You need to run a bunch of numbers. You are putting 20k miles/+ each year. In 5 years that's 100k. You pay $40k for a new truck, what is it going to be worth when you pay it off? Maybe 15k? That's a big loss. Not to mention all of the fuel.
The Aluminum body ford is a serious consideration as Nate noted with the corrosion issues up that way. Doesn't mean the frame and under carriage won't rust out though.
That baby duramax in the Colorado/Canyons have my attention now. From what I just read they will either be offered with a 2.5 or 2.8 liter pumping around 150hp and 350 pound feet of torque! BTW: Buy Toyota
Oh wow that's horrible fiat. It's gonna be a pain if something breaks. So Diesel engines last longer then gas?
If you are commuting 80 miles a day , do yourself a favor and buy a car......... Anyway back on topic, if you are thinking compact pickups you missed the best one you can actually buy right now The best thing about the Colorado is that its gonna force 'Yota to finally refresh its lineup. [waits for the bowtie flame war]
Just took a look at the new dodge diesel engine, looks nice. A smaller engine for a 1/2 ton P.U. If I'm going to be working a truck, it's probably gonna be the inline 6 cummins and a 3/4 ton chassis. Let me check my pockets, umm...maybe not, kinda pricey today. I own both my vehicles and DO NOT miss making payments one bit. Can't imagine when the time comes what will be next.
Salvos incoming. Great commuter truck, and they have a price tag inline with a good low mileage used truck that can actually haul something. There are a lot of older ones on the road around here - so I'm not knocking them(just price wise vs. capability) The 1/2T Tundra is a pig on fuel
We drove a 13 dodge 1500 from MI to NY back in the winter and were getting 23.5 mpg. 4x4 crew cab. Surprised us big time.
Go ahead... they are expensive for what they are certainly - and downright overpriced if you need a real work truck. And hte gas mileage is notghing special. But for me I wanted a compact so it could fit in the garage and be a bit easier to handle on congested roads and I like the size. Plus the sting of the price goes away when you look at hte resale values - some guys actaully walk away making money selling them used! Honestly I never even considered it before I started seriously shopping as Im not a fan of Yota cars... but right now its that or a Frontier and nobody drives frontiers. Toyota is currently riding the owner loyalty to these, a lot of which comes from their popularity with the offroaders. The Colorado and new small Dodge will be good for the market, push them to innovate again. But for all of that I really like mine so far. And Ive got nothing against Ford or Chevy trucks either.... My dad has driven Chevy for years (Suburbans, Van and now a Yukon) and Ive always liked F150s.... just in the small trucks I'm liking this Yota.
head up display or actual tank fill/miles driven? The display on my chevy is quite a bit off probably 1.5-2 mpg, but it averages 18.5(me measuring) - 4spd '09 mostly back country roads/city driving
Does that engine ( a hemi I assume) have multi-displacement engine? Where after a cruising speed of 35 mph it will shut down from a v-8 to a v-6?
80 miles a day in a truck. That's a lot of miles and it's going to cost big bucks. I would go with a car for those daily 80 mile trips, then an economical truck for your trucking wants. I bought an f 150 back in 2008, it is a 1999 4 wheel drive. I've driven it a bit over 9000 miles total. So far, it runs great. Same tires on it. I go to HD, lowes, and the landfill.
x2 Diesel trucks have a better resale value even after all those years. Take a look, you'll see 10 yo trucks with 100k or more still selling for 20k+. I personally can't stomach the cost of new trucks. A 1/2 ton truck has no business pushing 50K, price a load LTZ suburban lately!? they're in the 75k range!! Hard parts will last longer with a diesel. Diesel engines are more expensive to maintain and repair though. Today's modern diesels with all the required emissions controls really hurt the long term reliability of diesel engines imo. The EGR in 2004, DPF in 2007 and SCR in 2010. Price how much a set of injectors cost in a modern diesel or a replacement high pressure pump and you'll cringe a bit(not counting labor). With all that said I love big stupid diesel trucks that make no economic sense so I say go for it! The mileage I get pulling 8k is probably better than the comparable 3/4 ton gasser gets running around empty. If you just want a diesel for hauling wood buy yourself an old Dodge 3/4 ton with a 12v Cummins backed by a manual transmission and call it a day.
The newer diesels are great motors. I have one in a 13 super duty that I love. I know your looking at the 1500 trucks though. The only downside to the dodge is that's a brand new motor. I personally would wait a year or so on that one so they work the bugs out of it. The first 6.7 ford used had some issues that were cleared up in year 2.
Get a prius and a beater truck. 2 things I would not do with a ridiculously priced new truck is commute and haul firewood.