OT: Thoughts on choice of truck for my oldest son

KennyLee · February 2014

Okay....the time has come to get my oldest boy of three a vehicle. Been dreading this day for years, worries, insurance rates, etc., etc. But he's a great kid and has had his permit for awhile and we're now ready to take the plunge. I've got it narrowed down to two vehicles:

2002 Toyota Tundra V8 with 200K miles

2000 Ford F-150 V6 with 89K miles

I like and have driven both Fords and Toyotas (currently driving an '09 Tundra) and have really only looked at both brands for reasons I'd rather not get into. The Tundra is newer, a little nicer truck but a little rougher (dents, dings, etc.), holds its value better, will probably last longer, but has high miles. The Ford is VERY clean with zero visible marks or dents and has incredibly low miles. They are similarly equipped, have a clean CARFAX report, and both are one-owner vehicles and the sale price is going to be negligible (+/- $300).

I'm leaning heavily towards the Ford based on nothing but the miles, but looking for any input and a group of Eggheads is probably my best bet. He'll be 17 this summer and I'd love for this truck to get him through college. Thoughts?

cazzy · February 2014

At this point, your goal should be whatever has the most life in it to get him through college. I'd probably go with the Ford based on the info you gave. Sounds like it was very well cared for and wasn't a daily driver.

KennyLee · February 2014

@cazzy Thanks.....kind of my thinking also. I think the Toyotas last longer and have less problems with the proper maintenance (everything else being equal), but with the significant mileage difference, I think the longer term prospects are better with the Ford.

cazzy · February 2014

Tundras are great, but don't overlook the F 150 for build quality. I know a few people that still have a F150 and they're going strong. That was probably one of the more reliable vehicles they've put out.

Good luck!!

Mickey · February 2014

I would sure spend an hours time with a very good mech ( and pay for time) to get what you pick checked out.

Skiddymarker · February 2014

Brother has a '99 F-150 with about the same mileage. Look for oil leaks on the passenger side head gaskets, the V-6s were either super clean or super dirty. Great truck, like Mickey suggests, have a good mechanic check it out.

dstrbd488 · February 2014

I used to work for an engineering company that did construction inspections and we had about a 100 or so of the fords and the least mileage I ever saw on one when it left was about 150k. I know that doesn't sound that great but those trucks we're started in the morning and cut off in the evening once they were at the office and spent most of the day just idling so there's no telling how the mileage should have read since it doesn't read if the trucks not moving

Central_Bama_Egger · February 2014

Ford!!! Ford!!!

DoofusOfTheDay · February 2014

I may be slightly biased on my current vehicle...

yzzi · February 2014

The Tundra timing belt would be my concern. It's almost needing a second one with those miles. I have the same year Tundra, lots of dings and dents, half the miles, but should be running a little while longer. I'd go with the Ford with those miles, plus he may get slightly better gas mileage with the V6. I average 12 mpg.

Buckdodger · February 2014

Had a 2000 F-150 with 125K miles on it, only trouble I ever had with it was the electric mirrors went out. Had it not been for the tornado, a couple of years ago, depositing pine tree's on it I would be driving it today. Good truck.

Wolfpack · February 2014

Go with the Ford- gas mileage should be a plus for him plus he won't be able to get in as much trouble with a V6.

fishlessman · February 2014

in college back in 86, i bought an 85 ford 150 with 18000 miles on it. by 60k the tranny died, new clutch, new distributor, alternator, front spindle when the tire broke off at 65 mph, 3 on the tree stick shift fell out of the column, tail gate latch twice replaced, the truck was jinxed

) dad owns a 2002 tundra, brakes and frame replaced, toyota switched out the frame last year but charged him for miscellaneos parts like brake and gas lines ets, still cost him a little over 2k for the free frame swap. if your near salted winter roads the frame needs to be inspected, toyota frames are horrible in road salt. is he really wanting the truck because in college friends seem to move every other semester and that gets really old fast after the twentieth time or so

Little Steven · February 2014

yzzi said:

The Tundra timing belt would be my concern. It's almost needing a second one with those miles. I have the same year Tundra, lots of dings and dents, half the miles, but should be running a little while longer. I'd go with the Ford with those miles, plus he may get slightly better gas mileage with the V6. I average 12 mpg.

I get 16 with my Toyota 8 with the 6 speed.

SoMdEggHead · February 2014

Check with your insurance company.. I would think a v6 would cost less to insure than a v8 for a teen driver.

yzzi · February 2014

Little Steven said:

yzzi said:

The Tundra timing belt would be my concern. It's almost needing a second one with those miles. I have the same year Tundra, lots of dings and dents, half the miles, but should be running a little while longer. I'd go with the Ford with those miles, plus he may get slightly better gas mileage with the V6. I average 12 mpg.
I get 16 with my Toyota 8 with the 6 speed.

I used to get about 15 until I put Michelin AT2 tires on it...plus I almost never do highway driving.

legomyeggo · February 2014

I am all American but have drive Toyotas since 1968. Was stationed in Bangkok during Vietnam war and was amazed at the beating Toyotas and Datsuns took so I got the Toyota when I got out when io got home and found that my pristine 1961 Pontiac Catalina convertible with tri power was not properly cared for while I was away and was falling apart,

Have 3 in the driveway now - a Venza, a Sienna, and a RAV 4. Have had 2 pickups in the past but last one was a 1973 and it ran great. My 1996 Camry, bought in 1998 with 23K on it, went for 280000 miles with only timing belts being replaced. I would also say Ford is about the only US company I would look at. Ford makes a good product, i am just a Toyota guy cause they have been good to me. Glad that many are made here in the US.

Smokin_Trout · February 2014

Would you like to show support for this great country you live in or the one that started a fight they could not
finish?

Eggcelsior · February 2014

Smokin_Trout said:

Would you like to show support for this great country you live in or the one that started a fight they could not finish?

Toyota sells the most American truck in the US today. Ford is #2. The Tundra has always been built in Indiana or Texas with at least 65% domestic content. Buying a Tundra is showing support for your country and local economy if you live anywhere near San Antonio, where they are all made today.

On that note, @KennyLee, I would get the V-6. SInce he is going to college, he has no real reason for the towing capacity or power of the V-8 except for the "zoom" factor. Probably the last thing you want a teenager to have

Parts for both are ubiquitous so maintenance should not be an issue. Both will be fun to learn his way around an engine on.

Skiddymarker · February 2014

The F-150 is the most American made vehicle according to USA Today.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-blog/2013/06/Ford_F-150_is_Most_American-Made_Vehicle/

@KennyLee - Was thinking about this after first read your post, interesting how when many Canadian kids go off to university, we pick them up a 10 year old car, like a Honda Civic or Mazda, basic transportation and cheap to insure/operate. Why a truck?

KennyLee · February 2014

F-150 and Tundra have been going back and forth for several years over which one is #1 in domestic production/parts. Tundra is now back on top again in 2014 after it was a dead heat in 2013. And the whole "buy American" thing is nonsense anymore for a myriad of reasons. My Tundra 4x4 was built just down the interstate about five hours in San Antonio by Texans whereas the last two "domestic" trucks I owned were built in Canada and Mexico respectively.

That said, I appreciate everyone's input and looks like we'll probably make a deal on the Ford. I was already heavily leaning that way to begin with, but just needed some reiteration to my thinking. Some have mentioned the V6 to which I totally agree.....a little less power for a teenager, better mileage, and probably less to insure to boot.

@Skiddymarker Not necessarily a Canadian thing, many Americans do that too. However he likes to hunt and fish and spend time in the outdoors and he also does landscaping work in the summers and needs something to haul his equipment. Not to mention that he is paying for part of it with money he has earned, so he does have a say (with my joint approval) and that is what he wants. Trucks here are very practical and hold their value well. The only disadvantage that you cite would really be the cost to operate (fuel) which with the V-6 and the fact that he probably won't exceed 5-6K miles per year would make the fuel savings minute.

caliking · February 2014

@Skiddymarker - in Texas, Civic=moped,
therefore self-esteem= junk.

SWMBO drives a 10yo Civic and I would love to sell it to a Canadian and get rid of it. But the darn thing runs like a top, and SWMBO refuses to part with it.

Sorry, back on topic now!

gerhardk · February 2014

Ford knows how to build trucks, actually all three U.S. car manufacturers build good trucks.

Gerhard

henapple · February 2014

I think the days of "American built" are over. The south has great benefited from foreign car plants. Hunydai, Toyota, Mercedes, 2 Nissan plants, volkswagen... I know here the Nissan plant has spawned off battery, seats, engine, wiper plants...All manned by Americans. It's a global economy.

Little Steven · February 2014

We have all the American car plants Bwahahahaha

Eggcelsior · February 2014

Little Steven said:

We have all the American car plants Bwahahahaha

This is true. My Flex was Hecho'ed en Oakville, Ontario.

Browninggold · February 2014

My Dad fought on Iwo Jima..My Uncles brother died on Iwo Jima. Therefore I have Toyota Avalon and a Lexus in my driveway. B4 those 2 a 1990 Camry with 250,000 miles. No mechanical issues. Before that a new 98 and 99 F-150. Love the Lexus and Toyotas for resale and dependability/reliability. Lexus was manufactured in the nation above ours

henapple · February 2014

There's a nation north of us?

Eggcelsior · February 2014

henapple said:

There's a nation north of us?

I have posted this before. Notice Florida, just like in real life.

henapple · February 2014

Notice Canada has its hand in our pocket

Eggcelsior · February 2014

henapple said:

Notice Canada has its hand in our pocket

I thought it was just scratching it's ass.

OT: Thoughts on choice of truck for my oldest son

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