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126

Americans can no longer afford their cars (www.newsweek.com)

submitted 1 year ago by Blaze@lemmy.zip to c/personalfinance@lemmy.ml

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[–] Wooster@startrek.website 2 points 1 year ago (4 children)

But car buyers' preferences have also shifted dramatically to larger trucks and SUVs in the past 10 years or so, and even more towards high-tech and comfort amenities in the form of cameras, sensors, radars and large infotainment screens," he said.

You can’t buy a smaller truck because the manufacturers lobbied that large trucks are exempt from stricter emissions and thus they don’t have to engineer a smaller, more efficient truck.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

And you can’t buy a new car without those high tech things. And also this shit isn’t “high tech” anymore. Large screens are dirt cheap. Aftermarket rear view cameras are going out to eat money. Idk about radar and sensors but as technology matures and becomes cheap it finds its way into every car. A budget car should be nicer now than 20 years ago because nice things have been around longer.

[–] AlternatePersonMan@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Right? The mid size truck is now the size of a full size from 15 years ago.

[–] CADmonkey@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I have this weird little vehicle from the 1980's. I can best describe it as a Japanese Jeep. It wasn't ever a "big" vehicle, but seeing it next to a modern truck is jarring.

The best part is, I know from direct repeated personal experience that the 60 horsepower 4wd can go more places than a typical 4wd truck.

EDIT: Also, the truck in this picture is a 2004-2008, a 2023 is even bigger...

[–] Warp10Lizard@startrek.website 1 points 8 months ago

That thing is cool AF.

[–] usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Are the smaller trucks like the Maverick not available in your area? Or do you mean something like a Kei truck maybe

[–] tburkhol@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

A 2024 Maverick has a wheelbase of 120" and curb weight of 3600 pounds. In 1991, Ford's compact pickup, the Ranger, had a wheelbase of just 108" and curb weight of 2800 pounds. "Small" trucks have gained a foot and half a ton. The Ranger itself is now a 5000 pound behemoth that outweighs the 1990 F-150 by 1000 pounds.

[–] pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online -1 points 1 year ago

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick would like a word with you.