If you ever find yourself tempted to buy a truck and/or SUV, just remember one thing: they’re not worth it. They’re a societal nuisance. They’re a massive pollutant. The maintenance, repair, and insurance will cost you a whole lot more. Aside from the aforementioned pollution, They’re overall environmental impact is egregious. These monstrosities are best left alone.

If you ever have to do any sort heavy work, rent one instead. Want to live that outdoors lifestyle? A sedan and/or hatchback will do. Just buy a bike and roof rack. Got a family? Again, sedan and/or hatchback will do but also consider a station wagon. Better yet, buy a cargo bike like the Urban Arrow or the Dutch bakfiets. These are way better options to those climate-changing abominations.

I know what I’m writing isn’t anything groundbreaking but I’m writing this mostly get something off my chest in relation to a dream I had last night. The dream itself was quite boring: I was driving around in a new Ford Bronco. The thing was that, in the dream, I was quite happy about it. This happy feeling was still felt when I woke up. For a brief moment, I was thinking about buying a Bronco. I soon returned to reality. But I’m not going to lie; the temptation was strong. The temptation was made stronger by nostalgia. I grew up with these kinds of vehicles. My dad worked in labor-intense, blue collar jobs that used trucks. He even owned some himself. But, once again, they’re not worth it.

  • IMongoose@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    7 months ago

    The Toyota Sienna can apparently tow 3.5 tonnes 3500 lbs and carry 8 passengers. Average mpg while not towing is 36 too.

    But most people don’t tow anything ever and a van would be just fine.

      • IMongoose@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        7 months ago

        My b, 3500lbs. Most families aren’t towing anything though. I’m not going to disparage anyone with a truck who needs to tow or haul a bunch. But there are people who don’t tow anything and complain about midsize SUVs not having enough space for their family but balk at the idea of a van.

        • IsThisAnAI@lemmy.worldEnglish
          34·
          7 months ago

          I’m so tired of hearing this. I’ve met like maybe 1 truck owner who never uses it “correctly”. Y’all are inventing some imaginary figure in your heads from a 15 year old survey.

          • AA5B@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            7 months ago

            It may depend on where you live and work.

            • as a software engineer working in a major city, most of the truck owners I know use it for a daily commute for a single person. I have no idea about their personal time
            • the immediate neighborhood I live includes a bunch of trades who are more likely to have a need for a truck, but I only ever see one person driving an otherwise empty vehicle
          • Ilovethebomb@lemm.eeEnglish
            1·
            7 months ago

            Of the ones I know, they either have big caravans, or rural properties where they genuinely need an off road vehicle.

            Having wet, damp gear in a separate part of the vehicle is also useful.

      • Ilovethebomb@lemm.eeEnglish
        22·
        7 months ago

        Yeah, 1.5 tonne sounds more reasonable.

        Won’t tow construction equipment or a large boat or caravan, or travel off road, of course.

    • Ilovethebomb@lemm.eeEnglish
      23·
      7 months ago

      The Toyota Sienna can apparently tow 3.5 tonnes

      Bullshit. Show me the spec sheet.

      Also, people movers generally aren’t made to move adults, eight manual labourers would be a tight fit, and leave no room for luggage.

      • IMongoose@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        7 months ago

        Sorry, 3500 lbs. I’m not arguing that a minivan is a good work vehicle btw, but most families looking at SUVs would be better with a van. That’s my argument.

        • AA5B@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          7 months ago

          As a former Sienna owner, they are great for families, and absolutely cavernous. Very practical for most families.

          Towing is a pop up camper or small boat. I suppose a utility trailer would work, but it’s easier to just fold down or pop out seats and I’ve always made it fit.

          Definitely not a work truck, and in particular that third row bench is constraining for adults

        • Ilovethebomb@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          7 months ago

          The two most common use cases where I live for a ute or pickup is a tradie or tech that wants one vehicle to serve as a work vehicle and a family car, or someone who wants the towing capacity of a ute or SUV. Neither one can really use a van, as trade vans only have one row of seats.

          Most SUV owners want the towing capacity and ground clearance of an SUV.