What Americans Want, 2019 Edition

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
10/23/2019 at 15:28 • Filed to: None

DISCUSSION (35)

HammerheadFistpunch > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 15:35

I really don’t get the appeal of wanting a full size truck as a daily, and this is coming from the perspective of someone who only owns giant SUV’s. They are too much vehicle for a daily and I don’t mean excessive consumption, I mean they are just unpleasantly large to operate, inside and out...and this is coming from Truckland where parking is ample.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch
10/23/2019 at 15:38

Yeah, that’s kind of where I came down. I could’ve had a full size for not much more than my Tacoma, but I really didn’t need (or want) a truck that big.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 15:41

How many of these figures include fleet sales, though?

CobraJoe > HammerheadFistpunch
10/23/2019 at 15:42

I completely agree... and I own a half ton crew cab that I use for my daily commute.

It is too much for a daily commute, too big, too annoyingly difficult, and yet I do enjoy it’s capabilities on the occasion that I need the 4x4 or cargo bed or even the 3 across back seat.

The problem is, even my 14 year old used truck was too expensive. If it was about half the price, I could afford a cheapish commuter car for the daily grind and save the truck for truck duty, but since I spent so much on it, I’m stuck using it every day, with an empty bed and a nearly empty cab.

Once I pay it off... Then I’m going to get something cheap for daily driving fun.

HammerheadFistpunch > CobraJoe
10/23/2019 at 15:43

truth.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2019 at 15:44

I assume this includes fleet sales (from GoodCarBadCar).

HammerheadFistpunch > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 15:45

its something some people can’t wrap their head around

“why buy midsized when you can get a fullsize for the same price”

While that may be true is some cases...sometimes less is more.

Nothing > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 15:48

I was about to say that I’m one of 53,235 people YTD, but I bought my ‘19 in December last year.

Stef Schrader > HammerheadFistpunch
10/23/2019 at 15:50

Saaaaaaaame. Every time I have one as a loaner, it’s nice, but I cringe whenever I have to park it or maneuver it around tighter/busier streets.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 16:01

Considering how many Altima s are sold, yes, I’m positive it includes fleet sales

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
10/23/2019 at 16:02

See also: Rogues

MrSnrub > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 16:03

The Camry, Accord and Civic aren’t doing too bad. Their YTD numbers are only down about the same amount as the overall market. I think they’re going to stick around (and the Corolla too). Cars are just going to be a Japanese/Korean only affair for the most part.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > HammerheadFistpunch
10/23/2019 at 16:03

I can confirm. It’s not terrible, but I’ve caught myself not going to certain places, or being a little more worried about parking since I got the truck. I still really like it, but it comes with trade offs. Bonus points for most LA area parallel parking spots are marked too short for the truck haha

Ash78, voting early and often > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 16:06

Outback sales: 76,206

Sales due to crossover-focused marketing: 76,204

Sales due to being a wagon: 2

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MrSnrub
10/23/2019 at 16:08

It appears that the Camry might be stealing sales from the Accord, but yeah, they’re not going anywhere.

I wonder when the general buying public will come around on the overall goodness of the current Korean offerings.

I think Mrs. addiction’s next ride might be a Tellu ride .

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often
10/23/2019 at 16:10

Ha!

Ash78, voting early and often > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 16:13

I have to say, though, Outback has anecdotally grown in my area more than any other single car over the past few years, and with only our second dealer opening up in the past 6 months (the other was horrible AND inconvenient). Our Whole Foods:Subaru ratio was 2:1 for over FIVE YEARS. That’s called The Portland Ratio, by the way. I just made that up.

But it’s quickly becoming a retiree car and I think the outdoorsy people are probably secretly sad about this. I think it’s because Subie has so many safety features and if anyone cares about making sure they live a lot longer, it’s really old people :)

(Honestly, I’m fine with seniors driving cars with autobraking. Maybe it should be law.)

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > HammerheadFistpunch
10/23/2019 at 16:16

Eh, I enjoyed dailying our 04 F250. It was smooth riding, fuel efficient, and had plenty of power when needed.

Kinja'd!!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often
10/23/2019 at 16:25

Will be interesting to see if they’re able to keep up momentum.

Kinja'd!!!

TheRealBicycleBuck > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2019 at 16:28

T he F-150 and Silverado are also fleet vehicles, both for the rental fleet (Enterprise, Hertz, etc.) and as basic trucks for maintenance, etc. Rental trucks command higher rates than most of the other rental options, so if I’m thinking the way you are, there will always be a need for small, inexpensive cars for the rental fleet.

Ash78, voting early and often > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 16:33

As long as they open the right dealers, yes. The overall numbers aren’t looking amazing, but there is still plenty of America where they have ZERO shops, so it’s wide open to early adoption.

Now that the fuel economy penalty for AWD is going away (due to CVT and part-time AWD systems) , I think more people are shopping AWD outside of the snowbelt.

TheRealBicycleBuck > HammerheadFistpunch
10/23/2019 at 16:35

I really enjoyed having a full-size truck, even if parking was somewhat challenging. If I could have only one vehicle, I would enjoy driving an F-150 as a daily. I think my B-2000 was a better option, but they don’t make them like that any more. (Before you ask, yes, I have been in the new Ranger and in a Colorado).

There’s something to be said for buying the most capable vehicle you can afford when you can only have one. I know, rentals are available and a trailer will take care of most things that you would need a truck bed for, but most people don’t want the hassle that goes along with renting a truck or storing a trailer.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often
10/23/2019 at 16:46

Subaru used to have the corner on that market (with Audi), but now you can get AWD on almost everything.

I think Subaru’s path forward is to keep being that aspirational outdoor brand (like Jeep). Even if they don’t really live that life, plenty of people want to be associated with it.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2019 at 17:14

The rate at which people buy Jeeps in the great lakes region is astounding . There are many cheaper, more reliable, nicer interior options out there but it is the equivalent of a BMW/Mercedes status symbol here.

Props to those that get the car dirty, most owners never will.