Chevy vs Dodge vs Ford vs Toyota (FSPU)

FSPU = Full Size Pick Up

I'm very interested in getting a pick up. What I want is one of those, full size, 4 door models. Size .. along the lines of an F150.

Criteria .. [1] driveability/comfort - not necessarily looking for car-like, but don't want to have my fillings fall out *lol*; [2] hauling capability/capacity - something w/enough power to pull a trailer w/o having to push it; and [3] maintenance/durability - looking for something that will last a lifetime (most of my cars last 15+ years w/o major work)

So whatcha recommend .. and why?

Thanks!

The 4 door pick ups are definately great looking in my opinion. Chevy doesn't have a "true" 4 door yet 1/2 ton yet, but its expected to be released sometime in the next year or so. As long as you do regular maitanance and don't drive the thing hard all the time, they should all last for years and years.

I'm a chevy fan, but like the Ford second best. The only draw back to Fords are their repair bills can be more expensive than others from what I've been told. If you need hauling the ford may be a draw back due to the short bed. Towing will be easy with any of them, even more so provided you get a V8. I know Dodges get the worst mileage out of all of the brands, however.

I've heard good things about the Tundra, but don't know anything else b/c I'm not really a Toyota fan.

To end, I suggest taking all of the vehicles on a test drive and take your time to do some research on all of them to find pros and cons. There's also the new Nissan Titan. I think its pretty sweet lookin'. Maybe check that out too.

when the newer f150 came out it looked like ford bought stock in toyota now the new f150 looks like ford bought stock in nissan i cant afford a new 35000.00 truck so i will stick with my old 71 f250 for the cost of a new truck i can rebuild my old truck from the gruond up at least twice

The 4 door pick ups are definately great looking in my opinion. Chevy doesn't have a "true" 4 door yet 1/2 ton yet, but its expected to be released sometime in the next year or so. As long as you do regular maitanance and don't drive the thing hard all the time, they should all last for years and years.

I'm a chevy fan, but like the Ford second best. The only draw back to Fords are their repair bills can be more expensive than others from what I've been told. If you need hauling the ford may be a draw back due to the short bed. Towing will be easy with any of them, even more so provided you get a V8. I know Dodges get the worst mileage out of all of the brands, however.

I've heard good things about the Tundra, but don't know anything else b/c I'm not really a Toyota fan.

To end, I suggest taking all of the vehicles on a test drive and take your time to do some research on all of them to find pros and cons. There's also the new Nissan Titan. I think its pretty sweet lookin'. Maybe check that out too.

Thanks .. appreciate the feedback and suggestion. I'm mainly using the forum to "eliminate" ... I didn't know about Dodge mileage, but I've heard good things about the new hemi engine ... and I'll have to check out the Titan .. just to give it a look anyway.

btw .. nice truck .. those 20s??

when the newer f150 came out it looked like ford bought stock in toyota now the new f150 looks like ford bought stock in nissan i cant afford a new 35000.00 truck so i will stick with my old 71 f250 for the cost of a new truck i can rebuild my old truck from the gruond up at least twice

I hear what you're say'n about truck pricing ... ok?

If the consideration was to go USED .. what year and what brand are the ones to look for??

I would go with a 98 Chevy ext cab SB 4x4. (actually I lied it would be 98 GMC Sierra Ext. Cab Short Box Z71) however they aren't 4 doors, but they do have 3!!! They are amazing I found on the highway quiet and comfortable and they do tow amazingly well. My friend owns the above said GMC and also a farm. I was helping him one day and we were driving down the highway at 120kmh (65mph) with a huge water tanke in the box and a loaded stock trailer behind us. It burned the latter of the tank on hour hour and a half journey but it wasn't too bad. unloaded the mileage of those chevy/GMC's are actually very fair. And if you drive it right off road they are more than capable.

I'm also a GM fan- my '96 GMC Sierra is very comfortable to drive, good power, and very reliable. My truck is an extra cab/ short bed, and while it didn't come with the 3rd door :disappoin, it's still roomy enough back there for three adults. The Ford F150 is similar in this aspect, but I know the Toyota Tundra is too cramped in the back for anyone but kids (my sister had one-traded it in for a Suburban).

I'm biased, but of the three I'd say my GMC has the best overall engine. My 5.7l Vortec is only rated at 265hp, but feels like alot more when I punch it. The 350 chevy is known for good torque (an easy 325+ ft-lbs.) and longevity (200+k mi), so I know my engine is good and will last. Toyotas have good motors too, but are short on power compared to the domestic FST's. I 'raced' my friend with a newer Tundra once- he lost :uhoh: .

Truck transmissions (any brand) are another story- if you don't change fluids like clockwork you'll blow your tranny (any brand guaranteed). This is where most FST owners will write their first big check :banghead: I don't think you'll get 15 yrs. rock-solid reliability from any truck- they get used hard, so parts wear and break. I'm sure I'll get arguements from Ford and Toyota guys, but I know Chevys are cheaper to fix than Fords and especially Toyotas. And everything eventually breaks down.

As far as the new stuff goes, you can get a crew cab/ short box from Chevy, Ford, or Toyota- basically its your preference. But only Chevy gives you one that can haul a 4x8 plywood sheet inside its box, and then convert to haul passengers- the Avalanche. IMO GM has refined the design of FST's and SUV's to the highest degree.They're all nice, but at $35K+, I'll stick to my '96 Z71.

Geno

Now this is pretty vague without a price range. Im also a bit biased to GM.

If you want a truck thats got class and towing power.. I'd look into a Duramax Diesel GMC with all the options. My father owns an 02' with Heated leather seats, 4 doors, and its amazing how much space there is in the back. Inside its got a great deal more room than any truck I have ever been in, and leaves even some SUV's and Vans with room for improvement as far as that goes. The Duramax is a solid, quiet motor.. for a Diesel... and the sound system stock in the truck is pretty good for a stock system. If you dont like the Diesel.. and if you want a classier truck, look into the Avalanche, or the Caddy.. talk about a nice truck to cruise around in, and still be able to tow, haul. (If you are really one to make use of towing capabilities look for a GM truck with the 6.0, 8.1(gas-eater indeed), or especially the Duramax.) Just my (GM generated and biased) two cents.

To stray from everyone else I am partial to Dodge. My brother has a new Z71 and I have a '96 ram and we get about the same mpg. As far as towing I can tow more than his Z71. I have a reciever that I use for 5th wheel all the time and have no problem. I don't have a ext. cab though. But it shouldn't be much different.

my ramquad gets 14/16 mpg city/dackroad driving and 17/20 hwy depending on how heavy the foot is that day,can get 20 if I stay out of it.
Great for long runs, very big and roomy inside. The rams look cool and always get thumbs up everywhere i go. If you go for the hemi the mpg goes down but the fun goes way up.

if you are worried about hauling stuff and gas mileage go with one of the big 3 and get the turbo deisel, my uncles got a 95 F350 crew cab with the 7.2 and the new 03 F250 crewcab w/ the 6.0.

they get up to 20 mpg all the time and even when carrying a load get pretty good mileage, and those things will rip a house off its foundation and drag it down the road. only thing is it is about a 5k option to get the powerstroke or the cummins TD, havent lookd at chevys duramax but Im sure its just about as expensive of an option.

if i ever get a new truck I would go with the new dodge 2500 quad cab wiht the cummins TD. but I htink when i built mine on the site it had about a 39k pricetag.