Greg_8507

Sounds like you would be good to start out with a F-150. I don't know what your credit, or finacial situation is, but i would suggest looking into somthing like a Certified Pre-Owned. Somthing just a few years old with low miles and eligable for extended warrenties. For the same amount of money you can get somthing nicer than if you buy new, and save a lot on insurance. When i bought my first truck i couldn't afford the insurance on a new 2005, bare basic STX. For the same $15,000 bought a 2002 Lariat, decked out. Insurance was affordable, got extended warrenty, drove it for 6 years before I upgraded to a Super Duty. Only problem I had was dead battery after 4 years.

Also worth noting. Get a manufactor's warrenty, don't waste your time with the third party warrenty companies you have to make payments to every month. More often than not, some how the repair is not covered.

tomb1269

You had referenced a preferance for manual transmissions. Only big trucks use manuals these days. When it comes to pickups the manual trans and clutch along with engine out put do not make for good towing or hauling. The reason is due to the advances in the auto trans. 1st the torque of an engine on a bench test (out of the vehical) way be 200 ftlbs. you install that in to a vehical with auto and give the trans a torque multipling torque converter and now you get 280, 300, or more ftlbs of torque. Case in point, my 2006 freestar minivan 201 horse and 268 ftlbs of torque from the same 4.2L V6 that was in the F150s (2004 - 2008) which was nothing more that the old 3.8L block witha bore and stroke and a tuneable intake manifold. As for the truck, the F150 will not give you the big payload or big tow that the F250 can. However, the F150 will give you a hell of a lot nicer daily ride. As for Chevy and Dodge I am not sure, but the F series have been doing the job for along time and they continue to be on top of the pile is sales, etc. I love my 2005 F150 SCrew ride and all, even with the now issues (plugs, exhaust manifold).

SkiSmuggs

I've always had manual transmissions because I felt more in control and got better fuel mileage. My Ranger had a 5 spd and I loved it, but needed more towing power. Got a 2003 Tundra V8 and 4 spd auto. Hated it! Traded it in on my 2011 Ford EcoBoost with 6 spd auto and I love it! So don't let the auto trans stop you.