No, Big Hersh, I think it bothers you that we happen not to agree with you PERIOD.

 

Nissan just announced new tow rating - 9901 pounds!

 

Bothered?
Man, I will not lose a wink of sleep about what you guys think, s I'm sure you'll sleep soundly no matter what I think... it's opinion- that's all... You've got yours, I've got mine.

None of what I've said, or what anyone else said will stop a new Titan, or F-150 from gracing my garage, if I like what I see when I get in there and drive them...

You can't lose with either truck from where I'm sitting. It comes down to whomever gives me the best deal, and who (After drivign both) I think has the best vehicle...

PS- A few have agreed with me Carpenter.

 

We all know that people that really use their trucks for what they were intended for originally....loading 'em up with cargo and/or hauling, don't pull out their manual when loading up the bed...they just get as much as will fit in there as long as the bed isn't on the tires. lol Trucks are underrated for legal reasons.

Nissan had the advantage of seeing the Ford numbers first, and just decreased their "pad" until they just about got it on a par with Ford. Ford is saying "two can play that game", and decreased theirs as well.

Don't get me wrong, when I first came on these boards, I prefaced by saying "I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool Ford fanatic, but Ford has come up with a great truck here, and I want one."

I do want the 8' bed...but I find that in order to get it, I have to get the "cargo package"...which forces you to have the 6 lug ugly steel wheels (when getting an XLT Scab). This doesn't thrill me at all.

For the record, I have owned a Nissan truck. Reliable yes, but not particularly tough. It would tow a small tent trailer...that's about it. And, it was a regular cab....a mistake on my part I'll never make again. Besides the horsepower and torque of the engine, a lot of towing ability is in the frame....and Ford is clearly superior to the Nissan (or any other 1/2 ton truck) in this vital area. I would not be surprised if the Ford can drag the Nissan as well.

 

If this isn't a joke here...this proves my point.

 

hersh,
I understand what you are saying and on paper the nissan would be the clear winner by far, it has more hp and tq on paper than the ford and at a lower rpm! But, time will tell how the new crop of trucks do for each of the makers. I think the goal of the titan is to enter the market and keep the expectations fairly low for the first rev. I think their targets for production are close to 100k or something like that, quite a bit lower than ford & GM. Ford has a much more difficult task, to stay on top and fight from every front. On the car front I would own a bmw if I had the means, but would never own an X series. Have friends that own them and don't like them. BTW, didn't mean to start a flame war or anything, I got back from a 9 hour flight, still a little punchy!

 

But, changing the subject to address what you said about having the means- I gotta tell you; I've got big plans once I hit the Texas Lottery...!

Short list of what I'd have: Automotively speaking (Depending on how much $ I won)

1.) 2004 BMW 745Li: I drove one last year; December 20, 2002- I remember it like it was yesterday. In a word, unbelievable!

I used to prefer the S Class over the 7 series, after driving both the same day, I'm converted. The LS430 was nice to, but if you're gonna go- go all the way!

2.) 2004 Lincoln Navigator Premium: Nuff said....

3.) 2004 Lexus SC430 (Wife loves that car)

4.) 2000 Expy (Current vehicle: I'd make it a sleeper- but have about 500 HP under the hood. All sorts of suspension mods to compensate as well. Ford won't build the "Thunder" so I'll build my own!)

5.) 2001 SuperCrew (Current vehicle: Lowes & Home Depot Mobile).

6.) 1970 Chevy Chevelle 454SS
7.) 1965 Pontiac GTO
8.) 1964.5 Mustang Convertible (Wife's favorite car)

 

hersh,
I hear ya on the 745, my uncle has one and owned a 740 IL and he owned an LS400 before that, no comparison with the 740 and ls400. Now the 745 is a totally different ride, it is soo nice. I drove it, and it just flat out rides great for a big car. Also, the leather seats have the built in massagers, very nice car for road tripping. Gotta take a truck for my ride though, maybe one day when I hit the lottery too!

 

Oh man, yeah.. I was totally impressed by that vehicle- you're right, the seats are amazing- all the way down to the neck support feature. I'd only use that when I'm parked eating my lunch or something- On the road, I'd wreck it from falling asleep at the wheel.

Even the keys were impressive- Once programmed, say you have key 1 & wifey has a key 2. As you approach the vehicle, the car senses the respective key and automatically adjusts the seats, mirrors, radio stations, etc.. to your liking, or the wife's...

Power-closing doors, trunk- power solar screens, I mean man- they didn't forget much. Navigations, telephone, object sensing system, in drive & reverse. Voice activated everything, to include radio & telephone, and you don't have to "program" the voice recognition system- it picked my voice up right away and followed the commands given.

Oh man, it was like nothing I've ever driven. My salesman was a former football player for the Buffalo Bills (Starting DT on the Super-Bowl teams) who moved back to Texas and sells cars as a hobby.

The three of us in that 745 were like old buddies. He drove the Hell out of it, and so did I. My buddy (The one who really has the $ to get one) was too intimidated by all the gadgets to drive it. I jumped right in.... I didn't expect darn near 6,000 lbs of car to move out in a manner that'd make a Z-28 proud. She can move for a big girl. I was doing 100 - 105 in a snap. What's worse, he said the 745 was even more nimble and slightly quicker than the 745Li- I'd take the Li 'cause it's 1 foot longer. (Reclining back seats!! What'll they think of next?) **To get an idea of what a 745 can do, take a look at the movie "The Transporter" and see what he does in a older body-style (Less powerful) 735iL.

Yep, if Bill Gates came by my house and said- 'I'll buy you the car of your choice- but that car will have to be your only car for the next 12 years- what's it gonna be?" He'd be at the BMW dealership buying me a Silver 745Li, fully loaded...

Thanks Bill!