Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days!

   / Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days! #1,011  
The actual thing is, that those with the budget for a used truck, want a basic reliable workhorse. Yet those who have the budget for brand new trucks, want all the bells and whistles. And the latter decide what becomes available in the used truck market in a couple of years...
I recently bought a new truck and wanted just a few of the bells and whistles but had a bunch crammed down my throat because I wanted a leather interior. I'm sure all the crap I don't want cost me at least $10,000.00. On top of that, now I have to pay a subscription for the navigation to work. That was the last straw that made me decide that my Grand Cherokee will not get replaced with an Explorer. Don't know what to buy because I dislike them all.
 
   / Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days! #1,012  
I recently bought a new truck and wanted just a few of the bells and whistles but had a bunch crammed down my throat because I wanted a leather interior. I'm sure all the crap I don't want cost me at least $10,000.00. On top of that, now I have to pay a subscription for the navigation to work. That was the last straw that made me decide that my Grand Cherokee will not get replaced with an Explorer. Don't know what to buy because I dislike them all.
I'd be fine without quite so many bells and whistles myself, and really dislike the big tv screen in the middle of the dash everything seems to have these days. Do like having a backup camera though...makes it way easier to hook up to a trailer.
As far as navigation goes, isn't it subscripton on most, if not all modern vehicles? My truck's a Chevy, and for the navigation to work it's necessary to subscribe to Onstar. $150 for a Garmin GPS does the job just fine for me, and updates are free.
 
   / Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days! #1,013  
2019 Ranger, no charge for navigation subscription.
 
   / Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days! #1,014  
I'd be fine without quite so many bells and whistles myself, and really dislike the big tv screen in the middle of the dash everything seems to have these days. Do like having a backup camera though...makes it way easier to hook up to a trailer.
As far as navigation goes, isn't it subscripton on most, if not all modern vehicles? My truck's a Chevy, and for the navigation to work it's necessary to subscribe to Onstar. $150 for a Garmin GPS does the job just fine for me, and updates are free.
I like the screens in our vehicles and all the bells and whistles, especially the camera views including inside the horse trailer. The newer GM vehicles use Google maps for navigation, no subscription needed. Or I can use Android connect feature and use the Google maps app on my phone. If you have OnStar you get real-time updates on traffic.

We have OnStar on all 3 of our GM vehicles, mainly for roadside assistance and vehicle diagnostics. If a check engine light comes on, I hit the OnStar button, they run diagnostics, tell me what the problem is, and if it is safe to drive. If not, they send a wrecker and tow it to the nearest GM dealer.

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   / Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days! #1,015  
Oh, you could absolutely give me a early 80s C10 Chevy, But, as a weekend truck. For day to day, I want pretty modern.

I saw this one a couple weeks ago, and I understand tastes vary, but thats a sweet looking weekend truck.View attachment 4524706
can't do those low profile tires.. The gravel roads I drive on every day would eat them up. Plus I would feel every bump.
 
   / Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days! #1,017  
For the more boring folks :)View attachment 4543902
Noooo I rented a long bed chevy regular cab when my truck was in the shop around 85 or 86. The rear end on that thing was so light and springy without a load that it would almost bounce. Of course my previous C10 that I had owned was a heavy half and didn't to that. The rental was bouncy enough that I would not have bought one. Then again I never buy the lightest duty they make.
 
   / Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days! #1,018  
So, although I largely argue that the new stuff is across the board better; I do really like the look of those older C10/K10 stepsides. With that, would i rather have either of those C10s with the original 120hp, or a modernized crate motor making 400-450hp? Just dont put cylinder deactivation on in; either find a factory AC, or aftermarket, and it would be a fun weekend crusier. Still, for a daily, I still want my cruise control, back uo camera, power windows, and cup holders/storage/center console.
 
   / Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days! #1,019  
So, although I largely argue that the new stuff is across the board better; I do really like the look of those older C10/K10 stepsides. With that, would i rather have either of those C10s with the original 120hp, or a modernized crate motor making 400-450hp? Just dont put cylinder deactivation on in; either find a factory AC, or aftermarket, and it would be a fun weekend crusier. Still, for a daily, I still want my cruise control, back uo camera, power windows, and cup holders/storage/center console.
I drove a 1980's K10, and then replaced it with a 1990's K1500. The K1500 was hands-down the least reliable vehicle I ever owned... by a long mile. The K10 was distinctly less trouble, despite it being a few years older during my ownership.

I don't think either of mine had a horsepower spec as low as 120hp, but I will admit that both had enormous trouble maintaining highway speed on a hill unloaded, and they were completely hopeless with a trailer. My daily commute at the time had me climbing over a ridge on I-476 at inflated highway speeds every day, driving from the Delaware Valley into the Lehigh Valley, and I was always jogging between "underpowered" in 5th gear versus "over-rev'd" in 4th. Both had manual transmission.

Despite lacking horsepower, both had plenty sufficient torque. Hauling even heavy trailers was fine up to about 50 mph, they had no trouble with getting through the gears at "around town" speeds. It was only on the highway when you needed horsepower to maintain speed, that both were seriously lacking.

Well that, and the fact that the K1500 spent almost as many days in the shop as on the road. :rolleyes:
 

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