I'd say the 80's dodges are the worst. I'm partial to the 73-87 Chevy's myself (have an 87) and the 70's thru '96 Fords. The 73-87 Chevy's were rust prone and suffered a bad rap about side impact fires but I think they were solid otherwise. None of the big three trucks had any serious power until the late 90's. As for parts, the 80's GM stuff is still somewhat plentiful and cheap(new) but almost long gone in the scrap yards, not sure about ford. Pre 87 (?) do not need E-tests
With some serching, you might find a good vortec powered GM in your price range (95 or 96 and up) Plenty of high mile 4 x 4, extended cab short boxes out there.
-- Edited by Gearhead on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 12:49:55 PM
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Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
Fords like this are cheap,,dependable inline 6, a 4 speed with granny gear..if it quits you are out of gas,,won't start,you are out of gas. This truck could be had for 1500 at most so lots of cash leftover for buying a plow...BTW,,what the hell you gonna plow down in the banana belt...
-- Edited by Jazz on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:09:56 PM
your right there are Fords out there my son in law picked up a F250 cab and 1/2 for 3500.00
Dave most older trucks here, are running and rotten (from the salt)
thats why I buy in Texas and Florida and so on
just got a 2500 Suburban from Florida, and a Quad steer Yukon XL and 08 4 door Diesel from Okoloma City high miles and rust free (top to bottom rust free)
-- Edited by 427CARL on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:11:10 PM
Fords like this are cheap,,dependable inline 6, a 4 speed with granny gear..if it quits you are out of gas,,won't start,you are out of gas. This truck could be had for 1500 at most so lots of cash leftover for buying a plow...BTW,,what the hell you gonna plow down in the banana belt...
-- Edited by Jazz on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 02:09:56 PM
I totally LOVE the look of that!
I know you probably shouldn't buy a truck on it's looks, lol, but that's really nice.
-- Edited by Dave Scott on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 03:18:28 PM
When it comes to trucks, Chevy's rule. Never mind the BS about Ford selling the most trucks, they don't add GM and Chevy together when they do their cipherin'.
Not mine...I agree fully (about gm being the best choice)
I know 2 peeps who chewed their dodge diffs under non- extreme towing and my 2005 f150 daily is a POS
-- Edited by Gearhead on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 06:16:30 PM
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Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
I want a truck, and I know there a couple of them in Canada land.
I have many reasons for wanting one, including:
Picking up cheap furniture for our first home in Canada
Picking up car parts, like engines and panels
Towing trailers with cars on top
Using as much gas as possible because it's so much cheaper than the UK
because I want to scare people in smart cars (that's quite high on the list actually)
I'd like to attach a snow plow and help clear the roads if required
Budget: up to $4000 (I don't mind working on it when it breaks)
Age: Open to ANY suggestions as I like them all, although the Dodge Ram's can look a bit "front heavy" if you know what I mean.
Been told to go for a Ford, but I'm not keen on the newer one's, think they look a bit soft. Love the old 70's and 80's Fords. Always dreamed of a 80's to 90's Chevy truck, but been told they are the worst
And any truck you buy in that price range you would be best NOT to run a plow on ..Or the trans rebuild will be about the cost of the truck real soon..the Gm 700r4 is pretty soft on a plow truck, Ford has a bit better tranny depending on which one , and Dodoge has tranny issues as well but hey us repair guys need to eat.. I think the best bet you can get is the one grump has a blade and chains on just not sure it is in the 4000 dollar range maybe 4000UKlbs..without the pusher just the blade and the chains..I don't think in the Burlington area you will have much of a need for a plow.. the air dam will be all the plow you need to pick peaches, and grapes,
Kind of off topic regarding your choice of vehicle, but I notice you mentioned "cheap furniture". There is a website here in Canada that has a "free" section in it and it is unreal the furniture and other stuff you will find there. If you click on the correct geographical area on the site, it will all be fairly local to you. I am heading to Newmarket to pick up some free tools today as a matter of fact. You could honestly furnish an entire house for nothing more than the cost to pick up the stuff ... complete (some aboslutely beautiful) dining room sets, wall units, desks, televisions (old style, not the flat screen), kitchen furniture, stoves, washers/dryers, lawn furniture, loads of couches and chairs, coffe tables, beds (yuck....) etc etc etc
I myself have picked up interlocking stones for my place for free, a heavy duty table saw ... free, I even got a 12ft fiberglass boat free too and am getting some front end alignment stuff today (yup, also free) ... also bought a $360 desk for $60 (didn't want to wait for a free one). Just something to look into when you get here. For someone either just starting out or new to the country, this can't be beat.
www.kijiji.ca
I know I sound like a cheap a$$, but its pretty unreal the nice stuff (crappy stuff too though) people just want rid of.
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If at first you don't succeed you do have options ... lower your standards or just plain quit are the two I usually choose from :)
Hey Carl, what do you suggest as a search engine or website for buying US trucks? Do you use a broker and have them shipped up, or do you fly down and bring them back?
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Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
Kind of off topic regarding your choice of vehicle, but I notice you mentioned "cheap furniture". There is a website here in Canada that has a "free" section in it and it is unreal the furniture and other stuff you will find there. If you click on the correct geographical area on the site, it will all be fairly local to you. I am heading to Newmarket to pick up some free tools today as a matter of fact. You could honestly furnish an entire house for nothing more than the cost to pick up the stuff ... complete (some aboslutely beautiful) dining room sets, wall units, desks, televisions (old style, not the flat screen), kitchen furniture, stoves, washers/dryers, lawn furniture, loads of couches and chairs, coffe tables, beds (yuck....) etc etc etc
I myself have picked up interlocking stones for my place for free, a heavy duty table saw ... free, I even got a 12ft fiberglass boat free too and am getting some front end alignment stuff today (yup, also free) ... also bought a $360 desk for $60 (didn't want to wait for a free one). Just something to look into when you get here. For someone either just starting out or new to the country, this can't be beat.
www.kijiji.ca
I know I sound like a cheap a$$, but its pretty unreal the nice stuff (crappy stuff too though) people just want rid of.
Thanks PAAP.
After spending the last ten years getting our finances in order (huge credit card and loan debts) we have learned how to be frugal. Our last suite was a freebie off of gumtree.co.uk which is the same as Kijiji. The people that gave it away had it all cleaned and Scotch-guarded for me picking it up, and it has been brilliant. The only thing I'd prefer to buy new is things like matresses.
I once picked up a bike for my kid from the local dump. Reason it was there?... chain had come off. Terrible the stuff people just chuck away.
I would suggest the blue Ford for all your regular needs...... But if you need a snow plow.....I'd Recomend this!
EVERYBODY uses these to plow the roads in Canaduh
PS....$4000 would be a good DOWN PAYMENT on the FORD.....And wouldn't buy the PLOW on the other......
You should be able to find a good 95-96 chevy pu for that kind of money
-- Edited by Grumpsbodyworks on Tuesday 27th of November 2012 12:58:58 PM
lol, you have far too much free time
I have sooooo much free time because I use 1 vehicle for all my needs....Hot rod for summer....Plow for winter.....Your a Scott.....You of all people should know "THRIFTY"
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"If you don't pass on the knowledge you have to others, it Dies with you"
Seller fills out log book (ownership papers) with buyers name/address and sends off to DVLA. (new owner will get new papers in a couple of weeks) New owner would now phone his insurance company to inform them of new vehicle, or change of vehicle. Without telling his insurance company would make it illegal to drive the new car. (I have a trade policy which allows me to drive any car I own) The car must also have current road fund license on window, and current MOT (safety)
I would then drive home in my new car.
So for me to buy a car in this country is VERY easy. As long as it has an MOT, I can tax it at a post office on the way home if needs be.
It's much simpler here,,say you buy a couple cars from Grumpy. Provided the vehicles have a owners registration, sellers package and a current MTO vehicle inspection all you need is proof of insurance and you could be rolling the same day after a short visit with the local licensing office to show them all the paperwork .. Shopping for insurance most use a insurance broker to get the best price.
When it comes to trucks, Chevy's rule. Never mind the BS about Ford selling the most trucks, they don't add GM and Chevy together when they do their cipherin'.
When it comes to trucks, Chevy's rule. Never mind the BS about Ford selling the most trucks, they don't add GM and Chevy together when they do their cipherin'.
I certainly wouldn't hesitate buying a new Toyota but like Harry said, a lot of early ones had serious corrosion issues. Look at the forerunner. If you can find one that's lived it's life on S. Ont that isn't rusted to the belt line, you are lucky.
Do they salt the roads in Thunder Bay?
-- Edited by Gearhead on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 07:40:30 AM
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Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
I would drive a Toyota !! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If I lived in F-king JAPAN !!
If the Jap trucks are so great, then why do they get a lower rating from Cosumer Report?
I bought an 07 Silverado new, and it now has 100k on it. Absolutely perfect truck with zero issues !! Excellent fuel economy, very powerfull (5.3) and comfortable. Never had 1 problem with it.
I'm going to choose my next vehicle by letting my prejudices influence my thinking. My dad hated race "X", so therefore I do too.
Oh wait, I'm accepting of all walks of life. I can buy anything I want!!
I guess I'm lucky:)
I HAD friends that hated anything Japanese built, but I left them behind when my brain evolved and realized there's a whole world out there that has something to offer.
-- Edited by Gearhead on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 10:29:33 AM
-- Edited by Gearhead on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 10:35:38 AM
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Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
If you want something truly dependable and solid an early Toyota like this one of mine has a drivetrain and body that will outlast anything ever built in North America..if they are washed now and then they never rust and at 400k km barely broken in..
First the blog about a car for your wife....now this one about a truck for you......
I'm begining to wounder if we really need a "Haggis eating, Scotch drinking, Kilt wearing, Sheep chasing, Trouble making" guy like you coming to Canaduh
Yup.....we do..............roflmfao!
Ps....keep up the good work!
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"If you don't pass on the knowledge you have to others, it Dies with you"
I absoutley agree the reason for job loss is cheap imports in all catigories.The people have to realize that the label matters more than a couple of dollars saved and sometimes even if it costs more than a couple of dollars difference.People say that they can't afford Canadian stuff,I say tell that to your kid when they can't get a job pumping gas because people went to self serve to save 2cents, or at your local hardware store because people went to the states to save money .We set the example for our kids ,I think it should be a good example.When you have your own business,shop locally ,is more than an advertising line it actually means something.----By the way back to the topic of the thred,Scotish John I do agree with most of the guys if you are going new by the domestic ,if you are going used I don't think it matters job wise I would buy the one that suits your purposes but those 80s Chevs are cheap and easy to get parts for ,and they look tough enough to scare any smart car driveing tree hugger on the road . Ed
-- Edited by flatblack55delivery on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 10:45:05 PM
Getting back to what you asked about buying a vehicle here!! depends if you buy from a dealer or private. Dealer will get the vehicle "Certified" [safety inspected] & have the Emissions test done, do the paper work & get you your Lic. plates with your proof of insurance etc. If you buy private, then if the seller hasn't had this done, then you have to make arrangement to get the car to the garage for both Insp. & some shops aren't lic. to do both, problem here is if theres no plates on the vehicle your going to have to have it towed!! Best to buy a vehicle that is "certified & E-tested" from a private sale but you still have the plates to get!! Certification is only good for 36 days & "IS NOT" a guarantee for anything other than the vehicle was "FIT" on the day of insp. Our Lic. Plates [# plates] stay with the "OWNER" for use on their next vehicle. I.m sure you'll be able to get some help from one of us when the time comes if you go private purchase!! Hope this helps??& don't forget the taxes!!! Pete
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I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
I'm going to choose my next vehicle by letting my prejudices influence my thinking. My dad hated race "X", so therefore I do too.
Oh wait, I'm accepting of all walks of life. I can buy anything I want!!
I guess I'm lucky:) I HAD friends that hated anything Japanese built, but I left them behind when my brain evolved and realized there's a whole world out there that has something to offer.
-- Edited by Gearhead on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 10:29:33 AM
-- Edited by Gearhead on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 10:35:38 AM
Hey Gearhead ! I'm real curious as to what you do for a living ?
Dan, I've got a 010 Suburban & have had it back to dealer more than I care to think about!! Just get 'fluffed" off after they collected $50G's + at selling dealer !! Now I'm going to another "small' dealer & at least they are making an attempt. Wife had many Nissan's with no dealer problems or car problems either.Have a Ford Focus now & no problems at dealer, treat us well. GM has to get off their high horse & start treating the customer with respect!! Had all sorts of problems with the 02 Chevy P/up & same treatment at another GM dealer in Whitby!! Treated like a POS by service dept. informed the Manager & all I got was an "OH WELL' their UNION & I can't do a thing about it"!! Well I did!! they never saw me again, & did the same to the Oshawa dealer with the "Burb"& also called the service dept there But never even got a return call!! Guess there used to losing customers!! Like the the Suburban but would not recomend "most of the GM dearler network in out area!!!
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I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
Dan, I've got a 010 Suburban & have had it back to dealer more than I care to think about!! Just get 'fluffed" off after they collected $50G's + at selling dealer !! Now I'm going to another "small' dealer & at least they are making an attempt. Wife had many Nissan's with no dealer problems or car problems either.Have a Ford Focus now & no problems at dealer, treat us well. GM has to get off their high horse & start treating the customer with respect!! Had all sorts of problems with the 02 Chevy P/up & same treatment at another GM dealer in Whitby!! Treated like a POS by service dept. informed the Manager & all I got was an "OH WELL' their UNION & I can't do a thing about it"!! Well I did!! they never saw me again, & did the same to the Oshawa dealer with the "Burb"& also called the service dept there But never even got a return call!! Guess there used to losing customers!! Like the the Suburban but would not recomend "most of the GM dearler network in out area!!!
I agree GM dealers suck !! They always have, and have cost GM many sales over the years. I'm a Mopar guy, but have bought probably 15 new GM vehicles in my days. I can honestly say that I've never had major issues like some of the stories I hear about. Maybe I got lucky? Who knows? All my issues have always been minor ones, and never once have I been stranded or needed a tow.
I'm curious Pete, how many times has your Suburban been back to the dealer, and for what problems? If the dealer is rude and not treating you right, then put a complaint in with GM. I guarantee you that something will be done.
Numerous times for trim falling off,brake vibrations, pwr. window failure & the most recent in Oshawa was 3 times to get the radio to play the memory music stick, after they replaced the radio for automatic volume not working!! Their last excuse was it's your stick is not compatable with new radio,I said "it worked before" I did talk to GM about the poor service & they relayed it to dealer, only feed back was a "NASTY" e-mail from service advisor" saying that my report got him in **** & he lost his mthly BONUS!!! Tough ****!!! The smaller dealer took my music stick downloaded it, & they re-loaded it, gave me the Burb back & said 'there you go" fixed!!!! They also did the brakes,all 4 rotors warped, replaced the peeling chevy emblems, fixed the windows etc. all under Warr. none of this "we adjusted this & that try that,parts back ordered, it's only a 25min drive ea way to Oshawa" & you only had to wait 2 to 3 hrs !!! The "Glitzy" glass tower dealer doesn't cut it, I like to talk to the guy or gal who's working on the car when theres a problem, not have it relayed thru some clown who beeps you to come back to service dept. GM & the Glitzy dealers has just "plain" lost touch with it's customer, once they take your $$ in the showroom & try & fleece you for more on Acc. It's "See ya SUCKER" The Ford dealer has called everytime aft. Jan's car been it for service too see if were happy with what was done & were we treated well!!!!
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I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
Dan, I've got a 010 Suburban & have had it back to dealer more than I care to think about!!
What is the first digit in the VIN?
Just for my personal ammusement.
Mills is THE worst dealer IMHO, while they were building their glass tower building they delivered my neighbors new $35K+ car with an emblem that looked like it came from the wreckers. Hot glued on to boot.
I lit into them in e-mails, and sent pice to head office. The sales manager got reamed by corporate, so he say's, but he didn't get it, he wanted to compensate me with a free oil change instead of coming and removing /replacing this emblem. There was other things done to this ar at the dealer before delivery that were unacceptble as well.
Every dealer that I had any issue with (3) got a call from corporate. It's amazing how things turn around on the next visit.
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There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.”
Hey Gearhead ! I'm real curious as to what you do for a living ?
I'm former Millwright/fabricator - now a pencil pusher (project manager/estimator)
Hmmm !! I'm surpized !! I labeled you as a buisness owner with a hate on for Unions (which you claimed) and hate domestics because they were built by Union people.
If the Jap trucks are so great, then why do they get a lower rating from Cosumer Report?
I bought an 07 Silverado new, and it now has 100k on it. Absolutely perfect truck with zero issues !! Excellent fuel economy, very powerfull (5.3) and comfortable. Never had 1 problem with it.
Numerous times for trim falling off,brake vibrations, pwr. window failure & the most recent in Oshawa was 3 times to get the radio to play the memory music stick, after they replaced the radio for automatic volume not working!! Their last excuse was it's your stick is not compatable with new radio,I said "it worked before" I did talk to GM about the poor service & they relayed it to dealer, only feed back was a "NASTY" e-mail from service advisor" saying that my report got him in **** & he lost his mthly BONUS!!! Tough ****!!! The smaller dealer took my music stick downloaded it, & they re-loaded it, gave me the Burb back & said 'there you go" fixed!!!! They also did the brakes,all 4 rotors warped, replaced the peeling chevy emblems, fixed the windows etc. all under Warr. none of this "we adjusted this & that try that,parts back ordered, it's only a 25min drive ea way to Oshawa" & you only had to wait 2 to 3 hrs !!! The "Glitzy" glass tower dealer doesn't cut it, I like to talk to the guy or gal who's working on the car when theres a problem, not have it relayed thru some clown who beeps you to come back to service dept. GM & the Glitzy dealers has just "plain" lost touch with it's customer, once they take your $$ in the showroom & try & fleece you for more on Acc. It's "See ya SUCKER" The Ford dealer has called everytime aft. Jan's car been it for service too see if were happy with what was done & were we treated well!!!!
Well that sucks, Pete !! What number does your VIN start with ?? I'm glad to hear you had better luck with Ford.
I have a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ 5.3 160,000 km never back perfect truck 24mpg Truck is great local dealers set up for money grab
See, this is what I can't figure out !! Here you (Carl) have basically the same truck as Pete. Yours is perfect, and Pete says he's had nothing but problems.
Hey Gearhead ! I'm real curious as to what you do for a living ?
I'm former Millwright/fabricator - now a pencil pusher (project manager/estimator)
Hmmm !! I'm surpized !! I labeled you as a buisness owner with a hate on for Unions (which you claimed) and hate domestics because they were built by Union people.
Lol, union hater I am! I've worked in both and can't stand them. I won't hire ex-union guys either. Been there, done that, won't do it again.
As for domestics/imports, I'm not partial to either, though I feel import quality is still better though perhaps not worth the extra $. I considered the Honda oddesy for the wife, but bailed when I could buy 2 grand caravans (same year) and throw one away for the same coin.
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Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
I will start taking all this crap about having to buy domestic cars to support the economy seriousely when all of these pro domestic pro union people can go thru there wardrobe and see nothing but made in Canada labels or all the furniture in there house is made in Canada.Untill you can do that your demand that everybody else has to buy domestic is nothing more than reterick no better than a politican.When was the last time you even looked at a label when you purchased a item .It matters that everything that you buy is local and we all should make an effort to support all manufactures in Canada not just the automotive industry.I can't figure out the buisness owner comment ,With out businesses there would be no job. Ed
Well I sure as hell do look at labels !! Unfortunately it's not as easy as it once was to support domestic manufacturers, but it's still possible for certain items. For example, my boots are made in Canada because I had a choice. My jeans from Costco used to be made in Canada, but unfortunately not anymore . My furniture is made by the Menonites in St.Jacobs Ontario. I purchased my leather sofas from Wilson's furniture which is owned by a Canadian family and the brand was Palliser which is , you guessed it, made in Canada. We have had a Walmart 15 miles from our house, and have never spent any money there because I hate their policy. As far as TV's, stereos and tons of other items, I have no choice to buy foreign made because they are not made here anymore unfortunately. All I'm saying is that if you have a choice, you should try and support the economy we live in. This goes double if you own your own business like an appliance store in Port hope or a garage in St.Marys. Locals put food on your table, the least you could do is try and support them.