The world has lost it's mind and I can sell my van to Carvana for over $20k right now. That's $3k more than a few months ago. For some time I've been planning a move to a pickup that can tow a race car trailer; I think I'm going to unload the van and start shopping. I'm not in a rush and can wait for a good deal, I have a Cayman that I can daily for a while. So I'm looking for suggestions (make, model, years) to start searching.
Criteria:
- $15-20k budget, less is obviously better.
- Crew cab, full-size pickup. 4wd nice but not critical, I live in Atlanta and don't off-road.
- nothing too old or skanky. I would use it as a part-time daily and family road tripper, so interior comfort and noise are factors. Would like to be able to install a modern stereo with Bluetooth, CarPlay, etc.
- Good to tow a flat bed with race car under any circumstances (mountains/heat etc.), and the occasional small enclosed trailer.
- Tough, reliable, easy to fix.
I'm a died-in-the-wool Toyota guy, but it seems like Tundras in this price range all have a million miles and questionable history. What are my other choices? I've had good luck with GM trucks, not much history with Ford or Ram.
Around here $18K will get a 2012-2014 Tundra 4 door with 75-90k miles. I rather have that than a GM/Ford/Ram.
Nissan Titan?
They do get poor mpg but they are 5.6L and 400hp.
I can find plenty of Double Cabs and 4.6L motors in that price range, but the Crew Max (full back seat) with the 5.7L is tough in that budget.
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:
I can find plenty of Double Cabs and 4.6L motors in that price range, but the Crew Max (full back seat) with the 5.7L is tough in that budget.
Make a trip out west. All my searches were 5.7L crewmax only.
I can vouge for the Titan. It also has fantastic onroad manners. The Gen1 is probabaly my favorite full sized gasser of the era and they are rediculous capacities for what they are. Only real problem they have is that their paint is utter E36 M3
2WD GM's are just really good at being trucks that haul people and things. Plus replacement parts are cheap. and plentiful.
^ this is the direction I'm leaning right now. I had a 2001 Tahoe for ten years and 200k+ miles and had no issues with it at all. The 2.7 Ecoboost Fords are compelling but I feel like GM V8 trucks are simpler and would be less prone to exotic issues as they age.
A buddy of mine just grabbed a 2016 F150 5.0 4WD for $15k and is smitten with it.
I drove it & liked it.
Toyota Tax is high.
GMT900s are just fantastic. I spent 1000 miles in a base trim 5.3 2wd shuffling 5-6000lbs worth of cars up and down the eastern seaboard a few years ago. We were getting mid teens on the highway with plenty of brakes(no brake controller, albeit a braked trailer) and plenty of power. Comfortable seats and quiet enough for whisper conversations.
Don't buy a 2g Titan. 1g is a good truck.
Signed,
A Nissan tech
P.s. my vote is also 2.7 F150
poopshovel again said:
A buddy of mine just grabbed a 2016 F150 5.0 4WD for $15k and is smitten with it.
I drove it & liked it.
I'm in the rust belt. In 2015 the F150 went aluminum. If I had the budget, I would want a 2015 w/ 5.0L. The V8 rather than the potentially more complex Ecoboost.
Currently, I have a '06 F250 single cab, 2wd. Since getting the wife a new minivan that leaves us with the Montero having some overlap with the minivan for seating. I am considering updating the truck to a 4dr, 4wd to replace these 2 vehicles. Its a good time to sell but a bad time to buy so wanting a 4 dr truck doesn't mean I'm gonna find what I want. The 2015 F150 is out of my budget. I have my eyes set on a 2006 or newer Titan. I'd like to find one with less than 150k for $8k or less.
Yeah in the rust belt the 2015 ford is the way to go. I drove a 2016 F-150 recently. Super great with the 2.7 and I love turbo engines. Dave estey just bought a 5.0 F-150 with the 10 speed and loves it. But not cheaper than 20k
Outlier...
Only offered in 4 door, only offered w/ 4wd (maybe awd), and only offered with all the toys:
2005-2008 Lincoln Mark LT (wiki)
Real samples seem to be cheaper than (certainly not more expensive than) similarly equipped F150s
'06 asking $11.9k w/ 124k
Probably never worked harder than driving the dentist to the office. Biggest downside is the Ford 5.4L which has a reputation of poor oiling and spark plugs.
I vote GM. LS engine for the win. Get a tune to turn off the DOD and change the filter for it.
Everyone seems to forget that aluminum corrodes too. I see lots of SN197 Mustangs with the leading edge of the aluminum hood blistered and degrading.
