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I see the similarity to newer trucks, but those also had more normal choices sold alongside those, whereas today do they even sell plain old trucks anymore?
Yes. Although you have to define "plain". What used to be options (radio, A/C, power steering and brakes) are now standard, just like in cars.
The more things change, the more things stay the same. Here are some from the 70's through early 90's. The lifted ones have what were popular tire choices in the................80's.
The one ford and the one Dodge appear to be stock for their times for the heavy duty's........kind of like the newer ones out now.
Most weren't lifted like those though. My grandfather bought a new Silverado in '84, and it came with whitewall tires that looked like they were taken from a Buick. It was an 'old man' truck, which seems to be the way most came from the factory.
I think the big issue today is everybody thinks they need 4wd. Up until the mid-2000s the majority were 2wd.
It is all about psychology of the pickup truck driver. You have that male ego and testosterone going. Can others have a bigger truck then you? NO. You need the biggest. It really is that simple. Oh there is more. So you have that big truck with that high bed in the back. You don't care, because you rarely use it if at all, but that super high bed is not nearly as functional as one that is lower so you don't need a damn ladder to get in it. They are way less functional. Try shoveling mulch out of a super high new truck bed. Sure you would be shoveling it at head height. That isn't doable really unless you are nearly 7' tall.
Let's face it. It is all about ego and testosterone, nothing more. It certainly isn't about functionality.
It doesn't have to be about anything, it's just what many people want. I'd much rather be daily driving a CTS-V or whatever the current equivalent is, but need a pickup to tow my side x side, snowmobiles, or cart our two dogs, family and gear to our rural cottage. I did step down to a half ton gasser though, because I really don't need a 3/4 diesel.
My wife would rather be driving a full size SUV, instead of her Acadia, and it has nothing to do with testosterone, or ego...it's what she likes.
Not to mention, the sad reality is too many Americans are just plain overweight and pickups are roomier, and easier to get into.
Remember the good ol' day when you need more space to haul things, but didnt want a truck. You had a station wagon. Now people still need the extra space to carry things, but are too fat to climb down into a tight fitting car. Just open the door and step in, and no more bending over to load your stuff. Yea, I dont like the flat as a brick, front end on some of the trucks now.
I've always been a fan of station wagons. I really with the Buick Regal TourX would have sold better. There just isn't any good station wagon offerings in the US. Sure, a Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo would be great, but I don't have a $150k to spend on one.
Very good comment, don't like the current pickups, don't buy one.....simple.
Personally I like driving my F150, on trips or any semi long distance driving, my wife prefers the pickup over her Cadillac. One can see better, it rides smoother, plenty of room for 5 people, more so than most cars, plus, as a do it yourself person, a bed in the back to haul 2x4's, plywood, most anything I want.
The new trucks, many have 360 degree cameras, get it on the road, put it in my Adaptive Cruise Control, and go. I have plenty of power to get out on there interstate with my twin turbo V6 without the risk of being run over or waiting for 6 minutes for enough room to be able to take a running start.
I'm not asking anyone else to like my truck, much less buy one, to each their own!
No, not that simple. Would I perish if I didn't buy a new pickup? No. But, what I like to do requires a truck. My old one is 24 years old and needs a lot of engine work and has a lot of corrosion. Next truck, I will likely keep for another 20-25 years, so I'd like to buy new. All the manufactures are making trucks that are unnecessarily tall and I can't change that.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Originally Posted by North Beach Person
Trucks today are getting better mileage than ever.
My F150 4x4 with the 5.0 V8 and 385 Horsepower gets 16+ around town and on my commute two days a week, as much as 20 on a trip. That's just the same as I got on my previous 2007 Ranger with the smaller 4.0 V6. Considering the weight of the truck, power for hauling and towing, that's not bad. Even towing our 6,000 lb. 25' trailer it's getting 10-12 mpg, and that's about what I got in the 1972 El Camino (unloaded) that I had in the late 90s. With the 36 gallon tank I can tow the trailer t least 360 miles on a tank.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,665 posts, read 81,421,151 times
Reputation: 57932
Quote:
Originally Posted by dkf747
I see the similarity to newer trucks, but those also had more normal choices sold alongside those, whereas today do they even sell plain old trucks anymore?
Where I bought mine the dealer is specializing in trucks, and does a lot of fleet sales to contractors and governments. They have the F150s in basic XL trim, regular cab, Oxford white color, plain silver steel wheels, vinyl upholstery and floor covering, manual seats. They do still have power windows and door locks, and AC, nothing is made without those any more. The base price in this configuration is just $36,570, and they do have at least one in stick at $38k.
Where I bought mine the dealer is specializing in trucks, and does a lot of fleet sales to contractors and governments. They have the F150s in basic XL trim, regular cab, Oxford white color, plain silver steel wheels, vinyl upholstery and floor covering, manual seats. They do still have power windows and door locks, and AC, nothing is made without those any more. The base price in this configuration is just $36,570, and they do have at least one in stick at $38k.
My 2014 is an XL Super Crew. Vinyl seats and floor, power locks and windows, steel wheels. It does have Cruise and the original radio was SAT enabled and could be hooked into your phone for navigation. It also has chrome bumper inserts. Also RWD.
And it's green.
I think your point, which is correct, is that base trucks are out there but you have to look for them.
Here's one local to me for $41,330 that's the Extended Cab. It also has the Co-Pilot 360 option.
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