Okay, looking for advice in the truck realm. Our lease on our XL7 is up in August. We want to get a crew cab so we can hual the kiddies around, but also a bed to haul mulch around. So what brand do you suggest? I really want an Avalanche b/c I like the look. But how does it run, is it reliable, etc? We will definitely be buying used b/c I refuse to throw $35K plus at a new vehicle. Thoughts please, (even though that might be hard for some of you )

Go diesel...Chevrolet Duramax

Friend bought a Ford F-250, and it's one awesome truck! Runs awesome, and has Ford's "new" steel.

I'm a devoted bowtie fan, but I'm having a hard time accepting all of the plastic on the outside of the Avalanche. It seems to me that being out in the elements as it would be (hot, sizzling sun, bone-chilling cold), that it would deteriorate and break quickly. Or at least discolor - you'd be spending a fortune in Armor-all! My son says it's super strong, but I'm not sure if I believe him. Can anybody fill us in on that?

That said, my husband is on his 3rd Toyota (he always has 2 at a time). The first one went 300,000 on the original clutch; never a bit of problem. He's a mason, hauled loads of brick, block, sand, mortar, stone in it. It finally got terminal body cancer, and when the guy he gave it to took the bed off of it (who knows why he did that), the frame broke in half.

His current ones have 191,000 and 121,000 on them, without a problem. I'm driving a 98 camry with 146,000 on it.

Gotta give them toyotas a thought, momsapilot! You can find them in the paper for cheap with 100,000 on them, and you get a vehicle with another 100-150,000 miles on it for cheap.

I gotta agree with Sheash. I drive a toyota tacoma for work (Winchester and back every day) and I love it. A co-worker of mine has a Tundra, that is about as big a truck you can get from Toyota, and he loves it as well! They are totally reliable and have yet to let me down. If I were you I'd go look at the crew cab Tundras, I believe you will be impressed.

Thanks for all your tips, guys! I'll keep you posted on the final decision.

OK, more opinions needed!!! Found a 2001 Ford F-150 crew cab with 63K for $18,888. Visually checked it out, but did not test drive. Think it is worth going back or should I steer clear? Had a hard bed cover, towing pkg, LOOKED really nice and in my price range. Just don't know much about domestic trucks.

Also, any opinions on the Nissan Titan? Seems sweet!

Mom, I would be careful with the F-150. I know the engine only has 63k on it but you need to ask the owner what the Truck was used for since it has a towing kit on it. If he was hauling boats,trailers. or whatever with it, the engine may have a bit more wear and tear than you would think. The 2001 series ain't bad but Ford trucks seem to always have engine problems (in my experiences).

Nissan Titan! Whoa that is indeed a sweet ride. Park the Titan next to last year's F-150 and the Ford looks dowdy and diminutive by comparison. The Titan features a terrific drivetrain with a 5.6-liter V8 and five-speed automatic.

And if you or your husband are worried about American jobs buying foreign trucks, have no worries. The Titan is made in Tennessee.

For domestic truck, Ford cannot be beat. The F-150 is the quintessential American Truck. For imports, the only thing I would even begin to consider would be a Toyota.

I'd go with the Ford over Toyota, but I don't like Asian automobiles.

Mom,

If you can, visit Consumer Reports online, or go to the library and get their auto issue. They cover reliability in lots of categories (engine, brakes, body, etc.) , value, etc. for used cars & trucks back about 5-6 years and can be a great, unbiased resource to help with your decision.

Don't fear the Ford -- much depends on how well the truck was cared for regardless of brand. Make sure to have a knowledgable car person look it over with you -- there are lots of clues as to how it was cared for if you know what to look for. And be VERY careful whom you buy from and what the warranty details are -- lots of horror stories there -- Power Automotive being just one.

Thanks Snoopy. I tried CR online, but it is a subsription service to get to the archives. I'll have to try the library, I guess! Power is where we got our XL7. Went to have a recall repaired and they were gone! Bizarre! The Ford in question is at Fitzgerald in Chambersburg. My hubby knows several people who have been satisfied with the dealership.

Thanks for the heads-up, Rom! I wonder if the dealership would know that info or be up front about it if they did?? Might take a buddy along to check it out, not that he is a superbly knowledgable car person.

Fitz had a Titan for 26K! It's pretty stripped down and needs a tow pkg, but it meets all the other criteria. Besides, I don't need the built-in DVD with wireless headsets for 1450 or the Fosgate sound system for 1100. I wonder what their lease program is like?

MAP if you need a carfax for something used let me know.I have connections.

Go Ford F-250 diesel. My husband had one a loved it; traded it in on another, but didn't get diesel and he is sick. They are great trucks.

NOT ME! Your experience may vary, but those scumbags pulled the old bait-and-switch, and worse, on my future stepson.

After getting his particulars, and being told with special emphasis that he would be the only person on the loan, they told him straight up he could get a sporty car that he was looking at. Then, when he went back to pick it up, they told him he couldn't have it without a co-signer. In the end then they sold him a car he didn't even really want and sent him home in it without getting the official go-ahead on his loan. Guess what? Yep they repo-ed it. Or rather, we drove it back to the dealership and turned it in.

So why did he buy it?

Sorry, WVU, I'd have to push the Ford with my Chevy.

BTW, my "Asian" Camry was also made in Tennessee.

C'mon Sheash a Chevy! j/k I don't care if your Toyota was made in Tenn, I still hate Asian automobiles. There is just something about them I don't like, although I guess the Honda Accord is okay but I wouldn't buy it. Plus, my father would kill me if I bought anything that was Asian!

I'd best not give you my candid opinion. I'm thinking I might marry his mom some day soon, and with my luck she'd figure out who I am here.

Let's just say that sometimes these things can happen when you go car shopping with your mom. (Whom he's gonna stick with the car she bought him years ago that he never took care of, is falling apart now, and that she still has to make payments on.)

Thanks, Greedy, I'll keep that offer in mind.

An Asian vehicle matches my Asian hubby, so I can't get all worried about where the car is made . He might take it personally!

Assuming it is still there, we will be going up to Fitz around lunch tomorrow to check it out. I'll be thinkin' about you, BMIC. At least we don't need co-signers and are pretty firm on what we need to purchase.

I hate vehicles...and computers.

[insert smiley smashing computer with sledge hammer]
[insert smiley pushing vehicle off a cliff]

I'm with you about smashing the computer with a sledgehammer, Heather. I'm gonna post a question about computers on the "friends" board, is there anybody who can help me?

I'm really having a hard time parking this thing. It's too tall, too wide, too long. Glad I'll be driving the accent and hubby gets the truck. I can barely back it out of a parking space b/c I can't tell how close I am to the other cars. This truck is a monster! But I still want it!

I'm on my third truck, but all of them have been
the 'compact' variety, so I can't offer much help.

However, none of them gave me any major problems:

1989 Mazda B2200 - 215,000 miles
1997 Chevrolet S-10 - 165,000 miles
2002 Nissan Frontier - 52,000 miles (so far)

When you hit something you've went too far...so go slow for less damage to your truck.

Another pearl of wisdom from Greedy!

Looked at an '02 Frontier, but there wasn't as much leg room in back, and it was the same price as the F-150. When the Titans hit the used lot, I think I'll have to try to get my hands on one!

you're welcome
disclaimer: I in noways claim to be wise