Buying a pickupCarefully consider your needs before buying. Compact pickups are being heavily discounted now so automakers can make their fuel economy quotas; yet, they can have an 8-foot bed, large engine, and towing capacity exceeding entry-level full-sized trucks. Compacts are easier to park, load, and drive; their lighter weight helps in fuel economy, braking, and handling. Another option, for lighter loads, is minivans or wagons, which are easier on gas and on the driver. The insurance costs for minivans may be less than for SUVs and heavy trucks. Often overlooked are the mid-sized trucks, the Dodge Dakota and Chevy Colorado. Smaller, lighter, and cheaper than a full-sized, they are also bigger and have higher towing capacity than compact pickups. It seems there's a muscle race on, as well. The Dakota and Colorado are almost polar opposites, with the Dakota presenting a much more refined experience and the Colorado emphasizing its truckiness; both corner and accelerate very well, and both are good choices, and we don't think most people will find it hard to choose between them since they are so different (but we do recommend you try both). For that matter, the small pickups are increasingly competent and able to fill in for big trucks in many cases - there foreign automakers have the best offerings, including Toyota, Mitsubishi, and even Isuzu. 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 well-handling car designed for safety 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 trucks, which can save money compared with a standard cargo truck. On the other hand, for everyday driving they can be rather ponderous, and heavy-duty models can have a punishing ride. Even though each automaker has only one full-size pickup model (F-Series, Silverado, Ram, Tundra), they let you customize nearly every part from engine to bed; so a Ram 1500 may seem more different from a 2500 than from an F-150! The Tundra, incidentally, has moved into the "serious" pickup market for the 2007 model year, and offers more varieties and more beefy powertrains than in the past. Diesel engines are currently available only on heavy duty models, but are reportedly working their way down to standard full-size pickups. Providing much the same economy boost as a hybrid-electric powertrain, modern diesels are fairly quiet, produce incredible levels of torque, and do not generate clouds of blue smoke. What's more, 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 400,000 miles before their first overhaul. They are expensive (about $3,000 extra) but in the long haul there will be much better gas mileage and fewer major repairs. For heavy highway use and trucks meant to be kept for a long, long time, a diesel is eminently practical. They also have good pulling power, with strong torque at low engine speeds. 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. Bumping up to the next small-block engine does not exact much of a gas mileage toll, but going from a small block to a big block (or V-10) usually does. 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 five-speed 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. If you do get an automatic, consider a transmission intercooler (which comes with some engines), which can increase the transmission’s lifespan if you tow or haul heavy loads. 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, Toyota, Nissan, and Isuzu. For heavy duty pickups, the choices are GM, Ford, and Dodge; for full-size, GM, Ford, Dodge, Toyota, and Nissan; for mid-sized, GM, Dodge, and Toyota; and every pickup maker has a compact except Dodge! | Pickup truck reviews
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