What happened to small trucks?

[buckeyefarmer]

As others said, small vehicles are seriously overpriced, to where you can buy a roomy large vehicle for same or less money.

 

[zzvyb6]

When I worked for GM Engineering, inputs from Marketting Staff were that the "Voice of the Customer" (an Official GM planning directive developed for each of its vehicle segments) for pickup and work trucks is based on inputs mainly from the home building and construction industry. What home building companies want, they get. And they DON'T want small sized trucks with low load and hauling capacity. They load them up with what FITS in the box, not what the tires are rated for. Since Tahoe and Suburban are tied to the truck frame, brake and powertrain architectures, the SUV market gets to ride along with its special interior and Tupperware requirements. If you want to know what's coming down the 'pike, ask a Home Builder. If Tiny Houses become vogue, watch for the truck segment to adapt. They still must meet Federal fuel, safety, durability, warranty and even car wash requirements. And they have to plug into the vehicle delivery system: train cars, OTR trucking and airplane delivery subsystems, whatever it is. (Even aftermarket boxes, beds, EMS, police and fire available options have to work with them or you get sued and lose [as GM did]).

And you all thought that pickem-up trucks were designed for good old boys to go ranching, muddin' and vacationing with, along with some occasional recreational tractorin'. Think again.

 

[ultrarunner]

Ultrarunner, I did exactly the same thing. My 4.3L S-10 got 15 mpg on the highway and ran like a slug. My 5.7L Silverado styleside gets 20 mpg on the highway and runs great & rides awesome. I too, dumped the S-10 and am still driving the styleside.

Although I'd classify the Colorado a mid-size, it's about the closest thing to a mini as there is out there now. It'll be interesting to learn how they fare.

It was just a fluke I ended up with two 91 Chevrolet Trucks... hard to believe the 5.7 HO V8 always delivered better mpg then the V6.

The man I bought the S10 from gave up his license... he had bought it new and kept meticulous records... he even wrote a letter to GM saying what a disappointment the S10 was in the mileage dept.

On the Styleside... I get asked at least once a week to sell it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Lots have said the S10 had a poor ride... I actually liked the ride of mine... it was long wheelbase/longbed with a small camper shell.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Just cant imagine that they were very popular once then all sudden there just isnt a need for them anymore. They wasnt a fad but had a 30 or so year run with them.

 

[RalphVa]

Tacomas since 1995 have had a good ride. They quit building Tacomas in 2005. Instead, despite the fact they didn't sell well, they brought us the T100.

Ranger had no discernible suspension and had horrid fuel mileage from their undesigned Pinto engines.

Give me my 1995-1999 Tacoma with the nice mirrors and tonneau system of the 2005, and I'll take another.

In the meantime, I'm now waiting for Hyundai's Santa Cruz they've promised with a 2.0 liter turbo diesel engine.

Ralph

 

[kc5dlo]

I still own a 2007 Nissan Frontier with a 4 cyl engine and a 5 speed manual. I get about 25 mpg. My old 1991 Nissan truck got 27mpg. personally the only reason for me buying the small trucks was better gas mileage. I am 6'4 and a bigger truck certainly would be more comfortable. the Nissans have always carried anything I needed, however there have been several things I could not tow safely.

I think the reason they have lost popularity is the increased gas mileage of the larger trucks. When the small trucks were really popular, the full size trucks of the day got 10-12 mpg with their carbureted engines and 3 speed non-overdrive transmissions. That really make 25mpg look good. As others here have said, a person can get nearly the same or sometimes better mileage with a full size truck.

 

[buickanddeere]

Why pay 3/4 of the price of a full size truck and have 1/2 the room and 1/2 the payload capacity and pay100 % of the price of fuel ?

 

[buickanddeere]

And, how about a diesel small truck (actually a car with an open, extendable bed), the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
http://blog.caranddriver.com/hyundai-santa-cruz-pickup-alabama-plant/

View attachment 430841


I would really like this - claimed high 30's MPG.

Since 2007. How has purchasing a new light duty diesel
been an advantage ?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I had a S10 and in 2012 I bought a NEW Colorado, it cost me $17K...

The Colorado is a thousand times better truck than my S10 was. It uses much less fuel, rides better, easily hauls more weight and is a better truck in every way!

I only have 30K miles on it, but so far it's been a great truck and for running around here, I really like it.

SR