Buying a truck, need advice!

[MotoX6]

My hauler truck is getting old..Chevy Colorado. Gunna sell it outright and buying a new Silverado. Need advice, anyone have a 2008-2013 silverado? I've researched a lot..just looking for people I trust opinions.
Looking to find a LTZ crew cab , gas mileage? 5.3 engine?

Thanks guys

 

[dmp0001]

FORD, that is my only advice

 

[go cytocis]

FORD, that is my only advice

Just not one of those cheesy "Harley-Davidson" ones please...

 

[1badtitan90]

Mine is an 08.. average mileage with 33s is roughly 12mpg... not the best but it is lifted and bigger tires... if not lifted should get around 16-18 average...

 

[HighPlanesRider]

must not be hauling much if your using a colorado. I drive a 2002 F-250 with the 7.3 and am getting 17-18 city and 20-21 hwy. It may not be the softest ride but very dependable

 

[BuellyBagger]

I personally end up getting worse mileage driving a 5.3 chevy than I do driving a ford 3.5eco (we have both for loaners at the dealership and have driven both for classes). I assume this is because im always rodding the chevy because im not used to the way you have to wait so long for the tranny to down shift and it up shifts too early. I've always had fords so im used to the way they drive. 14-16 in the chevy and 15-18 in the ford. I think a different driver could get better from both. generally I here of 16-19 for most drivers in the chevy. And don't buy an extended cab get a crew! the extended cab chevys rattle.

 

[MotoX6]

Yeah I haul my Buell's, dirt bikes, a four wheeler once in a while..I'm gunna use it for painting and hauling bikes. Pretty light loads.
I was hoping the Chevy would get 17-18 highway...idk if I can stomach 12!
Id buy a ford but I've been set on a chevy..my folks have a 7.3 F350 and it's great for pulling or hauling. Just a pain in the butt to throw a bike up in!

 

[1badtitan90]

That's lifted though.. before I lifted it it would see 17-21 on the highway...

 

[MotoX6]

Oh that's much better! I really need to get more like 18+ to feel better about it.

I'm going to buy a crew cab LTZ with a 5.3
I need the crew for work. I'm really excited to buy one...but I can't believe how much cash I'm shelling out..there goes a new EBR1190...haha

 

[djs2k2]

My 2003 silverado with 5.3 had long tube headers, high flow ypipe, flow master exhaust, fuel management system, diamond for plugs, msd wires, supercharger with billit impeller 8 pounds of boost, 2 1/2" level kit, 18" z71 tires, and still got 21 on highway and 16/18 city!

 

[WayneBrettzky]

Have you looked at the new F-150 coming with Ecoboost 2.7? Supposed to be 28 mpg.

 

[dmp0001]

Or the ram with the 1500 diesel, that one is really interesting.

 

[MotoX6]

Yeah I've looked At tons of trucks..I set a budget though and it isn't in new truck prices unfortunately. Truck prices have gotten stupid crazy!

 

[BuellyBagger]

Yeah I've looked At tons of trucks..I set a budget though and it isn't in new truck prices unfortunately. Truck prices have gotten stupid crazy!

Thats for sure, just looked at the window sticker on a new chassis-cab f350 diesel crew ~50k holy crap for a truck with no bed and crank windows!

 

[snrusnak]

Everyone has opinions on brands but reality is any newer vehicle is a good vehicle. FWIW I have a 2010 ram 1500 with the 4.7L and I get over 20mpg on the hwy unloaded. I get about 16 plus or minus city. Last year towing an enclosed trailer to the dragon I got 12avg. I think we were somewhere in the 5000lb area. The drag is what hurts the most. The truck has more than enough power for towing light/medium loads. We are pulling more weight this year so will see how it does. I think we will be up over 6000lb this year. My truck is rated for 6900lb IIRC. I have tuner/intake/exhaust and air bags on the rear and it seems to pull fine.

I love my ram, highly recommend them. Great value and good vehicles. The hemi doesn't get quite as good mpg but the newer ones with mds get almost the same mpg as my smaller v8. I'm not a fan of ford, I've known a lot of people with f150s (especially with the 5.4) that have tons of issues, not solely engine issues either). I was always a GM guy before I bought my ram but when shopping a v8 colorado was more expensive than my full size v8 ram. so that was a no brainer. I hate the tundra, but I guess they are reliable enough. Don't care for nissan much either but that'd be me pick after ram and gm.

 

[TCazes]

As a mechanic I love fords. They keep me with money in my pocket. Dad drives a '13 gmc 1500 4 door. Get about 20 unloaded and 15 pull ya 20ft open trailer loaded with 4 wheelers. My preference, I like dodge. The gmc is nice. Good power. Decent economy and reliable, I just like the power and dependability of the dodge a little more.

 

[jetlee]

My 08 F-150 (5.4L 2wd) has a drop-kit (previous owner) that I've found to be very useful for getting bikes in/out of the bed and it's easy for the wife to get the baby seat in and out easier as well.

I get about 14mpg and don't have issues pulling anything, so far; 2 bikes in the bed and a jetboat on a trailer, hardly noticed.

 

[Fatty SS]

Don't dismiss the newer v6 trucks. If you need the truck for cargo space more than weight capacity, today's v6 half tons make more power than most v8s did 10-12 years ago, and get near double the mpg. I'm sure GM and ford have decent v6 options, but I'm not familiar with them off hand. Ram's 3.6 is around 300hp and 22mpg highway, with a 6900lb tow rating. Plus it's cheaper to buy than a hemi. If you're really honest about your needs, any of newer v6 options are really nice, useable daily drivers.

 

[snrusnak]

Yeah the ram 3.6L is great. We have that engine in our wrangler and it hauls ass. The ram has an 8 speed also, so I'd suspect it pulls decent.

I know some people with ecoboost F150's and while they are strong they don't get the mpg they claim. Actually significantly worse from what people have told me. My small v8 gets better. I know nothing about the gm v6 but I think it's a newer version of the 4.3L and supposedly is great.

 

[Fatty SS]

I should have been more specific, naturally aspirated v6s. Turbocharged gas engines GUZZLE fuel when loaded down. I think Ford has a pretty modern NA v6 to offer, I'd advise that strongly over the EcoBoost.