[Big Dave]

High-MPG cars sell at a steep premium, new or used. Not everyone is as good a mechanic as Red or Johnny Mullet and willing to take on a well-priced junker.

Pickups are selling at a steep discount. You will get hosed when you sell it. This simple fact keeps a lot of gas hogs on the road.

A mod project is a do-able middle ground, attractive to a high-mile driver.


BGD:
Ford, Dodge, and GM have found that an automotive automatic is a marginal thing behind a pickup-sized diesel. I had an old 6.2 diesel in a GM. The engine was durable and efficient but that sucker ate seven automatics.