gm verses ford

simple · July 1, 2003

What made you buy a gm truck verses a ford. I just want to get different opinions.

1998 Z71 1500 Ext. Cab

5.7L

Lance Link · July 1, 2003

Aside from having more power, a better ride, higher towing/hauling capacity, much better looks, higher resale, and better reliability I can't think of any reason for why I went with my GMC over a Ford.

Jersey Tahoe LT · July 1, 2003

Biggest deciding factor was looks. Fords are to soft on the outside. Unless we are talking the Super Duty 250 and 350. Otherwise I just went with the band wagon Chevy is more dependable. But that is questionable as well. It all comes down to "Just get what you want."

Later,

Brandon

Tfin · July 1, 2003

I never liked the looks for Ford's, plus we always had GM's growing up. I just feel they are a better product. Certainly ride better, are much more comfortable, have more power, and a higher resale value.

WEFs99 · July 1, 2003

I had an F250 with the 460 gas that was probably the most powerful truck I've had. The most thirsty also. I sold it after 30k miles because it just was not reliable. The guy I sold it to had even more problems. I, personally, have had bad luck with every single Ford I've owned starting with a new '65 Mustang fastback. It is a personal thing otherwise Ford would not be the #1 seller for so long. My daughter has not had a Chevy that was not junk and we always blamed it on her rough style but then she drove a Dodge over 200k without breaking anything and now is a happy Jeep Liberty owner with no problems.

silverado man · July 1, 2003

I never liked the looks for Ford's, plus we always had GM's growing up. I just feel they are a better product. Certainly ride better, are much more comfortable, have more power, and a higher resale value.

Ditto for me too. We always had a chevy car and truck growing up so chevy just grew on me.

Lance Link · July 1, 2003

"It is a personal thing otherwise Ford would not be the #1 seller for so long."

Just out of curiosity, how do Ford truck sales compare to Chevy and GMC combined?

varmint2506 · July 1, 2003

I would have to say mileage, better ride and much better looking. Plus, Furd has some major front suspension downfalls.

I have a friend that bought a F150 last winter. She is selling it because she said her friends Z71 rides like a Cadillac compared to the F150.

GnatGoSplat · July 1, 2003

I hope I don't get in trouble, but before I bought my Chevy, I originally wanted a Ford based on looks alone. I personally preferred the "soft" aerodynamic round shape of the Ford. I laid my eyes on an F-150 Harley edition and fell in love with it, but I did NOT want the SuperCrew, I wanted extended cab and a full 6.5" bed.

Then I saw IIHS offset crash test results of the F-150 Supercab into a deformable barrier. Oh man, it was bad. Toyota Tundra aced that test, but I just didn't want a Toyota. The Chevy wasn't great, but it did okay, MUCH MUCH better than the Ford. So then I just weighed the pro's and cons.

Ford, I liked the exterior looks. That's all. I didn't like the SOHC Triton engines (too complicated for a DIY'er like myself).

Chevy, I liked the easier to work on pushrod engines, the Gen III V8 is a proven design and VERY reliable. Chevy build quality is better (doors don't crack like the F-150 does). Extended cab back seat is roomier. Much much safer in an offset crash test, and to me, safety is most important for myself and the people that ride with me.

I know some people have said the IIHS tests may be rigged, or that offset crashes aren't that common. I have junkyard pics that prove this wrong... I once went looking for parts for my car at a junkyard and found an F-150 Supercab. It had been in an offset accident and looked IDENTICAL in damage to the IIHS truck. That just reinforced my opinion that I made the right decision going with Chevy. Also, I haven't hardly had any problems with my truck whatsoever and I really love it. I don't like how a lot of the new trucks are looking, so I'll probably keep my Chevy forever and end up like one of those old men who have a really, really old truck.

Now if I were choosing between an 04 Chevy and 04 Ford, I might have a different opinion entirely.

Big Boy · July 1, 2003

Its all about personal preference. Fords are actually rated higher for fit finish and reliability although I've heard many reports to the contrary. I got the Chevy cause I couldn't afford a crew cab in either model but needed the backseat space in the Chevy Ext cab. Ext cab space on the Chevy is FAR more than the Ford any model.

I like the look and taller stance of the Superduty Ford. I would seriously consider a King Ranch edition of a crew cab superduty if I could afford it.

Possibility more important than the which truck debate is the which dealer debate. I'd take a serious look at the respective dealers. Pick the one you like best and that you think you'll get the best customer service out of. Thats very important no matter what brand you buy.

MarkD · July 1, 2003

I used to be a Mustang guy. I was the guy everyone went to to help them with bolt-ons, minor engine mods, stereo, etc. Then a friend bought a Vette. When he asked me to put a "system" in it, I was blown away by the diference in build quality. Yeah, if I bought a $12k mustang and put $5k in it, it would outrun a $35k vette, but you were still stuck with a Mustang!

That led to my first GM product, then my second, third, etc.

I experimented with an '88 Jeep and loved it (wore it out). I bought a Ram and hated it (traded it in w/ 6k miles on a Camaro).

Long story short...

build quality

build material

resale value

Power

mileage

shimmyt · July 1, 2003

Just out of curiosity, how do Ford truck sales compare to Chevy and GMC combined?

The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are considered the same truck so they are added together when compared to Ford. Hope that helps some.

Hmmm but under further research I could be wrong this is the top 10 according to edmunds.com:

1. Ford F-Series (includes F-150, F-150 SVT Lightning, F-250 and F-350)

— 813,701

2. Chevrolet Silverado (includes 1500, 1500 SS, 1500HD, 2500, 2500HD

and 3500) — 652,646

When I find the GMC stats I'll post 'em.

-ShimmyT

1999GMCZ-71 · July 1, 2003

Just out of curiosity, how do Ford truck sales compare to Chevy and GMC combined?

The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are considered the same truck so they are added together when compared to Ford. Hope that helps some.

Hmmm but under further research I could be wrong this is the top 10 according to edmunds.com:

1. Ford F-Series (includes F-150, F-150 SVT Lightning, F-250 and F-350)

— 813,701

2. Chevrolet Silverado (includes 1500, 1500 SS, 1500HD, 2500, 2500HD

and 3500) — 652,646

When I find the GMC stats I'll post 'em.

-ShimmyT

they do not group Chevy and GMC togeter in sales. I believe when combined they out sell Ford trucks. Also, just the Chevrolet line of vehicles out sells all of Ford. Read that in a trade publication a few months ago.

WEFs99 · July 1, 2003

I just compared the stats from several companies tracking sales and they are all different. In most of them the combination of Chev and GMC edges out the Ford but there is such big differences in figures, I don't think they are reliable. A salesman can pick whatever survey he wants and try to make you believe it. I'm sure there is a reliable survey out there somewhere. Maybe??

jhawk · July 1, 2003

I bought my Silverado in '02. I initially wanted a Ram, but not with the 5.9. I really wanted the 5.7 Hemi but, for various reasons, couldn't wait that long. So, I started really looking at a Dakota with the 4.7. I really, really liked that truck, but just needed something with more size. So, that lead me to Chevy and Ford. I don't mind the looks of Fords. When they first came out, I thought they looked great. Comparing the two makes, I felt that Ford had the better fit and finish. I love their Red colour (had a Ranger that colour many years ago).

But, I liked the engine and tranny in the Chevy better. I also loved the quiet and smooth ride of the Silverado. I was amazed at how smooth and quiet the ride was. That made a big impression on me. The final point in the Chevy's favour was the Auto Trac system. I live in ND and need a system like that for bad weather.

I now own a 2002 Silverado, 5.3, and have no regrets so far. In the past, I've owned a Ram, Ranger, Jeep Liberty, 2 Honda Accords, a Monte Carlo, a '64 Impala SS, and 3 Corvairs. My favorite so far is probably the Ram. Surprisingly, the Honda's gave me the most mechanical problems of all the cars, except the Impala. I have a project '65 Corvair that I'm working on now.

Cars sure do gobble up money quick.