Saki GT

The thing that blows me away is that these loaded trucks are approaching $60k. You get in them and they are basically luxury cars with beds.

TommyDeVito

The new Silverado looks awesome. But in the press materials they state 450 lb drop, using composite materials inside and out. Aluminum hood, doors, and tail gate, other materials in the bed, etc. Steel/aluminum/composite build. MSRP has to be going north. MSRP's industry wide, getting completely out of hand. Either hybridization, ADAS, materials, getting completely ridiculous. And I'd agree, these trucks are probably the nicest luxury vehicles there are due to the room. Lazy Boy like front seats, heated, cooled, heated steering wheel, full nav/ice with damn nice sound systems to boot. A close friend bought a 17 GMC full size. It's a 4X4 but has a dial where you can put the 4wd system into auto, making it basically AWD. He's 6'2" - 6'3", I'm 6'2". I hop in the back, sitting right behind him, and it was like first class on a flight. Even in the back seat, I could extend my legs out like a Rolls. I'd like to have one but at 50k base, 60+k loaded, f all that. They are so big now, the home builders actually need to redesign their garages and make them much bigger. My garage is slightly oversized and I couldn't fit one in there and another car, no way. The F150 is sized like the F250 used to be. A Honda Ridgeline is basically what a full size truck used to be. It's crazy.

JonBoy

So true. At least they depreciate quickly, for those of us that buy used...

The last F-350 my dad bought stickered at nearly $80K, with all the options. Insane!

rwheelz

The diesel Rams depreciate slowly in my experience.

Mr.E.G.

Holy cow! That's a lot of money for a truck.

JonBoy

If you're talking to me, that's CAD dollars, so about $64K USD. However, on the new Fords, you can definitely option them up to $80K+ even in the USA. The top-spec F-450 in it's biggest size configuration at the highest trim level starts at $85K in the good ol' USA.

darcyw

Its usually a massive crowd on Saturdays- we stay at the Book, enjoy a leisurely lunch, head on over and browse about for 4-5 hours. Then go drink beer.

I'm looking forward to seeing the new Jeep Wrangler, Vette, maybe some new Honda product, new Mustang. I've given up on Audi and BMW. I could care less about trucks (except the FWD Ridgeline) and the SUV's- big, heavy, hard to park, hard on fuel. Unless you're hauling a race car, horses, loads of manure or dirt, live on a farm, who else really needs them. If I owned one, I'd be a complete menace. Hell, for the same money, I could own many other more interesting cars.

NAIAS is good fun all in all.
darcy[/QUOTE]

So was at the NAIAS Saturday. Wait, I will now rename this the NAITS- North American International TRUCK Show. Stayed at the Book Cadillac- nice hotel. the crowds weren't too thick at the show thankfully. Many manufacturers were conspicuously absent- Mazda, Porsche, Tesla, was Nissan even there? I didn't care about BMW(some cars lacking that something something), Audi(no manuals virtually), Toyota ('nuff said) so didn't even stop at their booths. The Domestics each had large, extensive, intricate, and inviting displays- well done.

FORD- I time poring over the new Bullitt/Mustangs (the real Bullitt mustang was an honour to see), Focus RS (for such an expensive car, the doors are way too rattly and the interior plastics cheap feeling), Fiesta ST (RIP), GT (looks even better in person- but missing a pedal), and engine cutaways. I briefly looked at the shiite that replaces the Fiesta- some CUV thing. And there was 80% of the floor space dedicated to trucks. The very layout of the FORD display shows that they really don't care about cars anymore (not including the wicked good Mustang)- the cars were tucked away at the back of the display.

CHEVY- cool engine cutaways. The new Corvette ZR-1. I got bored with all the SUV's, trucks blah, blah, blah, and moved on.

FCA- ok, I really want a Hellcat wide body. I've driven the regular Hellcat and its balls of fun, excellent fit/finish, comfortable. FCA is the most - dare I say- humorous manufacturer. Did you know, the Demon has a full factory warranty, and all the drag racing stuff in a box can be had for $1. Their new Ram looks like a truck. The new Jeep Wrangler is a nicer piece too and attracted lots of attention.

HONDA- Honda is not producing a 2 door Accord- I asked specifically. They are missing the boat not producing an Accord coupe with the 2.0L turbo and 6 speed manual. The Accord is pretty nice overall- and a good choice compared to everything else in the segment. The Clarity is now the ugliest new car- but the drivetrain fits in the same space as a v6- expect to see that hydrogen fuel cell tech finding its way into real cars in the future. But alas, these are not Trucks. Oh, yeah- the Ridgeline is really all the "truck" most need- you just can't hang steel testicles from the trailer hitch mount.

LEXUS- their front ends look like ass. I could care less about Lexus and took a quick glance in their direction.

KIA- the Stinger is a really interesting piece- good fit/finish, performance parts, forged (not stamped steel) Aluminum suspension arms- its got all the right stuff except, as I pointed out to the product specialist, missing 3 pedals. I'd consider the Stinger if it had 3 pedals.

HYUNDAI- will the new Veloster N really go toe to toe with the civic TypeR? It sure looks the part with an attractive price point.

VW- So, looking over and considering the cars that I would consider actually buying, the VW GolfR or GTi would top my list- VW really has nearly the best fit and finish in the segment, easier to use infotainment, really comfy seats (nearly on par with the TypeR and Si seats), and overall practicality.

MERCEDES- the only Mercedes car I'd actually want to buy- within reason- is the GLA- AMG. But the interior is WAAAAY too small, and seats, while pretty, were not particularly comfortable. Too bad.

GAC- yes GAC- who comes up with this stuff? the Chinese company has been attending the show for the past 4-5 years. Their first foray to the show back then showed hideous panel gaps, shiite metal and paint, and crap designs. Now here we are 5 years later and their Trumpchi SUV 2.0 L turbo (think Ford Escape size) is going to make the domestics nervous- especially if GAC prices them attractively. The panel gaps were even, the interior materials class equivalent- all in all a very competitive design. Interesting.

I don't know what's happening- Trucks and "S"UV's are the rule unfortunately. Cheap gas is part of the problem. Truck's are practical and roomy, but heavy, big, and tough to park- but who can afford a new one- or has been convinced they can? And at the end of the day, they have much higher margins for the manufacturers (if you believe everything the media tells you)- meaning they're gonna keep making them. so make your money, spend your money.

darcy

Adrenalize

Sounds like I didn't miss much by not going to Detroit this year. Great summary Darcy. I'll be going to the Toronto show in February.

TheDonEffect

Cuvs and suvs are replacing sedans as the go to family car, been trending that way for a while. I was always astonished by the prices of full size suvs and trucks, I can pull up in an old used corvette and people think I'm irresponsible with my money while another guy can pull up in a full ton crew cab (no kids lives near the city) and no one bats an eye.

Saki GT

Just tell people you drive a corvette because you can't afford a full-size pickup truck.