Is America ready for 4-cylinder full-size pickup trucks? Because they're here (GM)

[Xist]

Is the emissions system still the most likely component to fail?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by ctmaybury@yahoo.com

I agree that most people don't need a truck, but for some of us, it is essential.

Oh, they definitely have their uses.

But the most common load here in Europe is an LPG tank

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

IIRC it had to do more with the tax structure that benefitted vehicles with a separated load compartment

The seperate loadbed is a factor in qualifying as a (light) truck - but same goes for a van (even with extra row of seats and separated passenger compartment).

Legislation is eating away at the "passenger-trucks' " benefits though.

Sometimes it may be actually easier to haul something bulkier with a pick-up instead of a van

Trailer ... even less restrictions

IIRC only a few years ago pick-ups could be classified as a passenger vehicle in Europe, in order to follow the same speed limits of cars instead of the ones meant for trucks.

We have the same speed limitsfor light trucks & passenger vehicles
Might change in future though, putting trucks at a disadvantage.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by euromodder

But the most common load here in Europe is an LPG tank

IIRC an American truck might be actually the cheaper way for an European to own something V8-powered due to lower taxes.

Legislation is eating away at the "passenger-trucks' " benefits though.

Since a lot of people have resorted to those as a way to pay fewer taxes, it's quite predictable that legislators would try to put an end to that.

Trailer ... even less restrictions

I'm sure trying to park a trailer in a congested city center is not any better than using a small van. The main advantage I see in a trailer is that it's more cost-effective to haul some stuff such as chemicals that could damage the vehicle or become a nuisance to the passengers.

[Xist]

I briefly cleaned pools when I was a college freshman and the owner had everyone use their own truck--or in my case, Mom's Piece of Chevy.

Her car smelled like pool chemicals for months after I quit and the interior never recovered.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by Xist

Vehicles in the U.S. are status symbols and people never thought that minivans are cool. I do not understand people's obsessions with trucks and SUVs, or expensive cars with bodykits sold as SUVs, but I have never had money to spare.

Except the ironic thing is that for pickup truck and suicidal utility vehicle money, you could buy something like a lotus elise, which is actually cool and attracts attention, or you could look like everyone else..

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Daschicken

Except the ironic thing is that for pickup truck and suicidal utility vehicle money, you could buy something like a lotus elise, which is actually cool and attracts attention, or you could look like everyone else..

That thought has crossed my mind on way more than 1 occasion. Attention wasn't what I was after, but having a super fun car that got good fuel mileage was. Attention might have been a nice fringe benefit.

Ever since the Lotus Elise challenge on Grand Turismo 5, I had a newfound respect for the skill it takes to drive the car at its limits. There is no forgiveness.

Problem is the Elise seats no more than my motorcycle, and goes no faster. If you really want cheap attention, I'd say a bike has a lot of bang for the buck.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Daschicken

Except the ironic thing is that for pickup truck and suicidal utility vehicle money, you could buy something like a lotus elise, which is actually cool and attracts attention, or you could look like everyone else..

I guess it would seem strange at first to see a Lotus Elise with an utility trailer, for example. But I have already seen an Audi TT with a receiver hitch.

[Hersbird]

Speaking of attention, I'm actually considering a Hummer H2 But probably won't because of all the stupid attention. I just want capable off road with room for 6-7. They actually put a bunch of engineering into these things but you are either looked at as a poser by the 4x4 crowd, or a terrorist by the green crowd. Normally I could care less what other people think and was pretty ready to track one down until I looked at what a Jeep Commander with Quadra Drive 2 (and it's 3 lockers) can do. The Jeeps are 25-50% less money upfront as well. Now if only they had put the 3.0 diesel in the Commanders in the US, I might just go with a 5 seat 07 or 08 Grand Cherokee with the 3.0 and sometimes (although rarely) we might have to take 2 cars.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

That thought has crossed my mind on way more than 1 occasion. Attention wasn't what I was after, but having a super fun car that got good fuel mileage was. Attention might have been a nice fringe benefit.

Yep, motorcycles get lots of attention, mostly good too! I assume you are talking about your TSX?

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Problem is the Elise seats no more than my motorcycle, and goes no faster. If you really want cheap attention, I'd say a bike has a lot of bang for the buck.

I have the opposite problem, I’m pretty sure my accord would do a faster 1/4 mile than the CBR 250, and top out(governed) at a higher speed than the VFR 400. I did take the accord to a drag strip once, but on the way up there the clutch would act up at full throttle and high rpms, so I didn’t end up running. Instead I drove my dad’s S2000, heatsoaked, 195,000 miles, and two people. Ended up running a 16.(4?). Pretty terrible. My dad managed a 15.3 IIRC with a much more aggressive launch.

I’m guessing the accord would do a 14.3, and the CBR would do a 14.5.

[jcp123]

I've always kind of thought that the truck and SUV thing grew at least in part out of the fact that there aren't really any more good full-size wagons and the like with big abilities to carry a load and/or tow. Americans' lust for having more capability than they need hasn't changed, but the availability of vehicles to fit that list certainly has. In a sense it's a bit of the law of unintended consequences.