I got the pickup I needed, I'd be happy.

cobra525 · 01-23-2009, 07:23 PM

Jeff, you want real experiance with FS/V6. Dexter is right. I drove one for a year and a half for work '02 chev. It wont get out of it's own way WITHOUT any kind of load in it and got around 15/16 mpg. My guess is because the pedal was always on the floor.

My new truck is an '07 V8 GMC 1/2 ton almost 18mpg.

MUCH better all around IMO

koorbloh · 01-26-2009, 08:01 AM

thanks rob.

I had always heard what other people had heard, and hearing more if it wasn't very useful. I wanted some real experience to back it up. Sounds like it's not the rig for me.

dexterdog · 01-29-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

what I haul isn't dense. I'm looking for personal experiences with them, not what you think or have heard. I know it won't have the power of a v8,

I'm giving you personal experiences that I have had with many GM W/T trucks that came with the 4.3 and just were underpowered for the job. In all honesty, I think the 5.7 was underpowered in the fullsize sector. I did some mods and I stilll wasn't quite satisfied. I am also in the same situation with my current car. The I4 in my '08 Accord has 190 hp. The V6 option puts out 268 hp. My car barely gets better fuel economy than the V6 model. Fortunately, I have less of a chance of getting into trouble with Johnny Law with the I4.

Definitely spring for a V8 if you go fullsize. Alot of manufacturers have already phased out a 6 cylinder option in a fullsize.

Johnny-B · 02-06-2009, 05:14 AM

I've got an '04 GMC sierra ext. cab 1500 fully loaded and LOVE it. My father in law has an '08 silverado and it also rides like a cadillac. The reasons I will stick with GM based truck for my next truck is very objective actually. I've driven all of the major brands numerous times. I don't like the stiff ride of the Rams, I don't like the cheap feeling from the Fords (I've owned 3 ford trucks (97 and newer) and have had numerous problems with all of them from simply to expensive...and not due to abuse). I really like the look/feel/quality of the Tundra, although they're very pricey and it looks like you aren't diggin them so that's out.

I would stick with full size, I would stick with 4 doors, and 4x4 because you never know where you're going, what you're hauling, and how many people are rolling with. If you can afford it, I'd also recommend a long term warranty will all the new computer systems going into trucks these days.
I've never been a fan of mid sized. They don't fit "normal" sized adults very well, they're underpowered, and have small beds. It'd be better to buy a powerful car and get a flatbed trailer with a hideaway hitch.
If you can find an '08 at a dealership, they're practically giving them away. I almost bought a fully loaded '08 chevy for $25k...MSRP was $38k!!!

Good luck with your search.

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