CTR,
Allow me to go further. If I had a choice for an all around work truck, it would be a 4wd flat bed dump. Wouldn't care if it had diesel or not because I would rarely use it for hwy travel. If I put on 3000 miles a year with it, it would be something. You have a Honda 5 spd, (swell car) and a van. You want to take the truck to work which you admitted, you're needs would be slim to actually need to take the truck. But you need gas mileage or fuel mileage because you want to take the truck to work so you're looking at a honkin 3/4 ton because it has a diesel that would provide you some decorum of fuel mileage. I personally think there might be another problem going on here more than a needs aspect. I cannot say I blame you because I have a problem driving my wife's PT Cruiser. I mean look at your choices man. A van, a 5 spd that bothers your back and you want a truck that I think is more important for you to use than actual needs dictate which is fine. You, poor sir, are suffering from the opposite "soccer mom" syndrome or "van dad syndrome" Who wouldn't want a truck in your shoes and that's why you are having this guilt driven aspect of trying to pin an actual needs based justification on a simple manly desire. You need something you can take to work almost every day so the most important thing to you is fuel mileage. Don't know how much of a problem snow is. I live in a purported snow belt and have had 2wd pu's most of my life. If you can get away with that, I think it is your best bet. I mean you're obviously getting around with what awd, fwd? now in the car or van. on bad days, take the van if you need to get to work but enjoy most of your riding days in a midsize 2wd pu that gets 22-24 mpg and break free from your current affliction. I currently have a 95 318 2wd, limited slip Dakota that gets 22 mpg in warm weather with a tonneau cover. I found it with 38,000 miles on it summer before last. I bought it for $2500 and spent another $1400 on spiffing it up some (new paint, etc). I think this is the kind of thing you need as this type of truck wil do anything I ask and if its real dirty work like haulin gravel or stone or manure, I just get the trailer because the truck will haul this like nothing is back there.. I'm in it for cheap, I enjoy the heck out of it, it fills my country life needs and the wf is extremely satisfied. Now go forth and do what every red blooded American man needs to do, drive a truck.
