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WHEN IS THE TRUCK FAD GONNA END?
i hope it doesn't. i opened this topic just to
see if people are buying trucks for style or actual
utility. i bought mine for a little bit of both.
more for the utility and space though. i figure
that if its popularity dwindles just a little in
the next few years, the prices may go down. anyone
think that'll happen?
see if people are buying trucks for style or actual
utility. i bought mine for a little bit of both.
more for the utility and space though. i figure
that if its popularity dwindles just a little in
the next few years, the prices may go down. anyone
think that'll happen?
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It doesn't look like trucks are getting any less popular. Look at kcram's sales figures on the "Who Win's" topic and you'll see that the big three are all increasing sales this year. I think lots of people who 10 years ago never thought they'd buy a truck are buying them now because trucks these days are more comfortable, ride better, and get better milage, but can still do all hauling and towing that trucks could always do. And, like I said before, cost the same as most descent cars and less than most SUV's. It's been said ad nausium in auto reviews that trucks aren't just for farmers and construction workers anymore. So I think the trend will continue and trucks will be quite popular for some time. I can't think of any reason why someone wouldn't want to own a truck unless they just don't like them.
I bought it to haul cargo. Got a regular cab long box.
I like sitting up high, the view is better. I like the ride and I feel safer in the truck. We live in an increasingly dangerous world populated by soccer moms driving Expeditions Suburbans speeding to the day-care while talking on the cell phone. I know cars are still safer than trucks...that's what the government tells us. Yeah, and pigs fly too.
Second, it'll probably get worse, price wise.
Consider the truck purchaser I know best, me.
Drove a bouncy half ton in my youth and swore never again. Now in my late 50's and working on my third F-250, it's the comfort, space and the exemption from smog rules. (8,600 lbs. GVWR) Yes, it is slightly rougher ride than either my wife's Accord or son's Explorer, but not that bad.
The truck is a lot cheaper than a full size (Grand Marquis, Crown Vic, Impalla, Caddy, etc.) what ever. I've never been a fan of imports and I hate the mommy vans. The truck is me. There are a lot more baby boomers that are just behind me. I suspect that their thoughts are starting to closely follow mine. They are, like me, discovering it is a lot easier to climb up into a truck cab than squirm and contort into the Miata, BMW, Porsche and MB. So what if the ride isn't like a bed of marshmallows. And the biggest bonus of all with the truck is that my back doesn't ache any more.
The only serious draw back to a truck is that you see quite a few "Oh dodo!" It is amazing the number of driving funerals that are out there.
So if you're thinking of waiting it out, I wouldn't. The prices are likely to go higher.
Rich
Back when I got my first truck, "SUVs" were just catching on. I remember thinking the Suburban was awesome, but I rejected it for two reasons - price and utility. I didn't like having to haul stuff in the same area where people were sitting. So I figured if I got a fullsize pickup with a back seat, put a cap on the back, I'd get more cargo room than a Suburban for thousands less.
Since I was the first on my block to own a pickup truck, I guess I'm a trend-setter. If it's a fad, I'll STILL be the only one on my block to own a pickup. It has it's drawbacks - it's a pain to park and it's a pig on gas. But maybe someday I'll be able to afford my truck AND one of those cute Miatas. Ya think?
I agree that cars have become more user friendly, but they've also become smaller. There are no true "family" cars available anymore. And I don't believe that the demise of the station wagon was due to the popularity of the SUV; I think the opposite is true. I think that people turned to the SUV market because they couldn't find a car big enough for the kids and their related stuff.
For those of use who don't like SUVs or gag at the thought of being seen driving a minivan, our only recourse is a truck. Besides, they're really cool! :-)
My Ram is an even bigger pain in the butt to maneuver than Ladyblue's, since mine is a dually, but it's also the best on fuel - I can get 22 if I keep my right foot in check, thanks to the Cummins diesel. It does everything I have asked it to, everything other people have asked it to, and a few things that I am truly surprised it pulled off.
The SUVs are giving pickups a bad rap. The Ford Excursion is just the latest bullet-in-the-foot for Detroit. They talk abvout how low in emissions it i (half the allowed value), but there's a catch - because of its GVWR, the Excursion, like my Ram 3500, is legally a medium-duty truck, and has higher emissions allowances than light trucks and cars because there are simply a lot less of them on the road. On the other hand, the average pickup is less obtrusive. Most people think of pickups as work vehicles, otherwise you "didn't need the bed."
Keep the ladies happy?!? Mr., get yourself a truck and you'll be beating them off with a stick. Right, KC?
They want the truck more than me!!!
Only heard the small sound bite, but sounds perfect!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program....
If it were me, I would go for a full size pickup with a bench seat. (It may not go as fast, but it's a lot more romantic.)
Rich
- The Merg
I sat in a new Mustang today. Nice, comfortable, but claustraphobic. Also, after driving trucks, with a car I can't help imagining one of those truck bumper extensions entering at eye level and taking my head off as I drive under it.
In my younger days I thought the Suburban was perfect. Then I started thinking about loading my dirty camping gear, kids' bikes, etc. in the back of a carpeted Suburban. I also looked at actual cargo space, and factoring in cost, decided a full size, extended cab pickup with a cap on it would give me more utility for my money. Now we ride in luxury up front while the junk rattles around in back. Love it.
For the past two years, I can honestly say I have seen only a couple SUVs in campgrounds. Mostly it's pickups, vans, and even an El Camino (cool). This is disproportionate to the number of SUVs I see on the roads and at the malls. You can find more Expeditions in downtown Westfield than in state parks, or even at Home Depot. What are these people doing with these SUVs? Certainly not off-roading or hauling, not by my observation.
If you needed some heat, you could run the engine a bit.
My truck is much better at hauling everything. The dirt-bike goes into the bed, saving me from pulling the trailer. But I can't do that and have a topper. I thought about a sport-tent, but it's not going to be as convenient setting it up, or as comfy.
I wish I could have gotten a crew cab, but it was a little out of my price range.
quadrunner:
How tall is your dirt bike? I have a high-top cap on my truck and, although I don't know the exact floor-to-ceiling measurement, it seems it would be tall enough.
c4vett96:
Excellent point! Maybe these SUV drivers think "off-roading" means pulling into the parking lot at the mall!
In building my last two custom homes, I've dealt with contractors and tradesmen first hand. These folks NEED their 4x4 F250's and Suburbans, sometimes just to get close to the job site.
Whether every family in America NEEDS a 6000 lbs urban assault vehicle is quite another matter.
Also, they have been running an ad on the radio around here for a Mazda (I think) pickup that has a special trim package promoted by some famous dirt biker. Anyway, this truck has all the neat accessories, large tires and raised supension for all those who want that rugged 4x4 motocross look. The thing is, it's a 4x2. What a joke.
Sorry for sounding so sarcastic and snobbish. I guess I'm just in that kind of a mood today.
When it is tied down, it is compressed on its suspension, but the handlebars still stick up about 4 inches above the top of the cab. That could be a problem, but I don't know. Some of those toppers are very tall, but most seem to be about the height of the cab towards the front.
The other problem I think, would be loading it. I would have to "duck" quite a bit while straddling beside it up a ramp and into the bed.
But where there is a will, I'm sure there is a way. Ingenious as you are, I'm sure you will find a way.
quadrunner:
Now you got me thinkin'! All things being relative, I'll assume you are much taller than I. Being only 5'3", I can practically stand up in the back of my truck. My cap is 8" taller than the cab and the height extends all the way to the front. Time to get out my ruler, just to satisfy my curiosity.
Since I'm already way off topic -
While camping this weekend, I saw an interesting use of the removable minivan seats. These people had taken out the bench seats and were using them as chairs in their campsite! And all these years I've been sitting in front of the fire in a folding lawn chair - sheesh.
BTW, the Prizm found a happy home as a first car of the 18 year old daughter of a friend. It has low mileage and is really cheap to operate.
Happy trucking...
What a pleasure! Easy to park and manuever, great fuel economy, front wheel drive for snow conditions, comfort, space and a trunk! What a clever concept to lock up your stuff, out of sight.
Besides that, my environmentalist friends were making me feel guilty.
when i was a teen/kid, i never thought of getting
a truck. but something happened--about 4 yrs ago
before the suv fad really took off, i started
really liking trucks. and you know, i can't
blame others for liking them just for looks,
because i do too (along with functionality).
i now have a superduty and i suppose if i were
being very practical, i would've bought a smaller
midsize pickup instead. but one look at it while
on vaction in dec. 98 and i was sold.
and if you're wondering on my functional uses..
some hauling (no towing) and off-road (primarily).
besides, it has the best axle articulation in its
class anyways
and about image.. usually others are right in
their assumptions based on the projected image
of pickup drivers, but sometimes i find not.
because most of my personality/attitude doesn't
fit the stereotypical image.
and so i'm wondering, anyone else like this?
moving onto what mikey43 said.. i agree that most
don't need 4x4 and so opt not for it. But
actually, the specially designed 4x2 like the
troy lee? mazda and the toyota pre-runner have
excellent off-road capabilities (the toyota even
comes with locking diffs). in fact, that's
what "pre-runners" are for: they're light 4x2 trucks with high clearance used to pre-run or inspect the roads before an offroad race (i.e. baja races).