WOW, Now this is a BIG truck

[Sasq]

I have no problem with people owning 'trucks' if they have a use for them.

Sadly there is a trend in Australia, and I know the states too, where the most they ever do is drop the kids off at school, and pick up the groceries.

And hush about a 4wd's uses, I used to work bush in Australia, I have driven in country that most of you will only ever dream about.

Simply for day to day life, the average 'urban family does not need one. If you want one great, but personaly if I get to the point in my life again where I need one, it will be to compliment the little town run-about I use daily.

[KvHagedorn]

I wouldn't mind getting a 3/4 ton Ford F250 with the 6.0 liter diesel. Mileage is supposedly in the 15-20 mpg range, and it is a heavy-duty towing machine, too. There are far more people driving these around here than need them for towing, though. It's an extremely common vehicle here.. you can't drive 2 minutes around town without seeing one.

[DGhost]

damnit, 6-10MPG is rediculous. it's not a *real* vehicle unless it gets ~2MPG (diesel!!!) and weighs 33 metric tons!

[Dr Mordrid]

I want that Navistar

Dr. Mordrid

[Tjalfe]

Originally posted by Helevitia
drive off-road and in the snow

how much snow do you get?

[xortam]

Originally posted by tjalfe
how much snow do you get?

We get more than enough snow here in the Sierras. California has quite a bit of undeveloped land where off-roaders can enjoy themselves (while destroying the environment ). Most folks buy these fancy off-road vehicles with expensive custom paint jobs that will never leave the pavement. Dave is someone who would probably get some use out of a behemoth like this but at what cost? We've got kids dying in Iraq so we can drive a truck that's rated in GPM vs. MPG?!!!! Let's get practical at least and maybe even a little conscious of the TCO (with the emphasis on "Total" which includes non-financial costs) on such overkill vehicles. I drive a high-performance sports coupe because I love the performance and I only need to transport myself about town. The fuel economy is very respectable though and actually better than our more sedate wagon and my previous sedan.

[Tjalfe]

I too would have a ball off roading,... I was just joking about the snow, which california is not well known to get.. at least not on the coast where he lives

[xortam]

Originally posted by tjalfe
I too would have a ball off roading,... I was just joking about the snow, which california is not well known to get.. at least not on the coast where he lives

Dave is not on the coast and is in fact more inland than myself. We have snow within 2-3 hours reach of us. Lake Tahoe skiing is within three hours of Dave's location.

[gt40]

noboby needs a sports car, or a 52 inch plasma, or a 6000lb SUV, but if it was all about need, then we'd all be living in caves chewing on some animal's bones.
I own an SUV because I want to - and I can justify it's use.
And I pay a great deal more gas taxes because of it.
To each his own

[Sasq]

Originally posted by gt40
noboby needs a sports car, or a 52 inch plasma, or a 6000lb SUV, but if it was all about need, then we'd all be living in caves chewing on some animal's bones.
I own an SUV because I want to - and I can justify it's use.
And I pay a great deal more gas taxes because of it.
To each his own

Thats cool, and as you said you can justify its use.
What irks me is people that NEEEED one to drop the kids at school 3 blocks away and NEEEED one to pick up half a gallon of milk at the shop that is 5 mins walk away.

If you have use for one thats cool. But I'm still going to stick to a run-about for town stuff, and just get something big for weekends if and when I need one.

Hell, I survive with a 50cc scooter here, but we have a great public transport system

[Tjalfe]

Originally posted by xortam
Dave is not on the coast and is in fact more inland than myself. We have snow within 2-3 hours reach of us. Lake Tahoe skiing is within three hours of Dave's location.

Never mind then

[spadnos]

Originally posted by DGhost
damnit, 6-10MPG is rediculous. it's not a *real* vehicle unless it gets ~2MPG (diesel!!!) and weighs 33 metric tons!

M1 Abrams, anyone?

[agallag]

Holy, it's the Canyonero!!

Seriously though, if people need these things, great. If you're hauling 6 tons of stuff on a regular basis (like more than a few times per week) then sure, go pick one up. Otherwise, get off my highway!

[DGhost]

Originally posted by spadnos
M1 Abrams, anyone?

nope, the M1 is about 67 tons and governs at about 42MPH. I've heard of them breaking 60 MPH with the governer removed/disabled. While it's massive turbine engine can use normal diesel, I believe the preferred fuel is jet fuel.

the one I was thinking of is the M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. 33 tons, governs at about 40MPH (personal experience) although I have heard of it breaking 50MPH without the governer. oh yeah, and they are a total bitch to maintain. the upside to that is that it could run over an H2 in a head on collision without any problems. kinda gives me warm and fuzzies to think about

now then... back to your regularly scheduled programming...

[Wombat]

Originally posted by KvHagedorn
How about a stretch Hummer?

There's one of those rolling around Denver.