Pickups the new Luxury Car?

[Zerk]

I don't like paying for the fancy trucks, but I sure like driving them.

 

[Howling]

Has anyone else noticed trucks (and cars) getting shorter on headroom?

I am looking at option for upgrading my '97 Ranger (my current daily driver). Went to Toyota dealer today and put my head on ceiling of Tacoma. If it was couple inches taller I could straighten my neck and have clear view ahead. Checking spec's appears the Nissan Frontier and Chevy Colorado are about the same headroom. Now I have go check out the F150 class trucks.

 

[Green Power]

Rush Creek Arabs.

Unless there is anther Rush Creek that i dont know of, they are only ~30 miles from our farm, and we go right past them all the time going between different properties...
Small world huh?

 

[timswi]

Well I drive a 1500 GMC 4x4 Denali P/U...I love it and after driving junk for ever I never thought I'd buy something like this. Spoiled now, sadly.

 

[PILOON]

A friend recently got a Dodge PU, think it was a Laredo.
Hand stitched saddle bags back of seats, storage compartments in the fenders, sensors galore, air suspension that makes the truck squat at highway speeds etc etc....
Being a rep demo it simply had every possible option.
Yes, air AND sliding roof!
Crazy list price! like price of 2 probably could get a Ferrari, well maybe not quite but at the list some Porches would be close.
It was the Chrysler sales rep's demo and they cut him a real deal plus his daughter worked for a Chrysler supplier so he used her employee discount on top of the demo deal.

Someone rammed his bumper and replacement was real crazy (like $2300 range) for plastic due to all the sensors.

 

[timswi]

A friend recently got a Dodge PU, think it was a Laredo.
Hand stitched saddle bags back of seats, storage compartments in the fenders, sensors galore, air suspension that makes the truck squat at highway speeds etc etc....
Being a rep demo it simply had every possible option.
Yes, air AND sliding roof!
Crazy list price! like price of 2 probably could get a Ferrari, well maybe not quite but at the list some Porches would be close.
It was the Chrysler sales rep's demo and they cut him a real deal plus his daughter worked for a Chrysler supplier so he used her employee discount on top of the demo deal.

Someone rammed his bumper and replacement was real crazy (like $2300 range) for plastic due to all the sensors.

I got hit by a bicycle ( yes I got hit) --He ran across my front end...3K in damage and I got the good fortune of paying the deductible and rental even though the police report said it was clearly his fault--Insurance is suing him for my $500 deductible, probably never see it...Nice.

Why do I have to have insurance and a plate on my quad even though it isn't street legal and bicycle riders get a free pass on everything--you know, optional stop signs and all...Just a small rant.

 

[RoyJackson]

Nice truck and all that...I'd still rather have a 4 or 5 speed manual, transfer case lever and manual hubs.
I buy 'em used...haven't bought a new vehicle since 1982 (Porsche 944) and never bought a new truck (drooled over a few though!)

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Well, the banks lending money for real estate loans already had their big embarrassing screwup by qualifying too many "unqualified" borrowers. They might as well even it up by having one for the vehicle industry!!

Banks would rather lend on shorter term notes. Safer for them if interest rates climb.

 

[timswi]

Banks would rather lend on shorter term notes. Safer for them if interest rates climb.

You are correct (don't ask how I know) , The average life of an auto loan is around 32 months as opposed to real estate lending which, depending on the product, is much longer and the rate risk on auto is much, much less. In addition to small unit losses on auto as opposed to less unit count but much high unit losses on RE stuff (that's assuming the lender is a B or A credit shop).

 

[PILOON]

I got hit by a bicycle ( yes I got hit) --He ran across my front end...3K in damage and I got the good fortune of paying the deductible and rental even though the police report said it was clearly his fault--Insurance is suing him for my $500 deductible, probably never see it...Nice.

Why do I have to have insurance and a plate on my quad even though it isn't street legal and bicycle riders get a free pass on everything--you know, optional stop signs and all...Just a small rant.

I join U in that rant!

Got a ticket because I slipped thru a stop the other day.
The ecological bicycles blow every stop all day and they don't use gas to accelerate but never get a ticket nor do the have plates or insurance.
Let one pass U on right and hit your door and you get heavy fine for 'dooring'.