Posted 2007-01-28 7:32 AM (#1640) Subject: Is there a consumer buying guide for big trucks?
Posts: 5
Location: Brookings, SD
In the past when I have purchased cars, I have used websites like consumer guide automotive. My husband and I would like to buy a newer truck for him to use every day, and for me to use towing the 4 horse stock trailer. Pleasing two people is hard enough. We are probably looking at something 3-5 years old with 50,000 to 100,000 miles on it. I would really like to see some buying guides for reliability, typical repairs, problems encountered. But consumer guide automotive only rates 1/2 ton trucks, we need a 3/4 ton. I can read the reports on the various 1/2 ton models, but that doesn't necessarily tell me about the 3/4 ton model.
Is there someplace similar that gives used car ratings for 3/4 ton trucks?
Posted 2007-01-28 8:01 AM (#1641 - in reply to #1640) Subject: RE: Is there a consumer buying guide for big trucks?
Posts: 200
Location: Dickinson, TX
Off the bat, I noticed you're planning on pulling a 4 horse trailer with a 3/4 ton truck. Are you sure you'll be within payload and towing specs with a 3/4 ton and that trailer, loaded?
Aside from that... I'm not familiar with any such guide. However, you can join some message forums to give you an idea of the pluses and minuses, and owner experiences, of each type of truck. Here are some off the top of my cranium:
The last site is pay only, but if you decide to buy a Dodge, your membership there will save you thousands at a dealer in Missouri. His deal was literally $5000 better than anything the local dealer here in SC gave me--I drove and picked up the truck when it arrived at his dealership.
Good luck in you search!! After driving a '91 Ford diesel for several years, any of these newer diesels are really something!
Posted 2007-01-28 8:18 AM (#1642 - in reply to #1640) Subject: Is there a consumer buying guide for big trucks?
Posts: 5
Location: Brookings, SD
"Off the bat, I noticed you're planning on pulling a 4 horse trailer with a 3/4 ton truck. Are you sure you'll be within payload and towing specs with a 3/4 ton and that trailer, loaded?"
Well, I hope so. It is well within the specs of the two 3/4 tons we currently have. It is 3700 pounds empty and about 8000 pounds loaded with horses.
Thank you for the list of websites. I do realize that I can ask this and other message boards about individual trucks. But I was hoping for something that rated them on multiple people's satisfaction or unsatisfaction, not just individual andecdotes.
Is there a consumer buying guide for big trucks?
