We recently purchased our dream home, and now have a two car garage. My Ford Superduty doesn't fit and while I love the truck, I don't "need" a truck as I don't tow or haul anything other than the occasional Lowes project materials lol. Therefore, will I regret trading for an Armada Platinum? I am in upstate NY and the winters get bad here so the thought of not having to sweep snow and de-ice the truck all winter is appealing. I have mostly had trucks in my 50 years but again, it's a want and not a need. Any insight/advice is appreciated.
Anyone trade a truck in on an Armada and regret it?
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My 2 previous vehicles to the Armada were an F250 (7.3) and a Toyota Tundra.
I prefer the Armada (2018) over both.
I like:
-The ability to carry 3 rows of people.
-All of the interior dry space for road trips or even grocery runs. I hated leaving stuff unsecured in a truck bed, either because of value or weather.
-Room for 2 kids in the back seat and then 2 dogs in the back with the 3rd row down.
-The surefooted feeling of the Armada in snow/ice compared to both of the trucks.
-It pulls my 28' camper more confidently than the Tundra and actually holds a gear when towing on the interstate.
For an occasional Lowes run or hauling something odd, buy a $1500 tandem axle utility trailer and be able to carry more than you ever could in the Superduty.
Or in this current crazy vehicle market depending on your year/trim Superduty, you may be able to snag an Armada and have some money left for a 90's truck for all your other needs.
I prefer the Armada (2018) over both.
I like:
-The ability to carry 3 rows of people.
-All of the interior dry space for road trips or even grocery runs. I hated leaving stuff unsecured in a truck bed, either because of value or weather.
-Room for 2 kids in the back seat and then 2 dogs in the back with the 3rd row down.
-The surefooted feeling of the Armada in snow/ice compared to both of the trucks.
-It pulls my 28' camper more confidently than the Tundra and actually holds a gear when towing on the interstate.
For an occasional Lowes run or hauling something odd, buy a $1500 tandem axle utility trailer and be able to carry more than you ever could in the Superduty.
Or in this current crazy vehicle market depending on your year/trim Superduty, you may be able to snag an Armada and have some money left for a 90's truck for all your other needs.
^^ I could not have said it better myself (without the dogs...). I traded a 2017 F250 PSD for a 2020 Titan then quickly realized we needed room for more butts and buckles on family trips with kids getting older and having tagalongs. I love the Armada. I bought a slide-in cargo carrier for the hitch (to haul mulch, fertilizer, gas cans, etc.) and so-far, I haven't missed the bed at all. I bought a workout mat from Academy and cut it to fit the cargo area and...it works surprisingly well. So far, so good. Getting over the stigma of not having a truck in the Lone Star state was the hardest thing for me…I have always driven trucks. But, so far - it's been a good move for us and I don't expect that to change. We also have access to several trailers if the need is ever there.
Thanks everyone for your responses. I am glad to hear that you all have gone from a truck to an Armada and have no regrets. A slide-in cargo carrier or utility carrier certainly would fill the gap on the rare occasion I would need to haul something not suitable for the cargo area. I have owned a Toyota Land Cruiser, 4-Runner, and a couple of Tahoes in my life. I didn't mind those vehicles at all but admittedly it's been a decade or more since I last owned an SUV.
Is there anything specific I need to look out for on my '22 Platinum? I am scheduled to pick it up Friday. Is it as reliable as my Land Cruiser and 4-Runner were? I do like that it was assembled in Japan and am confident the build quality has to be above average.
Is there anything specific I need to look out for on my '22 Platinum? I am scheduled to pick it up Friday. Is it as reliable as my Land Cruiser and 4-Runner were? I do like that it was assembled in Japan and am confident the build quality has to be above average.
BTW, I just hauled 7 sheets of 4X8' plywood, three rolls of #30 felt and a few buckets of roofing cement in my Armada just an hour ago. Only about 7 inches of the plywood prevented the hatch from closing, not a big deal. I was able to use two bungee cords to keep it closed, there is a large wide handle on the rear hatch which is a perfect point to secure. the space between the rear wheel wells is just greater than 4' so no problems laying standard building materials flat. I have no problem treating this just like a truck if needed. It is a great vehicle so far after two plus months of ownership.
I traded my 2500 truck for a 2019 Armada. I tow a RV trailer loaded weight 6,200 lbs. The Armada can two the weight advertised. Be aware it is not a vehicle for towing compared to your truck. The CVT transmission will constantly be shifting, engine will be running at high RPMs on any slight grade increase. Gas mileage will be less than you are use to with the truck If occasional towing you may like it.
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Transmission is a 7-speed auto, not CVT.
I find it locks into a gear and the TC locks up nicely when in tow/haul mode and manually shifted into 5.
I also don't find that the engine feels the need to shift on slight grades. Regular loaded camper weight 5500-6500 depending where I'm going and for how long.
Maybe running in "D" without tow selected would produce those effects. But I've never found that to be the case.
I believe the manual state to place the shifter into 4 or 5, don't quote me on that. I don't have it in front of me.
If you're 2500 was a diesel then it is no comparison in hauling capabilities to the Armada, the 2500 would be superior in drivetrain power and fuel mileage. Although your fuel does cost more.
If you're 2500 was gas, I don't know how you're getting worse mileage in the Armada. We have a 3500 gas Chevy at work, pulling a few UTV's on an equipment trailer we're lucky to get 8mpg.
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I was out looking at a Titan SV 4x4 when I was looking to get out of my Jeep Wrangler. The dealer low balled me so bad on my Wrangler I walked away. I knew at that point I wanted a truck because I really missed owning one over the years. Tried out the Tundra and Silverado and they are all nice but just loved the looks of the late model first generation Titan. As time was passing I saw a couple Armadas show up and test drove one and thought it was a lot of vehicle for the money. Not to mention, you cloud snag a clean Armada same year, miles, better condition for $1500-2000 less than a Titan. This was just before the start of Covid. Prices were half what they are today.
We love our Armada and would highly recommend people consider one if you're in the market for a full size SUV.
As for needing a truck. Uhaul rents them super cheap. Friends and family often have one. Easy to get around that issue. I'm glad to have taken the Armada over the Titan for long road trips with family and friends etc. Modern trucks have come a long way though and it can be a tough decision.
We love our Armada and would highly recommend people consider one if you're in the market for a full size SUV.
As for needing a truck. Uhaul rents them super cheap. Friends and family often have one. Easy to get around that issue. I'm glad to have taken the Armada over the Titan for long road trips with family and friends etc. Modern trucks have come a long way though and it can be a tough decision.
The only real issue on the 21 is the infotainment system can be glitchy at times. 75-80% of the time, it works as it should but sometimes I have to restart/reboot it, etc or it drops the connection. Not a big deal but I hope they build/release an OTA update soon. The 5.6L and the 7-Speed are rock solid, proven. Excellent drivetrain. You’ll be happy!
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I just traded in a 2016 Nissan Titan diesel Platinum Reserve for a 2022 Armada SL. The titan was great but the maintenance costs were a bit more because of the amount oil and Gas filters changes. Close to $400 a pop. The titan was bullet proof but I needed a change. So far the Armada drives like a dream. The 400 horsepower surprises people because it can haul a$$. I can figure something out to haul large objects. So far no regrets.
I tend to gravitate to older units...and then focus on function and purpose.
@Old Trucks
A couple of years ago, I found a 1991 F-250 Long Bed Ranger XLT Single Cab 351 Windsor and bought it just for that reason - "the old truck to have around". It has the Heavy Duty Rear Axle (#11000 towing or hauling) PreCursor to the Super Duty line. Perfect for hauling things you wouldn't want in the Armada - cement blocks, pine straw etc. The truck was one step above a barn find - 92k on the body when I bought it and I put in an engine in with unlimited miles warranty. PO used the truck for pulling a camper then it sat. I have under $5k in the truck -including brake rebuild, shocks, bushings, etc. Yearly tax $25.00. But no way I could go any distance with ladyfriend and dog on bench seat in the cab. Although, when you need a truck, nothing else quite works. I recently bought a used 450 lb fireplace insert - it easily fit in the back of the truck and I didn't have to worry about scratching the paint. Truck did not even know it was back there. But HD rents trucks also... and the utility trailer is viable - enclosed or not. Just depends on how often you may need it.
@Armada -
I'm a new owner of a 2008 (w/132k on the clock - 2 PO's) Armada LE "Silver Lightning" paint color with every toy they made on the truck. I wanted an Armada (or QX56 - but preferably an Armada loaded up) - specifically 1st Gen and 2008 to 2010 - to highway tow and carry people , animals and gear, comfortable and protected. My Armada replaces a Land Rover Discovery II The Discovery was a great 4 wheel drive but inconsistent mechanicals which are no fun when they break down. The Armada is also supposed to go 300k+ which is probably longer than I'll make it at 10k miles a year.and the DIsco was a great truck but it couldn't tow or carry as much as the Armada can anyway..
On the Armada, I'll basically rebaseline the vehicle. I just upgraded the front shocks to Bilstein 4600's, the radiator to an all metal (the "S" one), the brakes to HD w/ceramic pads and I'm getting all new bushings and sway bar links for the the suspension, changing all fluids, and a set of Continental Terrain Contacts AT's for rubber. Also put a heavy duty battery in. - Editorial - folks know cars and trucks have more electrical requirements so why buy a cheap under spec'd WMT battery? All that does is create electrical gremlins because there ain't enough juice to go round (think amps) and the alternator works overtime trying to keep up.. Mine was exactly that way - a glorified stack of flashlight batteries to run everything.when I bought it.
So, this is seemingly a normal quandary - "How to figure out the right vehicle for all seasons and reasons?" One vehicle that can do everything just doesn't seem to exist for me - I wish it did.
I do projects around the house (build deck, etc) so truck is necessary. Towing boat or camper and/or gear with others traveling with me - Armada is the answer. When driving 1- 1.5 hours to the airport for work or just to go to "the city", then the 2007 Infiniti M45 sedan is the answer - 24 MPG. No car payments on any.
I do a lot of my own service - because I like to... and it saves some money. I admit I laugh at myself though when I look at the three - but each serves a purpose and I probably have less than $25k in all of them even with the upgrades.
I doubt if any of this helps answer the universal question, though.
-Stu
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