ok so Im really happy now ive got my permit the day i turned 16 which was October 8.. and me and my dad are looking for a truck/car for me.. Ive been driving his 2006 Chevy dually which is nice but it just aint mine.. So what would be best for me?? I would like to find a truck with a plow and I will also use it on the farm to pull wagons and other crap we have.. also drive to work and school.. Im leaning to a 98-02 dodge cummins or a Chevy/GMC 2001-02 duramax.. I would just like to here from other guys that have these trucks or other ones that have been good to them and would seem right for me.. AND NO TOYOTA'S ALCO :lol:

Just get a gas car. They have low insurance, low fuel costs and are more reliable. Trucks are real expensive sa first vehicle. Especially if you are buying used, a used car will only last a few years so don't get anything fancy. If you need a truck just borrow your dad's or something. Just stay away from VWs, VWs are for jerks. I have made a list of good starter cars that are cheap:

New:
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Yaris (kinda small)
Nissan Altima
Subaru Impreza
Honda Civic
Ford Focus
Pontiac G6
Chevrolet Cobalt
Saturn ION
Chevrolet Aveo (4 door)

Used:
Toyota Corolla
Nissan Altima
Toyota Echo (very rare)
Subaru Legacy/Outback
Chevrolet Lumina
Toyota RAV4
Geo Tracker
Toyota Solara (very rare)
Pontiac Grand Am

Just to name a few...

Thanks alco I was thinking of buying a car but If i can find a truck with a plow i can make money in the winter thats why i was leaning more to a truck.. but you do have a good lineup of cars there besides the Geo Tracker

A plow is a good investment becuase you can make the payments by plowing driveways.

i know and we have the driveways to plow too.. Ive also been told the ford super duty with a 7.3 is a good truck too

One of the few things ford did right

Personally, get yourself a Silverado 1500 or Sierra 1500, with the plow, it will pay for itself every year...plus you could always come up to N. Illinois right now...snowing right now and the driveway needs clearing again, LOL!

Were you thinking used or new?

used

Brandon my 1st truck i had at 16 was a 1989 f-250 gasser wiht a 351 in it. Do not buy a truck unless your parnets will fill the tank for you. I couldnt afford to keep gas in it. I was only making 6 or 7 dollars an hr working at a gas station. That thing sucked the fuel down. It also had a plow on it. But you cant count on snow to pay for anything. Plus when the ford need work all the parts were high dollar. So just think about everything before you buy something

i got enough snow here nreeki

Yeah I really would stick with a car. A used truck won't last any longer so it makes little sense to pay a lot more for something that will only last a few years.

Very good advice

i understand that and I got a job anyway 2 actualy I run equipment for my cuz all the time at least 4 days a week I get $10 an hour and also help dad on the weekend with building houses $7 bucks and hour. and if i get a truck then when i does snow i can make more yet.. after school I go to work about 2 miles down the road for my cuz

Brandon please update this thread as you are looking at/buying cars

There ya go. He's got a stable work lineup, he can make Lord knows how much plowing driveways, and with the price of gas, chances are he can pay for it himself.

And if you manage to get a newer used truck, then chances are it won't break down as much. If brandon can get an 04-05 truck, he's in the black.

He never said anything about looking at just cars, so the poll still holds true.

Im more looking at buying a Truck alco even my dad said i would be better off with a truck

Sorry I call pickups cars becuase of the way they look sitting next a tractor trailer or bus.

and my dad said he will help buy one because the truck im driving now his 2006 hes selling so yea :lol:

Other truck issues-

Don't put a plow on a 1/2 ton (especially Ford) unless you want front end issues.
Registration fee (depending on state) is typically higher
Insurance on h/d truck (3/4 or 1 ton) is typically higher
Much lower fuel mileage (wait till next summer when gas goes back up).
Everything costs more (tires, parts, etc.)

I would not recommend a diesel truck for a novice driver. You will have issues in bad weather. But it will teach you to drive well...

I think that WAY too many people own trucks and SUVs (yes Alco, you and I sorta agree on something). You should only own one if you NEED one, and you should drive it only as needed. In other words, if you have a car, use it. If you need a truck for a valid reason and don't have/can't afford another vehicle, no big deal. But I hate to see my friend driving his F-250 4x4 with a worked 351W, and 9 inches of lift and 38s, while leaving his Focus sit at home because, "the guys at work razz him about it." Grow some stones man.

That being said, I do drive my 3/4 ton diesel every day because I have a short trip, and I have not had a chance to fix my Neon. With fuel prices the way they are now, I'm not in a hurry, because the money I save on fuel would be paid out in insurance... I'm not sure which is the more evil corporate empire at this point :)

Sorry for the rant.

On topic- buy a car. A small one that has a good repuatation. Every time you drive past a gas station, wave to the guys filling up their trucks. I'll probably be there.

the thing is you cant pull a hay wagon with a car.. thats my point im on the farm everday and always putting something in the bed or we are moving something around. a car would be nice if i were just going back and forth to school but I do work unlike most kids... who said that

Sorry, still thought you were trying to make a choice.

Since you've decided on a truck-

As I said above- I would not recommend a diesel truck for a novice driver. You will have issues in bad weather. But it will teach you to drive well...

I'm a Dodge guy, but I'll give it to you straight-

94-01 trucks have issues with front end parts- ball joints, track bars, etc. The 360's SUCK GAS. The automatics have issues in the earlier years of the model. Quad cabs w/ 4 doors came out in about 98-99 iirc Overall, the brakes on the 1/2 ton suck for stopping heavy loads (over 7000lb- yes, I know you shouldn't try to pull that much, but guys do). On a good note, the 94-01 4x4 1/2 ton trucks have a solid front axle (which I prefer on a 4x4 truck).

02-08 trucks are better on parts. Hemi is nice motor and can get good mileage if you're nice to it. 05-up have the thing that kills cylinders on the highway for better mileage. Ignore what anyone says about the Hemi not having torque- I've pulled a 9000lb trailer with my friend's 05 1/2 ton and it's fine. They have the brakes to stop it too, even on the 1/2 ton. Tires for the 20" wheels (popular option- as in MOST have them, at least around here) are expen$ive. My friend has 60k on his 05, and it has needed basically nothing. He just put tires and front brakes on for the first time (I can't believe he lived with the Good-for-nothing-years for 60,000 miles!).

The Fords and Chevys from the last 8-10 years are decent trucks. Fords still have tire and alignment issues in my understanding. Both use stone-age engine technology, but make it work decent.

If you can afford the trucks from about 2002 on, you almost can't go wrong.

good tip

and note i started driving on a diesel pickup

I'll have to say to go with at least a 3/4 ton truck for plowing. and as I am also a Dodge guy and have a 2006 Dodge 2500 with the 5.9 Cummins, guess what I'd tell you to get. Also the diesel will get much better fuel milage than a gas truck will( mine usually gets 21-25 mpg, 32 was the highest ever but had to do 50mph to get that).

Only winter issues I've had is not being able to drive in a snow storm in 2wd mode, too much torque <devil> and not enough traction on the back(heavy on the front), but that's why I have that 4x4 badge on the tailgate.

My first truck was an '03 Hemi, only could get 14 - 17 mpg max. But it did have plenty of power for pulling, but like all half tons, front end just isn't stong enough for a good sized plow.

Basically, get a 2500 diesel from what ever of the 3 you like best.

:psycho: Dodge :psycho:

dad just got home and is telling me about a 2003 gmc 2500HD diesel its got 90,000miles on it and they want $15,000 for it he said its in great shape..

15K for something with 90K on it is way too much. Even if it is in good shape. Get them to lower it below 10K and then you'll talk ;)

I would go with a F250 or 350. My company almost always starts with Ford trucks. They build tow trucks, propane trucks, and other work trucks. However, most of the used ones in my area have over 150,000 miles and they are still like 20k. Just my 2 cents.

i nice truck is a chevy 1500 they have decent gas milage with the dependability of a chevy

If you think $15,000 for a 2003 gmc diesel is to much you must be sick.. there normaly $19,000

gas car is better for begginers
toyota corolla is good overall

again I already started on a diesel pickup

Here is my opinion. Do not buy a diesel if its your only ride. For short trips they suck. They need warm up time and idle down time. If you do not do this then you maybe considered a fool. Guys who do this burn up turbos and kill bearings/piston rings. If you go diesel get a turbo timer and pyrometer. Anything below 400 degrees and you are ok to shut off your truck.

I had a daily driver and work trucks when I ran my own thing. Also if you are snow plowing I hope you have experience. If you are just a 16 year old and thinking your going to make it without plowing before your wrong. Subcontract for someone.

I have plowed for three years and still fill in with buddies here and there. The reason that I keep getting offered jobs and the reason some of my old clients still call me is to see if I am plowing is because of my quality of service. Relationships with people is everything.

I started out plowing for a company. I ran skid steers, there one ton dump truck with a plow and their front end loader with an 18 foot bucket. I hate plowing with a dually. I also hate plowing with anything but all terrain tires.

Remember People want you there right when the snow is done falling. If your doing driveways they hate loud trucks. The reason I do not plow anymore is because I am a full time student/part time job/when its snowing Id rather be skiing. Don't get me wrong I am the type of person who loves to push snow. But, at this phase in my life (most likely in yours too) I want to focus on school. I have now made school my number one priority. I have given up a huge yearly salary because of this. My grades have improved, I have more time with friends and family, and a lot less stress in my life. Running your own small business at such a young age is difficult. But it can be done, I have done it and so has another buddy of mine. We both gave it up.

You will Need to have commercial insurance if you are doing any commercial lots. If you have never salted or sanded it, you should subcontract with a company for a year. before running your own gig. Experience means everything in this industry. It is not rocket science.

Like SweetChuck said. Do not plow with a half ton. I laugh at the guys running plows on a half ton. 3/4 ton minimum 1 ton preferred. We had 7.3 powerstrokes running 8 1/2 foot boss v plows. I have tried Blizzards and other plow manufactures. I will always buy a boss. I wont plow without a boss. Get lighting. Lights are hugely important you need at least a 3 light strobe. People need to see you. I had a back rack with my strobe mounted on it. Additional reverse lights are nice too. Have a small repair shop (tools and parts) You will blow hydraulic lines. Fluid is a must every single fluid, full spares, tow straps, recovery shovels.

If you do decide to start this. Make sure you have a back up plower. If your truck or plow goes down you need to have someone who can finish up for you. Nothing makes people cancel a plowing service faster than not being able to plow. They do not care what happened. All they care about is getting their snow out of their driveway ASAP.

Build a relationship with a plow dealer. Buy everything and anything you can from that one dealer. It will pay you in the end. Eventually they will start giving you breaks on prices. They will sometimes come in early or stay late to help you. I have my mechanics number and my plow dealers personal cell phones. They have answered my calls at 3 in the morning. They have helped me tons.

Always do what you said you are going to do. When I had driveways I paid a buddy to shovel their walkways for them. I clearly stated in my contract that I was not liable for anyone slipping or falling because I did not sand or salt driveways/sidewalks stairs.

I was in a rush posting this. You Ill add to it more if you want me to.

Put it this way i drive a rockbucket all day and the last thing i want to get into is my truck so if i was you i would buy a car and i know you want to buy a plow and all of that but in the long run it would be a better choice. But if you want a good hardworking Hoon of a truck go for a Silverado 1500 mine is lowerd and i have big 20inh rimes on it (Its not to good on a farm with the mags on it) so yer in the summer you can hoon around with your friends and in the winter you can plow the roads its like multi tasking with a truck..

Olson Trucking is very right just don't get a hotdog on your truck and it will be fine :explosion:

well olson we contract for a hugh housing development in NY we plow for them every year and have been running a skid steer to plow it along with my dad useing his truck and my grandpa also have a few neibors i snowblow for but will plow there driveway this year.. so i do have places to plow..

We used to have 2 plow trucks. Both had 8 1/2 or 9 foot Boss V plows. Paid for themselves after about 2 years. One was on dads 03 Dmax. The other is on our 05 F-250, 4x4, with the plow package. It also has the solid front axle, which we wanted. My brother was driving dads truck up north a few hours to plow the Honda factory. Well, some women in a little car lost control, crossed the median and took on the plow. It hit the plow, bounced off, took out one side of the bed and dented up the cab pretty back. Totaled the car, i think it was a Toyota. The main thing with plows, if you have the money get a Boss V plow, 4x4, 2500 or bigger, and hope your transmission will hold up. Plowing is really hard on trannys, so we would usually change fluid in the middle of the season. But now we dont have any contracts, so dad just waits for people to call. I think so far we just have one job for plowing and salting.


But alco, you must not ever see a diesel pickup for sale. A diesel will always hold value better then a gasser. My brothers 97 F-250 with a 7.3 at 226k would probably sell at 9500 as the lowest. A diesel will probably out last a gasser any day of the week, more powerful, more reliable, and more efficent. You cant really go wrong with a diesel(except GMs early diesels). But a 7.3 shouldnt give you problems. 1999 up have factory intercoolers. There is no 98 model year because they were switching over from the good body style to the new round ones. The 6.0s had turbo problems, and if you wanted any power you had to stud em. But they were good motors other then those 2 main problems. With a 7.3 you can probably get 17-20 mpgs. My brothers transmission was pretty good. It started shifting harder and harder, so he got a re-man tranny. NEVER BUY A REMANUFACTURED PART FOR YOUR VEHICLE. He didnt have the money at the time for a good ATS, so he saved some money and payed for it. It was conflicting with his chip and some other stuff and made it overheat and shift somewhat hard. It was under warranty(75k, 4 years i think) so they rebuilt it for him. But he got his chip reburnt and so far hasnt had any problems. But dads allison tranny has given him problems. I dont think they are all that, like some people say.

Just my opinion, and it might help some.

Wow diesel trucks are much more complicated than gasoline automobiles. I can fix some things on some gas cars, but I doubt I could fix anything on a diesel truck.

Well Brandon how much are you going to plow? How many driveway and lots will you have. Is it to my understanding that you will be contracted through a company?

Also in regards to trannys. I serviced (fluid and filter) at the beginning of the season and the end of the season. Oil changes every 4500 miles. The big thing when plowing is to run stock sized tires and rims. This is a tranny killer. A few buddies and I have found this out the hard way. But yes plowing is especially hard on trannys.

I figure I would get anywhere from 4-7mpg while plowing with a gm 6.0 if I was lucky. I would get roughly 4 mpg with a 6.0 if it was 6 plus inches of wet heavy snow. With a 7.3 I could get 9-11. With the 7.3 on a real light day maybe 12 or slightly higher. Once you plow with a diesel you will not want to go back to a gasser. More weight = more traction. More power and fuel economy. Plus diesel reliability if you take care of them. Just an fyi. Oh I forgot the old school ford 460 gets about 4-5 mpg plowing most anything. Side note I did not like the 460. I thought my 6.0 had way more guts and better fuel economy while daily driving it. 460 also sucks down fuel on the highway where the 6.0 does way better I would say 3 mpg better. 460 was a dually so take the extra wheel rotational weight into account. plowing with a dually sucks by the way. I would try to plow in 2wd to save on fuel if I could. Out of all the trucks I had. I love my chevy 6.0 for its ride and interior which was a great gasser. Front suspension leaves a little more to be desired in terms of strength. 7.3 pushed and towed like a tank.

How much are you looking on spending on a truck and plow? Be prepared to have about 3 grand in cash for unexpected breakdowns. I had a source for a spare tranny for all my trucks ready to go if need be. But then again I did not break down all that much. Putting in tranny cooler lines in the parking lot is no fun when its 15 degrees out.