Picking the right manufacturer

[VanKitten]

I have been looking for possible SUVs, and probably going to expand to vans now too

My experience has been....

     Toyota cars are very reliable and have great longevity, does this also apply to SUVs and Vans?  They are more pricey

     Dodge has a bad rep.   Bad transmissions.   I have two friends that had dodge trucks and vans...they were forever putting transmissions into them.    

    Nissan has a very bad rep for breaks.    They are priced much cheaper...this why?

    Chevy doesn't have a good rep for engines.

    Ford seems to be a good vehicle in most categories of trucks, vans, SUV.     I don't know much about them.   Last truck I had ( 350), the engine blew at 90k...so that left me feeling like it isn't a good choice for the long haul.   Still, one incident doesn't make the entire product line bad.



What are the opinions here?    I want a vehicle that is going to last and be reliable.  I know nothing lasts forever.   

Once I hit the road, my income will be fixed.   I plan to put the most (within reason) into the purchases....then it would be just building savings to keep up with maint, etc.   

    - Kat

 

[GotSmart]

I have been looking for possible SUVs, and probably going to expand to vans now too

My experience has been....

     Toyota cars are very reliable and have great longevity, does this also apply to SUVs and Vans?  They are more pricey

     Dodge has a bad rep.   Bad transmissions.   I have two friends that had dodge trucks and vans...they were forever putting transmissions into them.    

    Nissan has a very bad rep for breaks.    They are priced much cheaper...this why?

    Chevy doesn't have a good rep for engines.

    Ford seems to be a good vehicle in most categories of trucks, vans, SUV.     I don't know much about them.   Last truck I had ( 350), the engine blew at 90k...so that left me feeling like it isn't a good choice for the long haul.   Still, one incident doesn't make the entire product line bad.



What are the opinions here?    I want a vehicle that is going to last and be reliable.  I know nothing lasts forever.   

Once I hit the road, my income will be fixed.   I plan to put the most (within reason) into the purchases....then it would be just building savings to keep up with maint, etc.   

    - Kat

Toyota parts are expensive.

If the Dodge AT went out, then it was not installed right.  Everything needs service and maintenance. 

Chevy has the 350.  The workhorse of the motor world.  The choice of a majority here.  

Ford has the bad motor rep.  Blown spark plugs.  This is select motors.  There is one van listed here that I would love to get. That Ford is Diesel.

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Check-it-out-in-San-Francisco

Before you buy a motor, google it!

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I just read an article that said since 2010 Toyota has had more recalls and reliability issues than Ford or Chevy. Disclaimer: I've never been a fan of Toyota and all the hype that surrounds it and prefer American made so was glad to hear it. I think all your statements are highly generalized. Any vehicle from any manufacturer can have issues and there are a lot of factors that can contribute to them, driving style, maintenance, and sometimes it just comes down to the luck of the draw. Ask a 1000 people this question and you're going to get answers where people say a certain car is crap and others that got 300k outta the same model. I'd find what vehicle fits your needs the best, is with in your budget and make sure it's not a first year model engine so you can check into their reliability.

 

[LeeRevell]

I prefer Ford Gen Three vans, due to looks and experience with them.  I know them in and out.  Later gens I don't know so well.
Dodge is a good make - I have had several Dodges, and my current 2005 minivan is a Dodge.  Never a tranny problem in any Dodge.  Dodge vans are unibody construction though, which has it's problems.
Chevy - Many vandwellers like Chevys.  I have no experience with them.
Toyota - their cars are generally good, but my old Tercel (handed down from my Mom) has had serious problems.
Nissan - "Breaks" or "Brakes"?  Never heard anything bad about them generally.  The guys I know with Nissan trucks like them.

There are good and bad in ALL makes.  Much depends on how they were treated by their prior owners.

 

[VanKitten]

I am looking at the Nissan Armada. That is a large SUV! 8 feet, 7 inches from the back of the drivers seat to the rear door!! If I take out the seats, I would have a lot of room.

Anyone have input on that one?

I am also looking at the Toyota Sequoia. Lots of room there too. Not as big as the Armada, but still large.

Any others I should think about?

I was thinking of the Chevy suburban and the ford excursion. Only thing about the excursion is the age....I think they stopped building it in 2004.

I am going to go look at vans next week. Just to try to get an idea of what is out there and what to expect. The biggest advantage to a van is the placement of the bed across the back. In a SUV the bed has to go down one side.

I typically go to the dealer lots. I won't buy from them (usually) but I get a good idea of what they have offerings.

 

[highdesertranger]

I would only choose an older chevy, but that's me. I need reliability above everything else. I also own a ford and if you pick the right one they are good vehicles. the only foreign vehicle I would even consider is a Toyota. I have been working on vehicles since before I had a drives license. so I have seen them all and have owned most. highdesertranger

 

[speedhighway46]

I have a 2003 Excursion with the 7.3 diesel; 158,000 miles. Pulls like a mule. Very nice, big vehicle. Engine has been flawless; I have done some repair work on the front end. I'll keep it another 7 years anyhow!

Repairs to big vehicles like this are expensive; but not as bad as my Peterbilt.

 

[LeeRevell]

Chevy Suburban is still in production, so later used vehicles are available that aren't too old.