Say hi to Tim Burdick. Tim joins the small but growing group who advanced from lurkers to commenters to TTAC writers. As usual, please show your hospitality by warmly welcoming Tim.
I have been called a lot of things in my life. Some good, some not so good. Some labels I have grown into, and some I have grown out of. Recently I have become a redneck (more on that later). But one thing I have always been is a car guy. One of my earliest memories is my dad buying me my first Matchbox car. It was a red Porsche 911, and he handed it to me with such reverence and ceremony, I knew right then that cars had just become an important part of my life. Ever since that day I have been obsessed with them. My story is probably like yours – squandering enough money on go-fast parts and flipping rides every year or so, that I could probably bail out the economy of Greece today if only I had gravitated to a more sensible hobby like spoon collecting or shuffleboard. But I chose cars.
As a kid, cars were all about the beauty of form: the sleek body of that red 911, the muscular angles of a 69 Mopar – I just couldn’t get enough. I collected matchbox cars, I built models, and I dreamed of the day I would finally be able to sit in that left front seat by myself and recognize true freedom – driving one of those machines wherever I pleased. As an adult, form is still important, but after I got my license, I learned that experience trumps form – at least it does for me.
Screaming down the Autobahn in a borrowed Viper GTS; attacking North Carolina back-roads in my ’74 Carrera Targa; hitting triple digits in a brand new Boxster running through Death Valley on the first day of a cross-country road trip. These were my dreams fulfilled, and the experiences are part of who I am; experiences that I would never trade.
But I have also learned that true enjoyment behind the wheel doesn’t have to come from driving fast. Speed is fun, yes, but I have plenty of other fond memories behind the wheel that don’t involve high performance sports cars.
The last ten years of my life have been good: I got married; I had kids; and I got better jobs. As my jobs got better, my cars got better too. With some nod to practicality, I have tried to limit myself to only one car at a time and this always presents a challenge when making a purchase– I want a sports car for back-road aggressive Saturday mornings. I want something comfortable to sit in while creeping along in traffic. I want something I can fit the kids into if the wife needs to be somewhere else and has the minivan. What single car can fit every role that a suburban white-collar dad in his late 30’s would want at any given time? Well the answer, of course, is a BMW.
I guess I always wanted a 3 series because I am supposed to want a 3 series: I am a car nut, I appreciate performance and engineering, and the magazines keep telling me that this is one of the best cars on the road. So a couple of Thanksgivings ago, I took the plunge. I came across a cherry CPO 2009 3 series at my local dealership. The car had been on the road for only 10 months, had less than 8k on the clock, and the price they were asking was ridiculously low. The car was absolutely flawless, and as is often the case with me and cars, I didn’t really think it through. I wrote a check and took the car home. After all, this is the car I was supposed to want, and I assumed I did.
The first few months of ownership were bliss. I recognized that it was truly a fine automobile. It was comfortable when cruising on the highway, and demonstrated more capability in spirited driving than I would ever tap into. It really was a perfect vehicle in every category except for one: it just wasn’t me.
I think the problem is that I am becoming a redneck. It comes out more and more each year I spend wearing a white collar on Monday through Friday. Perhaps I am finding the roots of my Southern family heritage, or perhaps I am just compensating for being a small cog in a very large machine at work, but regardless, I am OK with the slow transformation that is my life. I make my own sausage, I shoot large caliber handguns for relaxation purposes, and I wear cowboy boots to the office on days I don’t have to wear a suit. Last year I started listening to country music, and I have taken to wearing a camouflage ball-cap while doing yard work. While I was appreciating the relative merits of my 3 Series, last fall I began to realize that I was growing more and more disconnected from it.
What I really needed was a truck. I heard that need in every Willie Nelson chorus emanating from my car speakers. I was reminded of that need every time I pulled in next to a jacked-up Dodge Ram at the gun club. You can fit a .30-06 bolt action rifle and a good sized target stand into a small BMW. Trust me on this – It will work, but it doesn’t feel right.
So, sometime last winter, I realized that I had enough equity still in my Bimmer where I could do an even swap for a brand new mid-sized 4WD truck, and I took the plunge. The result defies logic, but has exceeded my expectations and I am loving the experience.
For the first time in a long time, when I get into my ride at the end of a hard day at work, I feel free again – free from a traffic snarled commute on a bumper-to-bumper I78. Instead of staring at my Roundel in the reflection of the car in front of me inching along at 5 MPH (a painful metaphor for my career), I am blasting down the parallel washboard dirt roads of Bedminster in horse country. I am John Wayne with the throttle wide open, my Flowmaster exhaust interrupting the breeding patterns of prize thoroughbreds. I have even found out that I can drive off the back of the property at my office by cutting through the woods. So now going home, I get to use 4WD and skip 10 minutes of bottleneck traffic leaving the campus through the proper exit. If I could somehow include a river fording, I believe I would have a perfect commute.
I have learned that the 328 is the ultimate driving machine, but it just isn’t the ultimate driving machine for me. My friends think I am crazy, but deep down inside, I imagine Willie Nelson and John Wayne would approve.
Thanks for sharing this down to earth, real life story.
Ditto… my son bought a BMW 3-series… biggest mistake of his life… he wants to trade it for a truck.
I too have felt the pull toward the 3-series but my friend’s negative experiences have gotten the better of me.
now you got me dreaming of the old 78 Toyota 2wd Pickup , 22r engine and 4 speed manual, that was a solid fun truklet
I approve, but where’s your welder? your Camaro? and why is your truck Japanese and V6?. tsk tsk.
And while we are at it, Bienvenido! :)
That Nissan Frontier was made in TN while my old F150 was made in Canada, we could argue about the nature of “American” vehicles if you want but that would be just silly.
Hello, Dan….
Maybe it’s time actually to be silly and chat a bit about what is “American” (per some comments down below):
1) Is a vehicle “American” because it has an historic American nameplate, regardless of anything else?
2) Is it American because the Monroney Sticker says that more than 90% of the parts come from American suppliers?
3) Is it American because it is built on American soil and therefore employs (gives jobs to) Americans?
4) Is it American because of past reputation and image, kind of gestalt, regardless of where it’s made and whose parts it uses?
5) Or do we try to follow the money trail, such as which corporations, based in whatever countries, get how much percentage of the purchase from our dollars when we buy it? If more than xx% of the money stays here, is that then an American vehicle?
This whole thing may be like trying to buy an American lightbulb, made by good old General Electric…only to discover they are made for GE in Hong Kong.
Many products display “Proudly Made in America” as the key, regardless of where the parts come from. An example is SSC Tuatara, a super car (http://www.sscnorthamerica.com/videos.php).
What do you think?
————-
The Camaro is up on blocks in the front yard.
To paraphrase Trace Atkins and Blake Shelton, it sounds like you found your “Hillbilly Bone”.
Outstanding song
Wow, I am going through the same exact thing. I have a G37S 6MT Coupe that I’ve had for two years and just love everything about it, but it’s no longer practical and I want a truck badly. I’ve put the car for sale since I don’t want to deal with the trade in business, but I think a truck is in my future.
Hi Tim…..Nice to see TTAC adding some fresh blood.
Welcome Jersey Man!
When I got my first truck (Mitsubishi Might Max) it made getting lumber, dirt and other stuff for the house so much easier I have never been without a truck since. But it’s not like I’m going to give up my sport cars for it.
Too bad about your one car rule. Last year I paid $5k for an 04 V8 F150 work truck (crank windows, cloth seats, no carpeting) that I use go get my redneck on when necessary. It makes a nice complement to my 98 LS400 and 12 Miata :) Having a truck is kinda mandatory out in the sticks where I live.
Same here, I bought a 2004 F150 Heritage (4.6V8) back in 2006, crank windows, vinyl floor, standard cab, and I plan on keeping it forever. I’ll soon be looking for another vehicle, but I’m not going to get rid of a paid for full size truck with just a little over 80,000 miles.
Wow Jbuick & Dan…..we should start a 2004 F-150 Club here. I have a 2004 F-150, reg cab, long bed, cloth bench seat, vinyl floor mat, crank windows(pain in the ass), V-6, manuel trans. It took me nearly 1 year to find it because I didn’t want white, mine is dark blue. Had 75K miles and I paid 5K for it about 2 and a half years ago. I only just turned 80K on the odometer.
Luv it for picking up lumber, sheetrock, mulch, dirt, gravel etc, and of course going to the dump. I couldn’t live without it.
Note- With the used car market being what it is today, I think I could get 7K for it if I wanted to sell it.
I also bought a BMW because I was “supposed to” and had a similar experience. When I traded it a year later I told everyone I needed something more reliable. I joked that it spent more time in the shop than in my garage. But really, it wasn’t for me.
Sounds like BMW is turning into the Jaguar of the 21st century.
never buy a bmw out of warranty
I was going to say “you monster!” but I guess 3-series aren’t for everyone. But if you’re going to go redneck why get a nissan. Get a lifted American truck…
What you say ressonates amongst many of us. Putting aside differences in geography and culture, here in Brazil, our culture also features a yearning for a more simple life in some sleepy little town, or farm, where the roads are unpaved, cows need milking and timber needs cutting.
Auto makers realize that and use this cultural ethos to sell. Pickckups have even become status symbols. For those with less cash there are the pickuplets that sell in the top 10. I would say that a vast percentage of them are not used for work.
I fell for that too. In 2000 I bought a Ranger. Enjoyed it thouroughly and like you I found some woods I could cut through on my way to and back from work (I also started listening to coutry music for the first time, but the Brazilian version, never would my teenage self dream that I had that in me!). And man did I love that! Also loved that trip to the beach riding my Ranger in the surf…
But I worked it out of my system. Even in Brazil those mythical unpaved roads are hard to find (at least around major cities). After 2 years I longed for the comfort of a car, but didn’t admit, even to myself. Then, my brother needed my car to transport some things on a trip to some other city. I drove his Fiat Brava for 3 days straight. I realized the gig was up. Soon I sold the truck and got back in the most complete car I could find.
Sometimes I still dream of my truck, and I find single cab trucks like the Ranger and Dakota singularly beautiful. Maybe one day when I get that house in the country… That’s one dream I haven’t let go.
Thank you for the feedback. A few years ago I had the opportunity to spend a couple of months in Sao Paulo on business. I fell in love with the Brazilian people and the food. Wonderful place…
Sorry Tim, but you don’t quite make redneck status. Real rednecks only drive fullsized V8 powered domestic trucks, or V8 powered dakotas at the least.
I can’t figure out why someone would get a Dakota. I rented one of those to move and it was the most garbage truck I have ever driven. It porpoised dangerously on the highway and didn’t feel better in any way than a V6 Taco or a V8 full size truck.
Trust me Imag, you don’t want to go there :)
I understand the feeling…
Back in the last week of 2008, I managed to get the deal of a lifetime.
Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab… 1 owner, 131k, leather and all the options…
$2500.
Of course, the front of the truck looked like it got into a fight and lost. Scratches were all over the rig and a thick metal rack spanned the entire length of the truck.
I sold the rack for $100 and used the proceeds for a synthetic oil change and a new battery. Kept that truck for two years and about 7,000 miles worth of towing. Other than the early maintenance I didn’t have to spend a nickel on the thing. Sold it for $5k.
If it weren’t more economical in the long-term to use people and companies instead of a trailer and a truck (with the upgrade in insurance) I would still be driving the thing.
Great article… and glad to have you here.
Few things are more gratifying to own than a cheap truck.
“Few things are more gratifying to own than a cheap truck.”
Hear, hear!
One thing would be having a buddy with a cheap truck, my pal has a mid 80’s ranger as a third car I used it more than he did I think hauling crap to the dump it was great as a cheap truck but he went and bought a 05 big ass chevy truck and it is to nice to use the way I did.
Nice story, a great write up on your experience with changing cars to one that better suits you.
I’m no redneck by any means but had a truck for 6 years, though not by choice, but because my ’88 Honda was very worse for wear and my best friend and his Dad were going to be selling their 92 Ford Ranger, which they sold to me.
It was a great truck, and one I had visions of throwing my camping gear in the back as it had a cap on it and blasting down the freeway on road trips and camping somewhere along the way.
Sadly, poor paying job, high gas prices, so, so mileage from a thirsty big V6 (4.0L Cologne V6 at that), large gas tank and those dreams died and I never took it on any real road trips, other than one trip to the Washington coast (a 2 hour drive) and out to the peninsula to my sister’s property one fall, otherwise, it was the commute to work and to my Mom’s an hour away b freeway.
Today, I’m back to a car that’s more me, a C segment hatchback (03 Mazda Protege5) and I am making road trips happen despite the gas prices even though the mileage on this little car isn’t the best for it’s size and displacement (130hp out of a 2.0L 4), but it’s better than the truck I’ll say that much.
My goal is to explore my state more and maybe more longer road trips, gas prices be damned and get back to commuting by bus again to reduce the day to day commute driving. Even there, the car is a joy since I can relax to great tunes while slugging along on i-90 westbound home from work doing at best 25-30mph.
Cars like this little Mazda is really me, not a truck, though I can see their uses if you have a need for one.
But don’t get me wrong, I loved that Ranger for what it was and it served me longer than originally anticipated as I had intended to only keep it about 3 years and replace it, which meant, by 2009 or so.
However, I still wasn’t making enough to warrant going out and replacing it when it decided to do the inevitable. An expensive repair that rear itself suddenly and other issues caused me to replace it sooner than planned, hence the Mazda when I’d had hoped to be able to take the plunge and buy a little Fiat 500. Oh well, it is what it is but I love that little Mazda and it’s driving dynamics. I can’t wait to get it out on the freeway and on some of the back roads soon enough.
Thanks for the replies. And yes I recognize that David Allan Coe probably won’t be contacting me any time soon to request to borrow my Nissan for an album cover, but everything is relative to the observer, and in Central Jersey, this truck pretty much makes me the Marlboro Man. I say all of this (and wrote the article) with some humor.
I never got the Bimmer thing and really do not understand the truck thing esp in NJ but if it works for you good for you, at least I78 is better then rt 22 :)
Sad that you are lost for civilization, and prefer to go down the dark path. Enjoy thetruthabouthomecookedsquirls.com.
Great article. I can identify with the thoughts that you expressed. But I’m not sure that Willie can, or would, approve.
For you see, Willie drives a biodiesel Mercedes. ;)
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/30/business/30biowillie.html?pagewanted=all
That reference is a little old. Here’s something more recent: http://www.celsias.com/article/what-happened-to-biowillie/
I appreciate the sentiment Tim but buying a V6 import truck hardly qualifies you as a redneck – it just means that your personal preferences tend towards the utilitarian.
I’d never owned a truck, but at 35, it was exactly what I wanted and wasn’t sure why. Now I camp, fish, hunt, hike and enjoy the high country with my kids and dogs and it all makes sense now. It’s in our DNA. City and corporate life, not so much. Just ask my dogs. When they see me pull out a backpack, they go complete bananas. Four wheeling is also a blast, along with home renovation. Now I’m a block wall building madman.
i need a dog, your post makes me really need a dog
Welcome, Tim. Nissan pickups happen to be as American as football, fried chicken, and pecan pie. Not the same as a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge, but just as American. After all, Nissan owes their success in this country to the pickup. Anyway, we could use a more rural outlook here occasionally, and I think you will fit right in.
“…as is often the case with me and cars, I didn’t really think it through.”
Been there, done that. Good story, please write more.
I bought my first “truck” recently, well, OK it is a Soccer Mom truck, an ’02 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Has the good transfer case with all the options, and a good old inline 6. Will tow anything that I could conceive of towing, will go through about anything, and I could care not less what it looks like or how skuffed up it gets inside or out. But it pretty much sucks to drive on pavement, which is why I will be keeping my 328i Touring.
I still have no use for pickups, if I need to haul something that won’t fit inside the Jeep, I have a trailer.
There is a certain allure about a truck, and a lot of utility to boot. My first non parental vehicle was my brother’s Chevy pickup (he injured himself ice climbing) which I took to high school. That was odd indeed; a truck amongst all the new student driven iron. Talk about not fitting in. Another truck borrowed from the same brother, a mid 80’s full size Blazer. Loads of fun in the woods. And as redneck as could be. And these vehicles all spun well past 200K. But, alas I am no redneck, even though I can weld and fix everything myself. Still, as a third vehicle, I can see a used pickup in my future.
I guess if you take the thing off the road, a truck is okay. I’ve always believed that cars are for driving and trucks are or hauling.
This article proves that I lose interest after about 800 words.
I dunno Tim, I borrowed my neighbors F250 earlier today for a Home Depot run. I’ll keep my car, thanks!
Welcome aboard! Enjoyed the piece.
Well a bunch of people mention that he should have gone American and V8, as a truck and SUV owner most of my life (really I always liked trucks cars came later) I would say he made the best choice as a former car owner who enjoys driving. The Tacoma and frontier feel much less like a traditional American truck then the full sizes do. And of the two the Nissan has retained the most of the 80’s mini truck sport feel, the Tacoma has become a little too american.
As to a nissan not being redneck, head to a 4wd show (redneck central miles of budweiser flags, lifted trucks and girls missing a few teeth) you would be shocked at the number of Hi lux yotas you will see there covered in mud with a set of swampers bigger then a toddler.
At the 4WD shows … and in the middle east. They have more in common than many people think!
Me, I’ll stick to cars, thanks. And even if I wanted utility, I’d want something more like a VW Transporter (AWD of course) or maybe the upcoming Ford Transit. Pickup trucks are impractical until you put on a cap, which in turn makes them less practical!
You were able to find what looks to be a base extended cab 4×4 Frontier on a dealer lot? I would have expected a special order for that configuration.
It’s actually an SV. I just blacked out the grille (i really don’t like chrome)
What’s with the “Airborne” Avatar, mate. Oo-Rah?
@Mark:
Nah, it’s “hoo-ah”, or “huuh” as it inevitably gets shortened. “-rah” is a Corps thing. His avatar is the 82nd Airborne Division’s unit patch. Army.
Anyway, great article! Really made me miss my Wrangler (TJ). Talk about redneck… If someone doesn’t get stuck, you’re doing it wrong. I was surprised you didn’t go for something a little more… “All American”, but your explanation a few posts down makes sense. I don’t blame you for going for more truck for less money.
Welcome onboard Tim. Thank you for the write-up.
This is exactly my case – I have a 04 1500 Ram with full-time 4WD, but I kept my SAAB 9-5 Aero 5MT too – and now cannot think of any vehicle to replace/supplement the combination.
Which kind of sucks when one has become accustomed to replacing a vehicle every 6 to 12 months.
I resemble this story. Souped-up E34s back in the white-collar day, now more old Yotas with big tires. (And snowmobiles, tractors, lifted golfcarts, excavators, dumptrucks, and who knows what else…)
Awesome story even though Id never trade a BMW for a truck, or get a truck, I totally understand.
Going through backcountry on my commute would be good enough reason for me, but then again Id get a motorbike for this kind of stuff – and then see how much fun a commute can be. Ever since I made the switch, I get into cars only if I absolutely have to.
Not sure if the folks here saying ‘it’s not Redneck unless it’s American and V-8’ are serious or trolling, in any event Ah’m callin yew out!
As a resident of Southern Oklahoma who’s spent the same 30 years living in a rural community where the biggest ‘city’ in the county is over 15 miles away and Under 3,000 residents I think I qualify as saying what does and doesn’t qualify as ‘Redneck’, here’s a sampling of what one can expect in the world of truckdom out here.
The NEW Ford F-150: The most popular selling car in America according to, somebody or other. Around here it’s the ‘Wannabees and Retirees’ ride. If the person in the driver’s seat of a shiny new one of these is under 70 he’s probably a city-slicker trying to pump up his ‘cowboy cred’ by driving a muscle car that’s pretending to be a pickup.
New (or near-new) American 3/4 tons: Chevy, Ford, Dodge, it don’t matter.. they’re ALL owned by Cattlemen. Some duallys, some not, some 4×4, some not.. but each and every one of ’em has a Gooseneck hitch.
Other V-8/Turbo-Diesels: Most of these tend to be 20-30 year old Chevy’s and Dodges, often with ‘Farm Truck’ on the license plate and some form of specialty equipment bolted/welded onto or in lieu of the standard cargo bed. Rarely are these seen on the paved roads unless it’s to or from a gas station because it’s owner is too cheep to have fuel delivered to their 200-acre spread.
Suddenly, Japanese Trucks! Everywhere!: I4s and V6s more or less 50/50, mostly Toyotas but quite a few Nissans to (Folks here often catch themselves calling them Datsuns still), new and old and older all alike, the occasional Scooby BRAT will make a rare appearance as well. Compact/Mid-size trucks are considered the perfect ‘first vehicle’ so there’s a glut of them as high-schoolers get their license and get a small pickup, some get foreign and some get domestic but with rust not being much of a factor out here the Japanese trucks seem to last the longest.
I keep my newer F-150 as clean and shiny as any BMW and if that makes me a “wannabee” in your neck of the woods, that’s cool. I’m sure there’s not much else to do there but sit around and judge. It does only see light duty off-road, towing and Home Depot runs and so what? Trade in your BMW 3-series on a Camcordtima, then we’ll talk.
I think you’re missing the point entirely.
Down here, the F-150 IS the BMW 3-Series.. i.e. it’s the car you Should buy because it’s (insert appropriate metric here), but most Really buy it just for showing-off. ;)
I’d say a King Ranch is showing off, and maybe a Raptor, but even in places where cattle out number people, I wouldn’t judge common, bone stock XLT F-150 owners. Besides, a truck can be a hell of a lot more useful than a BMW when compared to Camcordtimas. If you’re a weekend warrior and outdoorsman at heart, there’s nothing like having a shiny newer F-150 at your disposal 24-7. It’s called freedom. There’s no need to own a Camcordia or BMW for the times when you don’t need a truck. One vehicle fills 100% of my needs. And yeah, it’s basically a muscle car too.
Keep in mind I’m talking about Southern Oklahoma, not Colorado (Where I assume you’re from)…
..a bit of context. In this region the dominant domestic dealerships were various GM brands for the most part, with Dodge/Chrysler a close second.
Dodge has held it’s own, but GM (First Oldsmobile and then Pontiac going tits-up, and then Chevrolet’s massive draw-down of it’s dealership network) has ceded it’s place to Ford (who’s gone on a huge dealership-opening spree here).
Around here most with any real or imagined use for a pickup either get a 3/4ton (For heavy-lifting and pulling cattle trailers) or get a foreign mid-size pickup (as a substitute for a road-car with some general utility use mixed in). The vast majority of shiny new half-tons are F-150s, bought mostly either by young(er) people who really could better use a Camcordia or a Bimmer or by older people who went looking for a new ‘Sunday go to meetin’ car for the first time in ten years and went, “Huh? Oldsmobile closed down? When did that happen?” ;)
There may be no real need for half tons in your neck of the woods, but they outnumber heavies about 4 to 1 in the general pop. Even if it’s 50/50 where you live, that’s a lot of “city-slickers”, “wannabees” and rich dudes showing off.
There’s always resentment or ridicule aimed at pretty light-duty pickup owners and you probably see what you want see. I don’t see why BMW owners get off so easy by the same folks.
Why are we still arguing? Why do you feel so threatened by my opinion?
“Even if it’s 50/50 where you live, that’s a lot of “city-slickers”, “wannabees” and rich dudes showing off.”
Okay, this I need some elaboration on.. the only time I mentioned ’50/50′ in my original post was about the ratio of I4 to V6 engines in small/mid-size trucks, where are you getting from there that there are a lot of ‘city-slickers, wannabees and rich dudes’ with half-tons around here?
“I don’t see why BMW owners get off so easy by the same folks.”
Okay, I think you’re arguing with someone entirely different, I just got caught in the cross-fire when I tripped over your Berzerk Button.. I see now. :)
Who’s arguing? 50/50 was my estimate based on your testimony and the give or take, 80% take rate of 1/2 tons vs heavies, nationwide.
Wasn’t “wannabees” and “city-slickers” your words or did I take them out of context? Those that, according to you, are “showing-off”, I called rich dudes, or I’m I taking them out of context too? Aren’t you just arguing semantics at this point?
My comment on BMW owners getting off too easy by the same F-150 haters was purely rhetorical about folks like you… :D
“Who’s arguing?”
You are. :)
“50/50 was my estimate based on your testimony and the give or take, 80% take rate of 1/2 tons vs heavies, nationwide.”
Nice, but I wasn’t talking about nationwide, I thought I’d made it clear enough early on that I was talking about Southern Oklahoma.
“Wasn’t “wannabees” and “city-slickers” your words or did I take them out of context? Those that, according to you, are “showing-off”, I called rich dudes, or I’m I taking them out of context too? Aren’t you just arguing semantics at this point?”
No, I’m arguing over your reading comprehension.
You’re taking my comments about local conditions and applying nationwide statistics to them in order to come up with silly numbers. ;P
“My comment on BMW owners getting off too easy by the same F-150 haters was purely rhetorical about folks like you… :D”
No, not like me. I’m as merciless about Bimmer-driving wannabees as I am with Half-ton driving wannabees, you’re projecting. ;P
As I said earlier, the F-150 is the interloper here.. like as not once they get banged up properly and start sporting hay-spikes they’ll be accepted along with the Rams and Silverados, but that hasn’t happened yet so I’m just so sorry you’re offended by us Okies and our attitudes about your favorite ride. :D
“reading comprehension”? This is a loose conversation that you turn formal when you get cornered. This isn’t a courtroom.
I don’t see you taking any shots at BMW owners like you do F-150 owners and both are the topic of conversation here.
I’m also not talking nationwide and 50/50 is a reasonable estimation (if not generous) for your area, based on what we know, about the nationwide take rate.
I’m not sure why F-150s generally avoid hard work as compared to Rams and Silverados in your area, but I sounds more like you only see what you want to see. Enjoy that!
Oh and 3/4 & SRW 1 ton Rams and Silverados look very similar to their 1/2 ton counterparts to the lay person, especially 4X4s. It’s easier to decipher the 1/2 and 3/4 & SRW 1 ton Fords. That may be adding to your perception/confusion.
….
I just remembered something, we’re arguing on the Internet.
..and I bid you good day. ^.^
Back in high school (early 90s) I worked summers in a cannery in Northern Michigan. I noticed that all the farmers making deliveries would be in, generally, one of three trucks. Older (1980s vintage) would all be GM 4-door gas burners with 454 V8 engines. Almost no 4x4s. Newer full size were either Ford or Dodge with Diesel, most now 4×4. There were also, curiously as this WAS Michigan, Toyotas. Bunches of em’ all 4×4 many looked worse for wear from winter/farm use. All loaded (overloaded) high in the beds with metal tanks stacked up 6 feet or so and pulling equally overloaded trailers. I can only imagine how much those tanks weighed as they were filled with water and cherries.
Where in Southern Oklahoma? I’m in Denison, Texas, right on the border at Lake Texoma.
Denison?
You ever been to Cellerman’s Pub down in Sherman?
I live just east of Atoka, which is on the Hwy 69/75 corridor.
I’ve not been to Cellerman’s in a while. I keep meaning to go, but just never get over there.
Just wanted to say how much I appreciated Les’ comments on how the various pickup trucks are percieved by the general populace in his area. I particularly like reading about this sort of thing–the way cars are interpeted as symbols and what people “read” them as saying about their owners depending on what region you are in the US has always been one of the most fascinating aspects about car culture for me.
Its too bad that other guy couldn’t understand that you were merely trying to add to the dialogue, not “judge” him…lol…
Nice to know my words are appreciated Tayu, and yeah.. we’re rednecks, and we’re secure enough in our Redneck-ness to drive Datsuns. ;D
Interesting piece. I can sympathize – many Americans’ lifestyles (including large homes, longish commutes, rural living, lots of (made in China) toys) make having a truck almost a necessity.
I think my preferences (if I had the wallet and similar circumstances) would lean toward a 3 AND a beater truck.
both sounds like the best plan for me too
Since stereotyping people from rural areas of the country is perfectly fine I’m guessing it’s ok to do the same to other ethnicities and cultures too. Just because one group doesn’t bitch and whine as loud as some of the others about how offended they get doesn’t mean it’s ok to stereotype them.
Such a pleasant story, thanks for the awesome read!
Good piece!
You’ve described pretty well the thought process that got me into a BMW X3 as a compromise vehicle. Fine on dirt washboard roads. But also fun on twisty mountain roads, and perfectly usable on highway and city too. The stick shift adds to the fun factor. Decent carrying capacity too.
It may be sacrilegious, but I do play Willie Nelson in my BMW. George Jones too.
Considering a mid-size track as well. Curious what made you chose the Nissan over the Toyota? Ford no longer makes the Ranger, Fiat stopped making the Dakota with no real alternatives it is a 2 horse race as I see it.
Well the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon is still tootling along.. for now.
If they had combined their V-8 option with a manual trans and 4-wheel-drive I’d pounce on it despite the crap reviews.
As for the Tacoma vs. Frontier.. the reviews say the Frontier is more ‘sprightly’ and the Tacoma is too ‘softened for the Americans’.
Dunno if any of that is true.. how many trucks Has TTAC actually reviewed?
wasn’t considering Colorado/Canyon as I swore off all things GM a while back (personal reasons but gotta stand by my principles). For me the holy grail would be Toyota 4×4 + manual + the diesel engine that every other country on the planet can get (thank you very much California EPA). At most I can only get 2/3 of what I want, which isn’t all that bad.
Sounds like you want a Hilux, and I can’t blame you.
From what I’ve heard though, the Tacoma that they sell in the US is no Hilux. Same platform, but too ‘dumbed-down/softened-up’ for the US market to hang with the Invincible.
I wanted something that fit in the garage so the full size trucks were out. I had my heart set on one of the last rangers. I went to the dealer and negotiated a good price, and while I was considering the final decision, I ran across the street to the Nissan dealer just to benchmark. They offered me more truck for less money so I jumped. Loved the Toyota too but i think it would be a few grand more for a similarly equipped product.
My grandad asked me to help him guide his brand new F-150 into his garage, just too damned tall.
He’s happy with it, but still keeps his beat-up Silverado as his Work Truck out on the farm. The F-150 is the Church Chariot and what he takes Granma out on the twenty-mile drive to the grocery store now after a long and enduring love afair with Oldsmobile, followed by a brief flirtation with Buick in 2005 before finally declaring it hopeless (When he sold-on that Lucerne the tires still looked showroom new, I’d been asked to drive it and chauffer Granma around once and all I can say is that was the most abysmal experience I’ve ever had on four wheels.)
I’m also a former 3-series owner who bought one because of kudos all of the automotive press gives them. I’m actually much happier with my current (gasp) crossover. I think Tim is creating this redneck persona to justify buying a pickup. It’s OK to like a car that you’re not supposed to. If I was a wealthier man I’d add a fun car to the stable but until that happens I’ll have to make do with my “boring” car.
All of the talk about trucks and rednecks got me thinking. There is not a single country song that I know of that mentions japanese trucks, or even rangers or S10’s for that matter. They always say either “Ford or F150,” or “Chevy or Silverado.” I heard a couple last year that mentioned Dodge, but I can’t remember the songs or the artists.
This article expresses why I still have my Falcon ute even while running company cars for several years. It will go to most places, I’ve taken it up several 4×4 trails, tow lots, carry lots and with a swap of wheels it will acquit itself well on the track or a winding road.
I drove a rebadged Frontier just the other week – a diesel dual cab Navara with a 6 foot flatbed on it. I’m not sure if it was due to being brand new (<1000mi) the auto trans was acting like almost a CVT – depending on throttle position the engine would sit in a 300rpm band below 2500 or 3000 in general driving, and was very noisy while getting up to speed – once cruising it was fine.
It was generally very comfortable although lots of cheap plastics on the dash, and no problem to drive apart from slow steering and a large turning circle. Not as bad as the 2000 Mitsubishi pickup I drove years ago.
Funny article. I once bought a truck, because I’d moved to Texas, and it’s just what one does. It was occasionally handy for hauling things (when it was dry out), but overall, I did not enjoy it. The handling was horrible, and the overall driving experience left much to be desired – it was like an even crummier version of my grandmother’s Grandma-Rquis… Nothing like seeing the back half of your vehicle jiggling independently of the front, or the sound of the solid axle clanging over bumps to say “quality.” There was no flexibility between cargo and passenger seats… There was no way to lock the “trunk.”. The ride quality was garbage. Even though it was a 4 banger compact truck, the fuel economy rarely rose above 22-23. The build quality made it clear that GM was not to be trusted.
it would be handy at times to find an old Nissan Hardbody or Tacoma rust bucket as an occasional junk hauler, but I so rarely need to haul something that I can’t toss in my hatchback with the seats down, it’s not worth the effort. My two best friends here have trucks – a case of beer or bottle of Whiskey is well worth the cost to NOT have to drive a pickup the rest of the time. And heck, this is Texas – half the time they’re happy to have something to haul here in this rural, desolate metropolitan backwoods town of 2+ million! They grin and say “See, this is why you need a truck!”. I grin and nod, knowing that it only costs me the occasional trip to the liquor store to avoid having to suffer a truck again!
I’m from the South. I grew up out in the country. I don’t have any need to cling to a caricature of “redneck” life… I have plenty of family that qualifies. I’d rather buy my vehicles because I enjoy them and they meet my needs. This is America though, so do your thing, more power to you. Just don’t complain when the price of fuel fluctuates. Also, what kind of beer do you like? I may need to move some mattresses soon!
Hi Tim…
Welcome to the family.
Boy, can I ever relate to your wonderful story. It’s sort of my story too. I had been a “truck guy” (read redneck) forever, since my 1974 Dodge Club Cab, but also loved sports cars from my days in Germany, racing and otherwise.
To make this tale short, I now have two pickups and two sports cars: an older (1996) Dodge Ram, a new Nissan Frontier, a BMW 325i and a BMW Z4. I flip-flop between them all, although the 325i spends the most time sitting in the garage. Sometimes I think I’d love take an 18-wheeler out for a Sunday drive. Is that nuts or what?
About the only things they have in common are that they are all RWD; have manual transmissions (would not have it any other way); and each is very purpose-oriented, being good at what it does. That may be the key: each serves a unique function very well, that is not fulfilled by a standard bland FWD sedan.
When I want to toss a dead deer in the back or haul a load of cow manure for the garden, no problem: the trucks can be hosed down inside and out. When I feel like blasting the “twisties”, no problem: the Z4 rises to the occasion….in spades.
My friends accuse me of being schizophrenic, but maybe it’s just a bipolar syndrome, in a (hopefully) good kind of way (^_^)…
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I can understand this sentiment. That’s why I bought a pristine 1968 Chevy C10 truck. I can use it for weekend trips to Home Depot or the landfill, and I get thumbs up from every pickup truck owner on the road.
Knowing that there is nothing under the hood that has a vacuum or computer in it is nice too.
My Mazdaspeed3 gets the majority of my daily driving, especially on weekends when I want to drive like a madman.
Love it. Great story and one that I personally relate to as I’m driving around in my 06 F-150. I do keep a little something for those twisty roads here in the Black Hills of South Dakota (66 Sunbeam Tiger), but couldn’t keep that BMW anymore. Especially since it was long out of warranty and getting rather expensive to keep up.
Wow, Danger_Mouse…
Congratulations on the Sunbeam Tiger! With that, did you even need the BMW anyway?
(My roommate in grad school had a 65 or 66 Sunbeam Alpine, and even that was fun enough.)
Your story parallels mine: pickup and a sports car – two different functions, each well done…
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Sure, I’ve often thought that truck would be nice to perhaps get some better camping spots on a weekend camping trip but I’m not willing to live with truck like handling and the noise that goes along with it for the 4 hour drive getting there. Here in CO and especially up in WY redneck loved souped up diesel trucks – pulling 3 snowmobiles at 90 over a 10000ft mount pass is quite impressive and my poor old car struggled to pass em.
Now something like a Porsche Cyanne would be nice. I got to drive a new F150 two years ago over 8 weeks and we put 18k on her – rental car. I was very impressed and it actually was pretty nice at 75mph but it did tend to get bouncy at speed and it didn’t feel as nice as my old A8 at speed – obviously! And I also realized that this truck wasn’t going to last more than a couple of year. So build me a truck that rides like a car, get’s the same gas milage , looks as good and I’m sold.
Hi Thabo…
You may want to look at the mid-size Nissan Frontier, or go for a test drive:
Unbelievable ride and suspension (go over RR tracks!); can be ordered with manual transmission; 23-25 mpg highway; and with ARE cap, it looks like a miniature SUV. I still get stares, and “thumbs up” in traffic.
Mine is a 2WD “SL” version, dark metallic-gray Crew Cab (seats 5), called “knight armor”.
I’d feel as comfortable taking it to dinner and the opera, as well as camping in the boonies. Is it a perfect simulation of a car with 30 mpg? No, but this truck may be about as close at it gets, while still being a substantial truck that is able to haul and tow stuff.
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Nice story and you are not alone. It took me 12 years but I much prefer driving my 2011 Avalanche than my 325Ci (that I still own).
Welcome Tim, loved the blog. It’s not a real truck unless it has dents and scratches in the bed and has been seen parked by a bar and/or liquor store
Great article. Thanks! I owned a pickup at one point in my love, and I loved it. It was great at the time, but wouldn’t work well for me now. As strange as it sounds, my love of the pickup morphed into a Saab 9-3 wagon several vehicles later. I loved the utility of the truck, but the speed and handling of my SVT Contour and then Maxima SE 6 speed. The turbo V6 wagon was the perfect solution. Well, some additional ground clearance would be nice…
Buying a small import pickup makes you about as much of a redneck as going clay shooting with your 3500 dollar walnut semi-automatic Benelli shotgun and then enjoying a 20 year old Scotch.
Hi FJ60LandCruiser..
The Nissan Frontier is not small; it is classified as “mid-size” (like the old Dodge Dakota and Chevy Colorado).
It is not imported.
It is American made in Smyrna, Tennessee.
It is actually more “American” (whatever that is nowadays) than my ’96 Dodge Ram, which is made in Mexico.
We do live in a goofy world of vehicle origins: check the Monroney Sticker on the side window of new vehicles. You may discover that something like the Toyota Camry is more “American” than the Ford Fiesta, for example! The fact that one is called “Toyota” and the other is called “Ford” may mean little if anything anymore. And didn’t Dario Franchitti just win that most American of races, the Indy 500, with an Italian-made DW12 Dallara chassis powered by a Japanese Honda engine? (^_^)…
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Park it next to a 2500 HD with a gooseneck and it’s a compact truck all over again.
Walk into a Nissan dealership and there’s a GT-R in the showroom and a Juke and it’s still an “import.”
And Fiat sells its Fiats out of different buildings than its Chryslers and Rams.