Hey guys... Some of you may have seen my other post about which color you preferred for different reasons etc... I have been truck shopping and really like the STX 4x4 Gray with the 5.0. The one I was driving was getting about 21 mpg with highway/city 50/50 when around Lillington, NC (hilly).

I am also considering a 5.3 Z71 Ext Cab Silverado But I am really concerned about the actual mpgs it would pull as well as how good of a truck it actually is.

I am getting married pretty much right after I pull the trigger on this truck, so I want payments to be low (cheby has 0% financing), get reasonable mpgs and have a great long lasting truck with a moderate lift on it (~3" and 285s.... nothing like my 3"susp, 3" body and 35X12.50 Cooper MTs which measures in gallons per mile)

So what I am asking is - in your honest opinion - if you could do it again, which would you go for?

5.0 over 5.3 all day, every day, and twice on Sunday. No comparison. No question. The only trucks I'd consider besides my 5.0 are powered by either an ecoboost or a 6.2.

IMHO, there really isn't much of a comparison. From fit and finish, to options, to performance, to ride, to comfort...in my book, Ford has it all. I'd proudly drive the 5.0 powered STX over a 5.3 (even if it is a Z71) any day.

P.S. You know a wedding is merely a funeral where you can smell your own flowers, right?

^ X2, 5.0 is lightyears ahead of the GM 5.3. The GM is so cheaply built I don't know how more of them don't go to crap earlier. I'll take an over engineered truck (f-150) any day of the week. Chebby is throwing tons of money on the hood because like typical GM, they overproduced and are sitting with 200,000 old model trucks in stock with all new ones ready to roll off the line.... and they wonder how they went bankrupt the first time

Isn't the 5.3 still a pushrod OHV engine? Enough said

I'd even take a 3.7 over a GM 5.3.

The other truck you may look at is a Tundra, massive deals going on with those as well as 0% financing. I'd take the F150 5.0/EB over the competition, Tundra would be a close second with either the 4.6 or 5.7 engines... chevy would be dead last, except for their diesel.

The Chevy 5.3 engine is definitely a good engine, as it's been around for a while and I've seen numerous family owned 5.3's with over 200k on them. The 5.0 is more efficient and more up to date. The only thing that kinda has me intrigued on the Chevy's is the 8 speed trannys.

I know you are south of the Raleigh area. I've been seeing Crossroads Ford in Raleigh advertising up to $14 K off sticker on F150's. Usually you are better off to take the cash instead of low rate. If need be look online at a credit union like Penfed. They are currently doing 1.49% financing for 60 months. If you finance less even with paying some interest, your payment can still be less. Plus if you take the cash you owe less on the truck and are MUCH less likely to be upside down on what you owe.

Ram is currently the only one offering a 8 speed tranny. GM and Ford are very soon.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/06...ng-system.html



Ford and GM are joint venturing 9 & 10 speed trannys. GM has 9 speed FWD and Ford will do 10 speed for rear wheel.

http://www.fordinsidenews.com/forums...9-and-10-speed

Toyota better play catch up real fast. They are due for a complete redesign in 2014 MY.

I read and heard from the chevy dealership that the 8 speed is coming soon. It will hit the corvette's and cadillac ats's first, then their trucks.

Toyota will no doubt have an 8 speed on their redesign in 2014 along with a direct injected 5.7l. The good thing about toyota's, is their engine doesn't face plant on acceleration... unlike my current EB does. Still waiting on a fix FORD

Fords not gonna fix it, they caused it. Drive by wire, greatest terrible idea ford haz ever had.....

Gm builds a horrible truck. Springs squat with low payload. Have to upgrade for rear disk brakes even in 2012. Interior is cheap, exterior hasn't changed since the 90s if not longer. Mpg doesnt touch the 5.0 or power. Only other truck I would consider is Ram with 5.7 and 8 speed being released early next year.

No... Just no. From everything I have seen with toyota's (localy, etc) are they are garbage. If you are going to use a truck as a truck toyota is last on the list. If you want something pretty to drive to the grocery store then you will be fine in one.

This- so true....


From personal experience with my parents Chevy Avalanche- the 5.3 is a good motor. with only oil changes they have had only minimum repairs done in the last 10 years. I think gm's biggest problem is electrical (drive by wire, gauge clusters, etc). I love my truck that has always ran great since its been in my family 7 years now- I do prefer ford but would drive a chevy. The Av has been better then our old dodge ram.

Its all how you take care of it that will dictate how long it lasts and how many problems it will give you. That goes for basically everything and yes there are some lemons. Fords have their share of problems- spark plugs, etc.

REMEMBER: you are on a Ford site and we can be biased. same with the chevy guys on other forums.

As long as its a Ford, GM, or Dodge its OK in my book. Good luck.

My girlfriend has a 2012 Tahoe with the 5.3 and that sucker can move. Runs like a dream. Even with a lift and 33s.

please don't tell me a 5.3 can move compared to a 5.0L. My truck toys with 5.3 chebbies all day long. I let them leave first and reel them in by 3rd gear and walk them by bus lengths.

Absolutely! Unfortunately, I had a newer Tahoe with the 5.3 as a rental a few months ago, and I thought it was a DOG! Of course, I'm used to my 5.0.