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'99 Silverado/Sierra vs. F-150
New to pick-up frenzy. GM on brain but currently
leaning Ford. 4.6 w/manual vs. auto vs. 5.4? Best
spec. out for general use/limited, light towing?
Want 4X4 because it comes in damn handy
occasionally (Minnesota), ext. cab, nice radio,
etc. Not afraid to spend $ but do not believe in
spending what doesn't need to be spent. Then there
is the issue of maybe should keep GM on brain. Need
help bad. Please respond dirlton@aol.com
leaning Ford. 4.6 w/manual vs. auto vs. 5.4? Best
spec. out for general use/limited, light towing?
Want 4X4 because it comes in damn handy
occasionally (Minnesota), ext. cab, nice radio,
etc. Not afraid to spend $ but do not believe in
spending what doesn't need to be spent. Then there
is the issue of maybe should keep GM on brain. Need
help bad. Please respond dirlton@aol.com
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Comments
Yes, I know the GM models have a larger extended cab, but the convenience of the 4th door (for me) would be the deciding factor. Also with the F-150, you get a split rear seat. That's not available on the GM models.
If you can wait a year, GM will have a 4th door on the extended cabs.
In GM's favor, however, are standard 4-wheel ABS brakes, more powerful engines, and AutoTrac 4x4.
Good luck.
Bob
KEH4X4: My '93 Z71 has 130,000 miles, and both the auto trans and air conditioner work perfectly. Infact, they've never been touched except for an oil change in the trans.
You can look up reliabilities and see Ford's automatics trannies have a much worse track record than GMs. GMs are regarded as the best automatics out there. I've never heard of ANY a/c failure on GMs other than '94 when they had a recall on their compressors because they were using the wrong oil.
signa
have a look at the GMCs. I like the styling a little better on the GMCs, and you still get all the mechanical advantages this new truck has over everyone else.
I ended up talking to a friend who has a car lot that deals exclusively in late-model, low-mileage stuff. He said that the Chevy PUs get sold much faster than Fords and hold their value better. So, even if the initial price is lower on the Ford, cost of ownership may be higher than the Chev.
I ended up ordering a 99 Silverado LT 2WD Ext. Cab. Order placed mid-Sept, "preferenced" on 9/23, but no build date yet. If they don't get it built soon, I may cancel and wait for 2000 model in hopes for a 4th door.
The chevy comes with more features standerd. If you look at the options the price is very close, along with everything else. Except for the diesel and 4 door
That's a BIG HOWEVER! The Chevy trucks are totally reengineered under the sheetmetal and are now years ahead of Ford technically. It's a no-brainer for me. Chevy is it. My two cents.
Chevy's V-8 engines have always had a little more horsepower and get a little better mpg. That's nothing new. Chevy makes a good truck, as does Ford, but there is no doubt that Chevy has been following, not leading, for quite a few years. If you really like something new that shows up on a Ford, wait a couple years and you can buy the Chevy version.
You're mentioning different things. mechanically, chevy is ahead of Ford. better engines, brakes, frame, transmissions, ride, suspension... all you have to do is drive one to see it. do they need a V10. i don't think so, not with a v-8 that has more power, torque and same mileage as ford's v10. they do need another diesel. but those things aren't what this discussion is about (1/2 tons). go and read every magazine with a truck review in it, and they all say chevy is ahead now.
they're ahead by exactly 2 years. The '98 ford vs '98 chevy had several advantages, such as the door prob, better ride than chevy, better ergonomics, IMHO. the truck was engineered 9 yrs after the '98 GMs. putting it lightly, there have been quite a few technological advances over those 9 years. GM has just now put a product with this technology. Now the '99 GM trucks are ahead of the class in every other department. it doesn't mean that ford all of sudden sucks, it just means chevy's got the latest cutting edge techonology in their product, and ford has 1996 technology.
please give me an example of when chevy copied anything from ford, because i can think of none.
it just seems that the stuff you're interests lie in come with a blue oval on the front. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Cdean
Brutus, like myself, comes from the heavier end of the pickup spectrum, although I have owned half to\ns in the past. Almost everything on the new Silverado/Sierra is already available on the F-Super Duty truck, but not the 150/250LD. I believe this is where Brutus was going with his comparison. The Super Duty Ford has the 4 wheel discs, an outstanding frame, the automatic from hell, and like the GM trucks, an evolutionary design change as opposed to a radical one like the 150/250LD or the Dodge Ram.
In 2001, everybody will be all caught up - the updated Ram will be released, the 150/250LD will be upgraded, and the heavy GMs will then be available. Coincidentally, that's when my loan ends on my 96 Ram - will make for some interesting comparison shopping...
kcram is right that I compare everything to the heavier end of the market. I'll admit that my knowledge of the F-150 is fairly limited. Obviously, I'm bias to the blue oval based on my experience with Ford trucks. Once again, though, my experience is with the heavy duty models (F-250HD and the new truck).
cdean,
You've got a lot more experience with all of the different truck manufacturers. Your mechanical background is also light years ahead of mine. As a matter of fact, I've had people e-mail me with mechanical questions, and I refer them back to the site and, specifically mention that they should seek you out.
Most of what I have learned about issues related to towing, torque, hp, axle ratios, etc. have been gained from this site, followed by some additional research. Anybody can verify that by scrolling back through the posts from earlier this year. I volunteer my two cents worth on this site, because I know if I'm way off base on an important issue, someone will jump in and correct my information. Although I may have engaged in some friendly banter about the Ford vs Chevy argument, I think it's safe to say that I've never contradicted you on issues of substance.
Of course, I still think that Ford provides the best overall quality vehicle, but who knows? Maybe I got lucky with my last truck.
kcram,
I finally visited "Salesmen are people too" recently and saw you were participating there. There were over 300 posts since my last visit. Most of those salespeople seem to be pretty above board guys. Still, their line of thinking is on a totally different tangent than the average consumer. When you see the knowledge they have, it's easy to understand why so many vehicles are sold for close to MSRP. These guys are pretty slick and they tend to get really offended when they think you are treading on their turf. I made some statements that are sure to get a rise out of them. I'll probably participate for a couple of days again and then stop. They really do hash the same issues again and again. It's easy to get caught up in it.
There would be no bad choice on any of the Big 3 trucks. The Big 3 are putting a lot of quality in building these trucks because they are big sellers producing big profits. I love the Silverado, even though it only has three doors (just a couple of years ago, extended cabs only had two doors). It's new engines are smoother and more economical than the previous ones, and once your rear seat passengers get in that one door they will be treated to more leg room and comfort than they ever had in an extended cab pickup. Everyone here can give you their opinions, but you need to check the all the Big 3's trucks out for yourself. You will know for yourself which one is for you. Happy Hunting!
alchavez
I believe I made that "years ahead" comment based on the 1/2 ton (this message track, not Super Dutys) 1999 Silverado/Sierra improvements in small block V8 engines, cab space, brakes, transmission and drive train (Autotrak), electrical harness, hydroform frame, etc. Dodge had its "years ahead" shot in 1994 and Ford got its "years ahead" in 1996. Now both have about a two year catch up.
Besides the fourth door, the slam against GMC/Chevy is in the exterior design--probably about the least important consideration for a pickup truck. Personally, I support their conservative decision of design evolution.
alchavez,
I keep looking at both the Sierra and Silverado in my own mental debate as to which I like best in appearance. Despite what I said above about design, we all suffer from our vanities. It's too close to call. The best deal will decide it.
As for the fourth door, I think your concern might be the primary concern for the lack of one--when you are one on one with small children that fourth door is nice. One of my fellow workers with small children shares that concern. Ironically he bought a 20 ft. popup camper trailer this month and is now going to wait till next year to hopefully buy a 4 door Silverado. The wait is easier in Minnesota now that we are hibernating for the winter. ;-)
The fourth door is not a major concern of mine. I have no small children and will rarely have rear passengers. I might think different when loading grocery sacks for the first time.
grocery sacks for the first time.<<
You hit the nail on the head with that statement. As the saying goes: "It's the convenience stupid!". I don't have small children either, so I would look to use that back seat area for "putting things". And... I don't want to have to walk around to the passenger side in order to access that space.
Bob
Just saw both the F-150/250LD and the new GMC Sierra at a local auto show. I really like the size of the GMC, but the quality is awful. Acres and acres of cheap and poorly fitted plastic. Ford has all the competition beat in this one area. When you slam the doors on the F-150, you get a solid thunk. Can't say the same for the GMC. I like the revisions made to the GMC, and love the powertrain, but could not see myself spending time in that interior.
floor console is really a joke. Why did they
move the cd player into the floor console and
reduce the usable space in the console? The
cosole itself is ugly too.
Same stupid mistake on the lacking of 4th door.
Now GM is the only big 3 that does not have the
4th door on their trucks.
Bob
A comment I read recently (can't remember where) stated it best "new Chevy interior -- by Fisher Price" ha ha ha. That goofy floor console was enough to send me over the edge...
Can you tell us more about your F150 lease?
rear doors is so good, I wouldn't be surprised to
see it show up in other kinds of vehicles such as
2-door SUVs and 4-passenger sport coupes. It would
give a whole new meaning to the term "2+2". There's
no reason to limit this idea to only trucks.>>
Saturn is adding a 3rd door on the driver's side of its coupe which opens truck style.
On the Ford lease; on a 29.000 truck my payments are almost 600.00 with a lease @ 2 years 339.00. And if you can pre-pay your lease you save even more. It's not for everyone but it is worth a hard look.
SEAN
Actually stepping in from the driver's side is easier than any 2 door automobile coupe because of the door height. There is no problem dropping brief cases, groceries, tool boxes or carry on luggage for that matter. Yeah, a fourth door would be nice but it is not a deal breaker for me.
Actually I kind of like 3 doors. I carpool now and drop my brief case on the seat behind me with my 4 door car. When I take 3 people, the third guy always gets in the way of my routine. With a Silverado they can load from the passenger side and I can sneak my brief case under the rear seat out of the way before they get in the widest opening of the three (Silverado/Sierra, Ford 150 and Dodge Ram) on the passenger side. I don't want anybody fussing around on my side.
to use the back seat!
davydd: Did you really think the back seat was comfortable? I took a test drive in The Truck, expecting that it would be a major departure from other extended cabs, but it wasn't. You do have more legroom, but the seat back was still way too upright to be comfortable. Any full sized human is going to get real cranky back there.
It's nice to hear that you like the new Silverado. I wish I could have found reasons like yours to like it, but there were just too many negatives. I ordered a *4-door* Ford.
I would avoid making decisions as important as what truck to buy based on the 'look' of the interior. I can maybe overlook some things that I do not particularly like that much in the interior, to get a better built truck with a more powerful engine, better tranny and so on. I would rather take a flight on the ugly airplane with the hard seats that had a good engine rather than the pretty plane that hits the ocean floor!!
Malibu1
Some people may love the new interior and not mind the fact that there are only 3 doors in the extended cab. That's why there's more than one truck manufacturer. Buy whatever you want :-)
I looked long and hard for my first pickup ever. Tried them all, Ford, Chevy, Dodge. There was nothing I didn't like about any of 'em, just liked the 1999 Ford F150 (4 x 2 XLT 4.6 liter) a little better.
I certainly am not going to debate the years old Ford vs Chevy issue as I have nothing to compare against nor do I have the experience.
Could have been happy with any of the three, just got down to a personal choice.
The extended cab rear seat on ANY of the "Big Three" are not for adults for any duration of time. Let's face it, nobody is going to buy an extended cab pickup to haul around adults in the rear seat.
My fourth door was not an issue.
So far, I don't feel I made a mistake....... Dunbarton
Hope none of your kids require a child safety seat in an extended cab.......and I hope all of your children are small.
Think of the future when in a few years they get BIGGER. Extended cab for three children gets old fast. Think about a crew cab if it is within your budget. They are not that much more money.
Dunbarton
Yes. The Chevy rear seat is usable. There is 4 more inches than Ford. The seat itself is 1-1/2 inches deeper and the back reclines 18 degrees instead of upright like the Ford. They are contoured and they have headrests. And, yes, you can tilt the front seat and slide it. It makes a world of difference.
I guess I don't what you mean by negatives in the Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. the F150. Chevy's brakes are vastly superior, bigger, longer lasting, discs all four wheels and shorter stopping distance. Comparable size engines have more horsepower than Ford. Chevy has AutoTrac 4 wheel drive. Nothing equal on the Ford. Frame is more advanced. Wiring harness has only 5 splices vs. 126 on Ford. The Chevy is a totally re-engineered truck and Ford will need a couple of years to re-tool and catch up.
Now for looks. I quite frankly like the fact that Chevy looks like a truck should look. The Ford 250 Super Duty looks like a truck but the F150 does not. The F150 looks like a Taurus ovoid wannabe. Eventually Ford will regret what they did to the F150. Ford is already starting to abandon the ovoid look that is doing in the Taurus (once a nice car).
The Chevy Silverado LT has a lot of nice interior touches. Yes, I also like the CD on the lower console. There happens to be a flip-up door right below the CD to store spare CDs. You probably missed that nice touch. I don't know where you would store them in a Ford. Probably the center console hatch. Having fun screwing around lifting it when driving down the highway.
Their lastest automatic trannys are top of the line. I've never had an AC problem on any GM product, car or truck.
Good luck
I would never buy a truck based on the interior alone. You do make a valid point. However, if I did spend 25k+ on a new truck, I expect the quality to be good. The new GM p/u's are good trucks, but so is the Ford. Unless things have changed, you do spend all of your time inside the vehicle while driving. With Fords new DOHC 5.4, I think the truck is at least competitive. I accept that GM makes a decent truck, I was only hoping for better quality. By the way, I'm not the only one who noticed the poor fit and finish of the new GM trucks. I believe that Car and Driver was rather unimpressed as well. Of course, the GMC did win.
If the truck was going to be the primary family vehicle, I would totally agree. But most of the time when we are all going somewhere, we're in my wife's mini-van. My dad has a '96 Chevy (Silverado) extended cab and my youngest child's safety seat works OK in there. Granted there's not a lot of room to stretch out, but I'm thinking it should just be that much better in the larger '99. As far as the crew-cab, I'd like to get this into my garage and even the extended cab is going to be tighter than I would prefer. I don't have the exact dimensions in front of me, but I'm thinking I would have to park the crew cab outside, which I'd rather avoid.
As long as you have an alternative vehicle for the family, go for what pleases YOU. I don't think you will go wrong with either new Ford of Chevy. The Dodge wasn't bad either... dunbarton
Great Truck!