Good time to buy?

[radioouman]

What about something like a GMC Canyon crewcab? How is the gas mileage on that?

What about Hybrid trucks (GMC Sierra and Chevy 1500)? Are they worth the extra cost?

I'm just lost on what I want vs need. I am thinking more and more that a big truck is just pointless for me. I mean, I will be doing ALOT of home improvements (mainly outdoor). Should I go with another mid-sized SUV?

I really want something with a little bit of power too, something V6 or better, but with decent gas mileage. As much as I would LOVE to have a big F-150, I would spend a fortune in gas every month.

As much as I love trucks, I don't see a need for a truck in your situation. 1/2 ton truck generally has a payload around 1500 lbs. You can pick up a landscaping trailer for under $1200 from Tractor Supply that will haul 1500 lbs. The trailer is easier to load and unload, but best of all this allows you to pull it with a V6 SUV or minivan.

I used to own a Dodge Dakota 4x4 V8 which I loved, but I ended up selling it in order to buy a trailer with a wood floor and a Honda Pilot. My wife drives the Pilot which is civilized and has the turning radius of a car, yet I added a trailer hitch and can pull the trailer to Home Depot to pick up mulch/dirt/plywood/drywall/landscaping stones, whatever. I love trucks and I will have another one some day, but with a family the SUV makes a lot more sense. (For us, we need a real trunk so we can take the stroller, porta-crib, high chair etc etc etc with us. Silly to spend $$ to buy a fiberglass cover or worse for your pickup truck bed just to convert it to a trunk.)

 

[jlee]

Have you looked at a Honda Ridgeline? I'm not a huge fan myself, but for what they do, they do it quite well.

 

[fbrdphreak]

OP - you say you're going to do a "lot" of work on your home. How many weekends a month will you actually be going to Home Depot and hauling stuff back?

IMO, it sounds a bit like you feel you "need" this tool so you can do your "job" and thus it's a good reason to buy it. It's okay, many do that, myself included.

But I think the reality of the situation is that you can just plan your trips to HD for the big stuff, once or twice a month, spend the $20 a pop, and have a much more reasonable car for your commute.

C5 Corvette perhaps? :twisted:

P.S. Skip the GMC Canyon. Terrible safety ratings. Any car you're considering, I'd suggest looking at http://www.iihs.org first. FWIW, every Subaru since 2006 has top safety ratings. You could get a nice Outback which has I think 60+ cuft of cargo room with the rear seats down. And with the 250HP turbo four, it's got some kick to it. MPG isn't bad if you stay out of boost.
Disclaimer: I own an 06 Legacy GT

 

[StarsFan4Life]

What about the Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6 crew cab?

 

[Heller]

lets just get one thing out of the way. you dont care about gas and want a truck correct?

 

[StarsFan4Life]

I do car about gas mileage and do want a truck. What makes you think otherwise?

 

[Mursilis]

Cuz they're boring and useless if you compare them to what a truck can do. I don't know why the defense of minivans around here, when they're just a glorified station wagon. blech

My minivan can haul all six of us in comfort, with plenty of room for all the stuff we need for a two-week vacation. What truck can do that?

Not to knock on trucks - I have a Tacoma - but there is no better people-mover than a minivan, especially when you're talking about 5+ people.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Truck != caring about gas mileage

A V6 pickup might get 1-2 MPG better than a full size V8, but that's it.

If you must have a truck, I'd vote for one of three scenarios:

1) Used full-size 1500 series crew back, with V8 (I'm partial to Silverados myself)
2) Whatever car you want and rent a truck as needed
3) A decent, but frugal car and buy a cheap beater truck to haul as needed [But insurance and refurbishment costs make this less than ideal]

 

[aleckz]

I would look at a Forester or an Outback as some of the others suggested. Plenty of utility and enough space for family as well.

Good luck.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Others have said this, and I know this isn't what you want, but get a minivan .... I have a buddy who has a Kia van, actually pretty decent, 250 HP v6, affordable payments, better milage then most trucks, pull out the seats, and it can handle drywall, etc no problem .....

Or ... get a car that gets way better mileage, get yourself a tow kit, and buy or build a small trailer... and use the trailer for trips to menards/home depot/lowes/farm and fleet/ace/true value/blablabla ....

Or ... as vi said ... just rent the truck for $20 whenever you need one .... save tons of $$$ over the long run, and get a better car for day to day driving ....