re: Looking for a new truck

F150 is gonna be the best balance of dealer/brand support and quality of truck. I would stay away from turbo V6 and get the 5.0 V8, it may burn more gas but the overall cost of ownership should be cheaper in the long run if you plan on keeping it for 5 years or more.

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Ford F150 has been solid for me

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This

Ram TRX

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Pre 2025 Toyota Tacoma or Tundra

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This and stay away from anything that is turbo charged.

Sold my 2016 Tundra and got a new 2026 F150 Lariat 5.0. I have been really happy with it. The Ford is a great ride. It's night and day more comfortable than the Toyota I had.

I've rented all the new ones to test, and the Ford was head and shoulders the best to drive IMO.

I’ve loved my Cybertruck so far. Ignore the haters.

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Dreading this process.

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I hear ya man.

However, with some research and preparation you can come out ahead and not get taken to the cleaners.

This is a little cut and paste job. I have been in and around dealerships for many moons and I have seen the sales department use some scummy tactics.

Research as many different vehicles as possible. The Big Three has been putting out garbage the last few years so beware and take due diligence.

Louisiana has 'blue laws' so you can go by a dealership/lot on Sundays to look around without 5 sales folks harassing you.

Always negotiate via phone or email. Never step foot onto dealership or lot before negotiating a price.

Make sure you EVERYTHING in writing, with ALL fees listed detailed out with the 17-digit VIN and their stock number listed.

Don't focus on the monthly payment, focus on the bottom line, aka out-the-door price. This where they can screw you big-time.

If they don't want to give a bottom-line price, tell them adios. Watch them change their tune really quick.

Beware of the slick clowns in F&I. This is where the real OT $$$ is made.

Get an interest rate from your bank/credit union before you even step onto the dealership lot.

Watch out for useless add-ons like VIN etching, nitrogen filled tires, market adjustments...

Sleazy dealerships will use the old 'stalling tactic' by keeping a person in the dealership/lot for hours on end. They do this to wear a person down, attempting get them to just give up and sign the deal, netting them thousands of EXTRA OT $$$.
Put them on a time limit. Say 10 minutes. IF you have good credit, the whole transaction shouldn't take more than an hour.
If they can't give you a bottom-line price, get up and leave. Don't say nothing, just leave.
Almost every time, the salesguy/gal is going to come running out the door after you. LOL

The best time to purchase is toward the end of the month, better yet toward the end of the year. Sales goals and quotas along with bonuses are trying to be made.

Never be afraid to walk out the door if they can't give you reasonable deal.

Above all, NEVER EVER sign an arbitration agreement. If these clowns say something like it's 'mandatory', ask them to show where that is stated. I am willing to guess that they will studder and back off.
If they don't/won't to agree to not signing an arbitration agreement, walk out the door. Don't say nothing, just get up and leave.

You are not trying to be Mr. NiceGuy, here. You are protecting yourself from future nightmares should something bad/wrong happens.

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looking for a truck to replace it. No brand loyalty.

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So you haven’t learned your lesson and want to buy another American car?

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Full Size: 1st. Tundra 5.7L 2nd Titan 5.6L

Mid size: 1st Tacoma V6. 2nd Frontier V6

GM, Ford, and Stellantis drivetrains are NOT built to last anymore. Buyer Beware.