Ok guys I'm looking for a new truck and I have it narrowed down to 2 choices I really like. This will be occasional DD/Parts hauler etc. Looking for NEW only.
2014 Frontier. 4 cyl 5 speed. Manual windows, Cruise control. 23 mpg, $17k
OR
2014 Chevy 2500 HD WT, Unsold fleet model. 6.0 V8, auto, no options except A/C, AM/FM radio. 14 mpg. $20.5k
Pros/Cons?
One pro of the Chevy is that for not much more I can tow my Z eventually and thats a plus.
Shooting from the hip I would say Chevy, it is probably not going to be as comfy, but it really can tow some weight and has a full size bed.
How did you come down to those 2, a 3/4 ton, V8 auto and a 4 cylinder, manual, I haz confizion
Chebbie
The Chevy wins this matchup, but it seems like there should be a 1/2 ton pickup in there somewhere.
HAH! I am likely the guy that wrote the $20,900 ad for the 2500HD in Atlanta. You will absolutely love driving it! Great power, 6 speed auto and a firm suspension make for a fun ride. I like the seats too. Contact me if you have questions. mikec@jimellis.com
ls1fiero wrote: HAH! I am likely the guy that wrote the $20,900 ad for the 2500HD in Atlanta. You will absolutely love driving it! Great power, 6 speed auto and a firm suspension make for a fun ride. I like the seats too. Contact me if you have questions. mikec@jimellis.com
What a coincidence! Those are the ones. Email is coming your way sir.
The reason I came down to these two trucks is that I was looking for regular cab and a specific value point. I ruled out of Tacoma because for the same price is the Chevy I don't want a four cylinder without cruise control. Then as I moved up in size if I'm not going to have the availability of a manual transmission I need a V-8. To Me the idea of a V6 automatic truck is worthless I get none of the driver input or fun of a manual transmission and none of the potential towing capacity of the V8.
So to narrow it down to these two trucks I just had a convoluted system of wants needs prices and availability in features and ended up with these two that would both suit my needs though they are completely different.
I don't see how you came down to those two, as they are quite different from each other.
Anyhow, generically I'd go with the larger more powerful truck. They tend to make more useful trucks for truck like purposes.
I am a chevy guy. I love 'em. If you're going to put lots of miles on them as DD/unloaded duty, I'd get the Frontier.
foxtrapper wrote: I don't see how you came down to those two, as they are quite different from each other. Anyhow, generically I'd go with the larger more powerful truck. They tend to make more useful trucks for truck like purposes.
The above post from you pretty much explains how I came down to the two. It was my own system of needs and wants That didn't follow much of a pattern otherwise.
I want a regular cab light duty truck for about $21,000 or less. You get so much more for your money with the frontier being cheaper than a Tacoma in that you get cruise control and it's several thousand dollars less if you're only talking about four-cylinder five-speed trucks. Then I don't see any other small trucks that fit that kind of bill around. F1 50s are too expensive and I haven't been able to find any other rams or anything else like that for $21,000 or less either.
The bottom line is for what I need to do in a truck which is occasionally put a motor in the back of it or kayaks and then go to work which is a 7 mile commute lots of them fit the bill. The only thing is the new truck market for under that price point is pretty limited and Depends just on what you can find so that's why the options I have here are a little varied.
I'd go for the Frontier on the basis of it being a 5 speed manual, cheaper and better fuel economy.
Chevy for sure, way more truck for just a little more out of your pocket.
When you end up wanting to tow your car (which you will want to or need to at some point) you won't have any problems. Plus it's a bigger bed and there are very few times (if ever) where you will say "Man I wish I had the truck with the smaller bed." Being a regular cab, the Chevy isn't going to be hard to park or anything like that, like you might worry about with a crew cab long bed.
Over the course of the year it will be about $216 difference for your work commute (assuming $4.25/gal, 7 miles, 5 days/wk, 52 wk/yr), so I would say that's pretty much a wash.
And if you are close enough to Atlanta to be buying from Jim Ellis, your fuel cost is likely much less than $4.25/gal, so your fuel cost difference is even less.
My personal preference would be for the Nissan, but if you are planning on towing in the future, the Chevy wins hands down...
OK. That clarification helps. A 7 mile commute, even with a gas hog, just isn't all that expensive.
About the only time I wish I had a little truck is when I'm filling it up with gas. Otherwise, I tend to wish I had more truck, so I could comfortably haul stupid things home. Big and heavy things.
Which might be a good reason for me to own a VW Rabbit trucklet instead. Then I wouldn't keep getting in trouble with my county zoning people. I can't imagine the trouble I could find for myself if I were to actually buy one of those used rollbacks I occasionally see for sale at cheap prices.
foxtrapper wrote: OK. That clarification helps. A 7 mile commute, even with a gas hog, just isn't all that expensive. About the only time I wish I had a little truck is when I'm filling it up with gas. Otherwise, I tend to wish I had more truck, so I could comfortably haul stupid things home. Big and heavy things. Which might be a good reason for me to own a VW Rabbit trucklet instead. Then I wouldn't keep getting in trouble with my county zoning people. I can't imagine the trouble I could find for myself if I were to actually buy one of those used rollbacks I occasionally see for sale at cheap prices.
Yup, the short commute makes it the Chevy.
Nice to see you posting, Foxtrapper.
I tried the small truck thing. The difference in fuel economy wasn't enough to make up for the lesser capabilities in towing/hauling/hoonage/noises/smiles. I now have a 3/4 ton and have not once regretted the move.
The 6.0 liter Chevy pulls really nicely.
I had a couple of V6 frontiers (actually one was a hardbody but mechanically basically the same) with manual tran on both and grossly exceeded the towing capacity on a regular basis. Towing 5k= lbs throught he maintains was a chore otherwise great trucks. I "upgraded" to a Chevy Z71, handled the excess towing duty like a champ but constant mechanical issues. Just sayin'
evildky wrote: I had a couple of V6 frontiers (actually one was a hardbody but mechanically basically the same) with manual tran on both and grossly exceeded the towing capacity on a regular basis. Towing 5k= lbs throught he maintains was a chore otherwise great trucks. I "upgraded" to a Chevy Z71, handled the excess towing duty like a champ but constant mechanical issues. Just sayin'
The thing is, around me the v6 manual trans Frontiers and Tacomas are like $5-6k more than the V8 Chevy.
Chevy for sure. You can have too little truck, but never too much!
evildky wrote: I "upgraded" to a Chevy Z71, handled the excess towing duty like a champ but constant mechanical issues. Just sayin'
Of course, if we're going to present single cases, I could offer my father's '02 Z71 5.3 that he bought with 19k miles on it. It's now at 195k or so and has had no major repairs. Oil changes, a window regulator and a couple of sets of brakes and tires.
You're special, Dave. But we already knew that. 
Unless you're damn sure you need the extra capacity of the 2500 I'd consider the 1500. It's less money up front, better on gas, cheaper consumables (brakes, tires and such), and lighter/more agile. I'd also consider an auto in terms of resale. Most people don't want manuals. I buy used trucks regularly and won't get manuals because they're more costly over the long run due to clutch issues.
Currently I have two V8 Chevy 1500s in my fleet, and I love them. No mas Fords.
I still can't quite wrap my head around ending up at those two options as they're essentially polar opposites.
It seems you're only willing to buy new. To clarify, the Chevy is a leftover 2013 body style, not a new 2014.
I also question based on their add whether you really qualify to buy one of the Chevy's at $21K. according to their page here: http://www.jimellischevrolet.net/MiscPage_4 you'd need to have "$1,000 Truck Loyalty Rebate for Owners of 1999 or newer GM vehicle. **$2,000 Trade-In Bonus Cash Rebate for those that trade in 1999 or newer GM vehicle."
If you don't have a '99+ GM to trade in, you can tack on $3K+ to that ~$21K truck, and now you're creeping towards a $25K truck.
To me, $25K Chevy 3/4 ton vs. $17K Frontier is adding even further variables.
Now maybe the salesguy here can verify a $20.5K actual sales price without the contingencies?
What do you need this truck to do? Seems too knee jerk or variables left out. Lots of trucks in between.
kreb wrote: Unless you're damn sure you need the extra capacity of the 2500 I'd consider the 1500. It's less money up front, better on gas, cheaper consumables (brakes, tires and such), and lighter/more agile. I'd also consider an auto in terms of resale. Most people don't want manuals. I buy used trucks regularly and won't get manuals because they're more costly over the long run due to clutch issues. Currently I have two V8 Chevy 1500s in my fleet, and I love them. No mas Fords.
The 1500 is not less money. This 2500 is unsold fleet vehicles and is $20k. The 1500s are substantially more than that around me.
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