Automotive buying trends the last few years indicate that most drivers seem to be shifting to SUVs, cross-overs, and trucks from cars. Per this article from the Wall Street Journal, car purchases have dropped by 10.8% since March 2017, while Light Trucks (trucks, SUVs, and cross-overs) sales have risen 9.8%, with the largest gains in small SUVs (up 27.9%) and cross-overs (up 18.25). This LA Times article paints an even bleaker picture for sedans.
What’s the attraction to these bigger vehicles? A higher ride, roomier interiors, and more cargo space.
I’ve been “riding high” in a truck or SUV since 2007, with an F-150 as my personal ride and my wife driving a SUV (CRV then Acadia). So, its clear that I’ve bought into this trend.
But now I’m a seller.
Last month I traded in my pickup truck in exchange for a sedan.
Folks seeking FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) who read this are probably nodding along, but most of my peers are staring at me like I have two heads. So for them:
Why would I buck this trend? I’ve previously detailed my thoughts on this Here and Here. But in a nutshell this is why:
- Better gas mileage
- Lower Maintenance Costs
- Safety
- Room for the Kiddos
Rather than rehash all my reasons why, I wanted to touch on how this drastic shift in transportation has been working out for me.
What have I learned so far?
Parking is light-years better than in my old pick’em up truck
Pulling the old truck into a parking spot was a constant pain in the ass. Worse was trying to get the kids out of the back seat with the little half suicide-style doors. Basically, I would be boxed in by the doors on either side, and the neighboring car behind me. Once the kid was out of the car seat, I looked like Austin Powers trying to get the doors shut so I could free myself. See below, but imagine me holding a child and one or two bags of crap at the same time.
It was to a point where I dreaded driving downtown or anywhere that parallel parking, or tight parking garage spaces are the norm.
I do miss the pickup truck bed… but not as much as I feared
With spring time upon us, I am missing the bed of the truck a bit, as I would normally get loads of mulch and topsoil, etc. But when I think about it, the premium to have these items delivered is far outweighed by the gas/maintenance savings of the car over the truck. Besides, I have a standing offer to borrow a relative’s truck or trailer, if needed.
I can’t believe how much crap I can actually stash into the trunk!
While I don’t have the truck bed for large loads, 98% of the time I am hauling items that I don’t want exposed to the weather. The trunk space in the Accord is a large improvement over the back seat and truck box of my former truck. As a result, getting groceries or quick trips to retail establishments is a breeze.
Getting Myself Out of the New Car is Harder
My biggest gripe so far. Maybe (likely) I am just older and fatter, but I don’t remember discomfort getting into and out of other sedans in my past. I feel this is a small price to pay for the other advantages.
It fits in my garage!
Holy crap! This benefit did not enter my mind at all when I was weighing the option to trade into a car. The reason being: if you looked at the clutter in our garage, you would think, “No way in hell is anything else fitting in there.” But when I got the new ride home I took a second look and went on a cleaning/reorganizing rampage. As a result, she fits! This is big to me, because I have never had my vehicle garaged in my life. We had a couple snow showers, and I much appreciated not having to scrape off my car. Also, this area is prone to severe weather, namely hale storms in the spring/summer months. I remember my first car looking like a golf ball after a particularly nasty storm several years ago. Garaging the ride reduces the risk of damage significantly.
Scraping off the snow and ice is a snap
I can easily reach all the real estate on the windshield when I need to to scrape snow and ice off. In my truck I bought an extended ice scraper and still had an ice patch in the middle of the windshield that was unreachable.
Gas station stops are fewer and much shorter in duration
The money savings angle is obvious, but I didn’t really consider the time savings. When the temps drop to frigid levels every minute I am not standing outside pumping gas is much appreciated.
I feel like other drivers don’t see me
I have been cut off or had more close calls in the past month driving the sedan than I have in the past six months in my truck. Maybe it’s because the new whip is black? I don’t buy that though, since my truck was dark gray. Perhaps, this is because everyone else is towering over me now in their monster trucks and they can’t see little ol’ me. Maybe its just luck…
This thing is FUN to drive
It sure is nice whipping this thing around. I can zip in and out of parking lots, weave through traffic, and pass other vehicles with ease. When you are used to driving a barge-sized pick up truck, a mid-size sedan feels like I just got a speed boost in Mario Kart.
So, in summary I’m loving my choice to ditch the truck for the car so far. My biggest regret now, is why did I wait so long in the first place!
Anyone else made a similar switch? If so, how did you adjust to the change?
Thanks for reading and check in again next week!