Car afficionado tries out an F-150 in the city!

[scottish]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/adventure/red-line/the-rise-of-the-urban-cowboy-and-the-challenges-of-driving-a-pickup-truck-in-downtown-toronto/article23406462/

Peter Cheney is a bit of a car enthusiast, but he's showing signs of mustachianism in this article about urban truck use...

[libertarian4321]

Regarding "Urban" use of a pickup, a lot has to do with the city and the pick up.

I don't know much about Toronto, I was there once decades ago.  I do know that I would NOT drive a truck in an old eastern city like Manhattan or even Boston (congested, overcrowded Northeastern cities where even parking a Smart Car is a challenge).

But in some of the more modern, western cities, it's not a problem.  The cities in Texas, for example, while large, are not as compressed.  You can get around just fine in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, or Dallas/Fort Worth in a truck.  All huge cities (bigger than many of the so-called "big" cities out east), but not designed in 1780, so with far wider roads, more and better parking, etc.

So I guess it largely depends on where you will be living.  You'd have to be insane to drive a full sized truck in Manhattan, but in Houston, it's no problem.

I've been driving a truck here in San Antonio for many years.  It's the 7th most populous city in the USA, and growing faster than any other major American city.  Despite the rapid growth, I've never had a problem driving a truck here.  Any business that doesn't accommodate trucks doesn't stay in business for long.

But if I was in Manhattan, I'd probably sell my truck on day one and probably replace it with nothing, or maybe some tiny commuter vehicle like a Smart car or an Elio (if they ever get produced).

Also, I should point out that not all "full sized trucks" are the same.  Some are a whole lot bigger than others, depending on the configuration.

[Hedge_87]

Also, I should point out that not all "full sized trucks" are the same.  Some are a whole lot bigger than others, depending on the configuration.
[ / quote ]
our neighbor has a 3/4 ton dodge mega cab with a long bed. This thing is ridiculous looking. It looks twice as long as my regular cab, long bed dodge.

[Jacana]

I once drove and parked a 4 door Chevy Silverado on Duke St in Old Town Alexandria for work. It was a nightmare I do not wish to repeat. I may have run over several smartcars and taken out a few 200 year old brick walls. The same route in the older smaller 2 door pickup trucks (don't remember model) were somewhat easier but still not pleasant. My Honda Fit, of course, no problem at all. Definitely depends on city and truck.

However, driving an old 2 door 4WD Toyota Tacoma on the cattle ranch I worked at was a necessity and a dream compared to my little civic hatchback. Driving that sucker through ditches and wetlands was so much fun.

Trucks belong in their natural habitat, not as captives in a city. End cruelty to pickups! Set them free! :-)

[odput]

Trucks belong in their natural habitat, not as captives in a city. End cruelty to pickups! Set them free! :-)

+1...now how do we start this viral marketing campaign?

[Retire-Canada]

When I bought my F150 I looked at what was on the dealers' lots and all they had were short 5' boxes and mostly  crew cabs. I wanted a long box to haul stuff in. I mentioned I was surprised to see so many short box units on the lots and the reply I got was the same from all the dealers - "The F150 is the new station wagon."

I had to special order mine straight from the factory.

I drive into down-town rarely, but when I do I pretty much always wish I was on my motorcycle.


-- Vik

[Bracken_Joy]

Am I the only one who feels like all cars are growing in size at alarming rates? I drive a pretty old Tahoe, and seeing it parked next to a new model tahoe is jarring. The old Tahoe is the size of the new Ford Escapes! And I see the same thing in trucks. "Standard" size trucks are much bigger (especially higher off the ground) than older ones.

Is this just safety standard stuff? Or is consumer preference driving this (pun intended hee hee)?

[Vertical Mode]

During my college study abroad program in Italy, I was walking to class with a few friends when we saw...get this...a Hummer H2. In the middle of Rome.

One of my friends asked, "how many buildings do you think they had to knock down to even get that thing into the city?!" It was literally twice as large as most of the other cars on the road there.

[Retire-Canada]

Am I the only one who feels like all cars are growing in size at alarming rates? I drive a pretty old Tahoe, and seeing it parked next to a new model tahoe is jarring. The old Tahoe is the size of the new Ford Escapes! And I see the same thing in trucks. "Standard" size trucks are much bigger (especially higher off the ground) than older ones.

Is this just safety standard stuff? Or is consumer preference driving this (pun intended hee hee)?

The Ford Ranger was discontinued and replaced by the F150 with a smaller engine.

-- Vik

[esperto]

The other day, I saw a Subaru Brat drive down our street and I thought to myself, why aren't there more micro trucks on the road?  When I was a teenager, I drove my parent's dinky under powered Mazda B-Series pickup and loved it. 

Where is the auto manufacturer's (or drivers') love of El Caminos, Brats, Baja's, or Sportrucks?  Even Rangers or S10s would be nicer than the monstrosities available today.

[infogoon]

The other day, I saw a Subaru Brat drive down our street and I thought to myself, why aren't there more micro trucks on the road?  When I was a teenager, I drove my parent's dinky under powered Mazda B-Series pickup and loved it. 

Where is the auto manufacturer's (or drivers') love of El Caminos, Brats, Baja's, or Sportrucks?  Even Rangers or S10s would be nicer than the monstrosities available today.

The Subaru Baja -- it doesn't hold any more cargo than a Forester, but at least it all gets wet!

It's pretty amazing how much bigger vehicles have gotten. A Mazda 5 "microvan" is almost the exact same size as the original Caravan. Our 2005 Caravan feels like piloting the living room down the street; it's enormous.

[alsoknownasDean]

Am I the only one who feels like all cars are growing in size at alarming rates? I drive a pretty old Tahoe, and seeing it parked next to a new model tahoe is jarring. The old Tahoe is the size of the new Ford Escapes! And I see the same thing in trucks. "Standard" size trucks are much bigger (especially higher off the ground) than older ones.

Is this just safety standard stuff? Or is consumer preference driving this (pun intended hee hee)?

A modern day Corolla is a similar size to a Camry of 20-25 years ago. The Yaris is a similar size to a late-80s Corolla. Even the new Mini is hardly mini.

I've spoken to a few people who are surprised someone of my size (~180cm/5'11") can fit in my current car (Holden Barina). I actually have to move the seat forward :)

Also, horses for courses. Driving a big ute or a Falcon or similar would be a pain in the arse in the inner city, but fine in a rural area.

[hybrid]

I still have my nearly 20 year old Mazda truck (a Ford Ranger in all ways but name) and it is tiny compared to the F series. An F series was behind me in the dark recently and the profile was like a tractor trailer bearing down on the Mazda 3 I was driving.

[caliq]

I mean, I get the sentiment about not driving trucks in cities.  But if you're a person with a legitimate regular need for a truck, and also a commuting type job, at some point you will be faced with the idea of either having two vehicles, or commuting in your truck.  I guess it depends on the specific truck and commute, but I do have a bit of sympathy for people who might be getting judged pretty harshly for making do with what they've got.

It might have something to do with the fact that my dad has always had a business truck that often ends up being his daily driver, depending on what stage of car project he's in.  The current one is a beast -- extended cab and long bed.  I learned how to drive on his last truck (only replaced because it was totaled, the second to last one lasted 350k+ miles and 15+ years in industrial work before he sold it), actually rather enjoyed driving it -- but I HATE HATE HATE driving the current behemoth around.  I'm 5'2" and I can barely see over the dash and hood of a normal sized car, let alone the truck --  I end up being one of those jerky people that takes up 3 parking spaces in the back of the lot but I swear it's because I can't pilot such a large vehicle!  But yeah, not everyone driving a truck in a city is doing it for the image or whatever; some people just have to drive a truck for other reasons, and also sometimes have to drive in a city.  Honestly it's probably more annoying for them than it is for anyone else...

[esperto]

A modern day Corolla is a similar size to a Camry of 20-25 years ago. The Yaris is a similar size to a late-80s Corolla. Even the new Mini is hardly mini.

I feel the difference every time a Geo Metro pulls up next to my Yaris.  My little bubble isn't so little after all.

[scottish]

I've noticed that too.   The new 'compact' pickups seem alot bigger than my 12 year old compact pickup.