wanting to dd a gas guzzler

[ram_man]

My car buying got me thinking and wondering why do folks love driving big trucks? My step dad even asked why don't i buy a truck with 4x4....my answer was i have no use for it. I drive 50 miles round trip to work everyday a little car does fine for me. I would hate spending so much money on gas. If you need a truck thats totally different. Now i know several people who say they need a truck but really do not.
I just do not understand the logic behind wanting to drive a gaint truck all the time.
I also saw at the dealers both dodge and chevy dealer people buying big trucks and nobody looking at smaller cars......just seems crazy to me. The prices they demand are crazy to. Absolutely ssurprises me. I guess I'm different i prefer a fun little car with good fuel mileage. Thats all

 

[gregk24]

Exactly! I am not against trucks, but lots of people around here use them as DD. Many have no need for a truck, they just like them. Its such a waste, but to each his/her own. Who am I to judge.

 

[xxch4osxx]

I prefer a large vehicle, plain and simple. Never found small cars comfortable or "fun".

 

[Wolf359]

You didn't mention the type of person. Typically tall or overweight people like them as they don't fit too well in regular cars. I prefer a midsized car as small cars are somewhat of a death trap if you're in an accident. Lots of bad drivers around here, normally you just get rear ended or t-boned. Probably why people also prefer SUV's, bigger size is safer. It seems like the bigger the SUV, the smaller the person behind the wheel sometimes.

 

[Nate1979]

Why did you buy a new car? You could have bought used. Why didn't you buy a Prius? I'm sure it gets better mileage. It's nice to live in a country of choices. Why judge one group of people for their waste when I'm sure you are just as wasteful in some parts of your life.

 

[hatt]

If I were 5'7 I'd be interested in little cars. 6'9 means I like trucks.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
14 ford focus 9800 miles


You can pick up low mileage Focus coming out of fleets for next to nothing nowadays.

You bought a 2014? Seems crazy to me.

 

[Propflux01]

I just think the OP was just trying to figure out what drives people to make the decision to purchase a big truck when it's usually not used for a trucks "intended purpose". I don't think he was berating the people buying them.

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
Why did you buy a new car? You could have bought used. Why didn't you buy a Prius? I'm sure it gets better mileage. It's nice to live in a country of choices. Why judge one group of people for their waste when I'm sure you are just as wasteful in some parts of your life.
I agree.

Although I did sell my V8 truck to buy a better on gas Camry, I'm a college student who drives way too much to be paying for 15 mpg.

If I were alreafy graduated from college with a good paying job I wouldn't have a problem driving a truck or SUV, the maintenance and insurance on 2 cars probably wouldn't make much financial sense anyways to have a truck and a gas sipper.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: ram_man
14 ford focus 9800 miles


2014? You can pick up older (low mileage) models coming out of fleets for next to nothing nowadays.

Seems crazy to me.


Yeah, why not buy a used luxury car like a Mercedes instead of a new car. Way way nicer than any new car and it has lots of options you don't normally find on new cars like bi-xenon headlamps and panoramic sunroofs. The power trunk closer is fun too. I'm tempted to open and close it while stuck in traffic to freak people out, but I don't. Oh and you just have to have headlamp washers...

 

[hemitom]

i can say that i was happy to be driving my 300 and not my wife's kia when a guy pulled out in front of me and i t-boned him at 40 mph. i walked away without a scratch, in a small car i think i might have not been as lucky.
so i can understand why some may want a larger car or truck..

 

[dishdude]

I think I'm done with small cars. I hate riding low, falling into the car and having to climb out. I hate not being able to see around a truck/SUV in front of me. Trunks make it too difficult to transport bulky cargo. I even prefer the seating position in trucks and SUVs.

A sports car yes, but a 4 door sedan...I can't see myself owning another one at this point.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: Nate1979
Why did you buy a new car? You could have bought used. Why didn't you buy a Prius? I'm sure it gets better mileage. It's nice to live in a country of choices. Why judge one group of people for their waste when I'm sure you are just as wasteful in some parts of your life.


I am all about choices and in no way judge them i just cant seem to grasp the acceptance of the poor fuel mileage and the higher insurance premiums.
I have a truck but i couldn't imagine driving it every day 12mpg would get very old for me fast

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: Propflux01
I just think the OP was just trying to figure out what drives people to make the decision to purchase a big truck when it's usually not used for a trucks "intended purpose". I don't think he was berating the people buying them.


Exactly!!! I don't judge them. I love the hellcat for example but i couldn't see myself spending anywhere near that amount of money on one. They arent practical big trucks arent either unless you need a truck but for alot of people they don't even make sense but their default answer is always "well i gotta have a truck "

 

[oldhp]

I bought my truck that I drive to work because of full frame, sits up high, beefier and safer, so when the texting, drinking, putting on makeup, eating or reading newspaper idiot comes into my lane, I'll have the advantage.

 

[whip]

Originally Posted By: Propflux01
I just think the OP was just trying to figure out what drives people to make the decision to purchase a big truck when it's usually not used for a trucks "intended purpose". I don't think he was berating the people buying them.

Define used for "it's intended purpose". What percentage of use has to be considered truck use to justify it? How do you know how the truck is being used?
Why do cars escape the waste criticism? Is it OK if a guy buys a V8 Camaro, or Charger to make the same commute? What about a V6 Camry when a 4 cylinder would be more efficient.

 

[ddrumman2004]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
My car buying got me thinking and wondering why do folks love driving big trucks? My step dad even asked why don't i buy a truck with 4x4....my answer was i have no use for it. I drive 50 miles round trip to work everyday a little car does fine for me. I would hate spending so much money on gas. If you need a truck thats totally different. Now i know several people who say they need a truck but really do not.
I just do not understand the logic behind wanting to drive a gaint truck all the time.
I also saw at the dealers both dodge and chevy dealer people buying big trucks and nobody looking at smaller cars......just seems crazy to me. The prices they demand are crazy to. Absolutely ssurprises me. I guess I'm different i prefer a fun little car with good fuel mileage. Thats all

That's your opinion and you're entitled to it.

 

[donnyj08]

I DD a truck because I use it a few times a month to tow/Haul things. My truck is paid for so it would be a waste of money for me to go out and buy a 10-20k car just to get 10mpg better. It's not cost effective to waste a few hundred a month on a car payment to save $100 a month in fuel.

Modern pickups do not do terrible on fuel for their capabilities. My truck has the 4 speed auto and 3:73 axle package and I still manage 19+ mpg on the highway. My average this summer is 18.2 That is pretty good for a full size extended Cab Z71 4x4 with the Max tow package.

Also remember gas is cheap compared to the amount of comfort and safety offered buy a full sized truck. If you ever rented a well equipped full size pickup to take a trip in you would realize why people buy trucks and travel in them. The ride quality and comfort is great compared to a cheap economy car.

 

[ram_man]

I personally have a better time driving a nimble car. I wouldnt want to take a truck on a long drive because the fuel mileage alone. I like my 36 mpg i agree taking out a car payment to save fuel is dumb but I can't see buying a truck when i have no use for one. I pass alot of of people around here that have big diesels and stuff and have 1 passenger inside and an empty bed. The cost to own one of those just seems silly to me.

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
I personally have a better time driving a nimble car. I wouldnt want to take a truck on a long drive because the fuel mileage alone. I like my 36 mpg i agree taking out a car payment to save fuel is dumb but I can't see buying a truck when i have no use for one. I pass alot of of people around here that have big diesels and stuff and have 1 passenger inside and an empty bed. The cost to own one of those just seems silly to me.
The cost of ownership isn't a simple calculation. The guy who keeps a truck 10+ years is going to be ahead of the guy who's always driving a new Focus. For people that drive 15K/yr the extra fuel cost at current prices is less than $1500/yr. Not a big deal in the scheme of things for many people.