....I've always resisted P/Us though due to the lack of interior/protected space for groceries, etc. I've packed my 95 Taurus wagon to the gills more times on rainy or snowy days than I can remember. In the back of an open P/U, much of it would have been damaged. If you put a hard cover over the bed, you lose the ability to carry taller items. For me, a trailer has worked out better, so far.
All that said, if I could find a reliable P/U (brand/model unimportant) in decent shape under $2500, I might bite. Can't be a fuel sucker or 5' off the ground where you need a ladder to climb into it though.
Always wondered why the El Camino/Ranchero concept didn't catch on better.
When I was looking to replace my 2004 Toyota Tundra with another 4wd truck of similar size, certainly no larger, I looked closely at Tacomas and the then new GM Canyon/Colorado. I also considered something like a Subaru Outback along with a small trailer but I haul stuff in the bed of my truck most of the time and I did not want to be pulling a trailer most of the time. I started comparing specs such as payload and towing capacity, power, ground clearance, approach angle, then one day sat down and really analyzed what would be most important and useful for me day in and day out. Yeah it had to have a bed, adequate traction and ground clearance to drive across my field and on my dirt road in the snow, but also I wanted comfort, nice ride quality, good handling, a quiet ride, and good mpg. Also interior usefulness for carrying stuff like groceries, my dog, rifle, camping gear, etc. I had to remove the little rear seats in my Tundra to gain enough interior storage.
The truck that checked all the boxes was an AWD Honda Ridgeline so that is what I ended up buying. With fully independent suspension the thing rides like a Cadillac, handles like a sport sedan, has plenty of power, plus gets 33% better mpg than the 6 cylinder Tundra it replaced. The interior is roomy, quiet, and the front seats are large and comfortable. There is room under the rear seats for something like a rifle case, golf clubs, etc. or they fold up individually which gives a lot of room. Then there's the large trunk under the bed which I use all the time.
Sort of like a modern day, heavier duty El Camino/Ranchero.
