Posted on 10/12/2017 1:04:32 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Heated and cooled seats. Backup cameras. Panoramic glass roofs.
Not exactly what springs to mind when you think of a pickup. But that's what American truck buyers increasingly want, spending an average of $46,844 on a pickup, according to Kelley Blue Book. That's more than the starting price of luxury SUVs like the Mercedes GLC or the Lexus RX. In 2016, pickup trucks made up a little more than a third of all vehicles that sold for over $50,000.
At the State Fair of Texas this month, Ford Motor Co. is displaying its most expensive pickup yet: The F-Series Super Duty Limited, a luxury heavy-duty truck with a starting price of $80,835. It has custom two-tone leather seats, a heated steering wheel wrapped in hand-stitched leather and high-tech features like a 360-degree camera system that guides drivers when they're hitching up a trailer.
A fully-loaded F-450 — the biggest version of the Super Duty — will top out at $94,455. It's capable of towing an Air Force F-35 fighter plane, but it also has massaging seats.....
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Well, you and I seem to like simplicity and reliability. It is tough to find that sort of thing now. Do you suppose there are just two of us?
There may not be any on dealer lots, but I think all the top pickup brands can be ordered with crank windows and row-your-own.
My favorite pickup was an old and rusty 1984 F150 4X4 with a big V8 engine.
It started every time, everything worked, and it always got me where I wanted to go. It was so imposing with it’s ugliness and rusted out wheel wells that no one ever seemed to want to pull out in front of me.
It had 400,000 + miles on it when I finally sold it to a friend for $750.00. As far as I know, it’s still running.
We called it “Buford.”
Love my 2017 F350 Platinum! Better to spend my money on me, than give it away in taxes. It is a tax write off for me so why not get the best.
My ‘96 F-150 runs great and has all the options I need, power windows, cruise control, A/C, and even looks great.
Sold a like-new, $48k new, Silverado Duramax to get the XLT when I retired - and love it.
You’re up early, Whitey.
Headed over your way on Monday for 12 days of elk hunting in the Crazy Mountains, north of Big Timber.
Might pick up a few more Montana pinstripes on my 01 Ranger, with 5 speed manual transmission of course.
I dread having to purchase a new pickup. But if they sold the model you describe I would be driving it.
I don’t think you can even order a manual in a new Ford or GM 1/2 or 3/4 ton any more, only Dodge. Someone will correct me if I’m wrong.
They can afford them just fine.
1/3 paid cash...
The others put a ton of money down to keep payments low, had excellent credit making them eligible for the best deals.
I had many who bought 2 or more in those 18 months.
What many do is take a loan to get the rebates then they pay it off the next month.
Truck owners do not like debt.
We love our 2017 F250 Lariat!! It does double duty as daily driver in addition to hauling horses. Our two kids ride in it every day; why not get something comfortable and safe? All cars are getting more expensive these days as desired/required safety and other features add up.
Still have our 1991 F350 Lariat with under 100k miles on it. Great truck, but it’s like riding in an original REO Speedwagon in comparison. We couldn’t even put our kids in It safely because there is no full back seat.
I don’t see why one should be ridiculed for wanting something nicer and safer — not to mention lightyears ahead technology wise — just because that’s not the way “trucks used to be.” I’m thankful we had the option to upgrade, because we seriously love our new truck.
Remember, most Europeans drive stick.
Wow. You’re right.
Looks like only the ‘mid-size’ PUs and bigger than ‘full-size’ trucks are still available with manual transmissions.
Found this:
http://www.tfltruck.com/2017/09/comprehensive-2018-pickup-trucks-manual-transmission/
A stick shift nowadays is an anti theft device. I love them as they make driving more fun, downshifting into a corner for example. But they are hell in traffic and don’t have the mileage benefit like they used to.
"...not when car makers only make high-priced vehicles..."
Even in pickup trucks.
Sucks getting old.
I have an ‘05 with manual. The tranny is being rebuilt as we speak. It stopped grabbing in fifth. Between that and all the recalls with the frame, leaf springs, etc. I’m really disappointed in Toyota.
Toyota has done very well by me and my wife.
Lemons can be built by anyone.
I’d rather have a stripped down model that I could afford as an extra vehicle.
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