I used the search feature using "buying + truck" and didn't like anything I saw, so hence here's a new thread.

My wife and I recently moved from Seattle, Washington to near Albany, New York. At the time, gas was about $4.00 or so a gallon and showed no signs of dropping, so I decided to sell my 98 Dodge Ram and just drive our 07 Rav 4, vice driving separate cars, paying the extra $1500ish or so in gas it would have cost, etc.

I loved the idea of having a big truck (although it was just a 1500, it was still a very large vehicle), but my Dodge had so many problems in the 5 or so years I had it. In that time, I replaced the transmission, the fuel pump, the O2 sensor, the cooling pump, the windshield wiper motor twice, and the alternator. I had a brake line rupture which required them pulling out my gas tank to replace. One time I turned the key in the "off" direction after parking, pulled the key out of the ignition, and the truck continued to run (we had to eventually start pulling fuses to get the thing to shut off). In addition to these anomolies, I had to replace three windshields due to rocks, and one time a tree falling on my truck. Basically, this vehicle was cursed.

So, needless to say, I am not buying a Dodge. I do love my Toyota Rav 4, so I have considered buying a Tundra, which seem to be pretty cool. I have also heard about a Silverado hybrid, but I have not seen any yet. Basically I am just looking for experiences/recommendations on large trucks. I would like to keep it less than $30,000 or so, but that is not an absolute max.

Thanks for reading/replying.

1/24/2009 12:00:24 PM

DONT DO IT !!!!

I bought a new truck last March. The instant depreciation is compounded in this economy- I suggest you spend the least amount that you can. Look at a used truck if you must have something built in recent years.

How about something like a 6 or 7 year old GMC Sierra?

1/24/2009 12:30:39 PM

dont be a r-word and buy a new truck

1/24/2009 12:32:18 PM

Quote :

"I loved the idea of having a big truck "

What's the "idea of having a big truck" worth to you?

Trucks make absolutely piss-poor cars...think about how sweet of a car you could buy for $30,000...or even $20-25k.

Unless you need hauling and towing ability all the time, buy a good car. If you occasionally need a truck, buy a $2-3k pickup.

1/24/2009 12:35:41 PM

Haha I don't know what an r-word is.

But I did really like my truck. I remember when I lived in Raleigh, we had several really bad ice storms, and while other cars were slipping around and ending up in ditches, I could go anywhere. Now I live in upstate New York, where the "snow season" ranges from November to March. I got here in late October and if I had to guess, we have probably had 15 legitimate snows where the roads were really bad. And yes, I did love the idea of being able to move anything, and tow anything I needed.

I'm not disputing the merits of a cool and/or practical car. I have seen some really awesome luxury cars (or what I consider to be luxury). A couple of my friends have Infinitis, which are really really cool. And the mid-life crisis guy in me says go and get a Vette or something. I dunno, a truck just seems useful/practical/kinda fun.

1/24/2009 2:15:04 PM

r-word = retard.

given where you're living though i'd say it isn't AS bad of an idea..and some deals are out there. i think i remember 69 saying he got the truck in his gallery for low 20's after all the rebates and crap they're doing now. nvm they aren't there anymore. it was a nice ass 2500 though if i remember correctly

[Edited on January 24, 2009 at 2:18 PM. Reason : asf]

1/24/2009 2:18:10 PM

~31k otd, sticker was a little over $52

and they gave me a $7k trade in on big red

it took two long nights of haggling, and walking off several lots, but i finally got the price i wanted to pay around midnight on a thursday

do some research, see what they are selling for, the private used retail is about what you should expect to pay new in this reccession, and ask for stuff you know they can't downgrade/upgrade, like leather seats in an LT, and refuse to pay for all the other options included in the SLT.

I got about $8k off the base price, SLT trim, Z71, and alloy wheel package for free and the durmax package for about $2500, (mrsp$7000)

just do the reverse they do to you, and nickle and dime them to death, also if they have a car on the lot that you like, they will come down a lot on as opposed to having to order one, but dont let them know it, make em think you are settling for it, and will pay accordingly

once again, dont be afraid to just walk off, if they wont come down on the price, chances are that cars isnt going to sell in a few days while you are looking around

1/24/2009 2:41:45 PM

i looked at buying a new ranger but the 2009 is the same as an '04 and I'd save the money

giving up the economy of my civic BUT I miss having a truck

1/24/2009 4:37:23 PM

Quote :

"Sayyyyy, nice truck you got there. What is that, a V-8? Oh, only a V-6? Well, I suppose that’s okay. As long as you don’t need your truck to do anything MANLY, like carry heavy shit uphill. Heavy shit made out of metal, because that’s the kind of heavy shit REAL MEN need to haul. But no, it’s a good truck. You get good gas mileage? Yeah? Well gas mileage is for pussies. My truck here gets about two gallons per mile. You know what else gets mileage that bad? A fucking TANK. That’s how I know my truck kicks ass. That’s a nice color for it, too. What is that, “red”? It looks good. I seen some real pretty flowers that color. Me, I don’t need to paint my truck. Primer’s good enough for me. If I had paint it would just get in the way of me doing MANLY SHIT, like driving through explosions in the desert and speeding past giant machines swinging other trucks at my truck. But red’s good, too. Probably looks really nice in the parking lot when you pick your son up from ballet practice. But I like yours. Who made it, Tonka? I’ll bet it plays your Jonas Brothers CDs pretty loud while I’m fucking your wife. Pussy. Oh hey, I notice you’ve got a little– what is that? A “man ramp” to get up into your truck’s bed? No, no — it looks good. Must come in handy when you want to help a dainty little man into the back there. So you can hold his hand and have sex with him and ask him to stay the night, because you’re a needy little bitch. It works for you. Whatcha got in the forward cab, huh? Scented Kleenex and Barbies, I bet. (peers in through window) Well well well. Looky here. Seatbelts, huh? (makes wanking motion) No, don’t take that the wrong way! Seatbelts are great for women and babies in little cars. And trucks for men with tiny little limp dicks. Listen to me, jabbering on like that. I should let you go. You’re gonna be late to yoga class or book group or your… your Cocksuckers Anonymous meeting. You can park that bad boy next to the hybrids. Gonna drive with the windows up, huh? Pffft. Faggot. "

1/24/2009 4:48:22 PM

That's a nice truck. Any reason you decided on the extended cab vice the longer bed?

[Edited on January 24, 2009 at 5:56 PM. Reason : .]

1/24/2009 5:55:47 PM

i rarely have the need for a longbed anymore, thats what i have a trailer for, and the crew cab is a huge space difference from a extended cab, plus the full doors aren't annoying as hell when people are trying to get in and out of the backseat

1/24/2009 6:19:24 PM

get a few years old tacoma. They tend to hold their values relatively well.

1/24/2009 7:08:35 PM

i don't understand why you're automatically counting dodge out? so you had to do some repairs on a 10 year old truck? some of which may have been a result of abuse/neglect by the owner(s) in the 5 years before you got it? big deal. besides, it's not like they're still making the same truck. not a single similarity to your 98 other than the name. the company isn't even the same, so even if you wanted to overlook them on principle alone it would be pointless.

as always, you definitely can't go wrong with a toyota. my brother has an 08 tundra limited with the 5.7. damn nice truck.

in reality, especially in the 1/2 ton market, they're all pretty much identical these days. there is no brand that's decidedly better or worse than another anymore. the only time it becomes any kind of debate is when you get into 3/4-1 tons, diesels, etc. where you might really be working the truck hard. in this case, just pick the one you think looks the best, has the options you want, drives how you like it, and you can get the best deal on. simple.

the only other thing i might throw out there to consider is if you really need a fullsize. these days, midsize trucks like the tacoma, dakota, etc. are damn near as big as 1/2 tons used to be and perform just as well or better too. saving some cash and slightly better mileage being your advantages here.

[Edited on January 24, 2009 at 7:19 PM. Reason : there's also NO WAY i'd buy a new truck with as cheap as BARELY used ones are now]

1/24/2009 7:18:11 PM

yeah, my 98 dakota is pretty much just as big as my dad's old 88 chevy 1500. i love my midsize.

1/24/2009 7:27:52 PM

Quote :

"I remember when I lived in Raleigh, we had several really bad ice storms, and while other cars were slipping around and ending up in ditches, I could go anywhere."

your rav4 is going to be better in most winter weather than a 2wd ram

1/24/2009 7:35:20 PM

Quote :

"get a few years old tacoma. They tend to hold their values relatively well. "

yeah they do, hard to find an '05 to newer that isn't $japan

1/24/2009 7:39:14 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/999400988.html

I'd be all over this one if I'm in the market for a truck.

1/24/2009 7:43:21 PM

single cabs tacomas are torture unless you are short as hell

1/24/2009 8:16:19 PM

Quote :

"your rav4 is going to be better in most winter weather than a 2wd ram"

My Ram was a 4WD, hence its awesomeness. I don't think I would ever buy a truck that was not 4WD. As for the Rav4... it's OK. I mean, it's a great vehicle, and I do take it out in the snow, but it is only 2WD, and I can feel it slip a bit on turns and such.

1/24/2009 9:22:42 PM

Quote :

"As for the Rav4... it's OK. I mean, it's a great vehicle, and I do take it out in the snow, but it is only 2WD, and I can feel it slip a bit on turns and such."

no shit? I bet traction is limited on any vehicle in the snow

1/24/2009 9:49:57 PM

Snow is one thing. But ice is ice. Your going to slip on ice regardless if you have 2wd or 4wd.

1/24/2009 10:29:01 PM

you're*

1/25/2009 1:10:09 AM

I can tell you, based only on personal experience, that driving on ice in a 4WD is much much much easier than driving a 2WD vehicle, or at least the ones I have owned (Rav 4, Saturn, Escort).

1/25/2009 2:02:54 AM

Quote :

"get a few years old tacoma. They tend to hold their values relatively well."

ORLY

1/25/2009 10:13:24 AM

yeah, but 4wd doesn't stop any better or handle any better. in many cases a 4wd performs worse in those two areas due to weight, the dynamics of the pulling wheels, etc.

the only time you might really "need" 4wd anywhere in the country is if you live in some rural area that never gets cleared and has 12"+ of snow on the ground at all times. fwd in the hands of a sensible/experienced driver will do anything you need to do in all but the worst conditions. hell, even rwd is just fine if you live in an urban area. a little extra weight in the rear, some snow tires, and you're good.

4wd is fun to play around with in snow/ice, but if i lived somewhere that i had to depend on a dedicated snow/ice vehicle for months out of the year i'd stick with a fwd car. possibly awd if it was something biased to fwd. that's speaking strictly from a performance/driveability standpoint though.

1/25/2009 10:17:39 AM

Quote :

"ORLY"

YARLY , by couple years old, most of the new-car depreciation has been done.

1/25/2009 10:27:54 AM

[no]

1/25/2009 10:30:14 AM

Where do you live by Albany?

I just moved up to NY by Ithaca

1/26/2009 10:17:56 AM

I live in a tiny villiage called Galway. It's kinda near Amsterdam and Saratoga Springs.

1/27/2009 11:23:54 AM

ok i got a 2006 frontier yesterday, tacoma with same options would have been around $3k more

i'm happy

1/29/2009 9:55:04 AM

I got a 96 Tacoma back in 2000 and I couldn't be any happier with it. Only problems I had was that I threw a bearing in the rear diff. and the clutch went out.

I also had a hub and axle break, but that was due to my days of rough off-roading. Going up into Sampson (close to Boone) every weekend. Which really, the rear diff. could have been due to this as well, but it went out a couple years after I quit going off-roading.

Plus Toyota backs their product. A friend had a Tacoma and got Bluebook and a half because of the frame recall. I attempted to do the same thing, but I actually spray painted my frame about a year before the recall came out, so my frame didn't rust as much as most.

2/3/2009 12:05:37 AM

unless you are going to be hauling anything that weighs more than the truck itself i would go for a 4wd tacoma. They are the best truck for the average user because of their fuel economy, power, and debendability. its all the truck you're going to need.

http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/specs.html#

2/3/2009 12:39:09 AM