re: Buying A New Truck

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I recently saw one of the new F150s with the all aluminum body that had been in a wreck, I have seen the aftermath of plane crashes that I would have rather been in than that truck.

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I don't mind aluminum....but I don't think consumers were demanding aluminum. I actually don't think consumers are particularly worried about fuel economy (or weight) of their trucks right now especially with lower fuel prices.

I think the extensive use of more expensive, more costly light weight materials and expensive technology like cylinder shut down, low rolling resistance tires, plastic air dams/spoilers, and turbocharged small displacement engines are primarily regulatory driven via federal CAFE standards that dictate fuel economy requirements. Consumers may be concerned with fuel efficiency, but I don't think consumers would pay another $3500-$4500 to save half a mile per gallon.

I think pickup drivers are more pragmatic in their approach. They want good value, durability, comfort, power, and versatility. Overall cost of ownership is more important to them than fuel economy.

I think if I were getting a pickup now, I'd get a 3/4 ton GM truck with the bulletproof 6.0L iron block engine. Sort of a protest against Corporate Average Fuel Economy mandates by the federal government. I'd get it with the 4.10:1 back end too.