helping father in law pick out a 1/2 ton truck

Sounds like he simply needs a single cab truck with the power options (although I'm pretty sure they all have power windows these days, even the W/T packages).

Can't get an idea of how much you want to spend, sound like less than $20k?

I'd recommend doing the email blast to dealers within a 50 mile radius and hit up both GMC and Chevy. Specify a single cab LT or LS package and see what they come back with.

I bought my '08 Silverado (ext cab, ls package, towing, cruise, tilt, cloth, V6) for just under $16000 in Oct. of '08. Sticker was close to $28k, but end of the year they were blowing them out.

I'd bet for a single cab plain truck, you'd easily get a new one under $15k, since most people want the ext. cab and V8.

I put 40k on mine, 22mpg hwy, 18 mpg in town, in 18 months and had zero issues with it. Only upgraded because towing an enclosed cargo trailer with the V6 was a little anemic. But, since he won't tow, the V6 will last him forever.

Just my $.02.

-Rob

rob_lewis wrote: Sounds like he simply needs a single cab truck with the power options (although I'm pretty sure they all have power windows these days, even the W/T packages).

Nope. Manual windows standard for all four truck makers at the bottom level.

In reply to xflowgolf:

He should be able to get a new extended cab Ford with the 3.7L, lsd, and 2wd for around 20k if you actually look at the incentives.

Javelin wrote:

rob_lewis wrote: Sounds like he simply needs a single cab truck with the power options (although I'm pretty sure they all have power windows these days, even the W/T packages).

Nope. Manual windows standard for all four truck makers at the bottom level.

Wow, I'm surprised at that!! Sorry for the mis-info....

-Rob

stumbled upon an '08 (new body style) Chevy ex-cab 2wd at a great price, but it's a V6.

I was amazed to read they STILL use the 4.3 V6?!?!

The 4.8 V8 seems to get within 1mpg per user data, and has 100hp more. That said, the V6 is selling at a serious discount for that reason, so it's a lot of truck for the money (~$12K, < 50K miles)

Given he does no towing or serious hauling (his F150 doesn't even have a hitch on it), the V6 would be plenty adequate, I just can't help feeling like a sucker buyer antiquated tech when the LS series motors are the next step up. $3K+ premium to step up to a 4.8 V8 though.

Hmmmm.

Grizz wrote: In reply to Mazdax605: General rule of thumb, as far as I've seen: Whenever they first started using the term Ram-93: First gen 94-02(?): Second 02(?)-09(?):Third Newest is Fourth. Makes little sense, but that's how it goes.

They didn't start using the name Ram in 93 though. I had an 88 that was a Ram, and so was the 85 my father bought new.

xflowgolf wrote: stumbled upon an '08 (new body style) Chevy ex-cab 2wd at a great price, but it's a V6. I was amazed to read they STILL use the 4.3 V6?!?! ...Hmmmm.

Well going to look at this one tonight. He seems to think he'd be perfectly fine with the V6 (and I don't disagree).

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/3787322694.html

It's a base model 2WD V6 work truck, but with a few options added; i.e. chrome bumpers/grill, chrome steelies, non-white paint, and carpet instead of vinyl floor.

It does have manual crank windows/locks, which he's saying he doesn't care. I know power locks / keyless entry is easy to add... he'd likely just live with the windows though.

I think it would actually be a pretty good fit. He'd rather spend less money and this seems like a lot of truck for ~$12K, he could care less about larger alloys and the more expensive tires that would go with it so the steelies are a plus, and this will still be more plush than anything he's driven in the past. His power window just failed in his Ford so he liked the idea of crank windows too.. ha.

FIL said: "GM or Ford. No Dodges. ...and no red trucks".

Did he say no Rice, or is that a given?

Couple reasons for them not getting rid of the V6 (same motor since something like 1995 practically).

Everybody bought v8's, it got marginally better mpg, and it was cheap. It's a great motor, just too far behind the times. AKA, perfect for people who want an inexpensive vehicle. If I needed a truck to be a truck but never TOWED anything, the vortec v6 is PERFECT.