Sho'Nuff
Diamond Member
Hi All:
So as some of you know I have long had two cars. An acura TSX that I use as a commuter car, and a 2003 F150 that I use on the weekends. As much as I loved the F150 I had to let it go last weekend due to various issues. It wouldn't pass inspection without ~$4000 in work, and I am just not willing to put that much into a 13 year old truck.
As a result, I am looking to replace the F150 and my Acura with a nicer, newer truck. I work from home most of the time now, so I don't need a fuel sipper anymore. That, and I simply like driving the truck much more than the acura.
My budget is $40k, so I am likely in the used market. I don't have many needs. Just a backup camera and reasonably decent highway fuel economy (20+ MPG on the highway would be fine). I have a 22' boat that is 5000lbs, so reasonable towing capacity and a trailer brake controller is also needed. I also have to have a crew cab with a short (5.5'-6')bed. Heated seats are also an absolute must (it gets friggin cold up here).
As for wants - while I have a strong preference for leather seating in trucks (its a LOT easier to clean), I don't have to have it. I would also like a remote starter, rear window defroster, and power sliding rear panel. A moonroof would be nice but is way down the list of wants.
That said, I am contemplating the following options. Its surprisingly hard to choose between them, so I would like your comments. All would be purchased used (assuming I can find them).
2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel - Big horn or Laramie trim - pros - Amazing fuel economy for a 7000lb vehicle. Nice interior. Cons: Diesel exhaust complexity/reported problems. Odd driving dynamics (turbo lag). Its a dodge
2015 F-150 XLT or Lariat - Pros - Aluminum body (no body rust in New England), ecoboost engine turns a truck into a rocket, strong towing capacity; Cons - expensive. Ecoboost gets terribad real world gas mileage. V8 has reliability issues. Used inventory is scarce.
2012-2014 F150 XLT or Lariat - Pros - Affordable. Good features. Nice driving dynamics. Cons - ecoboost efficiency is even worse. No aluminum body. Electronics are a bit wonky.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
FWIW I have considered and ruled out the midsize offerings (Colorado, Canyon, Tacoma) as they are less capable trucks that have the same or worse mileage ratings as their full size counterparts (why anyone buys them is beyond me). I have test driven the silverado and ruled it out as being uncomfortable (to me). I have test driven the RAM ecodiesel and the current and previous generation ford F150s as well.
So as some of you know I have long had two cars. An acura TSX that I use as a commuter car, and a 2003 F150 that I use on the weekends. As much as I loved the F150 I had to let it go last weekend due to various issues. It wouldn't pass inspection without ~$4000 in work, and I am just not willing to put that much into a 13 year old truck.
As a result, I am looking to replace the F150 and my Acura with a nicer, newer truck. I work from home most of the time now, so I don't need a fuel sipper anymore. That, and I simply like driving the truck much more than the acura.
My budget is $40k, so I am likely in the used market. I don't have many needs. Just a backup camera and reasonably decent highway fuel economy (20+ MPG on the highway would be fine). I have a 22' boat that is 5000lbs, so reasonable towing capacity and a trailer brake controller is also needed. I also have to have a crew cab with a short (5.5'-6')bed. Heated seats are also an absolute must (it gets friggin cold up here).
As for wants - while I have a strong preference for leather seating in trucks (its a LOT easier to clean), I don't have to have it. I would also like a remote starter, rear window defroster, and power sliding rear panel. A moonroof would be nice but is way down the list of wants.
That said, I am contemplating the following options. Its surprisingly hard to choose between them, so I would like your comments. All would be purchased used (assuming I can find them).
2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel - Big horn or Laramie trim - pros - Amazing fuel economy for a 7000lb vehicle. Nice interior. Cons: Diesel exhaust complexity/reported problems. Odd driving dynamics (turbo lag). Its a dodge
2015 F-150 XLT or Lariat - Pros - Aluminum body (no body rust in New England), ecoboost engine turns a truck into a rocket, strong towing capacity; Cons - expensive. Ecoboost gets terribad real world gas mileage. V8 has reliability issues. Used inventory is scarce.
2012-2014 F150 XLT or Lariat - Pros - Affordable. Good features. Nice driving dynamics. Cons - ecoboost efficiency is even worse. No aluminum body. Electronics are a bit wonky.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
FWIW I have considered and ruled out the midsize offerings (Colorado, Canyon, Tacoma) as they are less capable trucks that have the same or worse mileage ratings as their full size counterparts (why anyone buys them is beyond me). I have test driven the silverado and ruled it out as being uncomfortable (to me). I have test driven the RAM ecodiesel and the current and previous generation ford F150s as well.
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