fperra

OK all you sports car fans. I want your opinions on something that has nothing to do with our wonderful roadster. I'm thinking I need a truck for my second car and am considering either a GMC/Chevy 1500 with 4 wheel steering or the biggest Toyota V8 model they offer. Any opinions?

CMiS2K

I'd go with a used turbo diesel duallie fully loaded.

mxt_77

Depends on how you are going to use it. Is your S2000 still going to be your daily driver? If not, I'd recommend getting something more economical. When I decided that I wanted a second vehicle, my first thoughts were that I wanted a big truck so I could trailer the S to auto-X and road course events. But, then I decided that if I was going to be that serious about racing, the S2000 wouldn't be street legal very long, which would mean that the 2nd vehicle would soon become my primary vehicle... and I didn't want to drive to work every day in a truck.
In the end, I ended up getting a used 4-door 1995 Accord (which still has become my primary vehicle, but for different reasons). It's perfect for commuting, it can haul groceries and/or people if I want it to, and I can park it right on the front row and not give a crap about door dings.
In the end, your decision will have to come down to exactly what you want from your second vehicle. If you're going with a truck, I'd definitely go with CMiS2K... get a full-size/crew-cab turbo diesel. It'll tow/haul anything you can put behind it (which is the entire purpose of a truck). Better practice turning/parking it, though.

fperra

One of the reasons I want a truck is that I make furniture as a hobby and need to haul lumber. Also, I plan to buy a place in Mexico (San Miguel de Allende) in a year or two and the truck makes better sense in Mexico, since GM makes them there. San Miguel is a colonial town dating back to 1600 and all the roads are cobblestone - not very S2000 friendly. I'm not worried about gas mileage. My last GMC Sierra (1999 5.3 L 4 W drive V8 vintage) got about 17 MPG. I expect the 2 WD version to do better. What I really hated about that truck was the limited turning radius. Hence, my interest in 4 wheel steering. For the most part, my s2000 will continue to be my daily drive except in inclement weather.

Gernby

Cobblestone roads are DEFINITELY not going to be Buddy Club friendly!

That's pretty much all I have to add, since I think trucks suck ass.

Elistan

My friend at work has one of those new Dodges with the Hemi engine - for a truck, I suppose it's very nice. Tons of room in every way, comfortable, and pretty quick for a 6000lb vehicle. I can't comment on how it drives, but he says he likes it better than the Ford F150 he had a while back.

fperra

Well, I almost bought a leftover 2002 Chevy 1500 with 4 wheel steering this weekend. $10000 off list! But in the end, I decided to wait two months and order a 2004 to my own specs. Thanks for all your suggestions. Gernby, I agree with your comment that trucks suck a$$ up to a point. They sure do come in handy when you have to make a trip to the hardware store for some lumber or a bunch of plants for the garden or when the weather is too crappy to drive the stook.

marcucci

I'd probably skip the duallie but I'd definitely recommend diesel. I know a few people with Powerstrokes that have gotten over 200k miles with nothing more than routine maintenence (fluid changes). The gas mileage can't be beat for something of that size.

If you won't tow much and go with a non-ext cab (smaller full size) truck the GM and Toy gas motors do "OK" on mileage. Better than other trucks in recent history, at least. I know the 8L GM V8 is a gas hog, though. If you want high power output, go diesel, you'll be a lot happier.