Who's the best? Chevy ~ Ford ~ Dodge...
- Thread starter Psyclone Brian
- Start date
:wideeyed:
Maybe she just looked a the badge wrong, and it is really an F-250 Powerstroke...
For the 1/2 ton, go with the Hemi. Nothing better.
For 3/4 and up, go for the Ford Super Duty. Nothing Better.
For 3/4 and up, go for the Ford Super Duty. Nothing Better.
Right now, this is pretty much my take. At this point I am leaning strongly toward Ford because the economic/political aspect as well.
I currently own a Fiat, er Dodge.
I had a 2000 Dakota that I sold last fall. About 85K on it.
Kept it up pretty religiously. Biggest repair in 8 years (aside from brakes, tires and such) was a replacement themostat. My wife's work bought it from us. It was starting to have a mild idling problem and would die every now and then. Don't remember what was done, but it was pretty cheap as well and been running well since.
Personally, I think that's pretty damn good for 8 years on a pickup. Body held up well - no rust aside from some very minor areas where there were scratches or chips. Interior held up nicely too.
Miss that thing
Kept it up pretty religiously. Biggest repair in 8 years (aside from brakes, tires and such) was a replacement themostat. My wife's work bought it from us. It was starting to have a mild idling problem and would die every now and then. Don't remember what was done, but it was pretty cheap as well and been running well since.
Personally, I think that's pretty damn good for 8 years on a pickup. Body held up well - no rust aside from some very minor areas where there were scratches or chips. Interior held up nicely too.
Miss that thing
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Getting the first year or two of a redesigned vehicle isn't necessarily a great idea, given the problems most vehicles have in their first year. I'd avoid the Titan as it's been a nightmare for Nissan from what I've seen on reliability.
Capsule of a lot of reviews, although I have no idea why the tundra isn't on there.
I'd say ford/chevy/toyo Truckwise, ford and chevy both do very well in reliability.
2009 Ford F-150 Reviews, Pictures and Prices - U.S. News Rankings and Reviews
Capsule of a lot of reviews, although I have no idea why the tundra isn't on there.
I'd say ford/chevy/toyo Truckwise, ford and chevy both do very well in reliability.
2009 Ford F-150 Reviews, Pictures and Prices - U.S. News Rankings and Reviews
I don't really get the "who's better" thing when it comes to trucks. It seems they all have their strengths and weakness. I'm a truck omnivore, so here are my takes:
Toyota - Best gas mileage truck I ever owned. Frame rusted in two. I sold the diesel engine for more than I bought the truck for, and it's still probably hauling tourists around in South America or the Phillipines with 300,000+ miles on it when I sold it.
Dodge - '78 Power Wagon was the crudest vehicle I've ever known. Body rusted off it, hard riding, tough shifting SOB, but 360 V8 was freakin' invincible.
Chevy - Most civilized truck I ever owned. Ran good, lasted a long time, but Chevy can't make a pickup door to save their everloving lives. I think they start falling apart and delaminating the day they roll off the assembly line.
Ford - Kind of a compromise between Dodge crudity and Chevy civilization. If I were in the market for a pickup today, though, I'd pick up a 1/2 ton with a 300 c.i. straight six. Simply the toughest engine ever built. Our veterinarian had one with 1,000,000+ miles on it.
So, you pays your money and you gets what you gets. No fan-boy, here...
Of course, here's a picture of the last pickup I drove:
Damned Fords; always breaking down, anyway...
Toyota - Best gas mileage truck I ever owned. Frame rusted in two. I sold the diesel engine for more than I bought the truck for, and it's still probably hauling tourists around in South America or the Phillipines with 300,000+ miles on it when I sold it.
Dodge - '78 Power Wagon was the crudest vehicle I've ever known. Body rusted off it, hard riding, tough shifting SOB, but 360 V8 was freakin' invincible.
Chevy - Most civilized truck I ever owned. Ran good, lasted a long time, but Chevy can't make a pickup door to save their everloving lives. I think they start falling apart and delaminating the day they roll off the assembly line.
Ford - Kind of a compromise between Dodge crudity and Chevy civilization. If I were in the market for a pickup today, though, I'd pick up a 1/2 ton with a 300 c.i. straight six. Simply the toughest engine ever built. Our veterinarian had one with 1,000,000+ miles on it.
So, you pays your money and you gets what you gets. No fan-boy, here...
Of course, here's a picture of the last pickup I drove:
Damned Fords; always breaking down, anyway...
'04 Tundra Limited 4x4. No warranty claims or trouble in 35,000 miles, 4+ years I owned it. Great truck.
'03 Tacoma V6 4X4. No warranty or problems, sold after 1 year due to being too small, too much road noise.
'96 GMC Sonoma Highrider 4X4.....I like the function/looks.....but 15 warranty claims, other failures, not much of a bathtub curve, all 3 O2 sensors, steering slop, oil leaks, antifreeze leaks, radio & CD problems, A/C leak, power steering leaks, after 80K....traded at about 100K. I am sure these were worse than average, worse than full size GM. After this truck I could make a financial case to spend more up front on a toyota vs. warranty trips, repair after warranty, etc.
'03 Tacoma V6 4X4. No warranty or problems, sold after 1 year due to being too small, too much road noise.
'96 GMC Sonoma Highrider 4X4.....I like the function/looks.....but 15 warranty claims, other failures, not much of a bathtub curve, all 3 O2 sensors, steering slop, oil leaks, antifreeze leaks, radio & CD problems, A/C leak, power steering leaks, after 80K....traded at about 100K. I am sure these were worse than average, worse than full size GM. After this truck I could make a financial case to spend more up front on a toyota vs. warranty trips, repair after warranty, etc.
Well when you get that truck, don't be a total d-bag to people who don't drive trucks by getting up on their tail and expecting everyone on the road to move over when you come through haha.
You're right,Toyota has had a problem with frame rust on 1995.5-2004 Tacomas, especially in the northeastern part of the U.S. The frames were supplied by Dana and some weren't rustproofed properly. Because of this, Toyota has extended the frame warranty to 15 years from date of first use. If the frame develops a hole within 15 years Toyota buys back 1995.5 to 2000 Tacomas at 150% of Kelley blue book value in excellent condition no matter the condition of the truck. If it's a 2001 to 2004 Toyota replaces the frame,leaf springs,etc which is about a 60 hour job. Plus in either case Toyota pays for a rental car the entire time. Would Chevy,Ford,or Dodge do this? Could they even afford to?
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
I don't really get the "who's better" thing when it comes to trucks. It seems they all have their strengths and weakness. I'm a truck omnivore, so here are my takes:
Toyota - Best gas mileage truck I ever owned. Frame rusted in two. I sold the diesel engine for more than I bought the truck for, and it's still probably hauling tourists around in South America or the Phillipines with 300,000+ miles on it when I sold it.
Dodge - '78 Power Wagon was the crudest vehicle I've ever known. Body rusted off it, hard riding, tough shifting SOB, but 360 V8 was freakin' invincible.
Chevy - Most civilized truck I ever owned. Ran good, lasted a long time, but Chevy can't make a pickup door to save their everloving lives. I think they start falling apart and delaminating the day they roll off the assembly line.
Ford - Kind of a compromise between Dodge crudity and Chevy civilization. If I were in the market for a pickup today, though, I'd pick up a 1/2 ton with a 300 c.i. straight six. Simply the toughest engine ever built. Our veterinarian had one with 1,000,000+ miles on it.
So, you pays your money and you gets what you gets. No fan-boy, here...
Of course, here's a picture of the last pickup I drove:
Damned Fords; always breaking down, anyway...
Shouldn't you have left it better than you found it?
I've owned one of each and have to say I like my Ford F250 Crew Cab the best...rides nice, zero problems and lower insurance rates. Had a '96 Chevy half ton and it was a very nice, dependable truck, just didn't have enough towing power for me. The '99 Dodge...junk. Had transmission issues, the torque converter would lock up sporadically around 35mph, and no matter where they set the timing in the damn thing it had a spark plug knock when hauling or towing anything.
I also drive a 08 Toyota Tundra as my work vehicle...they own it, not me! I had reservations about driving it but have to say, after 16 months with it, I love it. The ride is great, the 6 speed transmission helps the 5.7L engine get 19-21mpg, has great options and a great factory stereo.
On the truck insurance side of things...Ford gets the best rates (at least it does at ours). Ford bolts the boxes onto the frame, and they have a lot more units on the road versus Chevy and Dodge...more readily accessible aftermarket parts and junkyard parts to repair with due to the volume. Before we bought the Ford we stopped in to check rates on all 3, as comparable as possible...Ford was easily the least, and Chevy and Dodge were pretty close to each other, just higher.
I also drive a 08 Toyota Tundra as my work vehicle...they own it, not me! I had reservations about driving it but have to say, after 16 months with it, I love it. The ride is great, the 6 speed transmission helps the 5.7L engine get 19-21mpg, has great options and a great factory stereo.
On the truck insurance side of things...Ford gets the best rates (at least it does at ours). Ford bolts the boxes onto the frame, and they have a lot more units on the road versus Chevy and Dodge...more readily accessible aftermarket parts and junkyard parts to repair with due to the volume. Before we bought the Ford we stopped in to check rates on all 3, as comparable as possible...Ford was easily the least, and Chevy and Dodge were pretty close to each other, just higher.
I am currently driving a 2003 Dodge 3/4 ton, it rides too rough. I will not by another. I always had Fords before this one, but the price was right. Now out of principle I would not buy a new Chevy, but a used one is a different story. Chevys seem to have a nice ride. My brother has a Ford and likes it a lot.
If you are looking for insurance/cost comparisons. I work in insurance, there was a study done last year on the big 3. Highest cost to insure are Dodge then Chevy. They are more expensive to fix is the primary reason for the higher insurance costs.
I grew up a Ford person, have driven F150's for 10 years and had no major issues just minor repair. My brothers both love Dodges, but they both have work vehicles and trade in their trucks every 2 years. So they don't get to much work done with thier trucks.
I grew up a Ford person, have driven F150's for 10 years and had no major issues just minor repair. My brothers both love Dodges, but they both have work vehicles and trade in their trucks every 2 years. So they don't get to much work done with thier trucks.
All Toyota trucks of every year have had frame rust problems. Every single one.
It isn't localized to a certain model year(s).
In fact, Toyotas in general are well-known for body rust. The fact that they would replace one year group for rust problem boggles my mind. Maybe it's the fact that a sub-contractor that caused the problem is why.
Frankly, Toyota is the worst company in the world to work with for warranty problems. In their mind, their vehicles are perfect, and you, the customer must be at fault, or be imagining the problem. This is a company cultural thing.
I've owned 2 trouble free Toyotas and had one problem one and never got anything approaching customer satisfaction on the problem vehicle.
Well, if you don't like Fords, I DID use a thermite grenade on it directly afterwards....
I've owned Dodge, Chevy, Ford, and Hondas.
I'd buy a Ford first because they build a great truck and they're the only one who hasn't gotten a handout from Uncle Sam yet....
#2 Chevy. They build a nice truck, but I'd be afraid they were "cheapening" things up too much at the end to save their corporate life.
#3 Dodge. Reviews have been good, but reliability tends to be bad with Dodges.
#4 imports. I think they build good stuff, but why buy when Americans do still build great trucks?
I'd buy a Ford first because they build a great truck and they're the only one who hasn't gotten a handout from Uncle Sam yet....
#2 Chevy. They build a nice truck, but I'd be afraid they were "cheapening" things up too much at the end to save their corporate life.
#3 Dodge. Reviews have been good, but reliability tends to be bad with Dodges.
#4 imports. I think they build good stuff, but why buy when Americans do still build great trucks?
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Add me to that list... I love my Ridgeline.. Big enough for my needs.
Although when I was a single guy... You still can't beat a Chevy truck.
I really wish we had an American version of Top Gear over here. I love their mix of good analysis with excellent British humor.:yes:
