In this week’s post:
- Why can’t anyone build the cheapest possible pickup truck here?
- Do we still love the Mini?
- Will the Tesla Model 2 (or, whatever the name may be) save the struggling giant?
The first question comes from fan who wants the “cheapest possible pickup truck” sold in the United States. That’s easier said than done.
Q (AskNathan@TFL.com) RE: Cheapest possible pickup truck.
Thanks for answering my question a bit back about that Ford Maverick contender Nissan might build. And as you can tell I’m a Nissan fanboy even though my family also owns a Buick and Toyota. By the way Nathan, I thought you should know that my mom bought her Buick Envista based on you review and she loves it!
Anyway I hope to buy a new pickup truck in the next year and it will be my first new one. I was thinking about the Maverick but the cheapest one is over $26,000. I need more “BEEF” as you would say it. But no one builds anything affordable in this country.
I don’t need anything fancy, just a work truck. There is no such thing as a work truck at a dealership that costs anything near $25,000. Why can’t people have a cheap truck that’s well built like the rest of the world? It’s not fair!
I refuse to buy a $50,000 pickup truck for a job that makes $60,000 a year. That is just impossible but it’s what these truck companies want us to swallow! I love my 2009 Nissan Frontier but it is getting real used with over 200 thousand miles. But there’s nothing new that’s affordable that can replace it!
– Juan TT
A: Great question!
We get a lot of questions about affordable, new pickup trucks – and (depending on your definition for affordability) the choices are few.
First of all, let’s find the least expensive vehicle with a bed… which is the Ford Maverick, like you said. Ford advertises the base model, which is no longer the hybrid, at just under $24,000. Keep in mind: you must include the $1,595 destination charge, and the absurd $695 acquisition fee. Bringing the base model to a bit over $26,000.
The base Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $26,900, but you’re at $28,295 with “freight,” before any options. After owning the Hyundai, and driving all variants of both little pickups, I think the Ford would make a better work vehicle, and the Hyundai a better commuter. Regardless – these are the least expensive pickups you can buy… barring big offers by dealerships.
There are rare times when dealerships want to dump vehicles on their lots, and deals are possible. That’s the only way you’ll find a, base-model midsize pickup for a comparable price. Maybe. From there, you have to go up to the low $30,000-zone for the base model Chevys, Nissans, Toyotas and Fords.
Full-size pickups start in the high $30,000-zone, but realistically, you will be hard-pressed to find a model for under $40,000.
An under $20,000, new pickup truck doesn’t exist here.
The Toyota IMV 0, pictured above, is for sale overseas for as little as (the equivalent of) $10,000-U.S., but there’s a caveat: a truck like this could never be built here. The simple reason are production costs, safety, EPA and DOT regulations. Many of these restrictions do not exist overseas, and the overall cost of building a truck like this is much less expensive.
Sure, it has a anemic 4-banger, manual transmission and no real options – but that’s what some hard working Joes want. Sadly, as a new vehicle, you’ll never get one of these here. That is, unless you’re prepared to wait 25-years, when they can be legally imported used. Bummer – right?
I was hoping that the advent of cheaper tech, including some imported components would make building basic EV pickups a possibility here. Unfortunately, that won’t be happening anytime soon. It all boils down to profits for the automakers, government and difficult-to-appease policies.
I’m sure you’ve looked at used trucks, which is the only remedy I can think of. Even that is painfully expensive, in today’s economic climate.
I wish I had better news.
— N
. The next question comes from a viewer who wants to know if the TFL staff still loves Minis.
Q: (Via: NathanAdlen@Twitter/X) Saw your MTTS videos.
Lots of fun. Do you TFL guys still own a bunch of Minis? There were like six or seven. I have a 2007 Cooper and it’s my baby!
- Max and Daisy 80
A: I think the overall count is close to a dozen Minis.
After I sold my MINI Countryman (it was my wife’s car, but I drove it a lot), I believe that brings the current TFL Studios’ count to two or three. As of my last count, Tommy has two and Alex may have one. We love Minis for sure, and I suspect one of us will buy another one before too long.
Actually, after my visit to the 2024 MTTS (Mini Takes the States) event – I am seriously thinking about another MINI as a commuter in Los Angeles.
We’ll see!
- N
The last question revolves around the upcoming, entry-level Tesla Model 2, if that is what it’s called. They want to know if it will change Tesla’s negative trajectory.
(Via: NathanAdlen@Twitter/X) Q: Nathan, do you think the Model 2 will save Tesla?
I own a Model 3 Standard Range Plus that I bought for $39,000 back in 2020 and it has exceeded my expectations. You are a little harsh on Teslas especially including the Cyber Truck and I don’t blame you on that one. LOL! It’s terrible for a Tesla, and I get some of the hate. I like that you say that the Tesla’s engineering and technology amaze you. That’s something a real hater wouldn’t say. I also know that you’re not an EV hater like so many other “journalists.”
So we’re clear. I’m only an EV owner, and a Tesla owner out of necessity. My job kind of demands it, and I get a lot of money back for driving a Tesla. My partner has a Camry hybrid so we can go anywhere we want when needed.
Anywho, I was thinking about the terrible year Tesla has had and I was wondering if you thought if the next Tesla would save the company? I’m not talking about the stupid Tesla taxi or roadster. I am talking about the Model 2! Or will it take the departure of Elon Musk to secure investor confidence?
I’m an investor, and I’m not that confident!
Let me know what you think. And thank you for the colorful and insightful reviews!
- A. Hashimoto
A: Tesla is a tough nut to crack, in so many ways.
I will be honest with you: Elon isn’t that much of a problem. Sure, I think greater stability can be accomplished by having a even-keeled leader at the helm, but his antics attract some buyers as well. It’s a bit of a mix, one that becomes more apparent in the Tesla capitol (in terms of sales) of California.
They (Teslas) are everywhere.
I agree that they need more product, and I honestly believe that the Cybertruck is a novelty.
As I stated in the earlier comment about les expensive pickup trucks, it would be amazing if Tesla could crack the $20,000 nut and produce a useable, reliable, affordable EV. I suspect we’ll see something that might start at just under $30,000 – but under $25/$20,000… that’s going to be hard.
Still, this is a tech company that happens to build cars. I suspect they are already working on a vehicle that will (hopefully) have a 200-ish mile range that’s considered “affordable.” Time will tell if that constitutes a price that regular folks can afford.
Thanks for reaching out!
- N
