New Turd Hauler

[MrGiggles]

Been thinking more and more lately how it doesn't make much sense to have two vehicles with how I drive. I've got an 06 Silverado 5.3, and an 08 Mazdaspeed 3. Both gas hogs in their own right, the Mazda gets mid-high 20s but requires premium so knock 20-25% off of that for the added cost of fuel, might as well just drive a truck, I've been spending around $100 a week between the two on gas alone, and the Chevy has 345,000 miles so you have to wonder just how long it's going to want to keep going.

Ford seems to have gotten it together after their engine fiascos in the past, the Ecoboost appears to have proved itself and gets pretty impressive fuel economy. So I bought one, 2015 F150 4x4, with the 2.7. I had been shopping for a couple weeks and missed out on two or three trucks in that time, they do not seem to last long at all in my price range. XLT package so not too fancy. Column mounted shifter, and knobs/switches for the HVAC. I cannot stand automatic climate control. Plain peanut butter cloth seats.

I did not want a crew cab because they come with the 5.5ft box, but it's growing on me. Fold the back seats up and there's an impressive amount of room back there, that's out of the weather and secure. In my search, I only found a couple extended cab models.

The size difference is pretty amazing, park it next to my Silverado, which has been leveled but is otherwise stock, the F150 is 2-3 inches taller and a good bit wider. New trucks are just big.

The trip computer said 19.3 mpg average before I reset it, so we'll see how it does. Fuel savings alone should offset the cost some. Might see how it pulls the boat later.

[Terrierman]

345,00 on a Chevy so you go buy a Ford.???? And for certain, pickups are a lot bigger than they used to be.  Colorado is close to what a 1970 1/2 ton Chevy was like.

Good luck with a nice looking new ride.

[Quillback]

Looks very clean, congrats!

[MrGiggles]

1 hour ago, Terrierman said:

345,00 on a Chevy so you go buy a Ford.???? And for certain, pickups are a lot bigger than they used to be.  Colorado is close to what a 1970 1/2 ton Chevy was like.

Good luck with a nice looking new ride.

Right, those 99-06 GM pickups were made to last, but they lost me once they started the cylinder deactivation business. They're not nearly as bad as they used to be, but I'll still pass.

Biggest thing I can say, you would think the V8 would have the lugging power, and the V6 would need to spin up a little to get anything, that's not the case at all. Those turbos are tiny and spool up instantly. The 5.3 needs to rev.

[fishinwrench]

17 minutes ago, MrGiggles said:

Right, those 99-06 GM pickups were made to last

You ain't a woofin' 👍 

I can't get myself to let loose of either of these.  

I feel stupid when it's time to put new tires on them......but bygod they just WORK, and don't show any signs of giving up anytime soon.

[jdmidwest]

Funny you call it a turd hauler, that is what we call our fleet of blue ovals at the office.  I don't even let my company car around my Yota's at the house, I park it at the office.

Don't know how many miles on the turbo on the eco boost, but they do have issues down the road.   But, its a good looking truck.  Hope you got a good one.

[Ketchup]

Don’t let these bowtie guys spoil your new found love for the best brand on the roads. Great looking ride.  I’ve got 5 here. Everything from a 1986 F350 to a 2022.  My 2008 F250 has 489000 on it and not a single issue other than starter, batteries, and 4x4 motor.  Pull my boat with the F450 usually. Enjoy that new ride. 

[MrGiggles]

10 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

Funny you call it a turd hauler, that is what we call our fleet of blue ovals at the office.  I don't even let my company car around my Yota's at the house, I park it at the office.

Don't know how many miles on the turbo on the eco boost, but they do have issues down the road.   But, its a good looking truck.  Hope you got a good one.

I'm sure. Nothing lasts forever, there isn't much that hasn't been touched on my Chevy. The rear diff and transmission have been rebuilt in the past, the transfer case needs it. I've been into the engine to replace the seal on the oil pickup (if you ever get lifters ticking on an LS, it's probably that O-ring, not the lifters themselves), and changed the rear main. It still runs fine but burns quite a bit of oil. 

From what I have read many problems with the Ecoboost were limited to the early models, and remedied later for the most part. Timing chains are an issue but that's a problem for everyone, even Toyota. We've been using timing chains in some form since the 80s but evidently they still can't figure out how to make them work in a vehicle.

 

[MrGiggles]

Been almost 2 months, no trouble. Leveled it, tinted the front windows, and put some new rubber on. Was able to sell both of my old vehicles pretty easily, the used market is still hot. Also had to put a seat cover in, whatever fabric those seats are made of stains really easily.

The display seems to read about 1mpg over actual, my average has been just over 18. The Chevy was always 13-14.