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FIRST YEAR MODEL

TRUCK BLUES

The year 2003 has turned out to be a dramatic example of “first year blues.” The Ford 6.0L Power Stroke trucks I drove for two years were great, and I thought ’03 would be a great year for Ford. But that’s the underlying risk of the first year of dramatic change. Ford Super Duties for 2003 had a new diesel engine. Engineers and developers created a new engine, and then the corporation accountants (bean counters) got hold of it and slashed part of the component of the engine system to save money. I’ve driven and pulled with ones that are great and ones with problems. When Sturman Industries designed the G2 injector for the 6.0L Power Stroke and the International VT365, it was great. It had a pre-shot (pilot injection), two compression shots, and post shot. And then the accountants started deleting components to lower the cost. I’ve interviewed Blue Diamond engineers (Ford and International) who made the Ford F650 and F750 Mexico and International manufactured 6.0L Power Stroke. They knew the problems were coming with the 6.0L. The engine was well-made, but problems occurred with EGR coolers, head gaskets, injectors, the control module, and the list goes on. This relates to first year blues on new models with several new components.

On the other hand, Dodge in ’03 changed the diesel, transmission, frame, axles, transfer case, suspension, steering, etc. That many changes created a risk of the first year blues, but they came out a champion with few problems. The year 2003 was surprising. This is back when Daimler owned Dodge. Hemi was reintroduced in the Dodge 1500 and their trucks did well. So the first year blues didn’t apply to the Dodge trucks in 2003.

More recent first year trucks include: the 2015 Ford F150, 2017 Ford Super Duty, 2017 Honda Ridgeline, 2016 Titan XD, 2016 Toyota Tacoma, and 2015 Colorado and Canyon. Do your research.

I know you’ve heard it before, but we all give into our emotions. The new model looks so cool, you just have to have it! I’ve seen, bought, and sold first year models. As hard as the manufacturers try to get the bugs out, trucks are very complicated products. It sometimes takes thousands of vehicles in use to find the weak links. Sure, they give recalls when most things are discovered, but how many trips to the shop do you have time for? The press releases and reviews you see before and at the introduction of a new truck are usually from the manufacturers, and do you think they are objective? You’re the one stuck with the payments and downtime, don’t be the guinea pig, too. GM’s first year Duramax diesel had problems, but 2002 was much better. So on a used truck, do your research, Google “first year” for the truck you’re looking at, and check the truck forums to see what owners are saying about their first year model trucks.

GAS VS. DIESEL

I like new diesels; used diesels can mean a hefty repair bill. If you are a mechanic, buy anything you want. But for instance, injectors on a GM Duramax can cost thousands after the warranty runs out. Usually after 130,000 miles, injectors can go. Diesel transmissions can be an unbelievable expense. New diesel trucks generally have a five year 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty. Gas trucks may only have a three year 36,000 mile warranty. Diesel mechanics charge more per hour. Oil changes cost more. We cover the rest of the story in Chapter 7.

If you are looking at a gas engine, there are very little differences in price between half-tons and HD three-quarter tons, but you get more choices with transmissions and axle ratio’s in HD three-quarter ton trucks. HD three-quarter ton trucks have a full floating axle, with twice as many bearings in the rear axle, and are designed to be loaded all the time with heavier springs, frames, shocks, tire ratings, etc. Even the way they ride has changed dramatically in the last five years. In the old days, a three-quarter ton truck rode like a basketball and needed some weight in the bed to ride better.

With used trucks, be careful with the light-duty three-quarter tons, because there are half-tons with more wheel bolts, and it’s not easy to tell them apart. If you want a diesel, then there are more factors to consider. Trucks can be confusing, and most people end up asking their truck salesperson important questions. Often the salesperson does not know the answers because they just started selling yesterday or last week. So they just make something up and “TO” (turn you over to a manager who will smoothly tell you anything you want to hear).

Very few managers in the auto business know anything about trucks; they just know how to smile and manipulate you with, “What can I do to earn your business today?” and, “Sure that truck will pull your trailer, my brother-in-law pulls his with that exact truck.”

I suggest you get an owner’s manual after you buy your used truck to know what the recommended service schedules are. Helm is a good place to order your manual. It’s where dealers order theirs.

Truck Brands

When it comes to recommending the best truck, everyone has their opinion and few of us humans let facts get in our way. When I was growing up, my dad had a model 92 Massey combine and my uncle had a John Deere model 95. And of course we thought the Massey had to be the best combine around. Then a funny thing happened. I ended up helping my uncle harvest wheat one summer. I couldn’t believe how easy the John Deere was to grease and work on. Everything you worked on was on the outside where you could get to it. The Massey had everything buried on the inside. Since you always have to work on combines, I was impressed. But you know, I never could convince my dad to buy a John Deere! That’s how trucks are. If your grandpa has a Dodge truck, your dad, your brother and your cousins all have Dodge trucks, not much chance you’ll buy a Ford. This is why Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan have so much trouble capturing market share. Brand loyalty is a powerful force. We become brand-blind.

Truck brands keep improving, and if you get the latest model (after their first year), you will like it much better than your old model. Do yourself a favor: when you need a truck, look at all the brands. I did an article for Turbo Diesel Register magazine. They are the big Dodge/Ram diesel magazine. My assignment was to write an article on “why you don’t want to buy a Dodge Diesel truck.” The editor wanted readers to look at options and not be brand-blind.

I like competition in diesel trucks and it’s closer than it has ever been, with GM and Ford improving their diesels and Dodge improving its body and transmission. So all three are very close; actually, the closest these brands have ever been. Ram Heavy-duty just passed GM in sales numbers on diesels after GM passed Ram a few years ago with the Duramax. But Ford, which has out-sold Dodge and GM diesels combined for over a decade, is still #1 in sales by a wide margin. This means you find more used Ford trucks. If you think you need the best truck every other year, get a two year lease and keep switching brands.

We cover more on this in Chapter 7, but it’s important when deciding between used and new trucks. I’ve updated the time it takes to pay for a diesel engine option with fuel savings from 80,000 miles to 150,000 miles. Calculate how long it takes to pay for the extra $8,000 to $11,000 for the diesel option with fuel savings. It’s easy to get addicted to the power of a diesel. If you tow large trailers or keep a truck forever, the diesel option makes sense. But if you trade trucks every three years and don’t need the capacity, you may not have paid for the extra cost of a diesel engine, special transmission, more expensive oil changes, and fuel filter changes, from the extra fuel savings of the diesel option.

A used diesel not maintained properly and over-trailered beyond its factory weight ratings can be an expensive time bomb. Diesel mechanics charge more than gas engine mechanics per hour. Engines, radiators, alternators, starters, batteries, etc., all cost more in diesel trucks. But a used diesel truck with a pedigree from a one-owner, pulling moderate trailer weights and with service receipts is worth a premium. Some truck owners use the high setting on power chips and micro turners, which works them hard to have most of the goody used up. That’s how most of my trucks were when I was done. I stripped them down to the frame and sold them by the pound. Trucks can last several decades, and so can the wrong choice.

Comparing Trucks

I believe in long test drives and several of them. Used salespeople will try to have you to turn right four times to get you back to the dealership fast; “right turn Clyde” if you remember Clint Eastwood’s Every Which Way But Loose. Always remember it’s your money and you are in control. If the salesperson doesn’t want to accept those terms, then I use a borrowed phrase from Amway: “Some will, some won’t, so what, next!”

Always remember to get your money first. You can always take zero percent interest from the manufacture financing when available, but be prepared with your own options. Before you get talked into the dealer extended warranties, do your own research. Sometimes your credit union or insurance companies have better warranties. Keep checking back on the latest rebates, recalls and interest rates, which can change each month. There are crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration available at http://www.nhtsa.gov/. And also at https://www.fueleconomy.gov. is a nice VIN lookup section and information on EPA mileage for trucks that are 8500 GVWR and lower.

One way to look at buying a truck new or used is to consider your future needs. The month I got out of the business, my oldest son rolled his truck and we had to go truck shopping. I had forgotten how hard it was. We started out going dealer to dealer, reading the paper, looking on the Internet, and I just tagged along as dumb ol’ dad playing with my granddaughter. After my son and daughter-in-law got tired of it, and after changing their minds several times on which vehicle they wanted, they asked for help. I got on the cell phone and called one of the veteran salespeople I bought from and trusted as a broker. I told him what I needed and then we went and picked it up.

Of course I have the advantage, knowing the dealer cost of vehicles and who to trust. But the point I was trying to make to my kids was: you’re going to buy a lot of vehicles over your lifetime. Find the salesperson and dealer you trust, build a relationship and send them your friends. You still need to do price research to keep everyone honest. It’s natural for a salesperson on commission to want to make more money. I would think a positive relationship with a dealer you trust would take some of the stress out of something you will do often for the rest of your life.

We are all trying to feed our families, and I don’t expect people to work for free. But that’s just me: the older I get the more I can see both sides of any argument.

Should you buy your truck from a new dealer or a used dealer?

There are several great used car lots, ones that have been in families for generations. And there are several that are high pressure, and target you for one big sale. I’ve known used lots that send buyers all over the country to buy the last flood, hurricane, hail, or tornado-damaged vehicles at auctions, and ship them home to be repainted and rebuilt. Ever wonder how used lots have the latest model year vehicles? Manufacturers also sell the lemons they can’t fix at those auctions. Watch out for the newer models with low miles, thinking there is still factory warranty left. They don’t all have it.

I’ve known a lot of car salesman in my ten years of being in the business. They make more money working for the used lots. The problem with new lots, the big ones with the most inventory, is that they have the most “new green pea salespeople” who naturally don’t know much about trucks. What do you do? I suggest you do your own homework. Go to the manufacturer’s websites. New dealers have the manufacturer behind them on new, and also usually on the used inventory. With the factory-certified mechanics close by, it’s easier to have the vehicle checked out. If the vehicle you are looking at is the same brand they sell new, it can be traced on the factory computer for recalls and repair history. And you can find out if there really is factory warranty left!

Used lots of ill repute will watch you drive away hoping to not see you again. They will not be your friend when the truck breaks down. If the new dealer is well-established, they have considerably more invested in their franchise than the used lot with a two year lease on their property. The better auctions that sell the factory program cars from the manufactories, lease returns, and executive cars, usually sell these vehicles to the franchise dealers first at special monthly auctions. Guess who the auctions sell the lemons and worn-out trade-ins to? We know that there are both good and bad new and used vehicle dealers. But, since prices are usually comparable between the two, you need to decide which one gets your future sales and service business? If you find unbelievable deals somewhere, what does common sense say?