Do trucks make sense economically anymore?

For real.

 

I'm still concerned about this $50k Corolla Cross. That said, surprisingly awesome car BTW.

 

That's what I thought. When I read the part about him discussing his income, I was like ", weird flex, but OK..."

 

Just get a 15 year auto loan. Problem solved!

 

Midsize trucks are for people like Paris Hilton, Taylor Swift, and maybe Oprah.

 

You do know he's in Canada, right?

 

My 96 Tacoma SR5 actually sold for the 2023 equivalent of over 50k, although it was the top of the line spec at the time.

I think prices are gonna have to come down here at some point, at least for the more basic trims. At least they would have to if the average consumer thought about all the compound interest they’re paying over the course of 3-5 years on top of the already obscene asking price, instead of just looking at the monthly payment.

 

For most people (including myself) there is zero utility in buying a truck. They probably don’t tow or go off-roading.

now let’s compare,

I sold my 2023 Tacoma but I’ll compare it with one of our other vehicles, an Odyssey after experiencing both:

2023 Tacoma sport-

-price OTD $42.5k

-No interior space

-No leather seats

-No memory seats

-Drives like shit on the road (if you disagree then you haven’t really driven other vehicles)

-No significant technology features

-Cheap plastic trim

-Uncomfortable seating

-A number of quality control defects, doors don’t close right, steering wheel not centered.

Vs

2020 Honda odyssey ex-l with navigation and rear entertainment

-40-42k OTD new

-Soft touch trim with high quality leather seats

-heated seats/ power seats/ 2 user memory seats

-better mpg

-plenty of interior space/ rear seats fold completely down, center seats removable.

-drives smooth and hugs the road. Steering feels natural and smooth.

-Made in Ohio, no quality issues noted.

-better safety features


So for those buying a truck who don’t tow or go off-roading, what are you really getting for a midsize for todays prices?

 

Traditionally they were marketed towards the working classes (see below). Single cab, bare bones trims were popular. It was only after the chicken tax and changes in CAFE regulations that OEMs figured out that marketing pickups to the yuppy class was more profitable, along with the loophole in emissions regulations that were more lax on larger vehicles. That’s how we got all these luxury cars with a little-used 5 foot bed tacked on.

 

You drive a 2G Tacoma, a midsize truck.

 

Are you comparing a mid size truck to a mini van?

 

Nurses make double that here on the reg. Sucks to be a doc in maple syrup land

 

And I thought me and the wife were doing middle class okay at $260k combined. $146k in 2017 is more than a decent income and way above 6 figures no, what the hell do you do for a living cause I’m about to give up this nursing / provider bullshit.

 

Nurse. We don’t make double that. Maybe on contract in high cost of living areas. But those are drying up.

 

yes to show how we are getting screwed by these truck manufacturers when it comes to quality, features, and comfort.

I would note that if you are using a truck for towing or off-roading then your calculations may be different, in terms of cost vs features you’re willing to get.

 

I can find them for 40K which isn't 50K. My gripe with most CUV is they are lower cost to produce versions of the regular vehicle. Example a Corolla sedan is a better built vehicle than the Corolla Cross, and the CUV comes in at

Uncle has the same truck bough it new in what ever year it was, I want to say 84 or 86. Black Custom Deluxe 20, I guess it has the 454.

Edit lol at squirrel engine.

 

And members of TacomaWorld...

 

I'm saying yo got to have money, like Hilton, NFL boyfriend, or Novo Nordisk sponsor money. What I'm saying is midsizes are expensive.

 

I hear you, that makes sense

 

Where are you based ?