Help: What's The Best 09 Pickup?

[iamhistory]

I'm interested in a new 4x4 pickup truck. I've driven the following 2009 models:

 

Chevy Silverado Z71

Ford F-150 FX4

Dodge Ram (can't remember the specific model)

 

All three were extended or crew cab models, all were short beds b/c of the extended cabs, all were four wheel drive and the Ford and Chevy had similar features but the Dodge was a more basic model.

 

I liked the Chevy the best. It drove well, had good power, nice features and I like Chevy trucks (currently own a 97 Silverado). I would have to say the Chevy gave me the most truck for the money. Sticker was about $37,000 and the dealer's final quote for my purchase price was approx. $29,000

 

I also really liked the Ford but it was loaded with similar features as the Chevy for much more money which I don't understand. Ford also barely gave me any sort of "deal" which turned me off to the truck. One thing about Ford trucks I enjoy over Chevy is that I seem to sit higher in the Ford cab than the Chevy. Chevy trucks always feel so low in the cab even though actual ground clearance isn't all that different between the major brands. The Chevy cab seems more car like to me and the Ford seems more truck like. This particular Ford was about $41,000 and I could get it for $38,000

 

Finally, the Dodge..........was about $40,000 and I could purchase for about $36,000. WAY fewer features than Ford and Chevy and similar money as the Ford. I didn't think it had as much juice compared to the other two and it absolutely didn't handle as well in my opinion. I like the looks of it but looks don't haul the mail.

 

So now my confusion: In the process of checking out trucks, I've visited at least 8 dealers. The Ford dealers haven't made many comments about the other brands and seem to simply answer my questions about Fords and don't seem to want to negotiate for a sale.

 

The Chevy dealers that I have visited try like hell to sell their trucks and talk up the Chevy, talk down the Dodge and admit that along with Chevy, Ford also makes a solid, quality truck but the Chevy is better and has better fuel economy and incentives.

 

The Dodge dealers have impressed me the least, haven't had much to say about why I should buy a Dodge truck and when I asked why their prices were equivalent to Ford with far fewer features, they didn't really explain it and just brushed it off. Nothing about the Dodge dealers or the Ram truck has impressed me so far.

 

Then there was the one dealer that sells both Dodge and Chevy that I visited just this past week. The conversation I had with the salesman prompted me to write this post and see what you all think. His position is that he is a long time Chevy man and believes Chevy has made a quality truck for years. He also says that Ford makes a quality truck but like almost every salesman I've spoken to, he claims that Fords are gas hogs and lack power. This guy was dealing with me on a Chevy and tried talking me out of it to buy a new Dodge. I explained my lack of interest in a new Dodge once I drove one and b/c of its lack of features for a similar price tag compared to the other trucks. I also expressed nervousness in buying a Dodge due to the well know problems they have had in previous years with transmissions and other quality control issues.

 

His response was that in the past when he had to attend both Chevy and Dodge trainings, they would refer to the Dodge as "rolling junk" b/c of these issues. Now however, Dodge is being run by Mercedes and when Mercedes took over these famous quality control issues were addressed and done very well. This man's claim now is that Dodge has the best suspension available on a pickup truck and Chevy and Ford will soon follow. He also said the 09 Dodge is hands down the best pickup on the road overall. He stated that he owns an 07 Chevy and recently sold his son a new Dodge Ram and would buy one himself if he had to buy a new one today.

 

I'm confused about my choice and would like to hear your input. What's the best truck of the big three brands?

 

Try to give me solid info and not just the brand loyalty mantras that we all have from time to time. I've been driving my Silverado for over 7 years and before that I had an F-150. My Dad was a Ford man who's last truck was a Dodge Dakota and my brother won't part with his Ram. I like the looks of the Ford best but hate the price, love my Chevy truck but don't care much for the looks of the 09, and I like the looks of the new Dodges but think they drive like trash. Like I said though, looks don't matter at the end of the day.......I want a quality truck without getting screwed with a $600 payment every month. That's bull.

 

I need help fellas. I want to decide on a new truck while I can get something of a good deal but I don't know what to pick. Input please.

 

iamhistory

[Roofer]

Welcome

 

 

Some quick things I pertain to as facts.............

 

The Chevy has better mileage, and almost always better resale.

 

You will get a bunch of opinions on this, so beware.

 

 

IMO, all of them are way overpriced. I bought my 3500 for just over 40K out the door. The same truck in a Ford or GM would have been $50K.

[superjim]

I'm interested in a new 4x4 pickup truck. I've driven the following 2009 models:

 

Chevy Silverado Z71

Ford F-150 FX4

Dodge Ram (can't remember the specific model)

I liked the Chevy the best. It drove well, had good power, nice features and I like Chevy trucks (currently own a 97 Silverado).

I would have to say the Chevy gave me the most truck for the money.

Sticker was about $37,000 and the dealer's final quote for my purchase price was approx. $29,000

 

I've been driving my Silverado for over 7 years and before that I had an F-150.

 

I like the looks of the Ford best but hate the price,

 

love my Chevy truck but don't care much for the looks of the 09,

 

I like the looks of the new Dodges but think they drive like trash.

 

iamhistory

 

 

I took your own statements and separated them out.

Looks like you have answered your own question...

 

You stated that looks "DON'T HAUL THE MAIL."

The Ford is SEVERAL THOUSAND dollars more than the Chevy but you like the look of the Ford. What they told you about it being a gas hog is RIGHT. It is.

The Dodge drives bad and has less features ...but is the same price.

 

The Chevy is by far the best deal...money wise, but you are not crazy about the looks.

 

Looks to me that the Chevy is the clear choice...using the criteria you yourself laid out.

[omegafiler]

I do believe Dodge has come a long way in improving quality and they very well may have caught up to GM/Ford. The reviews have certainly been mostly positive. However, you really won't know for sure until they've been on the road for awhile. Although you can figure out much of this for youself on the test drive. Check out the interior/exterior panels gaps and alignment, push on various plastics, sit in all of the seats, drive over some rough roads, make a few WOT runs from various starting points, see how it handles on some twisty or uneven roads, etc. Just all of the things you do on a daily basis!

 

You also really need to compare the 2 (or 3) you are interested in back to back and most importantly, make sure they are comparably equipped. You don't want to compare a base model/engine RAM with a loaded 6.0 Silverado LTZ. Go for a long test drive, preferably by yourself without the sales guy sitting in the seat next to you distracting you throughout the entire trip. If you've got a friend that knows a little about trucks, bring them along!

 

Obviously some will want to take other factors into consideration, such as how good the sales/service departments are, who has the better deal, etc. Either way, good luck with your purchase!

[Nick The Great]

I haven't driven a Dodge since I bought my previous truck in 2003.

 

But at work, a guy's company truck is a 2007 F150 and IMO doesn't compare to my truck. It has less power, less space inside, and looks funny. I do think it sits higher than my truck does though.

 

Sounds like you want the Chevy, but if you can't get over the looks then you might not be happy with it. The old lady ended up getting a different color (much cheaper) Impala than she wanted, and I think it really bugs her.

[Matt_]

If you don't like the look of the Chevy, take a look at GMC!

[P71_CrownVic]

Here is a fantastic review of all of them (minus the Tundra):

 

Edmunds

 

My advice...get the lightest truck with the biggest engine. That would be the Silverado with the 6.2 and a 6.6 second 0-60 run.

 

And keep in mind that a Sherman battle tank is lighter than the F-150. And the F-150 only has 310HP...the lowest out there.

[VMax2007]

If you don't like the look of the Chevy, take a look at GMC!

 

+1

 

/thread

[matt3]

You can do a lot better on the price of that Dodge. I'm looking at trading in my truck soon and I really want a 09 Ram. Don't get wrong I like my Sierra but, there are a lot of options that I didn't get on mine and have regretted it since and if I'm gonna get a new truck I didn't want to get the same exact thing plus a few extras. Over the Internet, the very 1st qoute I got from a dealer without ANY haggle yet was 29000 on a almost 38000 dollar truck. That is a quad cab slt 4x4 with hemi, 3.92's, big horn package, Power seat, tow package, bucket seats with console, power rear window.

 

You can beat them down on price some more! I'm gonna tell that particular dealer tommarow that if they give me at least what I owe ( another dealer already appraised it for more) and give me the truck for that price out the door I'll buy it on the spot. I think you could do the same.

[_Nomad_]

If you don't like the look of the Chevy, take a look at GMC!

 

 

[ShoddyHog]

I just think the F-150s are flat out ugly. I did stop and look at one, and a salesman came running out the instant I got out of my car. I'd been on no less than a half dozen Chevy and GMC lots in the last two months, spending at least 20 minutes walking around and looking at stickers. I finally had to flag someone down and tell them I want to buy a new one. Not sure what's up with that. I know I'm ugly, but not THAT ugly! lol

 

Anyway, I've been married for 23 years, and never knew my wife was so anti-Ford. Just another reason to love her

 

I've always been a GMC guy, but I lined them up side-by-side, and I just like the looks of the Silverado a touch more.

[takevin]

I just think the F-150s are flat out ugly.

 

THEY'RE BUTT UGLY

[GARB55]

I traded my 98 Dodge in a my GMC. She was 10 years old and was a dam good truck! I pulled a boat with her. The only down side I had is I was only getting 13 mpg city/hwy. 8 pulling my boat. I would buy another Dodge but I could just not resit the bang for the Buck, Gas Mileage. I also think the GMC is a sharp looking ruck now that the front it leveled out! All the best in your obsession. Keep us posted.