Looking at a new truck......

[gtochris]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

The 6 speed Tranny really annoyed me when driving one of the crossover Lambda style GMC Acadias. Really heavy vehicle with a high tech, underpowered 3.6liter but try to compensate with the 6 speed. There is a reason they have the push button/manual shift mode. All the bad mileage of a V8 with none of the torque but somehow is rated at 5000lbs towing.

Agreed, I dislike how even on flat ground, you let off the brakes and the car has no automatic "torque" to self move, You have to really floor it to get any real power out for hills/ merging. I really question how it is rated to tow so much and the MPG is over-inflated, too much weight! For that segment I think I'd choose a Pilot!

 

[jkust]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

Yeah, my wife has an acadia, so I know exactly what you mean. I gently tried to push her into another tahoe instead, but she chose the Acadia. It's cool, and drives nice. But it gets crappy mileage, and has no power to pull anything including the boat. She loves it though!!

Yeah, everybody but me, the driver, loved it. The move to a crossover should be some compromise but the platitude was that they got better mileage so let's all move from our body on frame suv's to these cheaper-to-operate alternatives. Considering the massive decrease in utility regarding all the reasons you drive a large vehicle, you might as well drive a stationwagon.

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

First of all let me go with the disclaimer. I am a ford man and probably will always be. That being said, no one has mentioned the diesel factor? If you want reliablity and MPG's and pulling capacity then a duramax with an allison sounds to be a perfect fit. I know they are a bit pricey but they are the best automatic transmission diesel on the market. Where I'm from diesels are necessary because if you drive around here and find a flat spot bigger than a small house you better stop and take a picture! You may live in a different topography.

That being said as far as gas engines there is a reason that chevy's depriciate faster than the others...

 

[OllieC]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

I'm not trying to ignite a flame war on Chevy vs. Ford, but I do own an EcoBoost. It's a wonderful truck and if I keep it around 65mph/1600-1800rpm I get about 22. That was what I was getting in my 5 cyl Chevy Colorado. Plus, the EcoBoost has 420ft-lbs of torque which isn't bad for towing. Enough of my pitch.

My Boss has an 10' Suburban with the engine management system. He "had" the oil issue. Chevy originally told him that this was normal but he didn't accept that. Brand new, when cold, it used to blow out blue smoke. I guess they ended up adding a diverter pan for the oil or something and that fixed it......after he complained about it enough of course.

Like everything else, go out and test drive them. I had a Super Crew 2011 Silverado z71 for a week (GM loaner)whilr my wifes car was in the shop. It had the 5.3l - it wasn't bad. I like the growl of a V8. The switching to 4 thing wasn't a big deal, just anoying watching it on the dash and it seemed like a slight hesitation - but maybe I was looking for it.

The EcoBoost in my opinion was a lot stronger. I also like that when I'm in 6th and up a steep grade it doesn't downshift. The turbos spool up similar to a semi.

Best of luck - they're both good trucks.

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

The EcoBoost in my opinion was a lot stronger. I also like that when I'm in 6th and up a steep grade it doesn't downshift. The turbos spool up similar to a semi.

And it does hurt that they are FAST when they aren't towing! Turbo's are the future.

But hey since we are all giving are opinions I think the new fait 500's are really nice.... or maybe a hybrid? YEA RIGHT!!!!

 

[HollaGeo]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

You wanna know the truth??? All automobiles made from 2009 to Present are ALL made with quality. I have a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe V6 Limited, AWD, etc, etc. This truck is a luxury automobile and damn fast. Those Ford vs. Chevy days are for rednecks to argue about. The days of worrying about buying a cheap (build quality) car are over. Everything is nice out there.

 

[jkust]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

You wanna know the truth??? All automobiles made from 2009 to Present are ALL made with quality. I have a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe V6 Limited, AWD, etc, etc. This truck is a luxury automobile and damn fast. Those Ford vs. Chevy days are for rednecks to argue about. The days of worrying about buying a cheap (build quality) car are over. Everything is nice out there.

Not to terribly dissimilar to boats. All the 2012 bowriders are finally coming into their own. Still large differences in certain aspects between boat brands but at least they look nice. I don't think though that we are arguing about a specific brand but about certain manufacturers v8 engines. I also don't think the Hyundai is placed in the luxury segment of the marketplace. It may be luxurious but it is not a luxury vehicle. Also then there are certain platforms out there still going strong that are virtually unchanged since 2007 so then it souncs like the 2009's are nice but then apparently the identical 2008's are not made with quality. That sounds like a platitude.

 

[sasada]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

You wanna know the truth??? All automobiles made from 2009 to Present are ALL made with quality. I have a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe V6 Limited, AWD, etc, etc. This truck is a luxury automobile and damn fast. Those Ford vs. Chevy days are for rednecks to argue about. The days of worrying about buying a cheap (build quality) car are over. Everything is nice out there.

HA! I heard the same thing in the late 90s and again in about 2004. MOST every new vehicle is nice....that is not when quailty really shines. Put 100K miles on with about 20K+ of those towing....THAT is when quailty will come out. I am honestly glad you like your ride....that is what matters. However, i digress.....this is a topic for a different thread if not different forum.

 

[kylejb2663]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

I myself am a huge Ford guy, but I have no problem at all with all others makes! To be honest, GM has done some pretty cool stuff.

I will say however that the technology that is built into the F-150 ecoboost far surpasses others. I have had the ability to drive one and drive one loaded with a lot of weight and all I can say is wow.. Lots of power, very comfortable inside and roomy. If I was looking for something decent on gas, good for towing, and good for trips w/ or w/o towing, hands down Ford F-150 ecoboost!

 

[jkust]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

I will say however that the technology that is built into the F-150 ecoboost far surpasses others. I have had the ability to drive one and drive one loaded with a lot of weight and all I can say is wow.. Lots of power, very comfortable inside and roomy. If I was looking for something decent on gas, good for towing, and good for trips w/ or w/o towing, hands down Ford F-150 ecoboost!

It's funny how forced induction has come and gone in fits and spurts over the decades. It's been around forever and having owned one supercharged car in the past I really love it. The supercharger needed a rebuild kit/oil change at about 100,000 miles and that was it. I absolutly hate the pandering of the using the word 'eco' however. It is almost as bad as the Green pandering where green in other instances means more expensive but less effective equating to a lower standard of living. My close friend has a new f150 bought last year and the mileage is no better than any other standard V8 in the real world. If you're going to go so far as to put together the complex ecoboost engine in a truck, you better give me at least 30mpgs in real life driving. As for roomy and comfortable, sure but that is subjective. Since we are talking about it I will say that the Chevy and GMC new trucks seem to be really lacking in the move to a more luxurious approach on design as the Ford and Dodge trucks have taken. In other words they (GM) seem like they have fallen behind the curve and cheap by comparison.

 

[Hammer Down]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

No experience with the 6 speed tranny, but as far as longevity I've got an '05 Silverado Z71 with the 5.3 and 132,000 miles on it. No major issues other than routine maintenance.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

I agree with the "eco" stuff - but as far a mpg - It's a 5600lb vehicle. I can get 21-22mpg and still have plenty of power on tap. Plus the 420ft-lbs of torqe for pulling. As I mentioned before, my Chevy Colorado was getting that MPG and it was an inline "gutless" 5 cylinder.
As it stands today, IMO, complaining about MPG for a full size truck is like complaining about MPG in a boat. If you can't afford the gas (who can now'a'days - different issue for a different forum) maybe you shouldn't own the vehicle.

 

[jkust]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

I agree with the "eco" stuff - but as far a mpg - It's a 5600lb vehicle. I can get 21-22mpg and still have plenty of power on tap. Plus the 420ft-lbs of torqe for pulling. As I mentioned before, my Chevy Colorado was getting that MPG and it was an inline "gutless" 5 cylinder.
As it stands today, IMO, complaining about MPG for a full size truck is like complaining about MPG in a boat. If you can't afford the gas (who can now'a'days - different issue for a different forum) maybe you shouldn't own the vehicle.

I agree in theory but the F150 is marketed and sold on the basis of the fantastic mileage you will attain. I know of no boats that piggy back almost exclusively on MPG's. The Colorado is a 4.2 i6 with one cylinder lopped off. The 4.2 was a very good engine but thirsty. I realize asking for 30mpg's in a normal 'petrol' engine is silly which just emphasise my point of yes you can add one small turbo to eliminate the lag and also a second, larger turbo to get the torque or however you approach it but given the numbers aren't much better that the 5.7 liter Dodge engine, why?
In otherwords don't bother me manufacuturers with your 2mpg incremental increases. Let me know when you get at least 40% better mileage with or without forced induction but without diesel and electrics and I'll listen.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

True - I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't have higher expectations....however when you add all the options - 3.73rear, running boards, super crew, tow package, 4x4, 20's, mileage starts to go down.

 

[HopinImFloatin]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

not sure if you are still monitoring this thread, but if you are, here is some more info. I work on these vehicles every day as a 22yr gm tech. Since the dod engines came out a few years back, i have only seen 4 or 5 with oil consumption issues. All were fixed by replacing the lifters on the left bank(one with the pcv orifice). Apparently they can develop an "over aggressive" lifter pushing too much oil through(oil normally passes thru the lifter into pushrod and lubes rockers) and allowing too much oil into the rocker cover, vaporizing and being drawn into the pcv and ultimately burning it. Certainly if it is left to do this for extended periods the rings can gum up and there are bulletins on this. I personally havent had it come to that. The shield that someone spoke of is for earlier engines and covers the oil bleed valve for the dod lifters in the oil pan, it stops oil bleed spray from getting on lower piston skirts ang gumming rings. There has also been a redesigned rocker cover with a better oil baffle. 5.3 has been a very reliable engine as far as i have seen and there are TONS of them out there so 4 or 5 burners is pretty good in my opinion. If you are really worried, purchase a gmpp warranty, they are a bit pricey but much better than aftermarket policies. Lastly, ignore the oil life moniter system and change the oil every 3k. I dont care what gm says, the engines i end up repairing have the changes done at far greater intervals and seems to be a trend...and not just for the v8's. With that said, buy with confidence, they really are good trucks, BUT, I may be a liiiiiiittle biased

 

[marauder11]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

I have a 2012 Eco boost. Well not sure on milage of other brands had a 2004 f150 before this truck. I get 19 to 20 us mpg on the highway empty . i just pulled my 7k lbs rv (10 mpg) and it never slowed down. I could keep the same speed going up hills. It is the best gas truck i have ever pulled with. I am a ford guy and almost bought a chev 2500 ltz gas job. I thank god ever day i stuck with the ford. Tough choice as all the new trucks have good features. Let us know what you buy.

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

Yes I have been monitoring this thread. And Apreciate all the input from everyone.

We have not pulled the trigger on this purchase yet. The local dealer offered us a very low trade-in on out 2002 Ford Explorer. $1500 bucks. So seeing that it is working and paid for, I'm holding off until it breaks or the incentives start drying up. No point in maying a payment untill I have to. And If I loose $1500 because it dies, then oh well........ I'll save the payments for the summer and put it into the boats tank.....

Needless to say, no repairs are going into the Explorer......

 

[gtochris]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

For $1500 you can probably double that on a private sale.

Aerodynamics and weight are the real thing holding the truck back from better MPG, we need more competitive midsize trucks in the U.S.
Until recently, you could get the Impala SS with the DOD 5.3L/ 4 speed and it would do 29-30MPG (Highway) compared to the 15-19MPG Silverado.

The current GM trucks aren?t NEARLY as groundbreaking as the 1999-2000 re-design, that erra was a real game changer, (better MPG, smaller displacement/ higher HP engines, Autotrac 4x4, SUV like luxury, fantastic interior/ exterior style (compared to the competition choices).

I have a co-worker with an '11 F150 Ecoboost and he loves his truck, the MPG around daily is "average", he say 17MPG, but the 420ft torque is impressive and the only thing that could likely match would be a Hemi or 6.2L GM which likely get far fewer then 17MPG under similar circumstances.

All 3 brands build a great truck, the incentives have always been on the 1500 dodge (I believe) and more recent, the Silverado, the F150 is too new/ "hot" and likely the most expensive for some time to come.

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

Just to repeat a earlier post. I design GM for a Teir 1 supplier. I am responsible for some of the parts of the current design and the refresh in next year model.

So I can not show up to work driving a new Ford. I could get away with it the fiorst time 10ish year ago seeing I was designing both Fords and GM's. Not now seeing all I work on is GM's.....

Plus parking at GM Tech center is better is you are driving a GM. Spaces are closer for those that drive GM's....

 

[Slide]

Re: Looking at a new truck......

I just bought a new Ecoboost F-150 XLT. It has the 3.73 rear end, and I'm seeing 19.5 combined MPG. If you stick it in cruise control at 65, it will get 21-22 no problem. Very happy with the truck - it's got a hell of a lot of pep when you put your foot into it as well.

I frequent a few F-150 forums where the debate over Ecoboost MPG is neverending. The way I see it, I'm tickled to death to have an extremely capable and well-equipped pickup that will reliably get over 20. The flat torque curve on the EB is great too; it pulls like a little diesel.