Do I really...

[jhelrey]

Do I really need a truck? I've been asking myself that lately.

Just thinking out loud.

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[Popplemer]

Sounds like an existential question....

 

[12Lariat21]

Many years ago I had this thought...tried it out for a while. There are Pro's and Con's you just gotta figure out what means more to you. I eventually developed a need for a truck (camper, boat).

Car - Most but not all will get better fuel economy, but less roomy, cannot haul anything more than groceries.

SUV - Similare roomyness, fuel economy, can haul somewhat larger items, can tow decent, not as long, so easier to park.

Ultimately I would say the only thing you are going to 'gain' by getting something besides a truck is better fuel economy and easier to park in tight spaces...is that worth everything you lose....

10,000 miles/year
Truck 18mpg = 555 gallons @ $3.50/gal = 1,942.50
Car 30mpg = 333 gallons @ $3.50/gal = 1,165.50

Could save you around $700+ / year in fuel costs....almost talking myself out of truck with this point..but then again I need my truck for my weekend tasks.

 

[LCMM55]

Many years ago I had this thought...tried it out for a while. There are Pro's and Con's you just gotta figure out what means more to you. I eventually developed a need for a truck (camper, boat).

Car - Most but not all will get better fuel economy, but less roomy, cannot haul anything more than groceries.

SUV - Similare roomyness, fuel economy, can haul somewhat larger items, can tow decent, not as long, so easier to park.

Ultimately I would say the only thing you are going to 'gain' by getting something besides a truck is better fuel economy and easier to park in tight spaces...is that worth everything you lose....

10,000 miles/year
Truck 18mpg = 555 gallons @ $3.50/gal = 1,942.50
Car 30mpg = 333 gallons @ $3.50/gal = 1,165.50

Could save you around $700+ / year in fuel costs....almost talking myself out of truck with this point..but then again I need my truck for my weekend tasks.

Get a powerboost and save gas. 25 mpg around town and 30 on highway at 60mph. Slow down and save. Towing is still 9mpg

 

[nitrobass24]

I don’t need a truck at all, but I like having a truck.

Also the above math around fuel is a bit suspect, any car that’s getting 30mpgs won’t be any fun to drive.

For me part of the car ownership experience is being able to enjoy your time in the car, not simply a way to get from A to B. If that were the only factor we’d all be driving Prius’ or some other “practical” vehicle…snoozefest, no thanks!

 

[12Lariat21]

Get a powerboost and save gas. 25 mpg around town and 30 on highway at 60mph. Slow down and save. Towing is still 9mpg

LOL there's the real key "Slow down" I've tried, it's way to scary around here. Posted is 70mph, everyone drives 80+

I got my truck in 2021, I was too scared to buy the 1st version of the powerboost. Pretty sure if I needed a new truck today, I'd be getting a powerboost though,

 

[JJSnell]

I've weighed the same Q, but have too many projects, rentals, and properties to work on.
75% of the time it's a top of the line Cadillac that rides on air, gets my coffee and takes me here and there...
25% of the time I load it up with wood, cement bags, large tools and compressors, and have my ladder rack on.

For the money a Platinum is they really are a remarkable ride. Extremely smooth and comfortable...

 

[Old Hat]

I wondered the same. My 2005 ZR2 Blazer was perfect for me, but after owning it for almost 19 years it was time to move on. I would only buy a two door and wanted a new Bronco Heritage but Ford put orders on pause. Two door Broncos on dealer lots were scarce, and highly marked up. We already have a Mercedes two door coupe so the Blazer replacement had to be an SUV or truck. My 2.7 rcsb gets much better MPG than the smaller 4.3 Blazer it replaced and can haul much more. Best of all it looks quite sporty!

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

I've always liked large vehicles. Today's trucks are the replacement for the large luxury cars of the 70's but with a lot more cool factor!

As the Talking Heads song went...

You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile , letting the days go by...

 

[Buyer2021]

Do I really need a truck? I've been asking myself that lately.

If you're asking yourself the question, the answer is probably no.

IME true "needs" are readily apparent (and relatively few in number).

But a life that satisfies a few "wants" is a lot more enjoyable.

 

[JExpedition07]

I would venture to say most don’t need any new vehicle in any capacity. I would say the draw to the F-150 for me was the styling and capacity for towing my boat. The Explorer felt too low to me and Ranger was too ugly (imo), but both those vehicles would have pulled my 20 foot boat all the same. When I got to the F-150’s I LOVED the 3.5 EB, but I loved the 5.0 a notch more. My trucks twin sister on the lot was an Area 51 Blue 3.5 EB, but the 5.0 truck was a little more expensive as mine had the locking rear axle and full center console. Slightly preferring the 5.0 and getting the locker really tilted the scale over to the truck I have now. I think the center console is a major win too although I didn’t think of it much at the time. It’s not about what you need, it’s about what you want. It’s your money friend. If you don’t think you need a truck look at the Explorer and its competitors and decide after driving several.

 

[PaulGrun]

Get a powerboost and save gas. 25 mpg around town and 30 on highway at 60mph. Slow down and save. Towing is still 9mpg

In my experience 25 mpg around town is a pipedream. Never gonna happen, not even close.
'22 XLT Powerboost 302A. I'm an old man and I drive like it.
The last tank of gas got me ~19 mpg. the current tank is yielding a hair over 20.
25 mpg? No way, never gonna happen.

 

[Snakebitten]

That's not even a question in Texas.
A truck is a Camry. Every driveway has one. THEN you can add anything you want as a second vehicle.

Need?

A strange word that is mangled in a First World context. ?

I neeeed air conditioning.
But I have to have a truck. Lol

 

[rtf150]

Do I really need a truck? I've been asking myself that lately.

Just thinking out loud.

Ummmmm Yes. Absolutely. No question about it. Can’t think of why you would ask!?

if you’re asking the question then the answer is yes as you already have some idea of the need..what you don’t know yet is all the reasons you haven’t thought of. Through out your ownership you will say…I’m so glad I have a truck for this/that etc.

 

[zacko11288]

Everyone's situation is different, I switched to an explorer for 4 years and constantly found myself in situations where I was missing the practically of a truck.

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