Why buy a Ford over a GM? Please Help

[mikesheldon]

Hi Folks,

I have never owned a 4x4 pickup and have been researching for months which truck to buy. At first I was pretty set on a Tundra because the only new vehicles I've ever owned which were extremely reliable, were Japanese products. But the more I read (I'm a bit of a research junkie), the more it seems that traditional Toyota quality has not really translated to the full-size pickup market; understandable seeing the North Americans have been building them forever and Toyota only started in 2007. Anyhow, I've moved on to either a 2010 F-150 Supercrew XLT with XTR package, 5.4L, 6.5' box or a 2010 Chevy Silverado LT Crewcab with Z71 package, 5.3L, 5.5' box. I'm somewhat torn because I can get the Chevy for about a thousand bucks cheaper, gets better mileage (money is a factor for me), but it only comes in a shortbox. Whereas I love the look of the Ford (inside and out) and I want the bigger box to throw my moose and elk in.

I will be towing a 7000 lb travel trailer approximately four times per year. I also need to say that I need to keep this truck for at least 10 years and in that time will put on about 160,000 miles, so the most important consideration for me is reliability. Can any of you gentlemen, especially if you have a background as an automotive mechanic, tell me why it would be a better move to buy the Ford. I guess I'm asking you to help me justify a decision I'm close to making based solely on aesthetics.

Thanks for helping out a potential new F-150 owner!

[Rasp]

My opinion is buy whichever you want. Your talking about a new truck with a warranty. Pretty much all truck makers (including Toyota) make a very reliable vehicle.

10 years is not much to ask for longevity as long as you take care of it and do the regular oil changes, etc.

My truck is a 97 and it is still going strong.

With every truck model you will undoubtely need to do some repair work over a 10 year period. It is impossible to predict which model will out last another model.

Again pick any truck you feel you like best and offers the best bang for your buck. As far as longevity they all basically last roughly the same amount of time in my opinion.

[MetzO7]

I drive a 99 chevy silverado, but work at a ford dealership. Both vehicles will last you well over 10 yrs with the proper care and maintance. Not sure if it matters but towing around 7,000 lbs is going to bog fords 5.4 ltr engine and chevys 5.3 ltr engines down, so you may want to look at a chevy with the 6.0 or a 2011 f-150 with the 6.2 engine, in the SVT Raptor the 6.2 makes around 400 hp more than enough to move 7,000 lbs plus ford has standard trailer sway control.

[Ray62406]

Well, from someone who has been driving Chevy trucks since the early 70s I can tell you that Chevy/GMC trucks are some of the toughest built and reliable. That being said I just bought a Ford F150 Platinum Supercrew and took delivery last Thursday. I hit all the Ford and Chevy/GMC dealerships around before making my decision. The decision was based on the best value for me at the time. I could have gone either way. Both brands build great trucks so I doubt you could go wrong with either. Look at your best deal and base your decision on that. You can't go wrong with either company.

[Redline69]

I'm 1 year into the ownership of my 09 - 4X2 - XLT/XTR - Super cab - 6.5 box,and 4.6 3V engine.
So far,I'm very pleased with the truck. I've had nothing but Chevy's,but the deal I got on this truck last year was too dang good to pass up. I was lucky enough to get A plan pricing + more incentives. It was a no-brainer.

Comfortable, Great ride, the 6.5 box is a nice happy medium. The back seat is respectable, much more comfortable than they used to be, with roll down windows. I like the XLT with the console. It gives you a little space in front of the console for a laptop,or cooler pack, etc.

Now this 4.6 is not what you're after,but it's a spunky little V-8.
Too bad there's no Diesel for the F150 yet...

I spray oiled my truck. I live in SW Ontario,and I firmly believe that oiling saves vehicles. Yeah,it's a little messy,and I hated spraying that dang stuff on that nice clean painted chassis..but it had to be done.

And just to echo,regular maintenance and repair and you should easily get 10 years out of either brand.

Good luck.

Oh,and it's not bad looking either.


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[SlugHog]

I live in Alberta Canada, and on what we call the patch. The patch is the area where we drill for oil and natural gas. This is the land of trucks, huge travel trailers, and crappy roads. Your purchase totally depends on what you intend on using your vehicle for. I would say if you intend on using your truck for hauling a travel trailer and or heavy loads, grab a Ford for sure, and I would go diesel. Dodge is also a rugged truck that appears to hold up here on the patch but the consensus is, does not have the frame the Ford's do. There are basically no Chevy's out on the patch as they have not proven themselves to handle what's thrown at them.

However, if you are using your vehicle for more normal uses, nothing wrong with a chev at all. Actually a chev diesel is a very nice truck and offers a very wonderful ride.

Now the new chev's may write an entirely different story, that is yet to be written. I am just passing on what I have first hand knowledge of and should be taken as an opinion and nothing more.

And final words, in regards to a full sized Toyota pickup, great truck, starting to make inroads out here, but change comes slow to this industry. I know a few individuals who use a Ford or Dodge for work, but drive either the Tacoma or Tundra for personal use and love them.

Slug