Topic: Which D3

[blotter]

Just curious.......

Aside from looks and some design features the trucks generally seems pretty equal.

So which D3 and why?

[Northernridge]

I'm most curious about Ford...lighter weight aluminum body, smaller engines, interesting new look. My interest is in a low-cost efficient work truck 4x4 w/locking diff and the ability to tow 5-6k lbs on the flat prairies.

Dodge is next for me, like them overall and the pricing is good. Want to try the coil rear springs on my choppy gravel road.

GM is the least compelling at the moment even though I own one now and have had 3 others. The new trucks haven't charmed me.

[Fobroader]

I am not a fanboy of any of the big 3 trucks, they all have strengths and weaknesses. Saying that, I find the GM/Chev trucks to be the most honest. I have heard little to no complaints about the LSX engine or drivetrain ever. The interiors I find to be the most comfortable and quiet, the Ford might have better seats but thats strictly personal. Really, unless you are pounding this thing down a heavily rutted lease road, the front end should be fine. Dodge, never cared for, way too many people having way too many issues with everything from drivetrain to interior and steering. Ford.....oh Ford...if you were asking about HD trucks, Id say go Superduty, but for a 1/2 ton, I find the GM twins a bit better in every way, except for the seats like I said, than the Ford. Crew cab, 6.5' box, Z71 suspension(you want the skidplates the rear locker) with a 5.3 should be a faithful companion for a very long time.

[blotter]

It's been a bit slow today so I decided to do a little myth busting "research"

visited transport canada's recall site to make a list of all the recalls since 2008 on each company
I didn't really take the time to read them and maybe take out the fluff but it's interesting none the less.
there are a few recalls are cover a couple years bumping up the totals.

FORD
2013 - 0
2012 - 2
2011 - 3
2010 - 1
2009 - 2
2008 - 0
TOTAL 8

GM
2013 - 2
2012 - 1
2011 - 3
2010 - 1
2009 - 3
2008 - 4
TOTAL 14

RAM
2013 - 7
2012 - 3
2011 - 6
2010 - 6
2009 - 1
2008 - 1
TOTAL 24

TACOMA
2013 - 3
2012 - 2
2011 - 4
2010 - 5
2009 - 5
2008 - 4
TOTAL 23

TUNDRA
2013 - 1
2012 - 1
2011 - 2
2010 - 4
2009 - 5
2008 - 5
TOTAL 18


i thought it was pretty interesting.



   

[Snowman]

Very interesting. Like NR Ford has my attention if I was looking for a PU.

[tooscoops]

depends what i'm using it for...

3500 i'd do ram (huge capacities, like the cummins)
2500 i'd probably go chev/gm (newest, most capability in the 3/4 i find)

1500 totally depends what i'm doing.

i can see the value in any...

if i'm towing significant amounts but rarely, i'd try out the ford.
working day in day out, chev/gm
fun truck for tooling about, doing occasional smaller towing/hauling i'll take ram

for my actual life as it sits now, ram 1500 diesel crew cab big horn

i think ram has the most reasons to go there... diesel, air suspension, 8-speed, uconnect... plus i don't think i'm alone thinking it's a pretty hot looking truck.

a couple years ago, i would take f150. and it could all change next year.. the beauty of trucks right now.

[Fobroader]

The Dodges air suspension and 8spd scares me though.....maybe in a few years.....that diesel though, almost makes it attractive.

[tooscoops]

risk reward i figure... but yeah, totally get the hesitation.

[ArticSteve]

visited transport canada's recall site to make a list of all the recalls since 2008 on each company

Those are safety only.  Can be as simple as non compliant sticker.

When you buy a pickup you really want to know the number of TSBs and what part of the vehicle.

Assuming these are 8 year keepers:

I agree with 2poops.  In the 3/4 ton - GM.  Very stout trannys.  Seen late model units just brutalized with overloading and not an issue.

For a pretty boy unit (towing boat, etc) I'd be inclined to get the V6 RAM considering gas will be 2 bucks/litre in 4 years. 

[Ex-airbalancer]

I do not think you can go wrong with any of them
Ram small diesel looks interesting 

[Ex-airbalancer]

Drove my son 2011 F-150 to Kingston, 150 km, the seats are nicer in my Chevy
Try to rent each of the trucks for a day , take them for a long drive
See which one you like the best

[blotter]

visited transport canada's recall site to make a list of all the recalls since 2008 on each company

Those are safety only.  Can be as simple as non compliant sticker.

When you buy a pickup you really want to know the number of TSBs and what part of the vehicle.

I agree and I'm pretty sure I did mention that I just looked at numbers and didn't take out any fluff recalls.
It very unscientific and just another excuse to start a thread.

i think ram has the most reasons to go there... diesel, air suspension, 8-speed, uconnect... plus i don't think i'm alone thinking it's a pretty hot looking truck.

at this point I'm feeling like the RAM is the best looking truck  Your spec choice I think puts the truck way out of my price range!

[Northernridge]

Came across this on MT...10 cars that weigh more than the base 2015 F150 SuperCrew (4,475lbs):

1.   2014 Porsche Panamera Turbo: 4510 pounds
2.   2014 Audi A8 L TDI AWD: 4529 pounds
3.   2015 Hyundai Genesis V-8: 4588 pounds (the Genesis V-6 AWD is only 2 pounds lighter than the 2015 F-150 SuperCrew at 4473 pounds)
4.   2015 Kia K900 V-8: 4624 pounds
5.   2014 Tesla Model S P85+: 4633 pounds
6.   2014 Maserati Ghibli AWD: 4648 pounds
7.   2014 Mercedes-Benz S550: 4786 pounds
8.   2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith: 5328 pounds
9.   2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost: 5500 pounds
10.   2014 Bentley Flying Spur W-12, AWD: 5644 pounds

Read more: http://blogs.motortrend.com/1407_10_cars_that_weigh_more_than_the_2015_ford_f_150_supercrew.html#ixzz38Vw6ks3K

BTW, the new Genesis is a whole new kind of porky.

[Snowman]

Came across this on MT...10 cars that weigh more than the base 2015 F150 SuperCrew (4,475lbs):

1.   2014 Porsche Panamera Turbo: 4510 pounds
2.   2014 Audi A8 L TDI AWD: 4529 pounds
3.   2015 Hyundai Genesis V-8: 4588 pounds (the Genesis V-6 AWD is only 2 pounds lighter than the 2015 F-150 SuperCrew at 4473 pounds)
4.   2015 Kia K900 V-8: 4624 pounds
5.   2014 Tesla Model S P85+: 4633 pounds
6.   2014 Maserati Ghibli AWD: 4648 pounds
7.   2014 Mercedes-Benz S550: 4786 pounds
8.   2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith: 5328 pounds
9.   2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost: 5500 pounds
10.   2014 Bentley Flying Spur W-12, AWD: 5644 pounds

Read more: http://blogs.motortrend.com/1407_10_cars_that_weigh_more_than_the_2015_ford_f_150_supercrew.html#ixzz38Vw6ks3K

BTW, the new Genesis is a whole new kind of porky.

Interesting, why was aluminum not used more in the new Mustang?

[tooscoops]

    i think ram has the most reasons to go there... diesel, air suspension, 8-speed, uconnect... plus i don't think i'm alone thinking it's a pretty hot looking truck.

at this point I'm feeling like the RAM is the best looking truck  Your spec choice I think puts the truck way out of my price range!

meh.. right about 40 g's with the options i'd put on. (list of 54+) not the cheapest, but for a diesel truck nicely equipped... and i'm looking more of an air hauling toy anyway...

[johngenx]

I wouldn't consider the RAM at all.  For non-automotive reasons...

1. I can't stand the look.  Like many of their designs, it's too cartoonish for me.  The simpler Ford or GM looks to me are much better.

2. While all full size pick ups around here are driven in a douchey manner, it seems that 99% of RAMs are driven as such.  While I wouldn't drive mine that way, there is an immediate perception when you drive one that you're going to be the biggest douche-nozzle around in traffic.  Thanks but no thanks.

3. The dealers are horrific.  They're as cartoonish as the exteriors.  Old style radio ads, ridiculous print ads, and on and on.  Sorry, I can't see myself walking into one.  They might have great sales staff for all I know, but their media campaigns are such a turn off.

[tpl]

Reading your words as written then 1% of RAM drivers are reasonably ok.

[blotter]

I wouldn't consider the RAM at all.  For non-automotive reasons...

1. I can't stand the look.  Like many of their designs, it's too cartoonish for me.  The simpler Ford or GM looks to me are much better.

2. While all full size pick ups around here are driven in a douchey manner, it seems that 99% of RAMs are driven as such.  While I wouldn't drive mine that way, there is an immediate perception when you drive one that you're going to be the biggest douche-nozzle around in traffic.  Thanks but no thanks.

3. The dealers are horrific.  They're as cartoonish as the exteriors.  Old style radio ads, ridiculous print ads, and on and on.  Sorry, I can't see myself walking into one.  They might have great sales staff for all I know, but their media campaigns are such a turn off.

(1) I like the styling but I share your preference for the subdued styling of the GM and Ford offerings.

(2) The driving style of other consumers in the same segment is not likely to ever factor into my purchase criteria.  That's like swearing off Civics bc of the ricer crowd.

(3) The local Dodge / Chrysler dealership was actually quite professional when I had a 300C for a few months.

Everyone has their own styling preference.   I actually find the Ford the most cartoon like of the three.
However, IF I did go D3 (whichever one) I'd really want a style that's all body colour. NO CHROME PLEASE!!!
Each brand has a model to fill that need of mine, but each of them has it on a specific trim line which drives me nuts.   

The full size trucks here are of all varieties.  I really don't think there's a brand that has a more prickish imagine than any other.  Each have drivers that drive like normal people and each has drivers that jack up the trucks, have hanging balls, decals, stacks and drive like they have something to prove. 

dealerships.
our local Chrysler dealership is the only one I have experience with due to buying the Fiat.
I've done one oil change, so my experience is very minimal.   From that, there seemed to be one manager that had high people skills and the other not so much.  I asked them one question on the new Cherokee and they seemed to struggle getting me an answer.   Not a good impression, but again the experience is minimal.

I've never stepped into a GM or Ford dealership but I've heard angry / unsatisfied stories on ALL our local dealerships (from Ford to Honda).   

at this point I'm feeling like the RAM is the best looking truck  Your spec choice I think puts the truck way out of my price range!


meh.. right about 40 g's with the options i'd put on. (list of 54+) not the cheapest, but for a diesel truck nicely equipped... and i'm looking more of an air hauling toy anyway...

Not sure if I'll actually end up with any D3....... but in the 40s does get it closer to the Taco price.  (although 40s is the post tax Taco price)   I'll be visiting sometime late summer / early fall

[SaskSpecV]

As a guy with no D3 "brand" allegiance (we own an F150, but I'm certainly no "Ford" guy), I think all of the current D3 trucks are fantastic vehicles - competition is great for consumers! 

But I also feel that all 3 brands (and the Tundra, too) have gotten way too big and "cartoonish".  While walking into work today, I went between a newish F150 and a mid-2000s Silverado 2500.  Both extended cabs, with standard (6.5' beds). The F150 seemed noticeably bigger (particularly with a MUCH higher hood, as well as higher bed walls).  Just looking at them, I would have guessed it was the Ford that was the 3/4 tonne truck.  Yet it had no greater ground clearance and less overall capability. 

It seems that the truck designers insist on putting form over function, in a market segment where you'd think function would be priority #1.   But truck sales continue to climb, so obviously I am an outlier here!

[Ex-airbalancer]

That was one thing I do not like about the Ford, the top of the box is the same height as my shoulders
Makes it hard to lift tools into the side compartments of a truck cap