Re: Foreign cars pass Big 3. but not on a steep grade

My question (and I'm likely naive and just don't get it) is why so many people buy trucks? Do they have that many groceries to buy? Do they move every three weeks so they need a personal U-Haul? Once every two years or so I find the need for a minivan or truck to haul something large (and affixing a trailer hitch and renting a trailer is not an option, (since I don't want a chrome ball on the rear end of my sedan or even the bracket it goes into on the tail, thank you) and I go rent such a vehicle for the day, and it's never over 50 bucks. And I don't have to endure the herky-jerky ride of a truck in my daily life, nor the horrific gas mileage. Does that make me weird? Sure, I see that many folks in the building or maintenance trades who carry lots of tools and equipment around need trucks, but the housewife who has to buy 12 packs of toilet paper and a couple of cases of pampers? I don't think so.

Well, terrific for you. Some of us need our trucks. Come on up here where I live and when you get 200-300 inches of snow dumped into your driveway every winter don't call me. Go rent a snow plow.

The most foolish part of your diatribe is that it shows how little you really know about the rest of the world around you.

When was the last time that you were in a newer US made truck. They drive better than my Japanise cars.

That's probably the key - he doesn't live where you do. Perhaps it's much more like where I live and seems half of all cars are big 4WD's (I assume that's what we mean?). A minority have tow bars and I've never seen one used by tradespeople - they use utilities or vans no bigger than a sedan. It never snows and all the roads are sealed. Most are owned simply because they are the fashion and to gain an advantage in a crash, which says a lot about their attitude.

(...)

Not every truck has a plow. I had no problem getting around the mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania when I lived there with Peugeots and my Ford Contour. As for the snow, we used a snowblower.

Most of the truck owners used trucks for daily transportation. They rarely used the bed for more than groceries.

But that is just my observation.

Jeff

Oh really, Mike Smartass? At least I know enough not to live in a place that gets 200 to 300 inches of snow per year. You must think that everyone lives in such a place and needs a truck to plow thru it, which shows how much you know about the rest of the world. And where did you learn big words like 'diatribe'?

About 8 months ago when I rented a (I think 2003) GMC full size truck to do a bit of hauling for the day. It rode faily well (for a truck) when loaded down, but empty it still had a jumpy ride. (And the trucks I see on the road are empty about 95 % of the time.) What is your Japanese car? A Tennessee made Nissan?

What's wrong with snow like that? I don't mind it at all. No - I don't think everyone lives in such a place but then I was not the one who originated the thread complaining about people driving vehicles that he does not personally like. You know - the guy who had the solution for everyone else to live by - to rent like he does. Some people just feel the need to mind everyone else's business. We call that nosey.

As for words like diatribe - well, I learned it a long time ago when I went to school. Perhaps that is something you should try.

You are assuming all light trucks are pickups, SUV and vans are included in that category. Individuals are not the only buyers of trucks. Not all Americans live in cities. In some parts of the county when people say 'I bought a new CAR' they are talking about their new TRUCK The three top selling vehicles in the US are NOT cars.. They are the Ford F150, Chevy Silverado and the Dodge RAM. The F150 has been the number one selling vehicle in the US for nearly thirty years. It currently sells at a rate nearly twice that of the best selling car. ;)

mike hunt

And do you think all those people who buy trucks really need them?

What year are you talking about? Last year, Toyota sold 433,703 in the US (including the hybrid and Solara models). Dodge sold 400,453 Rams (including the 1500, 1500-SR-10 and 2500 and 3500).

It seems that the Camry sold more than the Ram.

And according the MSN, the trend continues with Toyota Camries outselling Dodge Rams:

Somehow, I am starting to think that you should check out your facts before you type.

And had you checked out your facts, you could say that the F-150 sells more than twice as fast as the Camry.

Jeff

snip

I don't know why but I suspected you would deliver such a response.

DUH you can believe what you want to believe but check YOUR facts, the three top three selling vehicles in the US for 2005 were the Ford F150, Chevy Silverado and the Dodge RAM. Number four was the Camry

mike hunt

Ah well, soon either there won't be snow if temperatures continue to rise everywhere as they have been, and/or the oil will run out. That's everyone's business and unlike those (like yourself) who actually need gas guzzlers, it is becoming immoral to drive one without a real good reason.

Hell - it's immoral to drive it now. It's a utility truck for me - I drive the car unless I need the truck. Truck gets 15mpg under any two wheel drive conditions (miserably worse in 4WD), and the car gets 28. Easy choice.

I think some of the people he's referring to people are white collar urban commuters who live in mild climates and drive only on flat, paved roads. If those people drove cars instead, there would be a lot more oil left over for people who actually need their trucks and SUVs.

Now you're just being .... well you figure it out.

According MSN, there were 218,517 Camries sold in the first six months of

2006 vs. 183.174 Rams. Last year, Camry outsold Rams, as well.

Read here:

If you are going to dispute me, you should:

1) Read the references I provided. If I am inccorrect (hey it happens), perhaps you can even point out where I was mistaken. That way, we can learn from each other.

2) Provide evidence to the countrary. After all, my source can be incorrect.

Instead of being bullheaded and saying what you think with checking things out, you might also learn something.

You've clearly have a lot to offer this newsgroup. Unfortunately, when you say things that are verifiably false when there are references that mentioned to refute your claims, like Rams outsell Camries or that the first number of the VIN reflects North American Vehicle Content, you don't look intelligent (to put it nicely).

I wish you would learn to look at references when they are offered and learn to admit when you make a mistake.

You're a good guy Mike. I really don't want to make you look foolish. Then I again, it is not I who is making you look foolish.

Jeff

Jeff

You obviously have never seen someone coming out of a warehouse club such as Sam's Club. You would think they had a gang of 20 at home.

I found the response funny. That's all.

Yeah - I do realize that. I responded in a moment of feeling a little testy. It happens from time to time when I read people's words that state "this is what I do, so why doesn't everyone else do what I do?". My reaction is to the somewhat pompous nature of that statement and sometimes it ignores other obvious considerations.