# When did pickup trucks get so expensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 14, 2019, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554 "2019-02-14T20:59:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/21 "2019-02-15T04:43:52Z")
Yeah, I was looking into pickups recently. I make decent money so I wanted a good one. I walked away saying that if I was going to spend that much money on a vehicle, id rather get a Tesla. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/22 "2019-02-15T04:48:05Z")
At one point, I was thinking it’d be nice to have something along the lines of a Ford Ranger with 4X4 and what Ford is calling SuperCab (basically a back bench seat but only two doors). (Various life changes have killed that idea.) Thing is, that sort of truck was not being sold as recently as a couple years ago, as Ford just started making the Ranger again for 2019. Even a fairly basic build in a 2019 model is about $31,000 (basically the base model with 4x4 and one other package to get cruise control and power mirrors). Getting used is nearly impossible due to the model being discontinued between 2011 and 2018. There’s plenty of massive (and fairly useless, in my opinion) F150s, F250s, and even F350s (and similar models by other manufacturers) on the used market, and they still cost a ton. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/23 "2019-02-15T05:07:07Z")
too many foreign soccer moms buying them , among the Asian and Latina women around here its there idea of an suv used to be only the men drove them because of the construction and landscaping trades but an odd trend started when little Juana or mei ling got her first job out of high school she wanted the truck she remembered daddy having only with upgrades and when she married she traded up for one she could cart the rugrats around in the local dealers even call certain styles “mommobiles” hence that’s why a lot pf them are decked out like suvs and minivans ……… and if you see them trying to park a full sized ram or f-150 for 20 minutes and then see a tiny barley 5 ft 98 pound girl pop out with 3 kids in tow…….its a shock the first 3 or 3 times one well known lady was advised to sell hers after her 3rd near miss because sitting on 3 phone books to see over the dash wasn’t considered safe……. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/24 "2019-02-15T05:16:54Z")
> [@GMANCANADA](#): > > He doesn’t really get into why, except to say companies have realized they can make a lot of profit on pick-ups, so for the last 10- years they’ve been jacking the prices. It’s the market. People really want pickup trucks. That’s why the automakers can sell them for so much. A lot of people in this thread think the prices are high (and I agree with them), but the three best selling vehicles in the US last year were all pickup trucks, and by a wide margin. I agree, trucks have gotten huge. My secondary vehicle is a 2000 Suburban, so the same size as that years Silverado 1500. I occasionally park it next to a much newer Silverado 2500, and the Suburban is tiny in comparison. One of the reasons for this is import tariffs on light trucks—the infamous chicken tax. Another is the way corporate average fuel economy is worked out. Larger vehicles don’t need to be as fuel efficient, as smaller ones. The CAFE standards are more complicated than that, but between the two there has been a disincentive to make small trucks like my 1986 Toyota, or even the old Rangers. Today’s Colorado and Ranger aren’t _that_ small. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/25 "2019-02-15T11:55:26Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > too many foreign soccer moms buying them , among the Asian and Latina women around here its there idea of an suv used to be only the men drove them because of the construction and landscaping trades > > but an odd trend started when little Juana or mei ling got her first job out of high school she wanted the truck she remembered daddy having only with upgrades and when she married she traded up for one she could cart the rugrats around in the local dealers even call certain styles “mommobiles” > > hence that’s why a lot pf them are decked out like suvs and minivans ……… and if you see them trying to park a full sized ram or f-150 for 20 minutes and then see a tiny barley 5 ft 98 pound girl pop out with 3 kids in tow…….its a shock the first 3 or 3 times > one well known lady was advised to sell hers after her 3rd near miss because sitting on 3 phone books to see over the dash wasn’t considered safe……. Yeah, it can’t be the douchebag bros, houseflipper wannabes, and fake tan/blonde Barbie Doll SAHM with the rich husband. Gotta be the brown people. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/26 "2019-02-15T12:44:18Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > I have a Chevy Silverado which may fall under the expensive truck the OP is speaking of. My gf likes the idea of owning a “farm truck” even though she only drives it to the feed store once a week. Her old truck was getting tired, so she sold it and bought a _beautiful_ used Silverado. She cracks me up. When she brought it home I heard it rumbling. It has two freaking exhaust pipes and a step to help get in and out. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/27 "2019-02-15T13:55:54Z")
Four years ago I wanted a 4X4 truck. Now throughout my life I have always driven older, used vehicles. I’ve always paid cash, and have never spent more than $8K for a vehicle. I did not make an exception for purchasing a truck. I did not want to pay more than $6K for a truck. I searched and searched on Craigslist, but all I could find were trucks that had a lot of miles and/or a significant amount of rust. (I live in Ohio, and rust is a big problem here.) And then I recalled something my uncle does. He restores classic Mustangs. He (also) lives in Ohio, but most of his mustangs come from Oklahoma. Why? Because rust is not a big problem there. His reasoning is quiet sound: it is far better to spend two days going to Oklahoma and back to pick up a rust-free Mustang vs. spending many months fixing rust on a Mustang purchased in Ohio. So it just so happened I had a TDY to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma. I got on Craigslist and found a truck for sale in Oklahoma City. It was a 2000 F-150, 4X4, 8 foot bed, 90,000 miles, and no rust. Price: $4500. In Ohio, $4500 will get you a rusty F-150 with 260K miles. So I rented a car (one-way rental), drove out to Oklahoma City, did my work, purchased the truck, and drove it home. And because it was a TDY, I got 55 cents a mile for driving it back home. 🙂 It’s been a great truck. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/28 "2019-02-15T16:19:47Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Yeah, it can’t be the douchebag bros, houseflipper wannabes, and fake tan/blonde Barbie Doll SAHM with the rich husband. Gotta be the brown people. I was also very shocked by that post. :mad::eek: Around here, trucks are very much status symbols. And if they aren’t already gigantic enough, they lift them and put on even larger tires. Bonus points for getting a diesel engine and putting on ginormous exhaust so everyone can hear you coming. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/29 "2019-02-15T17:01:03Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Is the OP looking at MSRP or prices after rebates and negotiations? Just general pricing. Although a lot can be extrapolated from just the rebates being offered; when I see an advertisement offering $5000 cash back, they’re talking about at least a $50,000 vehicle. That’s crazy to me; I’ve bought cars whole hog for $5k. I don’t feel like my choices for $50,000 should be luxury sedan, customized sports car, _or pickup truck_. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/30 "2019-02-15T17:13:02Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > …And because it was a TDY, I got 55 cents a mile for driving it back home. 🙂 TDY? Sorry for being dense but can I get a translation please? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/31 "2019-02-15T17:15:14Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > TDY? Sorry for being dense but can I get a translation please? “Temporary duty assignment” ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/32 "2019-02-15T18:10:04Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I don’t feel like my choices for $50,000 should be luxury sedan, customized sports car, _or pickup truck_. With a few well chosen accessories, you can push a top of the line Toyota Sienna minivan to over $50K. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/33 "2019-02-15T18:33:15Z")
TV commercial I saw yesterday offered more than $11,000 off on a new truck. How much must it cost if they can knock off $11,X00 BEFORE negotiations begin? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/34 "2019-02-15T18:50:25Z")
I don’t know what ad you saw, but [this page](http://gmauthority.com/blog/2018/10/chevrolet-incentives-11000-off-2018-silverado-1500-in-october-2018/) shows an offer of $11,000 in incentives for a 2018 Chevy Silverado if bought before the end of October 2018. It includes “$7,250 customer cash plus a $3,000 price reduction and a $750 option package discount when financing with GM Financial.” The $3,000 is off the MSRP, but who is paying MSRP? The $750 requires you to buy an inflated option package. And of course you have to finance the thing through them, where they’ll make some of the money back. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/35 "2019-02-15T19:03:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > No one sells a stripped down work truck anymore. Something you wouldn’t mind hauling hay or bags of manure in. The price for a brand new RAM 1500 Tradesman work truck starts at $24,000. They’re about as “stripped down” as you can get. The starting MSRP for a basic Nissan Frontier is under $19,000. There are plenty of inexpensive trucks on the market. The problem is that most people aren’t looking to haul around bags of shit or sacks of hay. They want something nice. Nicer things naturally cost more. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/36 "2019-02-15T19:24:28Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > You think the Nissan Frontier is large? And I’ve seen them for 16K which isn’t bad for 2019. As noted, compared to the “sport trucks” of the 80s & 90s, that were small enough that a short feller like me could hop into the bed from the side without much effort, yeah, they’re big. And ridiculous because despite their size they don’t actually haul appreciably more stuff. In fact, the beds are a lot shorter now (unless you go behemoth), making them pretty much useless as trucks. > [@Ashtura](#): > > Yeah, I was looking into pickups recently. I make decent money so I wanted a good one. I walked away saying that if I was going to spend that much money on a vehicle, id rather get a Tesla. My takeaway was: for that kind of money I’m just gonna buy fun cars and pay to have stuff delivered, or rent a pickup if I must haul my own stuff. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/37 "2019-02-16T00:51:38Z")
They got expensive a long time ago. My grandfather’s last vehicle, a king cab extended bed pickup purchased in 1994, was over 40k then. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/38 "2019-02-16T15:01:27Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > The price for a brand new RAM 1500 Tradesman work truck starts at $24,000. They’re about as “stripped down” as you can get. The starting MSRP for a basic Nissan Frontier is under $19,000. There are plenty of inexpensive trucks on the market. The problem is that most people aren’t looking to haul around bags of shit or sacks of hay. They want something nice. Nicer things naturally cost more. Getting four wheel drive on that Nissan Frontier pushes the cost to 28k. A 2 by pickup is pretty worthless IMHO. Anyway, 28k isn’t too bad. And it’s true, your average SUV today isn’t what we had in a 1975 Blazer. This is a good thing. While those old trucks where pretty tough I do appreciate what we get in new cars today. For one thing, they don’t require you to be a part time mechanic. Just bought a '19 Toyota 4Runner. 40k. It’s smack dab in the middle of 7 different models made of the vehicle. I will easily get 200,000 miles out of it. Love the truck. Bought an '04 Dodge ‘Ram’ (please, can’t we just call them Dodge) 1500 a few years ago for a plow truck. Lightly used. 10k. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/39 "2019-02-16T16:14:21Z")
Does safety have anything to do with it? I recall reading a long time ago that pickups were cheap because they didn’t have to have the safety features of an ordinary car, were inherently unstable without a load, were popular as starter “cars” with young men because they were cheap and “macho,” and that the combination of unsafe vehicle and shitty drivers made insurance on small pickups very expensive. (The insurance part isn’t relevant to this discussion, but that was the point of the article.) Have mandatory safety improvements made pickups more expensive? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554/40 "2019-02-16T17:12:14Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I don’t feel like my choices for $50,000 should be luxury sedan, customized sports car, _or pickup truck_. Like I posted before, my brother bought a beautiful brand new Chevy Colorado loaded to the gills for $27K, And Ive seen new Nissan Pro4x (which I think is a pretty neat ride) for under $29K. And I’ve seen Regular Nissan Frontiers with 4WD, air, cruise, etc for $24K brand new. These are all only about half of the 50 grand some of you are complaining about. And they’re really nice looking/performing trucks. Decent new trucks at decent prices are out there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-pickup-trucks-get-so-expensive/829554.md?page=3)