Why Do YOU Drive A Pickup?

sp626 · August 1999

I bought my first truck when I was 20. The next one was a bigger, badder 87 Chevy 4x4. I built her into the ultimate 4x4 beast but had to scale down when I said "I Do". Traded her for a smaller, more refined 4x4 Jeep Comanche - a very fine truck. When the kids came the truck went first. Then the motorcycle. Now the kids are older and I can afford a truck again. Just a bought 2000 Silverado. I cried tears of joy in the showroom. Bottom line is this: A man belongs in a truck. Loading the deer carcass was a delicate chore in the minivan. So was the load of manure for the garden. Plywood could fit, but only 6 sheets. Some things you just can't do in a van. I feel whole again.

jake696 · August 1999

I sleep in the back, plain and simple. Oh sure, there's other things I do in the back as well... AND I HAVE to have a LONG bed. I'm over 6' and can't stretch out in one of those silly short boxes, besides they look funny. Like someone left the thing in the dryer too long.

This is my second truck, bought them both new...had the other one 11 years and drove it 175K. I expect to be buried with this one...

It works great with the canoe, holding lumber, kids, bikes, fishing gear, dirt, trees and lots of other stuff over the years...but mostly it's a rolling crib with no need to travel with a tent! Just that foam bed layer...and some bedding.

Nothing like sleeping under the stars in my truck, except having company under the stars in my truck...

paramedic99 · August 1999

I just bought a 99 Dodge Ram 4X4 Quad 1500. Sure the gas mileage could be better. Sure its hard to swing into a parking space at the mall. Its even hard to wash the roof of the cab in the driveway without a step ladder. But its a truck.

I drive a truck for a whole ton of reasons that begin with being a medic and seeing alot of car accidents where for better or worse pick ups tend to hold up pretty well. Safety matters.

I can haul a load of mulch, a sheet of plywood, firewood, a new washer, my camping gear or my skis. I can put the whole family inside, car seat and all without any trouble.

Bad weather - no worry. Good weather - no worry.

I have good acelleration, towing and hauling ability and need to modifications to make it happen.

Why buy an SUV when you can have a full size extended cab pick up with almost as much seating room front to back and more room left to right? Plus with an SUV you cant haul a damn thing. Thats why every traveling SUV on the road has a big old luggage turtle on the roof.

Early this spring I drove into the parking lot at work. It was a muddy mess after snow melt and spring rains. Someday they will pave it. When I pulled into the spot after driving through numerous puddles I parked next to a guy getting out of a sports car. By accident I splashed mud and water all over his car. As I opened up my door to get out I assumed this guy would be torqued. To my surprise he looked at me and said "I should have bought a truck" I thought to my self, Yeah you should have cars stink.

ladyblue · August 1999

I've been driving pickups for the past 10 years. When I started, minivans were the craze, now it's SUVs. The bottom line is, what do you want your truck to do?

For me, I need seating for 5/6 and cargo space for my camping gear and me (I also sleep in the back on short weekend trips). I need a daily commuter and a weekend warrior. By adding a cap on the back of my Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4, I get the best of both worlds. Compared to the price of a Suburban or the cargo area of most SUVs, I got more truck for my buck.

Happy trucking!

ladyblue
Community Leader/SUV Conference

burroak · August 1999

What can you do in a car that you can't do in a truck???? Nothing
What can you do in a truck that you can't do in a car???? Everything

Some girls drive trucks, but only girls drive cars.

amora · August 1999

Have owned nothing but trucks since 1961. They
are great for having a better view on highway, very great utility (Will haul hay, manure, sand,
rocks, groceries, coffins, tools, sheet rock,
furniture, men, women, children, etc) Are
faster than cars (Refer to GMC SYCLONE), more
beautiful than cars also. Monster trucks
are great for commute, can go over other cars.

"Sissies drive car" - Amora (babyboomer)

jclemenz · August 1999

Being a reformed Car-aholic, I can agree with most of the posts here....

After getting REALLY tired of having to ask my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and neighbor to help with trips to the hardware store, trips to the dump, and having to pay a store $60 to drive 5 miles to my house to deliver a swing set, I traded in 'Speck'.

Now, Speck(Mitsubishi Mirage... Matchbox Edition I believe) was a good car.... I was relatively poor after having to put my daughter in daycare.

Now, I'm making a bit more, I decided to say goodbye to dear old Speck and buy a truck (F150 XLT 4x2).

Money is still an issue, so I had to drop the 4x4 option... (yeah, I know, and I live in Maine too.)
$100 a month more was a bit more than I could do... (Not to mention what the wife would DO to me if I'd doubled my auto payments)

I don't think I'll ever go back to a car... My wife still has her Geo Storm (Son of Go-Cart) and she's quite happy with that. Not me.

I'm very happy with the F150 so far, especially since my step-father retired from Ford and got me a good deal!

The only think I'll miss about Speck is.... is....

Oh yeah! Getting new tires.... I could usually pick them up at Toys-R-Us around 4 for $1!!! ;-D

statboy · August 1999

I have recently replaced my 85 toyota pickup, 250K miles, with a Nissan kingcab. After test driving the new 1999 Mazda Protege and Toyota Corolla I setteled on the used 1998 Nissan. The ride was much better and I have been driving a pickup since I began driving, hell I got my drivers license in a truck. However, more importantly my mother in-law cannot get in the truck. She has a bum leg, so stecthing up to get into a higher vechile is imposible. She could of easily fit in the Protege or Corolla.

bwr1999 · September 1999

EVER TRY TO PULL A 32 FT HORSE TRAILER BEHIND A CAR? I LEASED A 99 SD F350-DRW CREWCAB WITH THE POWERSTROKE. IT'S DRESSED UP PRETTY GOOD, NOT THE LARIAT BUT XLT+. THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN PUT BEHIND IT THAT WILL SLOW THIS HUMMER DOWN. GETS 13-14 MPG WITH TRAILER, 18-19.5 WITHOUT. JUST A DARN GOOD RUNNIN' FORD. THE ONLY TRUCK I CAN COMPARE FOR POWER IS MY OLD 85 FORD WITH 460, BUT IT HAS 225K MI ON IT. STILL USE IT ALL THE TIME AROUND THE FARM. ONLY PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THE PWSTK IS THAT BEES OCCAISIONALY GET STUCK IN THE AIRFLOW SENSOR WHICH SHUTS THE TURBO DOWN AND I LOSE POWER. IT'S A BIG TRUCK AND DOESN'T DO WELL WHEN TRYING TO PARK DOWNTOWN, BUT IT WASN'T BUILT FOR THAT ANYHOW. IT'S JUST A GREAT TRUCK. BEEN DRIVING FORD PU'S SINCE 1972 WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE SERVICE. ON MY 10TH ONE NOW. ALSO HAVE 99 F150 SC
SB THAT MY DAUGHTER DRIVES. I'LL DRIVE EM TILL THEY FALL APART.

narg · September 1999

One thing I see/hear a lot from car drivers is they don't want/like the rough ride??? WHAT?!? I think my C1500 ext cab rides as nice, if not better than any car I've ever been in. Mabey the're thinking of the old Fords or something. I choose the Chevy when I bought after test driving all 3 makers over a nice long brick road in the middle of the town. The Chevy was the only one that didn't jar my teeth (like my wife's car also does). Ford? Dodge? GM? who cares what you buy, it'll be a good choice. I choose the Chevy for the ride, and have never been more happy.

Never owned a car, never will.

blugill · September 1999

GM does have the best ride.

Of course to get it they had to compromise. Put a load on (a REAL load, maximun payload plus a trailer) and while the engine has the power, your headlights are pointed up and you cannot see.

Depending on what you do with your truck this may not be a problem. I rarely haul cement blocks like my one friends who complains about this. I know a guy who has his truck packed constantly, but it is light stuff so he loves the chevy. YMMV.

randrk · September 1999

To the macho men who regard drivers of cars as wimps, girls, and sissys. How much truck must a person drive to be a man's man? I drive a Ranger splash because my wife thinks its cute. Is that a sissy truck and does that make me a henpicked candyass? I can haul my dirbike in it. If I showed up at one of your drinking parties, would you all rise up as one man and throw me out after kicking my [non-permissible content removed]? What if I showed up in my wife's Saturn?

jcmdie · September 1999

Feeling a little inadequate today are we?

andy_jordan · September 1999

I don't think this is a size for size's sake at all. I drive a Dakota becuase that is what I need. I put the V8 in it, because that is what I need. If I need to carry more or tow more then I will go bigger. If I don't, I won't.

I did think about going Ram 1500 - but not because it was bigger, because it would give me more scope to carry and tow. A lot of people here have big trucks because that is what they need - try towing a 38 foot fifth wheel with a Ranger (or a Saturn!!).

If you only need a Ranger, fine stay with it. Must say though I wouldn't buy anything merely because it looked cute.

jake696 · September 1999

Mine is huge! It barely fits in the garage!

It's hard to control at times, when it really gets going or things get rough...it takes both hands...

My wife loves it though. She helps me with it...cleaning, polishing, maintenence etc...

The only service it's ever had is oil and lubrication...very regularly!

She likes it when I drive but she'll drive some too.

andy_jordan · September 1999

Here I am doing my bit for the trucking community, defending us all against the evil invaders from planet Saturn (gee that was slick wasn't it) - oh look I am lowering myself to jake's level.

Well jake I am glad that she appreciates your TRUCK (come on this is a family site).

I am limited to a mere 18', though I do have stainless steel accessories and gas struts on my cover. I can also demonstrate great acceleration and an awesome top end!!

There now try that in your Saturn.

And blow me away (!) if either of these posts survive.

andy_jordan · September 1999

Well what do you know - the posting still live, mind you looks like we killed the conversation.

jake696 · September 1999

I'm insulted by your insinuations........

I'm clearly talking about my 22' Dodge Ram 4X4 with the extended cab and 8' bed....

You?

I don't even know the 'S' word that you use!?
Other than the planet, of course...

alexm3 · September 1999

I LIKE TRUCK BECAUSE I LOVE TALL VEHICLE AND LIKE TO OFF-ROAD. ACTUALLY I HAVE A '99 XCAB 2WD TACOMA, AND IM PLANNING TO RAISE IT UP AND PUT 31" TIRES.

eric96 · October 1999

I have a 1977 F-150 (green) that I rolled when I was in college. It had been nice, but now it is perfect. I leave it outside, wash it only when it rains, clean it out with the hose and a brush and never worry about scratching it. I leave junk in it for weeks until it fills up and then take it all to the landfill-kind of a rolling trash can. When we moved recently, it ran like a champ and never gave trouble. I don't have a bedliner (except RUST). I thought about having the whole thing covered with gatorhide, not just the bed.

My wife now wants me to sell it because we don't really NEED it usually, and I can borrow my dad's anytime I need to. It only costs $300 a year to insure, though, so I'm torn. Oh well, she hates my '68 Impala and '70 Saab 96 as well.

z71bill · October 1999

I have had a truck of some kind for about 15 years. My 4x4 had > 100K and it was time to trade. Decided I wanted a BMW 540 or Corvette - maybe a Lexus SC400 looked at them all plus many other cars and they all fell short. After thinking I decided I wanted a truck..........I only really need a truck 5-6 times per year but when you need one you need one - I compared all brands and decided the Silverado LT 4x4 X-cab was for me. The ride and performance are as good as the BMW. I think I made the right choice with 5k trouble free (almost) miles I would not trade this truck for any car. Bottom line I am a truck guy.....

houtslaw · October 1999

At about 8 mos ago we had an M6 BMW, 420 SEL, Lincoln LSC; and maybe something else, I forget; anyway, then we got a new Corvette convertible, oh yeah and a Chrysler JXi convertible; and the we got rid of the JXi off lease, and the BMW is only visiting as it's my son's, and then we traded the 87 Benz and the big coupe Lincoln LSC for one new Lincoln 4 door continental which had about 9K of factory money making it a deal;

So then we're basically down to the Vette and the 4 door continental which we need for hauling aging parents, etc, Vette is not good as daily driver; wife drives continental; so I"m thinking; I always need a truck.

So I thought Ranger with the cool doors to thrown in a brief case; then I find out that you can't get a V8; and we'd had an F150 for a while, but as a daily driver I didn't want to be climbing up into it; plus they are hard to find room to park; not hard to park, just hard to find room; so then I edmunded around and what do you know Dodge goes midsize with the great looking Dakota with the deal making 4.7 235 HP V8 as God in America intended. With auto trans, with 2 wheel drive, loaded up with trailer tow for an inflatable boat and extra coolers for longevitity; and it's the daily driver; I love this truck; the Vette is weekends the truck is all the rest of the time; easy in easy out; the perfect solution. Also, will jump most anything from the stop light. No cool suicide doors, but with the club cab the seat reclines and there's real room back there to lock stuff up and hang a sport coat. Regards. JOHN HOUTS

sunny24 · October 1999

Have a 98 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad 4x4 24v Diesel 5 spd..has all the comforts of any luxury vehicle & I can haul anything I want plus all the power & alot safer than a compact car. Great mileage with the diesel. And I love the looks I get from guys when they do the double-take seeing a woman drving such a awesome truck!

planemech · November 1999

Several years ago I owned a car. It was good for street stuff, but one of my hobbies (Civil War Re-eacting) involves me driving off-road, usually across fields towing a 6000# trailer. You could probably tow the trailer with an older Caprice on Crown Vic, but as for across the field, wet grass and all, no go. Plus, have you ever tried to get out of the mountains after a snow fall? Plus I feel safer in the truck with all the mini-van moms on the road not paying attention to where they're going. (Was hit by one at speed)

differ · November 1999

because i love my family, seriously. we will never own a vehicle without a frame again. that added layer of protection is very important to us. so , trucks it is. fortunatly many truck/suv options are out there right now of course , other reasons come up as well. as a home owner i get the usual amount of trash hauling, bldg. materialls and anything that can not be dropped into the trunk of a car
thats just a few of the reasons for owning a truck type vehicle. happy hauling

lewac · November 1999

well, we actually own 2 vehicles. either way, one has to be a truck. our's (a 3/4 ton currently, 1 ton on order) doesn't pretend to ride/handle like a car. but a car can't begin to "pretend" to haul like a truck, either. if you own a home you need a REAL truck (not SUV) even if it's your only vehicle.

rs_petty · November 1999

Most trucks develop great character and soul as they age with their owner. Like a good horse. Mine have never let me down or left me stranded. Some cars can do this, but not the basic sedans being made today. Pickups are useful which rationalizes the cost over a sedan. I like them and its what I want to spend my dollar on, and that's the bottomline.

trucklady1 · November 1999

I've driven Fords since '87. Currently looking for my 3rd truck. Still undecided on wether a Chevy or a Ford. I am considering also tearing down the engine on my old '89 and then driving it for another 10+ years.

Why do I have a truck? Reliability (never had one not start in the morning), Visability, crash protection, junk removal, mulch hauling, drywall and construction debris, horses, horses, horses..

Said enough? Glad to have good company!

aring · December 1999

To put it simply, I have too many hobbies that require hauling, and off-road driving. Have you ever tried to drive a 2WD vehicle over a sand dune with a dirt bike or a Banchee in the back? Better yet, have you ever tried to pull a trailer with a car? It's just not cut out for it... I've tried! A Mustang will not pull a 3-rail trailer with dirt bikes through deep mud! And, have you ever tried to fit a bale of hay in the back seat of a convertible? A truck is the only way to go. Besides, being a girl, and living in the great northwest, there are roads to be explored and you can't depend on a boyfriend for everything!

jeolds · December 1999

Same reasons here. I do everything to my own carpentry, to mountain biking, to whitewater rafting. I'm never at a lack of room for gear, and can always hook up the trailer if I am. Plus everyone is my best friend when they need to move something. I've moved at least two other peoples cars with my trailer, and towed some others with a chain or strap.

Actually I'm fed up with the yuppies and everyone else buying trucks because it is "cool". Thanks to the fad a truck cost twice what it does when I bought my first new one in 91. All us people who use them for what they are intended can't afford them anymore.

bookitty · December 1999

I always drove a truck, some large; some small. Working in construction equipment sales, required the ability to drive everything from a pick up to an 80,000# GVW crane carrier. When I came to work for my present position, I drove a 4X4 Dodge Dakota club cab with a 5.2 V8 and a 5 speed. A loaded SLT. The company did not think that a truck met the image that they would like to portray, and provided me with a Ford Expedition as a leased vehicle with an $80.00 per week appetite. No longer could I throw parts and stuff into the back when traveling from one dealer branch to another. That used to get me points, big time. Well now, I'm getting a truck. It will be a quad cab 4X4 Dakota with V8 , 5 speed and most if not all of the goodies. Thank heaven I'm back into my element. Happy holiday to all.

Bookitty

jammer2 · January 2000

I live in rural Pennsylvania and could not really survive without a truck. Pennsylvania has the worst roads in the union not to mention the lack of winter maintence. I could go on and on, but I believe the avid truck user need not say much more. If I could change one thing on a truck it would be more travel front and rear, as in pre-runner suspension. Then perhaps I could maintain the speed limit on pa. roads with out damage.

jake696 · January 2000

It's all about size...

I'll bet mine is bigger than yours too!

jamsong · January 2000

I learned to drive on a p/u but have been driving cars since, until now. Gave the new wife my 99 passat and bought myself a used 4X4 p/u. yes it's a little noisier and a bumpier ride, but you can't beat its visibility, utility, intimidation factor on the road and the weekend offroad excursions in the dirt & mud. Plus, the new wife loves riding in it despite its roughness.
And since it's a truck, I don't mind it getting beat-up or scratched up. Our truck is just a real nice complement to our "pretty" passat.

superjim2000 · February 2000

most of the reasons everyone else listed and because its rear wheel drive, which means its easier to maintain. it takes 5 minutes to change the oil & filter. tune ups will be easy-----I dont buy the 100,000 mile maintenance free BS. try doing a tune up on a FWD car with a V6. and all cars look the same. I bought mine for $16,000 and its loaded (S10 every option) what RWD car can you get for that price?

bowhuntwi · February 2000

Always had a truck, can't stand being in a car, seems like i'm sitting on the ground, as long as i can afford a truck, i'll be driving one. Mileage is no worse then a two sitter sports car, plus I don't have to store it winters. I can throw about anything I want in the back....take the hose and wash it out when done. Where I come from if your driving a car, your the odd man out...

superman1975 · February 2000

I'm leasing (mistake) a '98 Chevy S-10 with the 2200 Vortec and 5-speed. The only "extra" option it has is a/c. It has 24,800 miles. With the exception of a couple of computer problems that were a one time fix, the truck has performed beautifully. Mileage is adequate, and it is comfortable on long trips. I always try to talk my wife into taking the truck when we go anywhere overnight. I agree with bowhuntwi in that you feel like you sit on the ground in a car. Even in my little S-10 I can feel the difference. And I love the freedom that comes with being able to haul just about anything I own in the back. I'll never go without a truck again.

edharri3 · February 2000

Till I was 18 I was a sports car lover. My parents then set out to buy me a new vehicle as a graduation present. We looked all over the place, couldn't find a reasonably well equipped, fairly low mileage, '90 or newer car for under 12000 dollars with the equipment I wanted in very good condition. We found a regular cab 4 cylender ranger xlt with a tape deck, bed liner, alloy wheels, sliding rear window, 5 speed manual, 60/40 split bench with center armrest, for 8500 dollars after some haggling. Trucks provide a better value. As I grew to love my Ranger I began to wonder how I would have moved all my posessions, including small refrigerator, stereo, clothes, trunk, etc, from my home to my dorm room and back again at the beginning and end of the school year in the Camaro I had originally wanted so much, or for that matter how I would have paid for insurance. I wondered how I would have hauled 16 bags of swept up leaves last fall or how I would have picked up 24 Cinder blocks from Home Depot.(By the way I hauled them for my ex girlfriend who jokingly started calling me a hick and asking why i didn't get a car when she first found out I had picked a truck for my first vehicle. I reminded her of this fact and she's been pretty quiet about it ever since.) I aslo am thankful that I don't have to worry much about riding over bumps that my parents have bent their corolla's wheels on and broken a stabilizer bar on. And I have also managed to come out of both the accidents I've been in with only a few scratches and minor dents, as compared to thousands of dollars in repairs needed by the other cars.
My only complaint about my ranger is the lack of space for interior storage and passengers. But from what I've heard the new full sized extended cab pickups offer sedan like cofmort for rear passengers.
After I graduate and get a good steady job
I'm thinking f150 supercab.
5speed, V6 or small 4.6 V8, and definitely 4wd because The ranger was rear drive and I had to really weigh it down to get around in snow.
I will probably always own a truck, and maybe a used sports car in addition if and when i ever get that sporting urge and i have extra money.

rcoos · February 2000

My brother has a '99 Silverado LS regular cab 4WD short box pickup! I was shocked when he purchased his truck. He always had sports cars. WOW!!! this truck handles like a sports car! It has the 5.3 V8 engine, Z71 off road package, totally loaded! I had a chance to drive the truck for a week! After driving the truck for a week, I can understand why so many people have trucks!!! First, you sit up higher & get a better view of traffic! You have the box to carry items, the truck just feels a lot more solid then a car!
Just my two cents worth!!!
rcoos

0patience · February 2000

I drive a truck because it is what I have always driven.I drive one at work,and I drive one at home.They are practicle and people think twice about getting in your way.Oh,one other thing.Jake696,you said you bet your truck is bigger than mine,I'll take that bet.Unless your truck weighs more than 30,000 lbs,I got you beat.

mazilis · February 2000

My first truck is a '98 Expedition EB that has been great. I bought it so I could tow my 18' bass boat. Since there isn't a lot of good fishing in Chicago, I tend to make long drives into Wisconsin. My boat, trailer and outboard only weighs around 3000 lbs. With the Expy, I don't even know there is a boat attached. My lease is up this year on the Expy and I was spending a lot of time thinking about what to replace it with. I wanted something with the same power and comfort as the Expy, but without the $40K MSRP. I recently heard of the new F150 Supercrew and after reading plenty about it on the Edmunds message boards, I test drove one this past Friday. I ordered one on the spot! It's a fanstastic combination of a pickup truck with the feel and interior very similar to an Expy. Cost is about 7 grand less. This new pickup is perfect for my application - the best of both the car world and the truck world in my opinion.

crazywoman · March 2000

Our 1972 Ford 350 Crewcab hauled our boat, our camper, our kids, and now lots of grandkids. Not to mention wood, furniture, garbage, motorcycles, and what-all. Couldn't do any of that with a car.

Moving up to a Ford F250 Supercab (Lariat) 4x4 with the Powerstroke Turbodiesel(7.3L) and a long box. Hoping it will last as long.

Also, I love trucks.

alfredb18 · March 2000

Besides, I never got the "Hey Al, sexy '69 Beetle ya' got there!" like I do with my 93 Isuzu p/u. It gets 22/25 with the mpgs-smooth ride included, has a 5-speed, so if I have a babe in the middle, I can't help but get in a handful of thigh while shifting...hehehe. Next up, a 2001 GMC Sierra Z71 4-door/x-cab/LWB 5-speed w/ 5.3L. I got my truck with 80K miles for $3,800 in great shape. Couldn't do that kind of car shopping, ever!

meredith · April 2000

After 30 or more days of inactivity....

this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.

Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host

Why Do YOU Drive A Pickup?

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