Most Reliable Engine

[Alamogunr]

I'm preparing to start shopping for a "new" pickup. With used prices what they are, I'm almost convinced to look at a new one. It will replace my '98 F150 w/4.6L engine. If I didn't want a crew cab, I would probably keep this one. I'm retired and this will be the last truck I buy unless it gets wrecked(if that happens it may still be the last).

I hear so much about such and such engine is problematic or unreliable, I wonder what the experience here is with various makes. I'm not interested in a Dodge Ram. I have had problems in the past and can't get over my prejudice.

I'm not hard on a vehicle and at my age and being retired, I don't put many miles on a truck. My experience with the 4.6L Ford has spoiled me. I expect all engines to be as reliable.

Again, what are your recommendations and why?

John
W.TN

 

[SteveSRT8]

We run a fleet and have found the GM 6.0 and 5.3 liter engines without AFM to be very reliable. Never really had any problems until over 200k miles, and have one working every day at 400k miles!

These include Silverados and Savanas.

 

[cptbarkey]

my opinion is this, your truck is great as a wheelbarrow, in fact, all trucks are pretty much wheelbarrows in my mind. keep the ford for the once in a year situation where you have to satisfy the wifes need for mulch, and buy a 4 door sedan with good gas mileage and enjoy the THOUSANDS of dollars saved.

 

[Alamogunr]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
my opinion is this, your truck is great as a wheelbarrow, in fact, all trucks are pretty much wheelbarrows in my mind. keep the ford for the once in a year situation where you have to satisfy the wifes need for mulch, and buy a 4 door sedan with good gas mileage and enjoy the THOUSANDS of dollars saved.



We've got a Toyota Avalon that we intend to keep another 4-5 years. And if the offer on trade-in is too low, I'll keep the Ford for dirty work and use the updated truck as my daily driver.

John
W.TN

 

[MNgopher]

Why is it someone always has to chime in to buy a car instead? I don't get it and it gets old.

I hear you on the 4.6 spoiling you reliablity wise. I owned two of those trucks (a '97 and a '99) and they were hands down the most reliable vehciles I've ever had the privlage of owning. Not a powerhouse, but it always got the job done.

In the current crop of Ford and GM's, the GM lineup is tried and true. The Ford lineup has less of a track record. Out of their lineup I'd take the 5.0 V8. While the Ecoboost impresses me, still waiting for long term user results before passing judgement.

I went from a '99 F150 supercab to a 2004 F150 supercrew. The newer truck is more refined and more comfortable to drive, but it is also bigger than the generation you have now. I like mine and wouldn't go back - I'll put it that way!

 

[kkreit01]

If "new", and no Ram, I'd go with Ford 5.0.

 

[cptbarkey]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Why is it someone always has to chime in to buy a car instead? I don't get it and it gets old.


its called out of the box thinking, try it sometime.

 

[4x4chevydude]

Its just me but if someone is asking what truck to buy I think they already know the type of vehicle wanted, my truck is a 2000 and I havent owned or serviced any newer but my 350 chevy motor is awesome...ive heard good things about the 5.3 in the newer trucks the 6.0 is just a gas guzzler in my opinion unless you really need the power.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Why is it someone always has to chime in to buy a car instead? I don't get it and it gets old.

...
Most folks only use the truck 1% of the time; they just want a truck. We'll all share in the fossil fuel pool now. and trucks eat gas. But so do Old Kia's and Hyundai CUV - which is even more deplorable. I loved my old chevy and ford trucks - but sacrificed for the common good, Comrad.

 

[MNgopher]

Sigh... Think it's time to throw in the towel and move on. Way too many know it all's and I know better than you types here anymore. Not worth the time to contribute when you have to wade through the bovine excrement.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Why is it someone always has to chime in to buy a car instead? I don't get it and it gets old.


its called out of the box thinking, try it sometime.


I think its just a different box.

For someone that puts a lot of miles on a daily driver, the "beater truck plus economical car" thinking-box makes sense. But for someone that doesn't drive that much daily (he say's he's retired, read the whole context!) and with trucks getting a realistic 16 city/20+ highway these days, it just doesn't make sense to own, maintain, insure, and register two vehicles when one will do the job.

Back to the original question: pick the best deal you get on a Ram, Ford, or GM/Chevy with the features you want. They're all wonderfully reliable machines these days. Not enough difference to even think about. Of course I prefer Ram because I'm having excellent service and its familiar territory, but I wouldn't throw a Ford or GM out of the garage if the right deal came along.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Tundra appears to be very reliable if you're up for foreign makes.

 

[cptbarkey]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Why is it someone always has to chime in to buy a car instead? I don't get it and it gets old.


its called out of the box thinking, try it sometime.


I think its just a different box.

For someone that puts a lot of miles on a daily driver, the "beater truck plus economical car" thinking-box makes sense. But for someone that doesn't drive that much daily (he say's he's retired, read the whole context!) and with trucks getting a realistic 16 city/20+ highway these days, it just doesn't make sense to own, maintain, insure, and register two vehicles when one will do the job.

Back to the original question: pick the best deal you get on a Ram, Ford, or GM/Chevy with the features you want. They're all wonderfully reliable machines these days. Not enough difference to even think about. Of course I prefer Ram because I'm having excellent service and its familiar territory, but I wouldn't throw a Ford or GM out of the garage if the right deal came along.


i did see the retiree comment, and most that i know of are frugal. i do see a few urban cowboy old men driving platinum f-150s in texas but they are few and far between.

 

[Alamogunr]

Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
Tundra appears to be very reliable if you're up for foreign makes.


I would love to have a Tundra but the dealers around here think they are solid gold. Even a used one(if you can find one) go for more than new Dodge's. I will probably try the bigger city dealers before I completely eliminate the Tundra, but it will most likely be wasted effort.

Even though I said that I was prejudiced against Dodge, I might have to change my mind. They seem to be relatively cheap around here. I'm still not convinced that they are more reliable(my main concern).

I've driven beaters for a second vehicle most of my life. Those of you who think I should continue or find a 2 seater Fiat or something similar, at 70 years old, I'm looking for comfort and convenience. And I dare say that the majority here have not given too much thought to saving the planet single handedly.
John
W.TN

 

[mechtech2]

I also suggest a sedan type vehicle for Alamogunr as an option.
Maybe a few people shaking his cage will influence him and give him a better lifetime experience with his new vehicle.

I never cared what people drive, historically. But I am changing as their huge vehicles eat gas. This costs us all.

 

[Alamogunr]

The GM 6.0L or Dodge Ram W/Hemi is looking better and better!

John
W.TN

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

What exactly do you do with your truck?

If it's light duty hauling, maybe the Ridgeline. It only comes with a 3.5 V6 though.

 

[Spazdog]

Of all the 300,000 mile trucks coming in to my shop, the overwhelming majority are Chevrolet/GMC.

Everything else is broken. Interior switches, panels, etc...but the parts that go, stop, and steer are hanging in there.

There are probably a few Ford 4.6es there too. You can't tell because '99-'03 do not have working odometers and no one with a truck that old wants to pull the cluster to fix that simple cold solder joint.

Couple of Dodges in that club too. Neither with the newer engines though. Both are 5.2s (318). Big chunks of the dash top completely missing but they still run

Couple of Tundras over 200,000 miles but none with 300,000 yet. One 3.4l T-100 over 200,000

I haven't seen a 200,000 mile Titan yet.

I'm certain it can do it, I just haven't seen one yet.

On the smaller truck spectrum, we have a 300,000+ mile Mazda B3000 (Ford Ranger). It smells like a wet dog, brakes are shot, and it looks like this, but it goes, shifts, and turns pretty well.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Alamogunr
Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
Tundra appears to be very reliable if you're up for foreign makes.


I would love to have a Tundra but the dealers around here think they are solid gold. Even a used one(if you can find one) go for more than new Dodge's. I will probably try the bigger city dealers before I completely eliminate the Tundra, but it will most likely be wasted effort.

Even though I said that I was prejudiced against Dodge, I might have to change my mind. They seem to be relatively cheap around here. I'm still not convinced that they are more reliable(my main concern).

I've driven beaters for a second vehicle most of my life. Those of you who think I should continue or find a 2 seater Fiat or something similar, at 70 years old, I'm looking for comfort and convenience. And I dare say that the majority here have not given too much thought to saving the planet single handedly.
John
W.TN


Good for you John. Get what you want it is your money and your choice! Try edmunds.com and get their TMV pricing on the truck you want with the option packages you prefer to have. This will give you a very good ballpark on what trucks you are wanting to buy and test drive a couple from each brand. As you find the one you want offer what you want to pay and if it does not work try walking away. I have done that and the salesman done everything he could to stop me even lowering the price a lot closer to where I wanted it.

 

[Alamogunr]

RE: Previous Post. I couldn't find an emoticon that indicated "dripping with sarcasm". Besides, I don't particularly want to do what other people want me to do with what is left of my life. I probably don't have as much left as most of you. My cage doesn't rattle easily.

It serves as a second vehicle. Occasionally, we need to take things to our sons who live about 3 hours away. I haul leaves, trash, deliver meals for our senior citizens center(similar to Meals on Wheels). My F150 is not an extended cab and my wife hates to use it to go anywhere. We had our bags rained on once.

I don't like the looks of the Ridgeline. I can't explain why. I just don't like it. If reliability were the only consideration, then it would rise to the top.

If the Ford 6 cylinder had more history behind it, I might consider it. I don't need tons of torque, etc.

Thanks for the input.
John
W.TN

EDIT: I didn't see the last two posts while I was typing this. I appreciate the thought and the Titan had crossed my mind. My son has one he bought used and has had very good service from it. He will probably trade it in another year when it reaches 200K miles.