patrick.net

If I were in the market for a full sized truck, I'd get the F150 as well. Actually the hardest decision might be which engine to get (I would let what I would be using the truck for determine that).

What do you want to use it for. When I lived in CA, I rode and towed horses and so got a F-350 diesel. Sweet thing, I could be towing 12,000 pounds up the Sierras and it was so easy and smooth. It had 4 whl and was just solid solid vehicle. never had any issues for the 110k miles I put on it -mostly towing miles. if you are towing hills-best to get a 250 or a 350 and diesel is best. When you tow gas, the mileage dramatically decreases with heavier loads. Diesel is much better.

lostand confused says

What do you want to use it for. When I lived in CA, I rode and towed horses and so got a F-350 diesel. Sweet thing, I could be towing 12,000 pounds up the Sierras and it was so easy and smooth. It had 4 whl and was just solid solid vehicle. never had any issues for the 110k miles I put on it -mostly towing miles. if you are towing hills-best to get a 250 or a 350 and diesel is best. When you tow gas, the mileage dramatically decreases with heavier loads. Diesel is much better.

Interesting.

I think the heaviest thing I will be towing is my Polaris RZR which weighs about 1,400 pounds. Currently my heaviest duty vehicle is an Audi Q5 (yeah I know), and while I'm sure it could be towed with the Audi and a trailer, I'd prefer just going full "man", and getting a full sized truck.

anonymous says

Prior to my last vehicle purchase in 2013 I visited three or four dealerships but not the show room. I went and asked several mechanics in each service department as they went out for breaks etc. which vehicle they saw the least of in the shop. Ended up with a Corolla LE - they were all very specific about which model in addition to being a Corolla. Not sure why.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/06/top-10-cheapest-cars-to-maintain-over-10-years.html
And the cheapest car to maintain over 10 years? The Toyota Prius. The company’s wildly popular hybrid is also cheap to own, running just $4,300 to maintain over 10 years. It would be interesting to see if those costs rise once the batteries need replacing.

What kind of engine to tow a TrigglyPuff?

Strategist says

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/06/top-10-cheapest-cars-to-maintain-over-10-years.html

And the cheapest car to maintain over 10 years? The Toyota Prius. The company’s wildly popular hybrid is also cheap to own, running just $4,300 to maintain over 10 years. It would be interesting to see if those costs rise once the batteries need replacing.

We have a Toyota Prius in the family since 2011. Not much to maintain. Just oil change every 10,000 miles. Not even replaced the brakes at 107,000 miles.

I do like all the aluminum, but in Nevada does one normally need to concern themselves with rust?

anonymous says

Goran_K have you looked into what is less costly to repair mechanically and otherwise? Same for insurance.

Prior to my last vehicle purchase in 2013 I visited three or four dealerships but not the show room. I went and asked several mechanics in each service department as they went out for breaks etc. which vehicle they saw the least of in the shop. Ended up with a Corolla LE - they were all very specific about which model in addition to being a Corolla. Not sure why.

Guessing you would have a bed liner installed as well being the bed on the F-150 is aluminum.

Might also be worthwhile to see which engine of those available is more prone to problems than the other ones.

Are you going full 4 x 4 or staying with 4 x 2, regular cab or extended cab ? Not sure what prices are in Nevada but if my memory is remotely correct, something like what you have pictured in 4 x 4 should be around 50-55K around here on the MSRP and basing that on what I see in advertisements.

I have a friend who owns a shop in Orange County CA. He seems to think F150's are actually not that great and Chevy Silvarado's are way more reliable.

What I want is basically a V8, 4x4, auto transmission. So far the F150, Silvarado, RAM 1500, and Tundra all fit the bill.

zzyzzx says

I do like all the aluminum, but in Nevada does one normally need to concern themselves with rust?

It's usually only New England area, or the Dakotas that have to worry about salt on the roads.

anonymous says

Strategist - I would agree, myself I was looking at this last car as the last car I would ever purchase. I drive less than 4K miles a year and I opted for the 2013 over the 2014 just because I wanted a 4 speed automatic over the CVT. Given my health and age unless something happens to his car due to an accident or similar or somehow suffers some catastrophic breakdown I do not foresee me ever buying another vehicle of any type.

I also went on price (did I mention I'm a bit tight with a dollar)

I am tight with the dollar too. What I try and look at is the cost over a 10 year period, including the resale value. Japanese cars are way up there.

zzyzzx says

I do like all the aluminum, but in Nevada does one normally need to concern themselves with rust?

Aluminum corrodes too. And is a bitch to repair after a fender-bender.

Goran_K says

I have a friend who owns a shop in Orange County CA. He seems to think F150's are actually not that great and Chevy Silvarado's are way more reliable.

What I want is basically a V8, 4x4, auto transmission. So far the F150, Silvarado, RAM 1500, and Tundra all fit the bill.

Somebody on a different forum has mentioned that F250 in certain configurations can be had for F150 money. Worth checking out.

Straw Man says

Somebody on a different forum has mentioned that F250 in certain configurations can be had for F150 money. Worth checking out.

Is the big difference just the size?

Goran_K says

Is the big difference just the size?

F-150 is a half ton. 250 is the 3/4 ton and the 350 a ton. Many of the giant SUVs are 1/2 ton-if you are just towing under 2,000 pounds-no biggie.

But if like me you are towing live cargo that move up and down mountains, the bigger the better and diesel. if you are towing a boat or RV, not that big of a difference-well unless they are big. I have towed horses, cows and even an emu once-best to have good towing capacity.

Are you buying to go off roading or any particular use. Towing big loads, wheelbase is important and soem other things-I prefer a 5th wheel and/or gooseneck than bumper pull. Why are you looking for a truck-just for fun?

What about registration? Does your state charge extra fee for the pleasure of driving a pickup? (California does, because IIRC all pickup trucks are considered commercial vehicles).

PS. I know what the next entry in this thread will be.

@Goran_K

Both the F-150 and Silverado/Seirra are good choices. The F150 uses a turbocharger to achieve more horsepower with a smaller engine. The Silverado 5.3 liter engine is a reliable workhorse. I just sold mine in favor of an SUV for family reasons but I miss my old truck, it had nearly 240,000 miles on it and was still going strong. Never needed anything much more than tires and fluids.

Whichever truck you go with, I'd highly suggest getting something used. Just one year used can drop the price $12k-$15k, even if the miles are still very low. A friend just bought a 2016 Chevy four door Silverado with leather and a lift kit for $30k, with 11000 miles on the odometer. Truck retails for $45k new, without the lift kit. Let some other sucker pay the very high fees, markup, profit margins, and initial truck registration.

I did this myself with my last car: a fully loaded 2014 Camry hybrid XLE. New car was $33k, but I drove it away for $22500 with 10500 miles on the odometer. The car is sweet and fast!

Since vehicles depreciate like mad no matter what you do, might as well give the most horrifying depreciation a miss.

Goran_K says

What I want is basically a V8, 4x4, auto transmission. So far the F150, Silvarado, RAM 1500, and Tundra all fit the bill.

the new F-150 draw is the V-6 eco-boost & 10-speed mileage for such a capable truck. if you really just want a V-8 and have the manly looks than go silverado.