Talk me out of a truck

[Subyman]

There is that. But they are cheaper, less expesnsive to maintain and less expensive to insure generally speaking.

The small Duramax is a different story though. If i was in the market for a small truck right now, that would be at the top of my list.

I agree. The diesel colorado is a fine truck. Gets upwards of 30mpg, but of course diesel costs more. I paid 1.47 yesterday for regular gas haha. :thumbsup:

 

[jaha2000]

I agree. The diesel colorado is a fine truck. Gets upwards of 30mpg, but of course diesel costs more. I paid 1.47 yesterday for regular gas haha. :thumbsup:

Yep. Diesel in my area is in the 1.90 range. Still advantage diesel when you do the math.

 

[MrPickins]

It might be different now - but in the past there really wasn't a whole lot of difference fuel economy wise between a half ton and a small truck.

Edit - nope - Its still the same

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=37044&id=37018&id=36606&id=36926

I can confirm; my 2013 Frontier with a 4L V6 only gets ~20MPG in mixed driving.

Of course, it's got more HP and torque than the V8s I've owned in years past.

 

[Dice144]

The F150 I borrowed was the V6 2.7 L. Think he said he gets 18 average.

 

[Yuriman]

The F150 I borrowed was the V6 2.7 L. Think he said he gets 18 average.

Funny thing - I get about 18 (in the summer) in my 1995 F150 4.9L I6. We've certainly come a long way in 20 years.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I have a 2014 4x4 Supercrew cab 6.5ft bed F150 with the Ecoboost engine. I'll drive it a few times a month to commute (30 miles 1 way) or around in my small town as a grocery getter sometimes, but for the most part, I just park it. What I do use it for is to tow my ~5500lb trailer about 5-6 times a year and to haul stuff to the dump, hauling large items where ever etc. I love having the truck, I've always had one, from a 99 Ranger to a 2008 Tacoma to this. It's one of those better to have and not need than need and not have kinda deals for me.

Edit: My mpgs suck though lol. I avg. ~15-17mpg, towing I'm only getting 9!

 

[Naeeldar]

The whole gas thing I don't get when you get into this price range. My lexus gs 350 averages 18 mpg with a fair mix of highway/city. My old 2013 S4 averaged 19mpg.

My next car is either going to be a truck or a used lexus and then a side toy of a camaro, mustange, challenger etc... Given how similar the mpg is on lexus and truck I'm struggling for a reason to not go truck.

 

[tortillasoup]

The whole gas thing I don't get when you get into this price range. My lexus gs 350 averages 18 mpg with a fair mix of highway/city. My old 2013 S4 averaged 19mpg.

My next car is either going to be a truck or a used lexus and then a side toy of a camaro, mustange, challenger etc... Given how similar the mpg is on lexus and truck I'm struggling for a reason to not go truck.

but the GS350 is a gas guzzler and is older. Also when you say truck, it does vary as a 90s tacoma is in a different class from a tundra or F150 pickup truck. Gas mileage of trucks today is poor because they're obese much like our population. If they weighed like they did 10-15 years ago, they'd be averaging 22mpg at least.

 

[Naeeldar]

but the GS350 is a gas guzzler and is older. Also when you say truck, it does vary as a 90s tacoma is in a different class from a tundra or F150 pickup truck. Gas mileage of trucks today is poor because they're obese much like our population. If they weighed like they did 10-15 years ago, they'd be averaging 22mpg at least.

The GS350 was a fresh model in 13. It's old but it's far from that much older. If you look at many of those sporty/lux sedans they all seem to average around 20-21. I drive 17000 miles a year so I do my share and if I'm spending 40K or more on a car what the hell does it matter if I get 15-16mpg or 20? You are talking 500-600 a year. Just not going to break the bank if you can truly afford a $40k plus car.

 

[tortillasoup]

The GS350 was a fresh model in 13. It's old but it's far from that much older. If you look at many of those sporty/lux sedans they all seem to average around 20-21. I drive 17000 miles a year so I do my share and if I'm spending 40K or more on a car what the hell does it matter if I get 15-16mpg or 20? You are talking 500-600 a year. Just not going to break the bank if you can truly afford a $40k plus car.

Are you talking about the difference or the total amount spent? You're spending $1800 a year on fuel @ $2 per gallon gasoline. The better question is, how can you do so much driving and only get 18-20mpg??? That car should be getting like 30mpg+

 

[Naeeldar]

Are you talking about the difference or the total amount spent? You're spending $1800 a year on fuel @ $2 per gallon gasoline. The better question is, how can you do so much driving and only get 18-20mpg??? That car should be getting like 30mpg+

The difference of course. Premium gas is also a bit more than $2 at least around here ($2.50 or so lately).

The lexus sucks on gas mileage. Nice car but the transmission sucks in a lot of ways. Still I can put miles on it with no repair bills. My S4 was my favorite car of all time but just would not hold up well over so many miles.

 

[bruceb]

Trucks are nice, but you have a higher center of gravity, so you have to watch how you take corners. They can be easy to flip. Also in snow, put it in 4 wheel drive mode. You will have better control. And remember, while 4 wheel drive will get you going, braking is still going to be an issue in snow or ice. Right now Chevy has some nice deals, some with 0% 5 or 7 year loans.

 

[skyking]

If I did not have the hobbies I do, I'd get by with a trailer behind a car. It is so much cheaper in every way for the odd big load.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Trucks are nice, but you have a higher center of gravity, so you have to watch how you take corners. They can be easy to flip. Also in snow, put it in 4 wheel drive mode. You will have better control. And remember, while 4 wheel drive will get you going, braking is still going to be an issue in snow or ice. Right now Chevy has some nice deals, some with 0% 5 or 7 year loans.

Depends. I'm pleasantly surprised how non top-heavy my Silverado feels. It is very stable.

4WD in snow only if the roads are pretty consistently snow covered. Because 4WD doesn't allow for speed variance front to rear you'll tear stuff up if in 4WD while running where you still have good traction. But good reminder on the braking, it is called 4 wheel DRIVE for a reason!

 

[stormkroe]

The new 2.7l ecoboost in the aluminum f150s is a great balance of power and mpg for a truck, I would love to have them as fleet vehicles. 4wd is almost unbelievable vs rear or front wheel drive in the snow (there's snow covering every square inch of where I live for 5+ months of the year).
FYI, the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac is absolutely the best truck tire I've ever seen in my life. All my trucks have them, as well as all my workers and subs.

 

[lxskllr]

Get a junker truck for the times you need a truck, and a car that gets good mileage as a daily driver. Driving a truck is like driving car while throwing quarters out the window. It's not as bad *right now*, but *right now* won't last as long as a car payment.

 

[Torn Mind]

It might not be worth the money, but the pickup truck bed area can be customized according to your desires. Examples: http://www.highwayproducts.com/custom-pickup-truck-flatbeds

Also, SUVs that share their body with the truck, like the Subruban/Yukon/Escalade for Chevy, Expedition/Navigator for Ford, Sequoia for Toyota, etc, should give you the same general driving experience if you prefer an enclosed space protected from the elements.


But, you have to compare owning one vs just renting one or using a service like Turo for your vacation or towing stuff. Because you could just upgrade to a better hauler like a unibody SUV or minivan and invest the rest of the money on a set of good snowies.

 

[Torn Mind]

The GS350 was a fresh model in 13. It's old but it's far from that much older. If you look at many of those sporty/lux sedans they all seem to average around 20-21. I drive 17000 miles a year so I do my share and if I'm spending 40K or more on a car what the hell does it matter if I get 15-16mpg or 20? You are talking 500-600 a year. Just not going to break the bank if you can truly afford a $40k plus car.

Not going to break the bank, but it is still pissing money to the wind.

He also doesn't need to spend over $40,000 on a truck to meet his meager requirements. He isn't making a living with it; he is using it is a commute vehicle that leaves him prepared for the just-in-case moments he needs to tow or haul stuff with it.

 

[Subyman]

Trucks are nice, but you have a higher center of gravity, so you have to watch how you take corners.

I thought this was funny. I've never come close to flipping a vehicle taking a turn lol. I guess if you did some crazy fluke evasive maneuver sawing at the wheel just the right way you may be able to get a modern truck to flip, but I still doubt it. It would rather push than flip.

 

[Subyman]

Get a junker truck for the times you need a truck, and a car that gets good mileage as a daily driver. Driving a truck is like driving car while throwing quarters out the window. It's not as bad *right now*, but *right now* won't last as long as a car payment.

There are down sides to what you propose though such as two insurance policies, two registrations, the older truck will need more maintenance, storing two vehicles, etc.

 

[lxskllr]

There are down sides to what you propose though such as two insurance policies, two registrations, the older truck will need more maintenance, storing two vehicles, etc.

:shrugs: or just rent a truck when you need one. $800/year is a lot of something, whether it's rent, insurance, registration, or whatever.

 

[Dice144]

I do love to take my turns at high speeds. This one time an undercover cop was tailgating me on my 4 am commute home from work. I brake checked him (I am a moron). He didn't turn his light on at that moment. Went around the turnpike next to the Ford plant here in Buffalo, I was over the next hill by the time the cop made the turn. (ops).

Luckily, the cop was a former fellow solider and B realized he was tailgating me. He let me go with a strong warning of next time not trying to take the front end of his car out.

The more you all post about not needing a truck, the more I think the current decent car and just stealing my Uncle truck when needed is the best plan.

BTW, I stopped driving like a tool after the incident and no longer on a zombie inducing third shift.

 

[skyking]

As long as your uncle is cool with it, it is a great plan. I did it for years with my father in law. We went from ~1990 till he passed away in 2000 not needing a truck.

 

[Dice144]

He raised me, so I can basically use it whenever. In return, I help him around the house, take out AC units out of windows in fall, etc.

 

[joutlaw]

I have 2015 Lariat Supercrew 2WD with the 2.7L Ecoboost and 3.31 locking rear end. My lifetime average is 21.7 MPG with 4400 miles. I typically see 22 MPG in my work commute that is 60% highway / 40% city.

The truck is rated for 26 MPG highway, but you'd need a fairly flat highway and 65 MPH or less to get that. Once you hit a hill, you go into boost. At higher speeds, that will occur much more frequently. In general, if it goes into boost, you will get V8 like mileage. The auto start/stop does help considerably in city driving.

Even with the 3.31s, this thing is a beast off the line. 2nd gear is especially strong as I think the stock tune limits boost in 1st gear. Sport mode is really nice as well.

I test drove the 5.0 V8 in a similarly equipped truck and it was no comparison to the low end torque of the 2.7L. The V8 was strong once the revs got up, but I liked the 2.7 better.