And just like that , I hate driving pickups .

[Baz]

Mike makes a good point. Not all trucks are created equally.

My previous work truck also had "crank" windows and I swore my next one would have power windows, which it did!

Before I got this Volvo - I didn't have a vehicle with AC - so in that regard I LOVED driving my truck - anywhere I had to go!

But I have to say after 16 years of ownership, my favourite feature of my truck is the Pioneer Double Din stereo I installed last year. The one that plays surfing DVDs!

Talk about a game changer!

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by Baz

My previous work truck also had "crank" windows and I swore my next one would have power windows, which it did!

My wife tells me that I'm going to be shot one day, because I generally have no problem hanging out the window explaining the the other drivers how crappy they are at driving.

Having crank windows now makes that an actual effort, and I've found that I mostly just suck it up and move on now, rather than crank the window down just to tell someone that they suck at life.

So...they will probably keep me alive and kicking longer.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

My wife tells me that I'm going to be shot one day, because I generally have no problem hanging out the window explaining the the other drivers how crappy they are at driving.

Having crank windows now makes that an actual effort, and I've found that I mostly just suck it up and move on now, rather than crank the window down just to tell someone that they suck at life.

So...they will probably keep me alive and kicking longer.

LOL....well if we're being honest....my driver's side power quit working so I threw a crank handle on it, for now, so I can relate. I can repair it anytime I want but as long as the passenger side power works, I'm good!

[mattdavis11]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I picked up a 10 year old Nissan Frontier in the spring...crank windows, 5-speed, manual locks, 15 inch rims, tiny jump seats but some kick-butt suicide half doors...and I love it. Every second of it. It's quickly becoming one of the best vehicles I've owned.

I can't stand oversized lifted 20 foot long behemoth trucks, but this thing feels and drives like a car that doesn't care about potholes and scratches, and the fully opening cab is so useful.

The manual helps it get up and go surprisingly well, and it will happily run at 80-90 mph on my high speed morning commute.

I didn't know there was such a thing as a high speed commute anywhere near H-town. Are you traveling at 4 am?

What we have works, a 16ft open trailer, pulled by an MDX.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

I didn't know there was such a thing as a high speed commute anywhere near H-town. Are you traveling at 4 am?

What we have works, a 16ft open trailer, pulled by an MDX.

I generally leave the house after 9am, so yes! Also, rarely leave the shop before 7pm, and I'm "against traffic". 80mph is common, as is 4mph...

[berettafan]

Funny after 7 years of my wife owning a Honda Odyssey i had enough of that numb driving feel that seems to be a Honda trait. The V6 is strong but the driving feel is lifeless. I may end up with a car one day but it won’t be a Honda.

I think I could do a fun commuter car with a truck for weekends and fun but given my commute is only 15 minutes the gas savings would get largely offset by the extra insurance bill and maintenance.

[cabmandone]

For me, my truck is pretty much single purpose. It gets hooked to a trailer to pull equipment around. I've got airbags on it so the ride is rough to put it gently and my F250 doesn't ride a lot better with the airbags let down. For most running to Menards or Lowes, I grab my Taurus X. Ten foot boards or pieces of pipe fit easily inside. I delivered a set of pallet forks to a guy in my Trex. The guy thought it was funny and asked don't you own a truck? I replied yeah but why drive it when its not needed for the job?

When the Trex is gone I'll probably go back to a Subaru Outback. There's just so much utility in a wagon. That or I'll get another Rav.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by cabmando

For me, my truck is pretty much single purpose. It gets hooked to a trailer to pull equipment around. I've got airbags on it so the ride is rough to put it gently and my F250 doesn't ride a lot better with the airbags let down. For most running to Menards or Lowes, I grab my Taurus X. Ten foot boards or pieces of pipe fit easily inside. I delivered a set of pallet forks to a guy in my Trex. The guy thought it was funny and asked don't you own a truck? I replied yeah but why drive it when its not needed for the job?

When the Trex is gone I'll probably go back to a Subaru Outback. There's just so much utility in a wagon. That or I'll get another Rav.

Well...if you get that Subaru, don’t forget the mandatory COEXIST sticker on the bumper.

[cabmandone]

I was thinking more along the lines of "meat is murder" See that one on Subies all the time.

[berettafan]

How about 'will work for head gasket repairs'?

[fastfredracing]

Does anybody know of a good tuner for Acura? No matter how hard I try , it just wont roll coal

[Seahawk]

My 2015 Tundra is fast and agile, I kid you not. It is a pleasure to drive, especially on the open road.

What sucks about it is it's size and city driving/parking. Yikes.

I'd still DD it if I had not picked up an older SUV to keep the miles off the Tundra...I want this to be my last full sized truck since I won't need one when we sell the farm. The price of trucks is absurd.

80% of the guys I know are planning to or have gotten out of 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Does anybody know of a good tuner for Acura? No matter how hard I try , it just wont roll coal

[gsxrken]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Well...if you get that Subaru, don’t forget the mandatory COEXIST sticker on the bumper.

Haha- they must issue the coexist ones at the dealership. I was behind a Subaru just yesterday that had the full complement of Obama, H- I’m with Her, and the Biden/Harris stickers. I’m self-aware enough to know that as much as I eye-rolled over their advertised meekness, they probably had their own reaction at my Hemi’s new cat-back stainless exhaust system as I passed them.
To each his own…

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Does anybody know of a good tuner for Acura? No matter how hard I try , it just wont roll coal

Don't need to roll coal. Just put a fart can on it and call it a day.

[id10t]

Having just gotten a truck for the first time in 20 years a few weeks ago, some observations.

1 - My trucks have both been the small type - a '88 Mazda B2200 and the '93 Ranger I just got.

2 - The Ranger has MUCH less room behind the seats - ie, none - compared to the Mazda (used to be able to put several gun cases etc behind the seats, regular cab)

3 - With toppers on, I really need a way to redneck engineer a rear view camera. With a topper off, it is critical to keep back glass clean on both sides otherwise rear view rapidly becomes unusable

4 - These little trucks barely have enough get up and go to get out of their own way with a topper or any kind of load, and a few trips on a not bad stretch of I75 tells me the Ranger will be a right lane camper at 60-65... but only when the interstates can't be avoided. Much better on the back county and state roads

5 - Having uncontested access to a truck as a second/third/special use vehicle is pretty darn awesome, and well worth my $1500 purchase and $30/mo on insurance. Will spend maybe another $1000 on it to fix AC, rig up rear view camera, run some extra power and lighting to the back end, and rig it

6 - Having a truck as your only vehicle sucks, though a hybrid suv/truck (Honda Ridgeline, any of the 4 door massive beasts, etc). may be tolerable IF you can stand to drive such a large beast for everything.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by gsxrken

Haha- they must issue the coexist ones at the dealership. I was behind a Subaru just yesterday that had the full complement of Obama, H- I’m with Her, and the Biden/Harris stickers. I’m self-aware enough to know that as much as I eye-rolled over their advertised meekness, they probably had their own reaction at my Hemi’s new cat-back stainless exhaust system as I passed them.
To each his own…

[SamC.]

With a little forward planning, my 01 Suburban/4WD will carry nearly any thing a pick-up truck will. With seats folded down, 4x8 sheets of plywood/sheet rock are no issue. 2 x 10's fit nicely at an angle, with rear hatch closed. I don't worry about inclement weather, since everything is tucked away inside of the Burban. It pulls 7500 lbs with no issue. Yep, I'm a big fan.

[greglepore]

I'm with ya Fred. I prefer to let my sit unless I'm trailering. I only dd it when I want to take the doggies with, as the Benz isn't claw and hair friendly. And believe me, a crew cab 8 footer sucks as a dd.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I picked up a 10 year old Nissan Frontier in the spring...crank windows, 5-speed, manual locks, 15 inch rims, tiny jump seats but some kick-butt suicide half doors...and I love it. Every second of it. It's quickly becoming one of the best vehicles I've owned.

I can't stand oversized lifted 20 foot long behemoth trucks, but this thing feels and drives like a car that doesn't care about potholes and scratches, and the fully opening cab is so useful.

The manual helps it get up and go surprisingly well, and it will happily run at 80-90 mph on my high speed morning commute.

Many, many years ago, I had a Ford Ranger. It was a decent little thing. It wasn't a comfortable ride, and it wasn't fast or efficient. I'd have something like that again for small jobs. What I'm more likely to do is get a small, 5x8 utility trailer that we can tow with the Outback for loads that require something more than the back top of the outback.