Do trucks make sense economically anymore?

Completely unrelated, but I saw this yesterday and thought it was pretty neat. Good timing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuVGKqqe1bs

 

The current prices for new cars seems absolutely insane given that median salaries haven't increased anywhere near the level of car price inflation. When I traveled internationally, one thing I quickly realized was that very few other countries are obsessed with cars the way Americans are. In other countries, they want a bare bones car that is transportation to get them from A to B. Many Americans seems to treat their cars as their identity, which probably relates to grossly overspending.

I've never taken a loan out for a vehicle and only buy what I can pay cash for, which means I won't be buying a new car anytime soon (if ever).

 

If you have a fancy car in Thailand, you are crazy rich Chinese.

If you have a fancy car in the US, you’re underwater on your loan and have a 2500 dollar car note.

 

I'd drive that, yes transaction price on that one is lower. Didn't know Ford made the digital gauge cluster standard.

 

Changes for 2024 include the digital gauge and 12" screen standard, LED headlights on both F-150 and Bronco (Bronco getting the 12" screen std). Also finally getting ACC standard versus a option package, Blue Cruise is still a pricey option!

 

PPP earnings are generally much higher in the US than in Thailand.

 

I knew the 12" screen was standard along with the 2.7 tt6 and LED headlights.

 

Sold the Tacoma several months ago and picked up a 2024 VW GTI 6-speed, it’s a far cry from the Tacoma. My commute is 42 miles daily in traffic, I’m getting 28+ mpg’s driving too quickly, it’s also quite fun, but it’s no Tacoma. It’s costing on average $37.00 every 8th day to fuel the rabbit.

I have another vehicle thats sitting in the garage, it might get traded for a low mileage TJ to serve off-road duties. I really don’t need a truck, but checked out the new Tacomas this weekend.

Dealer had 2K off MSRP, but also had an extra’s on the window of almost 6K, security, ceramic coating, etc.

So the SR5 was 45k minus the 2K, plus the 6K, plus dealership fees and tax. F that, I don’t need a truck.

 

Let me guess, you had a late 2G like a 10-11?

 

what a scam. i want to call them up and ask about the guidepoint.... fuckin odbii plug in

 

how many countries drive like the United States? In Europe, a 2 hour commute is basically traveling to another country.

Outside of San Francisco, every California city is built around single occupant cars. It’s actually pretty stupid. Millions of people drive from I5 to “the 5” (bay area to LA) everyday.
Cars are part of our identity because we spend most of our lives in cars.

 

Nah. 2007

 

Shit what do u do for work lol

 

CAN $$$

 

Yep. I would have gladly settled on a 2018 SR DCSB MT. I had to get a sport with premium and tech package just to get an MT. I could’ve got AC OR MT with cloth seats and no sunroof but DC was a must for me.

Toyota doesn’t even include JBL premium radio in the 3G MT TRD PRO, what a joke. They know MT enthusiasts would still buy it.[/QUOTE]

 

I was born in Europe and lived there for 13 years, will confirm that most ppl don’t obsess about vehicles like folks in NA.

FWIW I immigrated to Canada with my parents in 2001. Wages were pretty much same as now but everything was 3-4 times cheaper.

I bought my truck new in 2018. It cost me a small fortune but I knew I needed a good and reliable truck for 15+ years. It’s been paid off for couple years now and ive only got 35k miles, so life is good.

Im soooo glad I’m not in the market for a new vehicle right now…

 

Gotcha. Mine is a 10

I can see spending a lot for something if it's what you love and will keep for the long haul..it's funny to see some fools like my sister who gets another vehicle every 3 yrs or less, and I mean new or almost new..not like she's driving beaters that don't last.

 

I thought my '22 was quite expensive. I bought it when the used car market was super inflated and new car markups were running at an all time high, so I can only get a no markup/MSRP deal for it. I needed a truck and a new daily driver at that time, so I bought it anyways.

The 4th gen is even more expensive than my truck, even if I tried to spec it out as close to my truck as possible. I'm glad I got my truck back at '22.

 

Or stinky ass trash for those bi-weekly dump runs….and thank God for that, otherwise the council of truck elders might deem my truck unnecessary.

And that would bum me out….

 

Came to this thread for an interesting discussion and leaving with an existential crisis. Not thinking $146k income is not super high even now is wild