Could a small line of basic high quality vehicles make it in the US?

[katya422]

Maybe I'm just old?

But the prices for cars are crazy relative to incomes, the quality seems kinda crap overall, and most are loaded with fancy electronics which increases the cost to purchase and the the cost to maintain these cars and trucks.

I want good quality, utility, and comfort within reason. I don't give a crap about the electronic thing-a-mabobs.

I don't need or even really want a touchscreen. I can push buttons and turn knobs. Cameras do seem worth it.

A small affordable truck no longer seems to be a thing. I've heard the Ranger sucks and is too big for a small truck and the Taco is very expensive and there are rumors that the frames rot.

Might have to build them in Mexico to have plenty of labor and be competitive.

[gwg77]

A small affordable truck no longer seems to be a thing. I've heard the Ranger sucks and is too big for a small truck and the Taco is very expensive and there are rumors that the frames rot.

If the Ranger is too big for you, then get a Ford Maverick:

https://www.ford.com/trucks/maverick/

[jamalfudge]

If the Ranger is too big for you, then get a Ford Maverick:

https://www.ford.com/trucks/maverick/

Problem with the Maverick is that dealers are marking them up 5-10k which defeats the purpose of an affordable small truck. Agree with OP though, I couldn't care less about the connectivity BS in new cars today. Though I'd imagine that if a big car maker emerged to cater to those who want affordable cars without all the tech, they'd get bought out and buried in a heartbeat.

[WarMashine84]

Got a basic jeep gladiator with heated seats/wheel, power windows and back up camera. 10k miles for $35k. Love the thing, barely any fancy touch screen and I’ve been beating it to death for a year now. The only thing I got for it was a set of chunky all terrain tires.

[Godfrd824]

It's called a Honda Civic.

[Duckliver]

Don’t think they would be able to compare with a well taken care of used truck tbh

Supply’s and labor and margin etc.. I bet the perceived value of that cheap electronic crap versus actual cost (probably Pennie’s other than chips) makes it a no go business venture unless it gets marked up to the point of defeating the goal of cheap vehicle.

[katya422]

If the Ranger is too big for you, then get a Ford Maverick:

https://www.ford.com/trucks/maverick/


[img]https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/mav1-1637257294.jpg/img]

That's a car pretending to be a truck because they didn't put a lid on the trunk.



^^^
What are you hauling with a truck bed less than 5 ft. long?


That is less than 2 inches more than the cargo bed in a Honda Fit.




Granted the Fit isn't going to be good for towing, but it also uses a lot less gas.

[katya422]

Problem with the Maverick is that dealers are marking them up 5-10k which defeats the purpose of an affordable small truck. Agree with OP though, I couldn't care less about the connectivity BS in new cars today. Though I'd imagine that if a big car maker emerged to cater to those who want affordable cars without all the tech, they'd get bought out and buried in a heartbeat.

Oh odds are good that they would try to buy you or make a vehicle to go after that market segment.

Don’t think they would be able to compare with a well taken care of used truck tbh

Supply’s and labor and margin etc.. I bet the perceived value of that cheap electronic crap versus actual cost (probably Pennie’s other than chips) makes it a no go business venture unless it gets marked up to the point of defeating the goal of cheap vehicle.

Could be which is why I said you would probably have to put your factory in Mexico. Might need to go after fleet sales.

I think there is definitely a market for vehicles that DO stuff. Like the fleet of Amazon vans. Lots of businesses and small governments that would probably like a simple easy to repair vehicle that will last.

[Jms89]

Agree with the above... best trucks for your money right now are the maverick, and if you want more of a real truck (body on frame, straight axles), the gladiator is really the only one. For some reason people don't seem to dig the gladiators too much and they are fairly cheap to buy.

[OffwhiteBrah]

no charts ? i am dissapoint

[MrHomestar]

Cheap simple trucks all can be found under $10K

2004 - 2011 Rangers can be found with 4x4 and manual transmission

1997 - 2004 F150 pretty reliable 4.6 V8

2000 - 2006 Silverado very reliable 5.3 V8

The problem with new trucks for manufacturers is there's no market for "economy" variants. The (North American) masses just want to keep up with the Joneses and have fancy tech garbage.

[katya422]

Agree with the above... best trucks for your money right now are the maverick, and if you want more of a real truck (body on frame, straight axles), the gladiator is really the only one. For some reason people don't seem to dig the gladiators too much and they are fairly cheap to buy.

Interesting.

Cheap simple trucks all can be found under $10K

2004 - 2011 Rangers can be found with 4x4 and manual transmission

1997 - 2004 F150 pretty reliable 4.6 V8

2000 - 2006 Silverado very reliable 5.3 V8

The problem with new trucks for manufacturers is there's no market for "economy" variants. The (North American) masses just want to keep up with the Joneses and have fancy tech garbage.

Thanks for the list. <3

I just found this on AutoTrader.

1984 Datsun 720 for $5,000
near 169,000 miles



It isn't pretty and personally I don't want to mess with a manual, but you can haul sheets of plywood, or whatever.

Seems to me the fact that old work trucks hold value so well points to an untapped market.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...e=supplemental

[ispy]

mazda

[Omnivium]

I agree that there should be a basic, barebones option for people who just want to use their vehicle as a tool to get things done. But I think the problem is excessive government regulations forcing manufacturers to have all these things in their vehicles

[desslok]

That would defeat the whole goal of carmakers turning everything into a subscription based service. They need all the connectivity amd gizmos to achieve this goal.

[bsmit107]

just lol at not daily driving a classic

Tint those windows bro......but 10/10 other than that.

[HateLiberals]

Bidens America 80k gas half tons

[akmerle]

Maybe I'm just old?

But the prices for cars are crazy relative to incomes, the quality seems kinda crap overall, and most are loaded with fancy electronics which increases the cost to purchase and the the cost to maintain these cars and trucks.

I want good quality, utility, and comfort within reason. I don't give a crap about the electronic thing-a-mabobs.

I don't need or even really want a touchscreen. I can push buttons and turn knobs. Cameras do seem worth it.

A small affordable truck no longer seems to be a thing. I've heard the Ranger sucks and is too big for a small truck and the Taco is very expensive and there are rumors that the frames rot.

Might have to build them in Mexico to have plenty of labor and be competitive.

This is easy. Look at 1st Gen Toyota Tundras.

[Kraken]

The best economy cars are from Korea and Japan. American companies have put too much in to trucks, so their mid and small sedan suffered. The bad economy and fuel prices takes business away from American producers and shifts it to other producers

[Leonydus]

if your wanting to haul plywood just get a cheap 5x10 trailer, you can get a hitch receiver on nearly any car

[katya422]

Imagine champagne gold, wide rim/embedded rims or whatever americans call it

Noneed to imagine here it is



Hngg

That's pretty.

The best economy cars are from Korea and Japan. American companies have put too much in to trucks, so their mid and small sedan suffered. The bad economy and fuel prices takes business away from American producers and shifts it to other producers

My Fit was built in Japan. Road noise is annoying and it goes through front tires kind of quick. The radio button are worn out and I've thought about getting a new one. Needs a new relay for the power windows and I got brake pads once.

I've thought about sending Honda Japan a MASH note more than once.

The US auto market is definitely distorted. For decades fuel efficient vehicles have been optimized for MPG to meet fleet requirements with not a lot of thought for quality and reliability.

[katya422]

if your wanting to haul plywood just get a cheap 5x10 trailer, you can get a hitch receiver on nearly any car

Certainly an option if you don't want to mess with having a truck. I just don't get spending on a heavy gas sucking truck that isn't good for doing all of the truck things.

[SaviorSelfJT]

OP check out the Toyota Corolla. New ones have the electronics, but Toyota is known for its longevity. And it’s an inexpensive car

As for the pickup trick thing, blame democrats (srs). The reason auto manufacturers keep making the trucks bigger and bigger is because of evolving environmental and safety regulations (a small truck won’t pass regulations. But larger vehicles get their own set of regulations that are easier to pass)

[SaviorSelfJT]

The best economy cars are from Korea and Japan. American companies have put too much in to trucks, so their mid and small sedan suffered. The bad economy and fuel prices takes business away from American producers and shifts it to other producers

Consumers gave up on American sedans because sedans are supposed to be economical. But when your ford focus needs it’s transmission replaced for the second time, it turns out it wasn’t more economical after all. And your going to swear off buying an American sedan ever again, if not all American cars because you got fuked so hard

And then American auto producers gave up on sedans because they can’t compete with the Corolla/Camry/accord/civic

[-JR]

Old truck(not too old)+OBD reader+a mechanic's tool set

[DomMJr]

I don't know if they can go too low. Other countries offer things like Corollas for less than America does, and many just keep them for 10+ years.

This is affordable for middle class

[-JR]

Agree with the above... best trucks for your money right now are the maverick, and if you want more of a real truck (body on frame, straight axles), the gladiator is really the only one. For some reason people don't seem to dig the gladiators too much and they are fairly cheap to buy.

Gladiators are everywhere where I'm at. They look badass but bed looks sort of small from a utility point of view.

[TBO1313]

Agree with the above... best trucks for your money right now are the maverick, and if you want more of a real truck (body on frame, straight axles), the gladiator is really the only one. For some reason people don't seem to dig the gladiators too much and they are fairly cheap to buy.

I love the gladiators but they tow and haul like mid size trucks and are priced like full size. You can't get one for less than 40k where I live and those will have 75k miles on them. The new ones are all around 60 or 70k.

[katya422]

TFW you find a new friend. <3




I'm at least giving Vermonster a follow.

https://twitter.com/pnshdvermonster/...013936643?s=20


There are a lot of replies so you might find someone like minded too.