I'm in Texas, the big truck capital of the world I think. I see more of these things than you can imagine, some with 20" lifts and mud tires. Ok, it looks cool if you're into that kind of thing, but that doesn't make it worth 6mpg. Especially here where people drive 40-50 miles each way for work, and everything is far apart.
I have a small SUV since I bought it pre-moustachian and it's cheaper to keep (actually Fj cruisers have been discontinued and mine has gone UP in value since buying it used 3 yeas ago) and I would be scared to drive a small car around here.
The best part about these giant trucks is they are all 2wd, so the four days a year w get snow, everybody thinks they are invincible. Then they slam into each other and the guard rails all day. I watch them on TV from home, even though my little suv is good in the snow and I'm from PA, so I know how to drive in it.
I almost feel bad when people brag about their new truck, or how they just rolled over the expense from the last one into the new one, or how they are upside-down on it in an accident and will be financially ruined. They ask how I'm able to work on investments, not have a second job, and have bought a house (totally re-did it ourselves, too) at my age. I usually say if I spent $900 a month in asshole payments commuting and trying to impress people I don't know or give a shit about, i wouldn't be able to live the way I do.
a good buddy visited and was happy to see we have a house, good area, big yard, blah blah blah. I come to find out his car payment for his and hers BMWs is more than we pay for mortgage, taxes, utilities, food, and our cars all combined. his car didn't seem so nice after that little conversation.