Why haven't pickups caught on?

[Thankyou4calling]

Just back from Canada and they are everywhere. Double cabs, huge beds, six wheels, like a saloon car with an estate tacked on.

I know here tax breaks have increased their numbers but not to anywhere near the level.

I can see their practicality winning me over, but wonder if I will feel a bit odd?

Any thoughts?

[anonymous-user]

I was over in New Zealand in December and loved their Holden and Ford utes. Not sure why they aren't popular here as they don't use them for work over there, it's more of an alternative to a two seater sports car. Some of the supercharged models are getting on for 400bhp standard!

[Dave Hedgehog]

crappy mpg

you look like a

anything you leave in the back will get stolen

[ffc]

Texas seems to have more pick-ups than ordinary cars. Lots of them fitted with gun racks as well! The bigger ones just wouldn't fit on our drives or in parking spaces.

Edited by ffc on Thursday 5th January 20:00

[uuf361]

Probably in part due to the running costs. I had one as a hire car in Orlando this summer - double cab extended bed and driven very sympathetically it managed a whole 9mpg

I had an SUV when I lived in the US but barely considered a pick-up as it was far less practical and with no weight over the rear not great in the snow (even with 4WD).

They look a bit too big over here too, on our smaller roads but the same could be said of some larger cars and SUV's now too.....

[1point7bar]

I am guessing you don't live in a farming part of the UK.
Around my neck of the woods they are de rigeur for people who work off the highway.
The latest turbo diesels return shockingly good mpg and can tow 2.5 to 3 ton.

[dowahdiddyman]

Sorry but they are everywhere, most with loadsa chrome and lights and never done a dayswork or been off road in there life.

[Mastodon2]

Practicality? Who needs that kind of load carrying ability in day to day life? I think you will find those that do either already own them, or drive vans - which are even more practical!

[redtwin]

Had one when I lived in the US, as close to a "do everything" vehicle as I could imagine.

I used to get about 17-19 miles per US gallon with my 5.7 litre GMC (2WD, auto). The same fuel economy over here would be acceptable with the mileage I do, but I know I couldn't live with the size. I could fit one on my drive, but many of the roads and car parks etc are just too small.

[RRS_Staffs]

[thinfourth2]

Only people who work with their hands drive commercial vehicle where as people who work in an office drive a golf in resale grey and they are better then people work get their hands dirty

[swanny71]

See plenty of those Warrior/Animal pick-up things about - they seem to be the bully boy road wker's vehicle of choice these days.

[Matthen]

This - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJZ0OZvji0Y

Mr Clarksons right in this case

[1point7bar]

I feel weak if I can't move heavy stuff.

[poing]

Because the proper size double cab ones are too damn big to park anywhere in the UK. They are not really that practical, getting home a new big television isn't entirely practical because either it'll be so wet it will never work again or the first time you stop someone will steal it. Putting a couple of shopping bags in the back is a similar problem with the added problem that they will slide around everywhere and only be good for making a Domestos omelette by the time you arrive home.

[tali1]

Loads in UK -obviously not as much as USA/Canada -but then it is a far larger market anyway
In UK , Mitsubishi have sold 1000000, L200s.

[jimxms]

RRS_Staffs said:

I came.

[Jimmyarm]

I hope thinfourth was joking...

[Jimmyarm]

For what it's worth, I would love one as a secOnd vehicle as it would be of great use but I can't justify the costs.

If we weren't fleeced for petrol I would jump on one of the big v8's as a daily.

[1point7bar]

I don't have any problems parking and the shopping bags fit well in the supercab.
I use a rear canopy and tie-down straps when necessary.
Domestos omelettegot the T-shirt

Edited by 1point7bar on Thursday 5th January 20:48