I've been looking at small trucks for over a year. Actually, I've been wanting a small truck for a long time. We had a 1983 Chevy S-10, and a Datsun pick up in the 80s, a Dodge Caravan in the 90s, and DH drove a Toyota Tacoma on his last job, but we've had small cars for the past several years. Last year, I started researching small trucks. I looked at the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Dodge Dakota, GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger. I wanted a double cab, 2WD, automatic transmission, cruise control, power windows & CD player. It seems that most of the small trucks are now mid-size trucks. Each successive year, they've gotten a little bigger, except for the Ranger, but they don't make it in a double cab model. I narrowed my choices to the Toyota Tacoma, and the Chevrolet Colorado. Toyota, because they retain value longer, and the Colorado, because everything I wanted was available in the standard package - no add-ons. I chose the Colorado because it has a better mileage rating. I could have bought a Silverado or an Avalanche for less - they're practically giving those away right now. But I did get a pretty good deal on Silverado's little brother. And it's a nice ride. I love my new truck. !!!!
Old auto adage states that when they introduce a new, small and relatively inexpensive vehicle the kids, especially in college, will purchase that car. As time goes by the college kid becomes an adult, maybe marries and even has children of his own. Rather then risk losing that customer to another auto they gradually increase the size of that once college kid's vehicle. IOW the car ages with the man**. Hence the man can continue to purchase his favorite car.
ReplyDeleteAs one case in point look at an old (ten years or more) Honda Accord. They used to be the size of today's Honda Civic and even now while the Accord has grown so has the Civic. Then look at all the newer Honda nameplates on the road. All ready to "grow" with their new found owners. (c;
**I don't think they use this psychology with women because as we all know women do not age. (c;