I was looking at diesels until some of you commented that diesel is getting harder to find, and many diesels are inefficient.

I want something that seats 5+ people and is a truck and has 4x4 or AWD.

I also want a great value because I always want a great value. Prefer to spend around $10,000 but can do up to $30,000.

I want a truck because it's versatile ( can do everything ) and I can afford the extra 10mpg for gas.

What will the truck be used for?

What kind of gas Milage are you looking for?

Crew or Extended Cab?

Off road or not?

Towing?

Etc.....

Depends on what yout want/prefer.
I always liked the smaller trucks, but even the crew cabs can't really sit 5+ comfortably and the modern full size get pretty much the same gas milage. With gas prices now you can get a brand new truck for the price of a used one, I just bought a 1 year old off lease in Feb and could have waited until now and got a brand new for less <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I thought crew (extended cab?) could seat 5-6 comfortably.

Do I need this vehicle? No, I'm had a 2 door sports car for years now. But I would like it because it's more versatile and if I can afford it why not.

I'm getting into hunting outdoors etc. so it would be nice.

A small or midsized truck crew and some extended cabs can fit 4 comfortably and can fit 5-6 uncomfortably. Anything but a full sized truck is too narrow to fit 3 people side by side comfortably.

diesel harder to find?
inefficent?

Who told you these things?! More and more people are getting diesels now for personal use and it's getting EASIER to find.

Not only that but can your car run on vegi oil if you can't find gas for it? No, but your diesel could if you had to.

The diesel motor will last a LONG LONG time too look at people who have 500k+ on their deisels <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you don't want a diesel I`d say get a Tundra or Tacoma both are nice trucks and come wtih th Toyota name and quality.

I myself, I got an F250 Diesel <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

This is my 2002 GMC 2500HD Diesel. I have not heard diesel fuel is getting harder to find. You will pay a 3-5k premium on a diesel. But you get better MPG, more power/torque, less maintenance(longer periods between, no spark plugs) and a higher resale/better demand for your used vehicle.

Most pumps I fill at are separate from the gas pumps. When I go to fill, I see lines at the gas pumps and I am alone at the diesel pumps, or with 1 other trucker. Last years hurricanes in Florida, I towed my uncles boat from our house in Mass. to Florida. While filling in Florida, most stations were OUT of gas but HAD diesel. The stations that had gas had lines of vehicles dozens long. Not so at the diesel pumps. Got some nasty looks pulling ahead of the other vehicles till they realized I was going to thte diesel pumps. I keep excellent records and get 15-17 MPG with winter blended diesel. In the summer at is 17-20. Mixed city/hwy.

The Chevy behind it is a 86. Going strong on 20 years with 142,000 miles. 55,000 on the diesel with NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. Just a recall on the tailgate cables and fueal filter. I do all my own maintenance.

If I could do it over I would get the crew cab instead of the extended cab. It is a PITA to get kids in the back seat in a parking lot as the exteded doors open like suicide doors.

I've got a 1995 Diesel GMC Suburban. Best truck i've ever owned (and I've had them all). I would buy another right now if they still made them. I would never own a pickup again, but if that is what you are in the market for then get a diesel one. More specifically go GMC/Chevy (The Cummins in Dodge trucks is a great engine, but the trucks themselves are terrible, and the new Ford diesel is junk). Diesel really is great, especially in a full sized truck, I get 22mpg highway (compared to about 10mpg in a similer gas truck) and could tow almost twice as much. Oh, and Diesel is more efficient than gas, whoever told you otherwise is completely wrong.

As to there being less diesel then gas. Fuel oil used to heat houses is just dyed diesel. It is illegal to use it in your truck, but in an emergency you could use it as long as you don't get caught. Gas pumps may be empty, but you can always find diesel somewhere. Especially by a highway. Also, in 2006 all diesel is the states has to be low sulfer diesel like in Europe, so you will start seeing a lot more diesel pumps and diesel vehicles.

Paul,

I want a diesel suburban but they dont make em anymore and the used ones are commanding a very high price. I never thought I would own a pickup, but after having one, I will never do without one. Indespensible.

I used to have pickups. The ride was always horrible compared to the Suburbans and I hated the light rear end. Especially in winter, bad weather, and towing. I prefer the balanced feeling of the Suburban. Plus I like being able to get to my stuff in the back from inside the truck, fold down the back seats to give me more room, and have a third seating row. It doesn't really pay for me to have a pickup anyway since I already have four dump trucks, 3 Diesel and 1 Gas. By the way, I'll never buy another gas dump truck either. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and once they change to the new chassis (GMT900 I think) in a few years they will put the diesel back in the Suburban along with the six speed allison auto, so I'll just wait. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />