I am researching trucks and have decided to buy a full size (1500) truck for safety reasons. The ones that are on my list for good safety ratings are: Tundra 00-06; Titan 04-06; F150 04-06; Ram 02-05; and Sierra or Chevy 1500 99-06 (these last two are a step below the others in safety ratings).
My other criteria are: seats six; medium or long bed; budget under $15K; and 4WD.
My questions are:6 or V8? Auto or Manual transmission? Which make best for reliability? Which one best for a bed camper? Which onehas best handling? Should I consider Diesel?
Thanks in advance!

 

good luck trying to find any 1500 diesel 4x4 for less than 15k (especially a nissan or toyota do they even have diesels?). i wouldnt tell you to buy anything other than a chevy anyways.

 

Thanks for your quick reply!Would you recommend an auto or standard transmission? A 6 or 8 cylinder?

 

Im with 03z71 i would say chevy. I had a 2000 and now a 2005 both 1500 and both 8 cylinders and 4x4. Would not buy any other make truck ever. I think chevy by far get better gas milage. And its up to you on the standard or auto just depends on if you want to shift or not. And if you want to pull with it or have a bed camper id go with a 8 cylinder. Thanks

 

Thanks for your reply!

What kind of gas mileage do you get?

I heard that the 5.3 from 200-03 had an incidence of piston slap. Is this true-should I avoid those years?

If not true, what would be a good year to look for under ?15K.

 

On my 2000 i had the 4:10 rear end so i got about 15-16 mpg on the highway. But my 2005 i get between 18-21 mpg depending on how i drive and the wind. I have been arounda fewof chevys from 2000 to 2003 and have never heard of the piston slap. So as far as i know any year from 1990 to 2007 is a good year for chevy. One of my coworker had a 2000 2 wheel drive with 150,000 miles on it and no big problems and has a 1995 4x4 with 250,000 miles on it. But in my opion every truck is man made and you never now from one truck to the next. But i will never buy another truck brand other then chevy. Thanks

 

I have a 2002 silverado ECSB with a 5.3 liter V8, an automatic and 3.73 gears. I get 16 MPG in the city and 22 on the highway if I keep the speed down, 19ish if I drive 90 miles per hour. The only mods I have are listed below.