I have driven other makes before, and I'll drive other makes again. But I'll always have loyalty for Ford vehicles because:
1. I was born, raised, and still live in Dearborn, Michigan - the city where Henry Ford started this gig.
2. Ford has stayed loyal to Dearborn.
3. I have numerous family members who are currently employed by Ford.
4. My grandfather brought home the bacon for a wife and 7 children by working for Ford.
5. Ford is the reason why my grandmother never had to worry about money in the 20+ years she lived after my grandfather died.
6. Ford didn't need no stinkin' bailout.
7. Ford has always had the best lineup of trucks. And these days their cars are just as good.
8. I love the RBV.
Yes, I'm a Ford guy.
are you aware ford recieved a bailout numerous years before the other big 3 names? hence the reason they didn't need it now. although they didn't get as much fact remains.
Brand loyalty is dumb.
Any gearhead worth anything will respect anything well built.
That being said, most everything stock sucks to me.
I mean, I prefer ford, but I've been tempted lately by pre-85 toys and I'd give up my ranger for a 60's blazer or another scout II (or scout) in a freakin hearbeat.
i think ignorant brand loyalty is dumb. like when my friends who cant tell the difference between a cavalier and a toyota pickup and somehow they are 100% sure chevys are better than ford. mostly cause most chev guys are assholes. which is why theres no thechevystation.com.
however if a guy buys 2 or 3 fords, has lots of problems then buys a chev and it works great(not that it would ever happen) he'd be inclined to think chevs are better.
Ya Im not seein any $20 grand difference for similar equiped trucks from any of the D3.
That said I prefer Ford but i like a huge variety of vehicles, I look more at individual models than the manufacter. Of course with all the bailout nonsense I have trouble wanting to support GM or Chrysler. Ford has the Raptor, the Taurus SHO, the fusion, and I actually like the Flex (what can I say, i like wagons). Chevy's got the Camaro and the Volt.
the base prices are similair but chev is offering like 15000 dollar discounts on 09's where as ford has just "cash for clunkers". chev offers cash for clunkers, clearout discounts, and loyalty discount.. before discounts the gmc was about 39,995 i think and had a 3300 dollar cash for clunkers, 1000 dollar gm loyalty and a 10000 or a little more discount for shits and giggles. also, the trucks were very similair equipped. 09 f150, 4.6 auto 4x4 crew cab. power locks,windows, vinyl seats, e shift 4x4. (sotf)
09 gmc cc 4x4 4.8 auto and he offered to outfit it with the wheels i wanted at no extra cost (cause the base option ones look like crap)
ford was 42,995+tax, gmc was 24, 495+tax. thats a big ass difference. only differences were ford had auto shift 4x4 and power windows, where gmc had floor shift 4x4 and manual windows(oddly)
Im mainly a ford guy, only reason i bought a colorado over a ranger was because finding a base 2wd 5sp crank window ranger is impossible.
But hell, i like any of the old trucks, or old cars. IMO trucks began going downhill for Ford after the 79 Model year, 87 for GM, and 93 for dodge.
I would pay 50 grand if it meant i could get a BRAND NEW 77-79 3/4ton Ford 4wd with a 460, 4sp, and 4.11's.
later,
Dustin
dude, lookin for a 4 banger reg cab manual window ranger? they have about 50 here.
Ive owned a bunch of different stuff through the years, Chevy-Ford-Toyota-Dodge-Nissan-Datsun-Oldsmobile, and they have both weak and strong points. I was a Chevy guy as a young lad but soon found out that buying that first Ford was the smartest decision I had ever made.
The Fords Ive had were just better and easy to work on. (Well except for the Tempo) LOL
I raced the hobby stock on the local dirt track and got to see a ton of inhuman vehicular abuse on a weekly basis. I must say, the Ford Probes were pretty stout little cars as were the 8 valve Camrys of pre-1988.
The old 1982 F150 straight 6 I had was as tough as nails and saw no remorse, but still kept on keepin on. In fact, I would still be driving it if I hadnt traded it for the 86 BII.
My first choice will always be Ford. (preferrably no newer than 1988) If I had that kind of money for a brand new F350 I would by a bunch of old Rangers and F250s to fix up first.
After all, what is more beautiful than a 1977 F250 slinging mud?
the only thing more beautiful than that is a jacked up 1977 f250 slinging mud. lol