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Pickup truck reviews

Older or discontinued pickups

Buying a pickup

Consider your needs carefully before buying. Some “small” pickups have high capacities and beds, yet are easier to park, load, and drive, and use less gas. Sometimes the full sized trucks are actually cheaper and there’s not much gas-mileage difference. There are many surprises; for example, one company’s big V8 gets better mileage than its V6 or little V8.

Trucks have a tremendous number of options which can bewilder buyers — and ill-informed salesmen. You can transform a comfortable vehicle that fits your needs into a bone-jarring fuel-hog; likewise, you can accidentally downrate a capable truck too far. Test drive vehicles that are set up the way you will order them, because the capacity and gearing greatly affect their feel. Some brief notes:

  • Diesels are good for gas mileage and longevity; their low-end torque is helpful for towing and hill climbing. When you really rack up the miles, the diesel pays for itself; some also have very long maintenance intervals.
  • A low axle ratio (e.g. 3:1) increases gas mileage, but cuts towing capacity. 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%.  
  • If you can avoid getting a “heavy duty” pickup (e.g. 2500 or 3500), it’s usually worthwhile to stick with the “light duty” version, which usually has a far more comfortable ride and (unless you get a diesel) better mileage.
  • Four wheel drive adds weight that takes a toll on fuel, braking, and acceleration, and adds more parts that can wear out.
  • Pickups generally have available manual transmissions, which usually increase gas mileage.
  • Larger cabs can be more comfortable, but by making the truck longer, it becomes harder to park and turn, and the added weight hurts handling, economy, capacity, and acceleration.

Though some trucks outsell others, many truck buyers tend to buy out of loyalty to one brand or another more than out of reasoned comparison shopping; and many are sold to fleets and commercial buyers who may be going for the lowest bid (or who want to limit the number of parts they need to stock). Your needs are your needs; buy the truck that fits you.

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