I'm fine with pickup trucks and GMC/Suburban/Yukon/Expedition type SUVs, as long as they are really put to there highest and best use regularly.

Do you have to pull a horse or boat trailer, haul firewood, go often to the plant nursery, take home hay bales, go on unpaved roads to show clients property, have paint cans and ladders or plumbing supplies to haul around, and in the snow country in winter, there are reasons. They can really be useful sometimes. Jeremy Clarkson hates them, said P J O'Rourke described
piickup trucks as a back porch with an engine, but said that would be unfair-
--to the porch!!

But for normal surburban living, they are a waste of money, unless they meet some perceived status or image need. Maybe better to borrow a friend's or rent one when you need it. Kind of like having a big Mercedes, (hoisted on my own petard!) but at least I can say the old Mercedes is real safe and comfortable, and it unarguably is.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I have a Ford E150 Club Wagon van. It's like a truck with a climate controlled topper. Plus I can hold 8 people if I install the rear bench. It's great for hauling stuff or long trips. It tows pretty good with only a 302 as well.
Adam

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

My father has a 1985 Toyota Pickup (that he bought new) with the 22r and five speed. He's also got a 2001 Chevy Silverado that he bought new. He prefers the Toyota to drive 120 miles every day to work and back, Chevy is just sitting there collecting dust. Take this as you want.

my 03 dodge with cummins and six manual gets about 20 running 75 to 80 wo any trailer on back.

its about the same cost to drive for fuel as my 05 dodge magnum with the little 3.5 v6.

and never any trouble or things to fix.

67k and still running the original front tires and all brake pads. and that is with a lot of towing.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.