Looking for my first truck

Scott P · July 10, 2013

The time has come for me to finally get around to buying a pickup. It's basically for standard stuff such as trips to Home Depot, furniture, etc. I've lived in Texas for almost eight years now, so by law, I need to own a truck. I have always been a car guy and currently have a MazdaSpeed6. I don't know a lot about pickups other than the rides I've taken in my neighbor's former Ram, his '13 Super Duty and my Dad's '09 Silverado.

The wifey and I went and looked at the '14 Sierra and some '13 F150's. We haven't taken any for a test drive yet. I did get to "drive" the Sierra from one parking spot to another. I plan on figuring out a good test loop and driving both trucks to compare them. I'm looking at a Crew Cab with leather and hopefully four wheel drive. I don't "need" 4WD down here, but coming from Upstate NY, I feel that if I have a truck, it should be 4WD.

I imagine the pricing will be better by a good chunk on a '13 F150, but the idea of having an all-new model seems nice. I know having the first model year of any production run can be risky, so that is hanging in the back of my mind. I have also pretty much always been a GM guy. My Spped6 is actually the only non-GM car I've owned. We had an '04 Envoy that we liked very much.

I'm not looking for a GM vs. Ford war here. Yes, this is a GM forum, so bias is to be expected. But, I'm hoping to see if I can get some info on one versus the other. I may be asking the same thing in an F150 forum.

As I'm beginning to investigate at these two trucks, what should I look?

pendragon · July 10, 2013

The time has come for me to finally get around to buying a pickup. It's basically for standard stuff such as trips to Home Depot, furniture, etc. I've lived in Texas for almost eight years now, so by law, I need to own a truck. I have always been a car guy and currently have a MazdaSpeed6. I don't know a lot about pickups other than the rides I've taken in my neighbor's former Ram, his '13 Super Duty and my Dad's '09 Silverado.

The wifey and I went and looked at the '14 Sierra and some '13 F150's. We haven't taken any for a test drive yet. I did get to "drive" the Sierra from one parking spot to another. I plan on figuring out a good test loop and driving both trucks to compare them. I'm looking at a Crew Cab with leather and hopefully four wheel drive. I don't "need" 4WD down here, but coming from Upstate NY, I feel that if I have a truck, it should be 4WD.

I imagine the pricing will be better by a good chunk on a '13 F150, but the idea of having an all-new model seems nice. I know having the first model year of any production run can be risky, so that is hanging in the back of my mind. I have also pretty much always been a GM guy. My Spped6 is actually the only non-GM car I've owned. We had an '04 Envoy that we liked very much.

I'm not looking for a GM vs. Ford war here. Yes, this is a GM forum, so bias is to be expected. But, I'm hoping to see if I can get some info on one versus the other. I may be asking the same thing in an F150 forum.

As I'm beginning to investigate at these two trucks, what should I look?

First off, you cant really compare the pricing on a 2014 GM to a 2013 F150, by all means compare pricing on a 2013 GM against a 2013 F150, that would give you a better comparison, I've been a truck guy for the last 15 years, I make my living in my truck travelling approx 5000 miles a month, I've had Fords, Dodge and for the last 3 years a GM Denali 1500, based upon my experience I will be replacing my 2010 with a 2014 Denali 1500, it's hard to find fault with a truck that's stayed on the road without problems for the last 150,000 miles

Scott P · July 10, 2013

The comparison is more of a "I can save xxx of money by going with a '13 Ford over a '14 GMC." I realize that the '13 F150 is a year older in the marketplace and its perceived market value would be lower. But it is a newer generation/build than a '13 GMC (based on my limited understanding). Overall, I think the equivalent sticker pricing tends to be just a bit higher on a Ford, so that may reduce some of that price difference.

I was looking for information on if that price difference is worthwhile to step up to a '14 GMC to get a first model year truck and what significant differences there are between the two vehicles. I was not a fan of the ride in my father's '09 Silverado Z71 and figured the '13 GMC would be the same case.

BNSF · July 10, 2013

Owning a '08 Chevy crew and a '14 GMC crew........ two totally different trucks. No comparison. As for owning a first model year truck, that's up to you.

We test drove F150s, and others probably will disagree with me, but I wasn't comfortable buying a 40G+ truck that has a 3.5L car motor in it.

Morgan1986 · July 10, 2013

There both good brands the GM will be a little more capable for payload and towing for specs but I would just get the one that feels right for you . Take them both for a test drive .

Likarok · July 11, 2013

As others have said compare apples to apples for price and to do this go year to year.

IMO you need to figure out what you want a truck for.....if it is just something different than a car I would not worry about too big a motor, or if you will not be towing or hauling don't worry about horsepower. You need to test drive them and see what you like and how they feel to you personally.

Myself for example I love trucks because they are comfortable to drive. I am 6' 200lbs.You can see good in traffic because you are so much higher than everyone else. In some trucks you sit totally different in them depending on your size, or whether they have power seats or not. You tend to sit a bit lower in a truck without power seats. Some have better mirrors to see what is going on around you. Some simply have different sight lines depending on how tall or big you are as the driver.

Trucks are very popular and many people buy them for different reasons. Just have fun and enjoy your new ride!

jeffreydc · July 11, 2013

I own the 2014 SLT 4x4 and I can tell you that it drives like a dream and is incredibly quiet. I came very close to buying the Yukon Denali but in my heart wanted a truck but the wifey wasnt too keen on that. I took the Yukon home for a week and was about to pull the trigger until I saw two new 2014's on the lot that had JUST come in. I really liked it and decided to take it home for a few days before getting the Yukon. When I pulled out of the parking lot in that truck I had the biggest S@@T eating grin on my face! It was smoother and more quiet than the Yukon Denali! I absolutely love driving this truck and even the wife loves it now too. Best vehicle I have ever owned by far.

Likarok · July 11, 2013

I own the 2014 SLT 4x4 and I can tell you that it drives like a dream and is incredibly quiet. I came very close to buying the Yukon Denali but in my heart wanted a truck but the wifey wasnt too keen on that. I took the Yukon home for a week and was about to pull the trigger until I saw two new 2014's on the lot that had JUST come in. I really liked it and decided to take it home for a few days before getting the Yukon. When I pulled out of the parking lot in that truck I had the biggest S@@T eating grin on my face! It was smoother and more quiet than the Yukon Denali! I absolutely love driving this truck and even the wife loves it now too. Best vehicle I have ever owned by far.

I love it ! You sound like me every time I get a new one........the grin thing I mean! ahahah

KMGZ400 · July 11, 2013

i personally would stay away from the 14 GM's for at least a year.

they are both great trucks, cant really go wrong with either. drive and inspect both and decide which you like more, and which you can get a great deal on.