Pickups are expensive, not great on gas, and harder to maneuver and park. So why does everyone want one? I was no exception.
Towing and So Much More
I was a minivan user for years (see reasons below.) My move to a pickup was necessitated when I purchased a travel trailer, which was a lifelong goal.
Travel trailers come in all sizes, including some teardrop and extreme lightweight ones that can be towed behind a car or smaller SUV. We wanted something a little larger and that meant a pickup. The alternative was a really large SUV, and those were really expensive, even more so than a pickup.
Expensive and Bad on Gas
Let’s be clear, pickups are expensive and bad on gas. New ones can easily top 50K, although there are usually all kinds of incentives to be had so the MSRP really doesn’t mean too much. There is a reason the vehicle manufacturers like trucks. They probably cost a little more to manufacture but sell for much more than regular cars.
Even used pickups are expensive, to the point where you question whether buying used makes sense. Even examples with over 100,000 miles command a pretty penny. And when you mix in the lower finance rates for new over used it is hard to justify buying used, as long as you plan on keeping it a long time. An exception to the used rule might be a really old one (see below.)
My Drive Around Car is a Prius
A Pickup is probably better as a second vehicle if you can swing it. In our case our drive around vehicle is a Prius, and the truck is used for towing and when we must move something big. This helps with the gas and maintenance expenses. We put very limited miles on our truck and plan on keeping it for many years, long after it is paid off.
For towing we needed a big V-8. If your use is more around moving items a smaller engine or compact or mid-size truck might be a good option. They are less expensive and better on gas.
Next Best is a Mini Van
OK, truck lovers will laugh, but a minivan might be a better match if towing a heavy trailer is not in the cards. We previously had a Dodge Grand Caravan with fold down seats, and that thing held a ton of stuff, including 4 x 8 sheets of plywood and 10 foot lumber (using the space between the seats.)
Keep It Forever
There are stories of some owners keeping their trucks for hundreds of thousands of miles and decades. I’d like to think that was because of increased reliability and toughness. Maybe the real reason is that new ones are so expensive that the owners have no choice but to keep them running!
Old Pickups Are Cool
If you are handy and have space, or just can follow repair manuals buying a really used truck and fixing it up may be an option. This is especially true if you have another car you can rely on. And old trucks are just plain cool. I always tell the story of my Dad, who bought a 1967 Chevy truck new, kept it running for 30+ years and sold it for a profit! And it still had the original engine and transmission!
Fun and Comfortable
Last but far from least newer trucks are a joy to drive. My RAM 1500 is smooth, quiet, and easy to drive. You sit high and can see far ahead. The big engine lets it fly up hills easily. And even parking and maneuvering is not bad with the built-in sensors that warn you if you get too close to anything.
Cars and trucks are always a personal choice, and everyone has an opinion. What is yours?
