Pickup Trucks on Gear?

Scrupio · June 2nd, 2008, 5:44 AM

I know this might be a touchy subject to some, especially those euros who don't understand why they're so popular on this side of the pond. However, trucks really make up a large part of the vehicles on the road in the United States. It is really an American vehicle and it would be a shame if it was totally ignored for the US version of the show. What do you guys think?

Viper007Bond · June 2nd, 2008, 5:51 AM

I'd like to see them, especially sporty ones.

Red_Bull · June 2nd, 2008, 6:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrupio

It is really an American vehicle and it would be a shame if it was totally ignored for the US version of the show.

Australian, I believe images/smilies/wink.gif

Lupin_IV · June 2nd, 2008, 6:48 AM

Quiet you, Americans invented the pickup.
Australians invented the mini-truck (ute).

Karoug · June 2nd, 2008, 10:28 AM

I'd like to see an off-road track!

Lilleput · June 2nd, 2008, 10:31 AM

If they can make it interesting and not just talk about how good the 8.2L V10 (125hp) is at pulling your trailer then they can review all the pickups they want.

pandasaurus_rex · June 2nd, 2008, 4:47 PM

Hey, we all remember how brilliant the TG episode of the attempt to "kill" a Toyota Hilux Diesel was. With the same spirit, it couldn't be that terrible.

Scrupio · June 3rd, 2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

I'd like to see them, especially sporty ones.

I find sporty trucks hilariously ironic. Especially Clarkson's review of the Lightning. I laughed during the whole segment because he was so clueless.

ahpadt · June 3rd, 2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrupio

laughed during the whole segment because he was so clueless.

I don't want to start a big discussion about this, but you know it's allowed to make your own opinion? images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Viper007Bond · June 3rd, 2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrupio

I find sporty trucks hilariously ironic.

Why?

Scrupio · June 3rd, 2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahpadt

I don't want to start a big discussion about this, but you know it's allowed to make your own opinion? images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

I concur that it's allowed to make your own opinion. My opinion is that his opinion was funny. Is that allowed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

Why?

Well trucks are primarily designed to haul, tow, or go off-road. Not really to go 0-60 in 5 seconds or be flung around a track with the lack of weight over the back wheels and poor aerodynamics.

BlaRo · June 3rd, 2008, 3:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrupio

Well trucks are primarily designed to haul, tow, or go off-road. Not really to go 0-60 in 5 seconds or be flung around a track with the lack of weight over the back wheels and poor aerodynamics.

No, I personally believe that there's nothing wrong with hauling stuff while going really, really fast.

Let's face it. How many people who buy pickup trucks actively take it off-road, whether it's for work or for humping deserts? I know, I know, it's a tired and overdone topic, but a good majority of truck owners haul stuff on and across highways where 29" of ground clearance and Air Locker diffs are somewhat less important. Hence, the sports truck, for hauling camping gear and motorcycles across state lines really, really fast. (Too bad most of them are owned by stereotypically overcompensating douchebags, but that's another story.)

And if we go back on topic, there's nothing wrong with pickup trucks on Gear - after all, this isn't Europe and they make up for more than 50% of new car sales. Maybe take some trucks on a racetrack for comedy purposes, and they can assist in destroying caravans (or whatever the team will lash out against - Buicks? Porter potties?).

Ramseus · June 3rd, 2008, 5:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaRo

And if we go back on topic, there's nothing wrong with pickup trucks on Gear - after all, this isn't Europe and they make up for more than 50% of new car sales.

Wow... whadya know, that sounds believable. Mind you, the following numbers are from StatsCan, so they're Canuckian and not Amurican... but still. Then again "trucks" includes SUVs so it's a bit deceptive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StatsCan

------------------------January 2007---December 2007---January 2008
New motor vehicles------142,251-------141,616-----------153,231
Passenger cars----------70,765---------69,472------------80,754
Trucks, vans and buses--71,485---------72,144------------72,476

http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/080317/d080317b.htm

I'm not a truck guy, but if they could make trucks interesting then there's nothing wrong with talking about them. If nothing else it'll make the show more American.

Meio · June 3rd, 2008, 5:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramseus

Wow... whadya know, that sounds believable. Mind you, the following numbers are from StatsCan, so they're Canuckian and not Amurican... but still. Then again "trucks" includes SUVs so it's a bit deceptive.

Well, you can say with confidence that the most popular model of car in the US is the Ford F150.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramseus

I'm not a truck guy, but if they could make trucks interesting then there's nothing wrong with talking about them. If nothing else it'll make the show more American.

Well undoubtedly trucks might make their way into Gear slightly more often than they might in Top Gear but it would be a mistake to assume that they would be on every week. Consider the most popular models and types of vehicles in the UK and think how often they have been featured on Top Gear, new format. Also consider how often popular utility vehicles like estates, vans, and pickups are featured on Top Gear these days. If the American Gear were to fall into the trap of being serious and trying to represent the market then it will end up being Fifth Gear.

pandasaurus_rex · June 3rd, 2008, 5:58 PM

This is kind of pointless. Trucks will soon become dinosaurs, since many are abandoning them due to the high cost of ownership (i.e. $5 gas). This is re-affirmed by today's news that GM has shut down various plants that produce poorly selling Silverados, Sierras, Envoys, Trailblazers, and Suburbans in the US and Ontario. Meanwhile, production for the Malibu and company have been stepped up into overdrive. Supply and Demand, indeed.

teeb · June 3rd, 2008, 6:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrupio

Well trucks are primarily designed to haul, tow, or go off-road. Not really to go 0-60 in 5 seconds or be flung around a track with the lack of weight over the back wheels and poor aerodynamics.

Couldn't the same argument be used for 4x4s like the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6 and the Range Rover Sport?

The concept of a sports SUV is a fairly credible one these days as there are plenty examples.

bafranksbro · June 3rd, 2008, 7:17 PM

I think they will have to include trucks, just to sufficiently piss off Prius owners. images/smilies/lol.gif

Josh · June 3rd, 2008, 9:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meio

Well, you can say with confidence that the most popular model of car in the US is the Ford F150.

Not anymore, its now in fourth place behind the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and the Toyota Corolla.

Lupin_IV · June 3rd, 2008, 9:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitsuneracer

Not anymore, its now in fourth place behind the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and the Toyota Corolla.

I demand source for this claim.

Josh · June 3rd, 2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lupin_IV

I demand source for this claim.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/b...falls-edition/

June 2nd, 2008, 5:44 AM	#1
Scrupio Joined: Apr 13th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Olympia, WA, USA Posts: 16 Car: Honda Accord Rep Power: 0	Pickup Trucks on Gear? I know this might be a touchy subject to some, especially those euros who don't understand why they're so popular on this side of the pond. However, trucks really make up a large part of the vehicles on the road in the United States. It is really an American vehicle and it would be a shame if it was totally ignored for the US version of the show. What do you guys think?

June 2nd, 2008, 5:51 AM	#2
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,270 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 296	I'd like to see them, especially sporty ones. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

June 2nd, 2008, 6:48 AM	#4
Lupin_IV Joined: Jan 23rd, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: about 10 miles north of Carlisle, PA Age: 21 Posts: 2,024 Car: '84 Pontiac Parisienne, '93 Chevy Caprice Rep Power: 74	Quiet you, Americans invented the pickup. Australians invented the mini-truck (ute). __________________ "Otaku means obsessive nerd...Stop calling yourself that!" - Dave Merrill

June 2nd, 2008, 10:28 AM	#5
Karoug Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: 12:45 AM Location: Sweden Age: 31 Posts: 3,923 Car: Volvo 745GLT! 2 bikes Rep Power: 120	I'd like to see an off-road track! __________________ I support the formation of Koenigsaab.

June 2nd, 2008, 10:31 AM	#6
Lilleput Evo-less Joined: Jun 10th, 2005 Last Online: November 15th, 2009 Location: United Kingdom of Denmark Age: 26 Posts: 3,019 Car: Ford S-Max Titanium - 268hp Rep Power: 77	If they can make it interesting and not just talk about how good the 8.2L V10 (125hp) is at pulling your trailer then they can review all the pickups they want. __________________

June 2nd, 2008, 4:47 PM	#7
pandasaurus_rex Joined: Mar 12th, 2008 Last Online: September 8th, 2009 Location: Chazy, NY Posts: 46 Car: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Rep Power: 7	Hey, we all remember how brilliant the TG episode of the attempt to "kill" a Toyota Hilux Diesel was. With the same spirit, it couldn't be that terrible.

June 3rd, 2008, 5:58 PM	#15
pandasaurus_rex Joined: Mar 12th, 2008 Last Online: September 8th, 2009 Location: Chazy, NY Posts: 46 Car: 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Rep Power: 7	This is kind of pointless. Trucks will soon become dinosaurs, since many are abandoning them due to the high cost of ownership (i.e. $5 gas). This is re-affirmed by today's news that GM has shut down various plants that produce poorly selling Silverados, Sierras, Envoys, Trailblazers, and Suburbans in the US and Ontario. Meanwhile, production for the Malibu and company have been stepped up into overdrive. Supply and Demand, indeed.

June 3rd, 2008, 7:17 PM	#17
bafranksbro Joined: Dec 1st, 2007 Last Online: July 18th, 2008 Location: New Hampshire Age: 25 Posts: 598 Car: 98 VW Jetta Rep Power: 16	I think they will have to include trucks, just to sufficiently piss off Prius owners. __________________ "He can spot your beaver from about a mile away..." -Clarkson

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