New Pickup Trucks

[askolover]

Well, since I've been driving my little 2001 VW TDI Bug officially for 20 years, I'm officially on the market for something else. I did have my heart set on a new little AWD Buick Encore (not the new GX model) and that's still a possibility but I really need a truck. I'd love to find an old reliable truck for a reasonable price but what I consider reasonable seems to have over 200k miles on them. So I'm toying with the idea of just getting a new 4x4 truck. I want a reliable one. I don't care about the name on the grille as much as reliability. Toyota Tacoma is my first choice but it's quite pricey. I could get a new Nissan Frontier for less and a king cab Ram in the same price range. I've heard some things about the new Ford and GM models having engine issues. I typically don't buy Chrysler products...and the Rams are hit or miss with electronic issues. They don't even have a gear shift anymore...it's a knob you turn (like some of the Ford cars). Lightly used or lease return trucks are about as much as brand new ones. What to do what to do?? I plan to keep it for the next 20 years or even the rest of my (driving) life if possible. Any of you have recommendations or avoidances to tell about?

 

[qsd-dan]

The Buick Encore is made in China, I would pass on that one.

A new 4X4 truck is going to set you back, bigtime. The reliability on the Nissan Frontier is not the best. Electrical problems are plaguing just about all domestic trucks, not just Ram.

A full size 4X4 domestic truck can set you back almost 6 figures today. I'd personally stick with a 4X4 Toyota Tacoma unless you really need a Tundra. Drive it easy and do all of the maintenance according the "severe" schedule in the owners manual, and you should easily get 20 years of service. If I were you, I'd keep driving the TDI until it falls apart or repairs cost beyond the value of the car. Those get great fuel mileage and are much more reliable than gas versions.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I love my Jeep Cherokee, although not a cheap Jeep, payments are a heap!

Still although sacrificing the dual-zone automatic climate control system for a single-zone manual one, I got a lot of features I wish my Compass had (the delay wipers didn't even have more two settings, and this is my first Rainsense wiper system) like footwell lighting with nightlighting and lights under the side view mirrors, the lane change safety system and park assist which my Chrysler 200 I had before the Compass didn't even have... And a trailer towing package...

I had it for a month and it made it in a short trip to and from North Carolina, so I think I got a pretty good buy, and the only real inherent problems the Compass had was a couple fuel system problems both of which got fixed under warranty...

So I wish myself good luck with it during the lease this is under and I ended my previous lease early for...

-- Dave

 

[jamiel]

The Buick Encore is not made in China. Both the Encore and Encore ST are made in Korea, along with the Chevrolet Trailblazer and some Chevrolet Trax. The Envision is the one made in China.

 

[vacerator]

Jamie is correct!

Jamie, aren't one of the former Daewoo (Aveo-Sonic) based ones assembled in Lake Orion now?
About full size trucks; I think they are all fairly durable, which explains why many still on the roads have 200 plus thousand miles on them.
Like any vehicle todday, aside from still having full ladder frames (except Honda's) bushings, and suspension parts can wear, but those can be replaced like brakes, and shocks.
As Toyota had had better quality longevity over a decade ago, the Big 3 all improved axles, bearings, etc. They all source parts globally today. They get what they pay for. Kia is releasing a pick up later this year. I presume it will be unibody,and built in South Carolina.
Nissan assembles theirs in Canton Ms. The smaller trucks in Smyrna Tn. The Toyota Tundra US plant is in Washington.
GM's are Flint and Fort Wayne, or Texas. Jamie will correct nme if wrong. Not sure about the Canyon/Colorado. Perhaps Mexico. Ford F-150's Dearborn, and the new Ranger Wayne Mi. Ram's are Sterling Heights, a stones throw from my house.
Jeeps are Warren Mound road assy. or Jefferson north, and the mid size Cherokee Toledo. The new plant in Detroit yet to open will build 3 row SUV's, etc. along with jefferson north, which in interim is building the new Grand Wagoneer. My brother in law is an FCA concept desing mgr.

 

[schmitty]

The change from a bug to a truck doesnt seem logical. Why the need for a truck now? Just get another TDI bug and be good for another 20 years.

 

[petek]

The other harf occasionally hints at wanting a pickup again. His previous one was a then new 06 Ram quad cab replaced by an 16 Forester. Other than some rust starting around the rear wheel wells it never gave us any problems with the engine or other mechanics/electronics which surprised me. I took a quick look online both new and used and whoa have they gotten pricey. And yes even the 2nd hand late models are asking so close price-wise to a new model that it barely seems worth going that route. Looks and ride-comfort wise I do like the RAM p/u best. What I don't like about them is parking. Heck I could park my longer 75 Buick easier than a quad cab p/u.

 

[bendix5]

I have owned two 4WD Toyota trucks. I have not ever regretted them. They have got me thru everywhere I was going. Desert, snow, sand etc. First one I bought in 1992. Red, 5 speed, 6 cyl extended cab. 29 years later my grandson is driving it and restoring it up to teen age standards. The original engine is great and strong and never been rebuilt.

2011 I bought a new Tacoma with crew cab. Silver, 6 cyl etc and all of the gadgets that Toyota offered at the time. Last pickup for me to say. We had planned to retire and hit the road in it with a trailer but surgery on legs stopped me in my tracks. Now we take short trips and usually one 5 week driving trip a year. I would recommend new or used because they are built for the long haul. Be patient and get what you want.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Last Sept I just bought a 2007 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 from a friend who purchased it new. In 2019 Toyota replaced the frame under warranty so Im good for at least 10 years if I keep it washed in Winter. It only has 52k on it and I stole it for $7000.00, I've been offered $11k a few times already. High miles means nothing for these trucks but corrosion does. Its a base model which means standard cab and short bed. It doesnt have intermitten wipers, alarm system, blue tooth or USB ports on the radio, has crank windows and a single disc CD player in the dash, plus its a 4 cyl 5 speed trans. Although I would have wanted an auto in this particular vehicle even though I prefer manual trans. Its about as basic a truck as it gets these days. Only thing it has I dislike is the knob to switch it from 2WD to 4WD, I rather have the shifter. If you want a basic reliable simple truck this is it. They stopped selling them in 2015 and they seem to be a unicorn and very desirable with Toyota fans so prices are high but worth it. After buying that new 1982 Chevy C10 diesel I made them take back after 6 months I vowed never to own a domestic made vehicle unless it was built before 1970. In snow this thing was unstoppable last Winter. One of the best purchases I've made in years. I would look into one of these. As far as your 2000 TDI keep it! That has the bullet proof ALH engine and one of their best! My 2000 Golf is going on 215k and I cant kill it and will drive it another 20 years.

 

[rp2813]

I love my 2003 Subaru Baja 5-speed, which I bought about five years ago.  It's enough of a truck for my needs and like all Subarus, it's AWD (although I couldn't care less about off-roading and it's road clearance precludes that).   I've fit a 12' 4x4 in it with bed extender deployed, ski hatch open and back seat folded down.

 

I want no part of newer vehicles where you have to do everything on a touch screen, which IMO is a distraction that creates hazardous driving.  Nor do I like vehicles that cut the engine at a stop light.

 

I think you'd be better off buying something pre-owned.  Take your time until you find the right truck at the right price.  It took me a year of looking before I found the Baja, mainly because I wanted leather interior, no garish two-tone paint scheme, and they were only produced for four model years.  You'll likely find what you're looking for sooner than I did.

 

 

 

[jamiel]

Colorado/Canyon are Wentzville, MO (along with the full-size vans). Sonic was Lake Orion; the Bolt has taken over that plant. GM pickup truck plants are Silao Mexico, Fort Wayne, IN and Flint, MI. They had final assembly on pickups at the Oshawa, Ontario plant to squeeeeeeze out a little more production of the former body style. (the problem is that the plants are either flexible truck-for-truck (body-on-frame) or car-based SUV for car-based SUV (unibody) but never the 'twain shall meet. Arlington, TX is only Suburban/Tahoe/Escalade...that plant COINS money! To optimize GM, they need about 3/4 of a plant more for pickups/utilities and about 3/4 of a plant less for unibody vehicles...

 

[sudsmaster]

I have a 79 Plymouth Arrow P/U, 2WD, that's been sitting for over a decade because it burns too much oil. I have since figured that it probably can be cured with a new head (the one on there had to have a crack welded about 20 years ago, and it's probably cracked again). When I get around to it.

Meanwhile I got a '78 Dodge full size P/U, but after it blew a core plug on the freeway and toasted the motor, I scrapped it. Current "truck" is a '67 Chevy Panel Van 108 with a 283 V8. It does what I need it to do, albeit riding a bit rough with the leaf spring front suspension.

Have never felt the need for a 4x4, though. Although the Subaru version seems nice.

 

[maytag85]

These are the only kinds of trucks I’d buy since they are easy to work on and are fairly reliable (that’s if you are gentle with them)

 

[wayupnorth]

In my neighborhood, there are a variety of trucks. I have a 13 Silverado that I love. Neighbors have Frontiers and Toyotas and a few Fords. I dont like the Fords start stop engine that slams on. Every one of the foreign ones suffer from rust issues. My Silverado gets a consistent 18 mpg with a 5.3 V8 and switching from 4 to 8 cylinders seamlessly.

 

[mattl]

Now is far from an optimum time to buy a vehicle.  The chip shortage is playing havoc along with the miscalculation on the auto makers part about demand.

 One of my cousins had been dragging his feet on getting a new vehicle, decided on a Terrain Denali, but it's not in production at the moment. His car is falling apart and he is thinking of settling for a 2 year lease on a terrain SLT, but my brother reported he was at his dealer for an oil change and rotation and they normally have 150+ vehicles on their lot and are down to 20 or so on the lot.  GM is shifting all production to the BIG trucks and storing the smaller trucks on the lots with no computer chips and diverting all they can.  My brother delivers to the GM plant in Flint and they have been cranking out trucks, doing lots of overtime but cut back just a bit a week or so ago.

 

[westtexman]

I recently bought a 2021 Ford F-150 4x4. I love it. The 2021’s have the 12-inch screen which is really nice and gives you a huge view on the backup camera. This is my 3rd Ford truck, and each has been very reliable.

I love mine, and would highly recommend it.

 

[askolover]

Oh I'm not getting rid of the TDI. Trade in value on it is only about $200. It's worth more in parts but it's still tucking along with the original turbo and clutch, just did brakes last year. I could drop another engine into it for about $3k and get another 300,000+ miles on it I'm sure. I saw another one across town with 309k miles on it but it was not in good shape. Mine just needs a headliner. I just can't haul anything in the bug or the Volvo S80. Tony wrecked our GMC Jimmy 4x4 that would go anywhere I needed it to go. I just miss having a truck. My '86 Silverado with the 6.2L diesel V8 was a reliable old truck but it needed a few seals replaced and I couldn't drive it in the winter unless a plug in was nearby...just too hard to start even with new glow plugs and a new injection pump. I had it for about 10 years anyway. It just had too much torque and anytime the road was the least bit wet or slick it would just sit there and spin. Had it been a 4wd I never would have gotten rid of it though. I loved that truck. I had over 200k miles on it when I sold it to a local guy who was a diesel mechanic. If I get an Encore I will wait til the Fall and pay cash for it when they mark down. I could currently get one for as low as $16,000 and a Chevy Trax for $14,000...I'd just have to travel a little distance to get that good of a deal...but it won't be the first time we've done that. Flew to Chicago to get my first Mercedes and drove all the way to Greensboro, NC to get our first Lincoln MKS because we just couldn't find what we wanted here.

 

[gizmo]

just get a box trailer and pull it behind your VW when you need to.

I do that with my Golf wagon.

Much nicer than driving a tank.

 

If you like VWs and must drive a monster, VW have one called Amarok, quite popular here in Australia, I just read the new model may be coming to USA in 2022.

 

[kskenmore]

Vehicles

New trucks are incredibly expensive! Expensive to purchase, insure, and pay taxes on.

From the sounds of it, you don't need a truck all that often. If your Beetle is still running well, I'd keep it and look for a good condition 1997-2003 F150 or 1999-2007 Chevy Silverado to supplement. Hunt for an "old man" owned truck with relatively low miles. These are very reliable trucks and will serve you very well. If 4x4 isn't a requirement you will save a bundle also.