Don't you honestly think the Big Pickup days are Over???

[MFalkinham]

Not only the fuel cost. Add in there the HP and Torque race with no options. I have said it before and I will say it again. I am perfectly happy with my Cummins with only 155Horses and 400ftlb torque.

Exactly right. My position all along has been I'd rather have a less powerful diesel engine that can still get the job done while getting decent mileage. There is no valid reason why Dodge had to completely drop the Standard Output engine option after 2003. Let people choose what they want. I routinely get 22 mpg with my '03, and a consistant 20. 5 mpg average with my '98. Neither one will win a drag race against a newer truck, but they pull every trailer I put behind them just fine.

 

[JHerr]

Simple economics, the market is not asking for these types of vehicles, or at least not asking loud enough to induce change.

Yes, I agree with you to a point. The same arguement could have been made about the commercial van market just a few short years ago... then the Sprinter arrived at Freightliner dealers. Those who bought them, really liked them and bought more. Then some Dodge dealers got the Sprinter and things really started to take off. In my part of the country (and in many other states from what I have observed) Sprinters are quickly gathering momentum to the point of virtually taking over the fleets of companies who run vans. Obviously the efficient and power sufficient Sprinter is stealing sales from Ford and GM.



All I'm asking for is a 1/2-ton diesel pickup with the same V6 Mercedes CDI engine. That emissions homework is complete, is it not?

 

[JCostello]

Diesel prices and gas will start coming down soon, only a matter of time. I strongly believe it's the winter switch and other factors "beyond" our control. I'll keep my truck no matter what the cost of diesel and although I'm not a millionaire, I do live comfortably. We own a 28Ft TT and use it about twice a month all year long. I feel though for the folks that can't afford to keep paying these prices. Been there done that in my early days.

I adjusted my lifestyle then and if it really gets ridiculous, I'll adjust it again. Government cover=up, OPEC greed, who knows but it's been going on for years.

Folks overseas have been paying $$$$$ for gas and diesel for many years and I still see the big rigs on the road over there, not as many but they are still there.

All in all, we live way beyond our means and we need to get comfortable with living within our means when necessary. Life is an up and down coaster ride. Get in, buckle up and enjoy the ride no matter which hill your on at the time.

 

[TJarecke]

I also have a daily driver car that gets 27-29 in town, but I am lucky to be able to do this since I don't have a business that relies on the truck.
As far as the big pickup market goes, go buy a mid size or compact and tell me what you get for mileage.
(all 4x4s) Ford ranger 17 highway (V6), Dakota 17-18 (V8) highway (no mds available), colorado ?, tacoma?. With MDS and other similar technology you can get a half ton that gets that or better.
Or you can get a full size diesel and get the room, ability, bed, etc and posibbly get the same mileage and way more fun.

I also believe that the government and automakers have definately overlooked diesel as an alternate fuel. They see black smoke, bla, bla, bla. We have been wasting so much money on hybrids and electric cars that we could have had a 60+mpg diesel car on the market that is way more fun to drive.

Yeah the price sucks, I agree. And yes europe has higher prices, but in Europe many countries also have tax incentives to drive diesels. We are the bottom of the barrel here.

 

[rbattelle]

(all 4x4s) Ford ranger 17 highway (V6),

I can vouch for the accuracy of this number. My previous truck was a Mazda B4000 (Ranger with 4L V6). I averaged between 17 and 18 MPG with it.



My truck is currently averaging 19.



Back when I bought my truck, diesel was much cheaper than it is now, so in terms of fuel cost it was slightly cheaper to move up to my current truck.



Now that diesel is so much more than gasoline ($0. 55 here currently), the old Mazda would be cheaper.



Ryan