Identity Crisis ... Am I Still A "truck Guy"?

[dbozman]

43 years old. I've had pickups nearly exclusively all my adult life. I just bought a '10 Silverado half-ton last September. I don't have any complaints about the truck specifically and I'm happy with the purchase.

 

However, I can't help but recognize that I don't utilize the pickup to its fullest. I don't tow things. I don't really haul anything. My commute distance is greater than it used to be. Despite their claims to the contrary, the new Chevy gets just as poor mileage (about 15 in mixed driving) as my last new one, an '05 Z71. And I live in an urban area with a lot of traffic and parking lots with small spaces (in other words, I have to 5-point most parking spots).

 

I have to wonder if the pickup is more tied to my sense of "self" than to a need for a truck, as clearly I have no demonstrable need.

 

My biggest hobby is mountain biking and I do some traveling for downhilling and whatnot. However, receiver racks and roof racks take care of that (bikes are the only thing that's ever been loaded in the bed of my truck).

 

If you were looking to move from a truck to another vehicle, with the understanding that gas mileage and ease of use in traffic were important, what would you be looking at? I do enjoy driving and want something "interesting." God help me, I've actually been thinking about a Subaru wagon or an Audi A4 Avant. My kid is grown and in college, so I don't haul many people, but I have two 100-pound American bulldogs.

 

Thanks for reading.

[agrats84]

Taurus SHO. My dad had a 3500 dually for each of his trucks and then he went through what you are going through. He couldn't be happier with his purchase.

[dbozman]

I spend 10 hours a day in and out of a Crown Vic. Probably not going to buy a Taurus

[RyanbabZ71]

if I was going to buy a car there is only 1 I would even consider right now. Camaro (in particular 2012 ZL1)

[chev1guy]

GMC Terrain, Jeep Grand Cherokee or some other type of SUV.

[dbozman]

Camaro? Ha.

 

Owned a Grand Cherokee. Decent, but terrible mileage, just as bad as the pickup. Wouldn't buy another.

[Stevens03]

Hands down, If I wasn't driving my truck, I'd be driving a Camaro SS It gets decent mileage and fun to drive

[seanmckean]

I would advise against it. I switched from a truck to Grand Prix GXP when gas was close to $5. The mileage was marginally better, but I HATED dropping down to get in a car again. When stopped at a stop light, a truck would pull in behind me and all I would see is its grill. I felt very small on the road. I don't tow and don't do much hauling but it is very nice when I need to move anything large or dirty to just throw it in the back of the truck and take it to the dump. Not sure what your commute is but I ended up trading my Grand Prix in for a truck again and I am not going back. Good luck with whatever you do.

[stlavsa]

AWD subaru or audi is gonna get SHIT for mileage too so dont even bother. my buddies legacy gets the same mileage as my truck.

[blacksierra01]

Just keep the truck. i did the exact same thing last year, bought a car and was in the process of selling my truck, but I just never felt quite right in a car. I'd rather have worse millage and a bit of a hard time parking than have to drive around in a car all the time. JMO

[DoMDrty]

I say keep the truck and get something fun to drive. I currently drive a 2006 Nissan altima to and from work. It's not very fun, but I can get in my truck if I ever feel the need. I am currently trying to talk the wife into a BMW.

[DwayneJ]

I am driving a truck because nobody is building the right car.

 

What I REALLY liked for a daily driver was the mid 90s Caprice/Roadmaster wagons. They were basically a truck that got better mileage and were at least as quick as the trucks. I know that sounds goofy but you got an LT1/4L60e/8.5" 10bolt 5000lbs tow rating with the 2.93s, imagine what guys towed when they swapped to 3.42s or 3.73s. cargo area was a bit height limited but if you were willing to sit against the steering wheel you could haul oversized 4x8 sheet goods with the tailgate up and glass closed, engines, axles(whole housings), transmissions, roofing materials.

 

I rotted out several of them before I gave up driving 15yo cars in this climate. Still have a Caprice sedan that is down for further mods at the moment at 500hp it still gets better mileage than the truck so once I get it put back together I think the truck will be parked till the snow flies. I have no problem with a rwd car in snow but if I want that car to last I need to stop exposing it to salt.

 

My advise would be wait and see if anyone builds anything worthwhile.

[kdrchuck]

Keep the truck and get a beater. I love it.

 

I was GIVEN a 97 Mercury Tracer (escort) i haul my bike daily on a trunk rack, but take the truck on trips. 4 or 5 bikes over the bed and all the gear you need in the bed. The car is pretty fun to drive but really makes you LOVE your truck when you get back in it.

 

I commute 15 miles one way so 2 gallons of gas per day, 50 weeks/year at 3.00 per gallon is $1500 in gas. So, $500 car, $300 Tax, title and insurance; getting 30 mpg nearly pays for itself in a year.

 

So i say beater truck and nice fun car or (my choice): Beater car and nice truck for trips and when you need a truck.

[dbozman]

I've had a third vehicle in the past. Given the layout of our housing development/driveway/garage, it's just not feasible. I do also have a 5 Series BMW but it's my wife's car and she doesn't particularly care to drive the truck.

[lowrider]

Well I drive both. I have a slightly modified 2008 Lexus ISF and a 2011 Regular Cab Long Bed Silverado. The truck is my around town vehicle and the car for freeways and trips longer than 30 mins. Oh and BTW, my wife has a 2008 Lexus ES350. Do I need all three, no way. I don't tow anything. But for the occasional time I need to haul something or my step son needs to haul something, the truck is handy. Every one who owns a house needs a truck. The car is a blast to drive, and the truck is fun in a different sort of way. So, maybe I do need all three. I'll keep telling myself that.

 

Oh, I'm 72 years old and retired. I've always been a car guy since my first car, a 1950 Mercury Coupe.

 

Lou