Today's pickups - no rust and better??

Posted by jdemaris on June 22, 2005 at 11:47:41 from (66.218.12.215):

In Reply to: Re: Today's pickups posted by Old, working,loving it on June 22, 2005 at 10:19:43:

I don't agree with the idea that new pickups are a "bargain" with all the extras they now come with. I find them to be way overpriced, and much of the modern ammenities mean little as far as utility goes. I've got a 1/2 ton 1982 pickup that gets better fuel mileage than any new full size truck currently offered. It has no computer controls for engine management. Yes, it DOES have a CD player that I added for $50. And, on the subject of better rust protection that Mr. Buick mentioned . . . I haven't seen much of a difference since the 80s. We've got plenty of mid-90s trucks in my area of the salt-belt that are falling apart from corrosion.
Much of the cost of a new vehicle takes care of very high wages and benefit packages for workers thanks to the unions that often hold the taxpayer and consumer hostage. More expense is added because of the constant changes in EPA and safety requirements.
Admittedly, trucks - by today's standards were crude until the early 80s - but since then I haven't seen much in significant changes other than initial comfort.
I've got a 49 Ford with flathead Merc. V-8 - handles lousy, rides hard, low on power, gets 11 MPG highway. I also have a 69 Dodge Power-Wagon with 4:88 gears all around (4WD), 318 V-8, rides and handles terrible and gets 8 MPG best - but it's all original and the engine has never been apart. My 82 Chevy 1/2 4WD with 6.2 diesel rides and handles beautifully, has been very reliable, and has gotten up to 25 MPG on the highway. For a work truck, it's hard to improve on that. My 87 3/4 Suburban 4WD with 6.2 diesel now has 472,000 miles on it and has never been apart. It rides and handles great and gets around 20 MPG on the highway. I paid $500 for it twelve years ago - that's what I call a bargain.
I've got friends who "buy" new trucks every year or so. I hesitate to use the word "buy" since they never really own the trucks - just make payments and downpayments forever. And, they rarely keep them long enough to watch the rust start to take hold. In fact, I have one friend who's a bit unhappy at the moment. He had been driving a 95 Dodge 4WD with Cummins diesel. He loves the truck, got a consistent 18 MPG on the highway, but it's starting to fall apart from rust. He tried to trade it in on a new Chevy - the dealer didn't offer him enough - so he kept the Dodge, and paid cash for a new Chevy with the Japanese Duramax diesel (thiry-something thousand dollars). So far, the best mileage he's gotten is 14 MPG. He was expecting much better with a new-technology truck.
I have the same feelings about cars. My wife's 1991 Volkswagen Jetta diesel gets 50 MPG on the highway, and 38 MPG around town. We bought it ten years ago for $1500. I consider that another bargain. My son just bought his wife a new Chevy Aveo (Japanese Daewoo I believe). Cheapest car Chevy offers - but he still paid over 12,000 dollars. He's been able to get 35 MPG on the highway and it drives like a little sh*tbox. I think, dollar for dollar, and mile for mile, our Volkswagen was a better deal. (by the way, he traded in his 2000 Chevy Tahoe that was already showing rust).

Follow Ups:

• Re: Today's pickups - no rust and better?? Ludwig 06:56:55 06/23/05 (0)
• Re: Today's pickups - no rust and better?? buickanddeere 01:25:06 06/23/05 (1)
  • Re: Today's pickups - no rust and better?? jdemaris 06:11:23 06/23/05 (0)

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