I have a small business and am looking to get a dirt cheap work truck. Reg cab, 2wd, stick, V6, no A/C and 4 tires that has GVWR of 6k lbs or more.

Ford F150 - 19k sticker minus rebates, etc looking at basically $13,500 + Tax

Chevy - 18k sticker minus discount and rebate looking at $12,600 + Tax

I'm selling my 2005 Harley Davidson XL1200C to help offset the cost.

Any thoughts on which is better deal, I could save money with the Chevy.

Hey PolarBear, can I ride my hog down to Portland area and trade it in for a new Truck??

Tony

 

Get the one that best serves your purposes. If you are towing compare towing capacities. If you will be putting alot of miles on it compare miles per gallon. Also check the gm forums to see what kind of problems people are having with whatever gm engine
you are looking at. Check the engine forums here for the ford engines problems. I can not give you a clearcut answer because I dont know what exactly you will be using it for. Plus I might be a little biased.

 

Thanks for the reply, I will mainly use the truck for light hauling, occassional towing, but mostly driving around. I like the Ford, but it does cost more. I just watched the Ford CD - "Truth about trucks" and I like what I saw about the Ford.

Tony

 

Don't forget to check out what resale values are either.
I am not sure what resale is like on trucks equipped out that way.
What turns out to be cheaper now may end up being more expensive down the track.

How long are you looking at keeping it for?

 

Do you have to go new? Getting a 2-3 year old truck with low miles may be a cheaper option. If you are looking for really cheap, check out the 92-96 body style, they still look nice and are half of what the new ones are. I just bought a low mile (71K) near mint 95 F250 xlt extended cab 4x4 460 with a 170k warranty for just over $10k and I live just around the corner from you.

 

If you just want something to mostly run around in maybe a Ranger would serve your purpose.Good Luck!

 

well i would skip the v-6 in the f-150 not the best track record i would go for the small 4.6 which will give at least 250,000 plus miles

 

I would have to agree with what ford390gashog said.
How much would a 1year old F150 with the 4.6l, in the same configuration you mentioned cost?

 

Thanks all, I will look into a used one. Hotrod, where did you get the used truck, dealer or private? I like the looks of the new trucks and thought it would be nice to get one. I'd like to just get a ranger, but they don't count for the 6k lb gvwr needed.

Tony

 

and the ford comes standard with 4 wheel disc and abs

 

Hmmm. I think you'll find that pricing that truck and actually finding that truck are two entirely different things. Even that basic work-truck configuration is typically a V8, AT, AC,Tilt, Cruise, and Tow kind of deal. To answer the original question- if it's going to be a V6, it should be a Chevy...period. The "truth about trucks" doesn't cover the truth about that 4.2V6. Throw a 4.6 in the Ford, and it becomes a different equation. Different price structure too, unfortunately.

Don't forget the Ranger either- it's still the inexpensive pickup of choice in the commercial market.

Edit: why the 6000 GVW? The IRS upper the definition of commercial to 14500 last year, if that's the consideration.

 

good point you can build that stripped down but finding one is hard because no dealer wants one to sit on the lot with options like that .it just won't sell and for resale you need the v-8 and a/c

 

I'm looking at the section 179 deduction for a vehicle purchase to be fully dedcutible the gvwr has to be 6000 lbs or greater. The half tons are, the ranger is not.

As to availability, there is a Chevy work truck on the lot here for just over 18k dollars msrp. There is also a Ford sitting on the show room floor for just over 19k msrp. That's where I came up with the numbers, the Chevy dudes said I can have it for about $12,600.

I've mainly driven fords, but I drive a Chevy 2500 reg cab, 2wd at work and it's hard to drive and not squeal the tires. I hate driving it after a rain, I pull onto a road and my speedo goes to 70 and I'm still sitting still. It's a little dangerous and I have to remind myself to not try and launch the thing everytime I drive it (company car )

As to the truth about trucks video, the lack of any front end structure on the chevy was scary. The fully boxed frame on the Ford explains why the truck is so heavy, which makes it such a dog, a safe, quiet vehicle but still a dog.

Anyway, thanks for the replies.

Tony

 

"traction control"

You may be right about the 6000 lb because of the regular cab configuration- an extended cab gets different treatment (go figure). In any event, double check- Sect 179 was revised in November of last year.

 

I have had my Ranger w/4.0 for over 7 years now and have had not one problem with the motor or truck in general at 134k, with exception of rear brake line failure. I'm also not into racing, or driving like I stole my truck on the street, after all it's a truck, but she has ate those zr's (or whatever they are) blazer's and s-10's, colorado's, canyons, etc. no problem and will flat out keep up with a v-8. Very strong motor for a v-6 and so far very reliable.

In fact, my employer has the same year s-10 as my Ranger, a 94. It has a 4.2L w/20k less miles on it, is never used for real work and has had endless problems with it. I've driven it many a time and is junk from the word go. As well, I work my Ranger often and has plenty of pulling power, and the suspension to handle the loads, there's simply no comparison as far as I'm concerned. My Ranger beats it hands down in all categories!