My own 'help me choose' thread

[eharri3 10+ year member]

OK My 04 Dakota Crew CAb 4x4 V8 has 73000 miles on it, purchase date of 10/31/2003. Im at the point now where I've had a couple real expensive repairs related to front end parts and steering and pretty much will not be spending any more than 500 bucks on this truck at any one time again in the foreseeable future. If an expensive repair comes up again I'm ready to trade.

Choices can be divided up first into two categories.

Crew Cab 4x4 pickup: Leaning towards any one of these and it would be between the new Hemi Ram, new Silverado with a 5.3, or a 5.7 Tundra (could be extended cab or Crewmax). Just not interested in the new F150s at all.

Otherwise, in the other corner: 5.7 Hemi Challenger.

I LOVE the Challenger but couldn't imagine it as a primary vehicle, but I don't know if owning two newer vehicles is just in the cards for me financially right now.

A big engine truck like any of the above would be pretty fun all year round and I wouldn't be afraid to get it dirty inside or out but I drool and get wood over the Challenger.

The Challenger would be an absolute blast but I couldn't just throw something filthy in the back without caring, it's not a vehicle I'd want to drive day-to-day, and it would probably stay garaged in snow or hail storms.

I have a take-home vehicle for work so whatever I buy next would probably see less than 10,000 miles per year for several years.

What would you do if you were me:

Cliff notes: HAS to be big, loud vehicle with big engine, beyond that not sure which direction to go in. And this may be the last cool, fun vehicle I get for a VERY long time (Im a truck and muscle car guy) as there may possibly be a ring and god knows what else going on in the not too distant future so Ill have it for awhile.

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[99grandprixGT 5,000+ posts]

whats your budget? how about a trailblazer SS if you would go with an SUV?

 

[97gp 5,000+ posts]

whats your budget? how about a trailblazer SS if you would go with an SUV?

Word son

 

[eharri3 10+ year member]

I like the SS but in general if I get a truck-type vehicle it won't be an SUV. I like having a pickup bed so you can toss something bad back there for a shorthaul and not feel bad about leaving it dirty or disgusting until you get around to hosing it out. I don't use a truck like a truck every day but I have from time to time. I don't want anything ID be afraid to abuse a little bit.

 

[Proximity 10+ year member]

budget?

New 6.0L V8 Chevy avalanche ltz ftw

 

[Slim_Shady]

Vortec max silverado ftw