Buying a pickupCarefully consider your needs before buying. Compact pickups are discounted so automakers can make their fuel economy quotas; yet, they can have an 8-foot bed, large engine, and strong towing capacity. Compacts are easier to park, load, and drive; their lighter weight helps in fuel economy, braking, and handling. An option often overlooked for light but bulky loads is minivans, which are easier on gas and on the driver. The insurance costs may be lower than for SUVs and heavy trucks. The mid-sized trucks, Dodge Dakota and Chevy Colorado, are almost polar opposites, with the Dakota presenting a refined experience and the Colorado emphasizing its truckiness; both corner and accelerate very well, and both are good choices depending on what you’re looking for. Small pickups are able to fill in for big trucks in many cases - there foreign automakers have the best pickups. If you are considering a full-size truck or SUV because of safety, consider that its weight makes it harder to stop; rear wheel drive is a liability on wet, icy, or snow-bound roads, and the four wheel drive, when active, widens turning circles and does not help you to stop. A good car can prevent accidents from happening in the first place. (There is also the question of whether your personal safety should come at the expense of everyone else on the road). Most people don’t need a full-sized pickup, but, if you have to haul heavy freight or tow a trailer, you might. Full-size pickups can also be converted into cargo (box) trucks, which can save money compared with a standard cargo truck. On the other hand, for everyday driving they can be rather somewhat ponderous. Diesel engines are available only on heavy duty models, but are to work their way down to standard full-size pickups. Providing much the same economy boost as a hybrid-electric powertrain, modern diesels are fairly quiet, and do not generate clouds of smoke. If you're so inclined, you can make your own fuel out of plants - biodiesel. Many, many options and choicesTrucks have a tremendous number of options. You can easily transform a comfortable vehicle that fits your needs into a bone-jarring, unparkable fuel-hog (or, if you routinely carry heavy loads, a more reliable truck that can handle the load). Test drive vehicles that are set up the way you will order them; test driving a 1500 or F-150 will tell you little about how a 3500 or F-350 handles, feels, and stops. Diesels are good for gas mileage and longevity; their low-end torque is helpful for serious towing. When you rack up the miles, the diesel pays for itself: Cummins claims its engines can go 350,000 miles before their first overhaul. They are expensive but in the long haul there will be much better gas mileage and fewer major repairs. Large gas engines do not cost as much up front but their costs can add up in the long run. Gear ratios are very important: a low ratio (e.g. 3:1) increases gas mileage, but cuts towing capacity. Few need the highest ratios (over 4:1). One expert said that the same truck (diesel, automatic) would get over 20 mpg at 65 mph with a 3.08 ratio, but only 15 mpg with a 4.10 ratio; lowering the speed to 55 mph could raise mileage by 15%! Engines are like gear ratios: you should get what you need, not too much or too little. Engine overkill leaves you with constant trips to the pump, but getting an engine that is too small can result in early failure or, again, poor gas mileage from having to work too hard. The capacity of the pickup is also related to what you need. Get too much capacity, and you have an unnecessarily stiff suspension, lousy gas mileage, extra wind noise, and poorer handling; get too little, and you can run out of load or face steep repair bills. Capacity is about weight, not bulk; not many people will reach the payload limits of a base pickup unless they tow or modify the bed. Four wheel drive adds extra weight that takes a toll on fuel and speed. 4x4s only have better traction when accelerating; the weight hurts handling and braking. If you need more traction, consider a car (or minivan) with all-wheel-drive, which is always active. Unlike cars, pickups generally come with manual transmissions on the premium engines as well as base versions. Manual transmissions can aid gas mileage and avoid the power losses of automatics; this allows one to use a lower gear ratio, which saves even more gas. Manual transmissions have been improving in smoothness and ease of use. There are a variety of cab sizes. Though larger cabs are more comfortable for people in the back, they also make the truck longer, harder to park and turn, and heavier (which hurts handling, economy, hauling, and acceleration). Though few need the extra towing capacity of a full-size truck, those who do will appreciate their capacity and the choice of gear ratios. Thanks to their larger engines, many full-size pickups are now becoming the basis of small cargo trucks; the bed is removed, a box is added, and cash is saved. Finally, remember that though some trucks outsell others, many truck buyers tend to buy out of loyalty to one brand or another; and many are sold to fleets and commercial buyers who may be going for the lowest bid. Your needs are your needs; buy the truck that fits you. There are not all that many choices; you can test each one. The major pickup truck makers are GM (Chevy/GMC), Ford, Dodge / Ram, Toyota, and Nissan. | Pickup truck reviews
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