Buy me a truck!

[Drew Dowdell]

Well... not really... but help me buy one.

I'm finding the increasing need for a truck/SUV. I have never been a fan of them so I don't know much about them. I'm looking for a good used deal.

Here are the criteria:

1. Has to be Big 2.5.

2. Has to be full sized. I need to put big things like doors and appliances in it.

3. Would *like* a diesel, but not a deal breaker.

4. Would *like* 4wd, most likely a deal breaker.

Edit: I'm keeping the CTS. This would just be a work truck for tending to my apartment buildings.

Edited February 14, 2006 by Oldsmoboi

[Cory Wolfe]

So.... Would a Porsche Cayenne be out of the question? Meh, I hate trucks/SUVs...

[Variance]

Well, my dad has a 200? Sierra SL 2WD that he uses as a work truck. I believe it has the 4.3L V6. I can tell you it gets the job done, if that helps any. It's not particularly a blast to drive but then I'm not accustomed to driving large trucks.

Edited February 14, 2006 by Variance

[Cray_Z28]

The Duramax is awesome! You can get quite a bit off power out of the motor just by programmers and chips! You have to build up the Allison though for anything past 90hp.

[ocnblu]

Well, for hauling the things you mentioned, I'd recommend a pickup truck over an SUV. If you really want diesel, you know it'll have to be a 3/4 ton or heavier.

Overall, I'd say Sierra K1500 extended cab with a 6.5 foot bed, 5.3L. Plenty of hauling area, yet still manageable for everyday.

[Sixty8panther]

A Duramax Diesel powered Silverado/Sierra would be the perfect choice for you then... fantastic products. They tend to be a litle pricey but remember you get what you pay for.

[Drew Dowdell]

Which of the Silverado/Sierras have the Duramax. Pretend I know NOTHING about the truck lines.

[Justin Bimmer]

If you do a cost benifit compro to Diesel vs Gas.... it really doesnt add up unless you need the Diesel to tow big trailers. The diesel engine costs thousands more than the gas engine does and diesel fuel is also more costly.... sure the economy is marginally better with a diesel engine but in the long term, you will have to drive many many miles to equal out the difference.

My dad and his father bought identical Delta 88s in 1979.... dad's was gas and grandpas was diesel..... dad came out way ahead in the money savings.

[91z4me]

Its a same there was no GMT360 pickup made it would likely have fit your needs quite well and the 5.3 would have let it haul about anything.

[capriceman]

go with a Gas powered truck. so much easier. Plus you cant do short trips with deiseil or dont expect a long life with them. If your drive to wotk is more than an hour with out waiting in traffic go with a dieseil. A silverado has the cheapest tag for a whole lotta truck. The 1500 with Z71 will fit you need perfectly. around 30,000 ish though for a GMC which rides nicer but not as punchy of and engine (electroinc control not cable). Im not a Ford guy i think they are horrible trucks. Dodge have a horrible ride but have nice capabilites.

[Satty]

Chevy 454 SS

Ford Lightning

They're like trucks, only faster.

[Drew Dowdell]

Thanks about the diesel advice. Most of my trips would be short. All of my apartment buildings are within 5 miles of my house. This would be stricktly a utility vehicle.... no lightning for me Satty.

[Chris_Doane]

If you do a cost benifit compro to Diesel vs Gas.... it really doesnt add up unless you need the Diesel to tow big trailers. The diesel engine costs thousands more than the gas engine does and diesel fuel is also more costly.... sure the economy is marginally better with a diesel engine but in the long term, you will have to drive many many miles to equal out the difference.

My dad and his father bought identical Delta 88s in 1979.... dad's was gas and grandpas was diesel..... dad came out way ahead in the money savings.

Diesel technology has come a long way since the crappy GM diesel's of the 70's and 80's

Thanks about the diesel advice. Most of my trips would be short. All of my apartment buildings are within 5 miles of my house.  This would be stricktly a utility vehicle.... no lightning for me Satty.

Oh that close? Yea forget diesel.

Edited February 14, 2006 by CD/BP

[Satty]

If it were me, I'd go for something like this. Old and beat up, likely to run forever if looked after and able to haul a ton of $h! without having to worry about weather, vandalism, etc.

[Chris_Doane]

Or maybe a small cab over like this:

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/car/124795737.html

Edited February 14, 2006 by CD/BP

[Satty]

Hell, even a used U-Haul would do pretty well for what you need. Cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, allows you to keep more money for other things, like the worlds largest collection of pornography, I know you've had your eye on it.

[Croc]

The real question you need to answer is this: are you going to be towing or not, and if so, how much?

If you will be towing, and towing a lot of weight, go for the Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon (XL)/Denali

If this utility will just be in the form of cargo hauled inside, go for the Expedition (EL)/Navigator (L) as they handle and ride better due to the IRS (plus fold flat rear seats).

That said, only GM has the Hybrid and/or Displacement on Demand offered.

I wouldn't touch anything from Dodge...that Durango is ugly, and smallish.

[Drew Dowdell]

Hell, even a used U-Haul would do pretty well for what you need.  Cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, allows you to keep more money for other things, like the worlds largest collection of pornography, I know you've had your eye on it.

It's all stored digitally my friend. It's a real space saver.

Besides... one of my buildings has a gymnasium in it. It's a former highschool.

Beat that for porn storage potential.

[Drew Dowdell]

The real question you need to answer is this: are you going to be towing or not, and if so, how much?

If you will be towing, and towing a lot of weight, go for the Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon (XL)/Denali

If this utility will just be in the form of cargo hauled inside, go for the Expedition (EL)/Navigator (L) as they handle and ride better due to the IRS (plus fold flat rear seats).

That said, only GM has the Hybrid and/or Displacement on Demand offered.

I wouldn't touch anything from Dodge...that Durango is ugly, and smallish.

No towing.

Not going for new.

Have to be able to put a refrigerator in it.

Kinda do want 4wd

Edited February 14, 2006 by Oldsmoboi

[Northstar]

Go with a 1999-200x Silverado or Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L. Unless you want something as new as 2004 (new F150), then I'd say the GM trucks are the best on the used market.

[Satty]

Used Astro AWD would probably work for you. Or something of a mid-90's Chevy pickup.

[Enzora]

Volkswagen, my friend. Volkswagen.

[Croc]

No towing.

Not going for new.

Have to be able to put a refrigerator in it.

Kinda do want 4wd

Expedition then, unless you think you'll need the extra room only a Suburban/Yukon XL has. Crosscheck the largest dimension fridge you'll have to haul and the SUVs. IMO the pre-freshening Expedition is superior to the GMT-800s in all areas but towing (and lack of an extended model). The dash will certainly rattle less.

EDIT: If covered cargo carrying isn't required and you could buy a truck, get the F-150. Best truck on the market (since I cannot vouch for the GMT900s and you aren't going new either).

Edited February 15, 2006 by Croc

[Croc]

If you plan on using a diesel for trips of less than five miles you will kill it in no time. I drive a 1992 Chevrolet 1/2 tons in both 2 and 4wd as my work trucks and can tell you they can take a beating. The 4.3L is actually pretty good on fuel and has plenty of power for everything. The 305 isn't bad on fuel either if you don't drive like a maniac.

Some things you want to look for if you are going to buy a 1988-2003 series truck:

Saggy doors. The pins in the door like to wear out on the earlier trucks, not so much the later model ones.

Weak two bolt idler (steering) arm on the 1988-1992s. This can be easily switched to the later three bolt arm.

The TLA (Thermal Linear Actuator) that engages the front axle on the 4x4s from 1988-1998 likes to go bad at regular intervals. Plus if you submerge it or if it is really cold it doesn't like to engage at all. You can get a better actuator at www.posi-lock.com.

Other than that there is not much that goes wrong on these trucks. Good luck with you search.

Is your post referring exclusively to the GM models? It kinda reads like it, but are these things to look for with Ford trucks as well? Any issues with the Fords?

[Buickfosure]

If you plan on using a diesel for trips of less than five miles you will kill it in no time.

This is not totally true it may be a pain but as long as he lets it warm up before he shuts it off just let it run while he runs in if hes just going to do something for a second its not necessarily bad for short trips unless you don't get it up to operating temp before shutting it off and with that said maybe just invest in a remote start that allows you to remove the keys and lock the doors and just let it run. I know a few people that use a deisil as a daily driver and its all in a matter of letting it get up to operating temp. so you may not want the extra hassle but there is no reason why a deisel wouldn't work out for short trips if you just take some extra care. Its also nice if at least once or twice a week you would take it out on the expressway.

[ocnblu]

If your goal is to haul stuff and not passengers... why go with an SUV?

A half-ton extended cab pickup truck with 4WD and the 5.3L has room in the cab for lockable storage, yet has a nice sized bed for your hauling needs. Is it ok to haul a refrigerator horizontally? I don't think it is, I could be wrong.

If you're not towing something big, why would you need a 3/4 or 1-ton pickup truck? That's what you'll need to buy if you want a diesel engine.

[capriceman]

This is not totally true it may be a pain but as long as he lets it warm up before he shuts it off just let it run while he runs in if hes just going to do something for a second its not necessarily bad for short trips unless you don't get it up to operating temp before shutting it off and with that said maybe just invest in a remote start that allows you to remove the keys and lock the doors and just let it run.  I know a few people that use a deisil as a daily driver and its all in a matter of letting it get up to operating temp. so you may not want the extra hassle but there is no reason why a deisel wouldn't work out for short trips if you just take some extra care.  Its also nice if at least once or twice a week you would take it out on the expressway.

Ok but you dont need 20,000 pounds of towing power to move a fridge around. hell if thats all. Id just get a little S-10 4x4 or a Colorado.

[Drew Dowdell]

Ok but you dont need 20,000 pounds of towing power to move a fridge around. hell if thats all. Id just get a little S-10 4x4 or a Colorado.

I kinda of need the bed size of a full size truck for volume, not really weight. I was only interested in the diesel so I could run biodiesel instead of gasoline... enviromental and not supporting the Saudi government and all that.... If I could get a diesel in my CTS I would. It has nothing to do with hauling ability.

[Drew Dowdell]

Thanks for all your help guys. I'll let ya know what I end up with.

[GMTruckGuy74]

I'd say a '00-'03 GMC Sierra ( ), or even a Chevy Silverado - Regular Cab, Long Bed (8 foot). If it's a work truck, then a regular cab is all you'll need and the long bed will allow you to put long stuff in it with the tailgate closed. If I wanted a truck, that's what I'd look at.

(2003 GMC Sierra 4WD)

P.S. - if anyone's in the mood to buy me a truck, I won't say no!!!

Edited February 15, 2006 by GMTruckGuy74

[pow]

A Saturn RELAY! A Stow-'N-Go Grand Caravan isn't bad, either...

Plus there are always those "$14,999 NEW CARAVAN" specials.

Edited February 16, 2006 by empowah

[daves87rs]

Go with a 1999-200x Silverado or Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L. Unless you want something as new as 2004 (new F150), then I'd say the GM trucks are the best on the used market.

Agreed. But you could use any of the engines...whether it is a 4.3, 4.8, or the 5.3...

Can it just be a work truck, or do you need power locks/windows and stuff?

[Drew Dowdell]

What do you guys think of the Avalanche?

It looks like the most well rounded for my needs.

[NOS2006]

Cummins.

[ocnblu]

The Avalanche has a fairly small bed, but it does have a nice passenger compartment, and the option of opening the midgate for hauling bigger stuff in good weather. Best of luck in your search, Drew.

[Drew Dowdell]

OK... so I know it's not the original criteria... but I think I'm going to go for an '07 Avalanche. I really liked the current Avalanche that I test drove* and I think the improvments on the new model are significant enough to wait for it.

The selling point for me was the versitility. It is fairly rainy here in PGH so I need something with a cover over the cargo area. I also need to haul appliances, so the cover needs to come off easily <no truck with a cap>. The bed liner is good for hauling dirt and such and I can hose it out when I'm done, <no safari van>. and when I need to haul larger stuff, I can fold the rear seats down.

One thing I really liked is that I can fold the rear seats down and still leave the rear glass and bed cover on. This means that I can still haul 8 foot sheets of drywall in the rain.

So, I'll let you guys know when I make my move. Thank you for all your advice.

[ocnblu]

Dark blue with 20s?

[Croc]

I think I'm going to go for an '07 Avalanche.

Good, solid choice. I know a few owners of the current generation and they love them; I cannot imagine GM making the new ones any less desirable at all given the owner base.

[z28luvr01]

The only people that are going to be pissed are those who love the body hardware. Those people will be more than offset by the hordes of people who now find the Avalanche attractive.

[Variance]

The only people that are going to be pissed are those who love the body hardware. Those people will be more than offset by the hordes of people who now find the Avalanche attractive.

I like the current Avalanche with the body hardware but without it, not as much. However, I do like the look of the new Avalanche. Go figure.

[Drew Dowdell]

I definately fall into the "no body hardware" crowd.

[Drew Dowdell]

So, I caved. I really can't wait for an '07. I'm picking up an '03 on Saturday. It's a decent deal and if it works out, I'll trade it on an '07 next year.