Pickup Sales Falling: There's A Good Reason Why

Pickups, for years, have been the best-selling vehicle in the United States. But recently released year-to-date sales are showing that overall, pickup truck sales have fallen this year. Sales for the Nissan Titan have dropped more than 9% this year. In September of 2006, more than 6,000 Titans were sold. This past September, sales barely beat the 5,000 mark. Chevrolet's Colorado and Ford's Ranger are faring far worse. Sales for the Ford Ranger are down more than 20% over this time last year. September sales for this year are down by 43% compared to 2006. Chevy's Colorado is down more than 18% in overall sales for the year and even sales for the popular Chevy Silverado are down nearly 2%. Nissan's suffering as well with an 18% drop YTD (year-to-date) with the Frontier, and GMC's Sierra is barely holding on to market share with a 1.6% drop in sales over last year. This can be alarming for some people looking for a car, van, or SUV but most buyers agree that the risk far outweighs the reward.

On the flip side, Dodge's Ram is holding steady—actually up one percent over last year and has sold more than 500 more Rams in September '07 than it sold in September 2006. Toyota's also doing well. Even though sales for the Tacoma were down by almost 3,000 vehicles this past September compared to the September prior, year-to-date sales of the pickup are up by 1.2%. Tacoma's sleek older brother the Tundra is doing exceptionally well, up more than 50% over last year.

So why are the sales of certain companies on the decline while others are holding steady or shooting toward the stars? It could have to do with the minor improvements made in safety features to last year's pickups. Since safety has shown in multiple studies to be a "very important consideration" among consumers of automotive vehicles-- and to those who bought pickup trucks specifically-- companies that have upgraded safety equipment seem to be garnering favor.

Isuzu is one of these companies. Isuzu's i-290 offers advanced safety features like Dual-Stage Airbags, an airbag suppression system, a Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Daytime Running Lights, and Child Seat Lower- and Top-Tether Anchors for those with young children. The bigger i-370 includes similar features as the i-290, but also offers Head-Curtain Side-Impact Airbags, a Day/Night Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror, Electronic Traction Control, Shift-On-The-Fly 4-Wheel Drive, and Automatic Locking Rear Differential. The i-370 sports all of these features in both the Extended and Crew Cab models.

The 2006 Toyota Tacoma also performed well in crash tests, proving its worth. With a "G" rating (the highest of four possible ratings) in six out of seven categories, according to IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), it certainly deserves to be mentioned along with the Isuzu i-290 and i-370.

In addition to active and passive safety features, comprehensive roadside assistance programs are now being considered as a valuable part of a vehicle purchase. Isuzu offers one of the best roadside assistance packages available. It offers free roadside assistance for up to 7 years or 75,000 miles.

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Buying Classic Chevy Trucks

Chevy trucks aficionados are not just after the newer trucks built by Chevrolet. They are also into oldies but goodies trucks that have been magnificently preserved for long years. In fact, one can still find Chevy trucks made some 60 to 70 years ago. The vintage sensation that a classic Chevy truck bring is something invaluable.

For so many decades, Chevrolet proved that their makes are still the most loved by Americans. Consider the wonderful cruising that a Chevy truck gives. Plus the unimaginable sensation of driving a Chevy truck off road. Maybe regarded to be as satisfying.

When buying a classic Chevy truck, prefer the 1955-57 models. Chevy trucks during these times are gorgeous, solid and hard. Not to mention the heavy masculine inclination of the designs. Classic Chevy trucks during these years are really worth the price.

Art Deco trucks have its distinctive look for a Chevy truck. These trucks have marvelous front grills. These were made sometime from 1941 to 1946. However, many hot rodders prefer the 1955 to 1957 models.

Chevy trucks of the 1960’s were some what remakes of the 1950’s. Maintaining the muscular details and clean look and cutting only some small details. These trucks were out from 1960 to 1966. The next batch, 1967-1972 Chevy truck models, was more developed in terms of design but with plain
look.

Buying a classic Chevy truck is like purchasing a new one. You need to think of the qualifications and set high standards. You also need to inspect the Chevy trucks for any damage or unwanted parts. Here are suggestions on what to do in inspecting your desired classic Chevy truck:

•    Prepare several questions that will help you in arriving at your desired model. You may ask yourself what year and model you want to purchase, the design, the price, etc.
•    Call the owner or the selling company and ask for the history of the truck. The history includes the age of the truck, the number of times it has undergone repair and so on. Do not rely on the answers on the phone. Visit the company or the owner and propose a test drive. That move will prove whether the seller is really telling the truth.
•    Make an appointment with your mechanic. Tell him that you are to bring a truck for inspection. Make sure you are in the shop during the inspection.
•    Do a general check up on the truck. You may not like your prospective truck to have leaks, rust, old hoses, etc.
•    Look for past repair documentation. This must be provided by the selling company or the owner. This document is very important so that you may not have any hassle to find out what is really wrong with the truck.
•    Set a price according to the inspection, the test drive and the history. Make sure that, whatever price you may end up with, you are still the most benefited.

Remember that you buy a classic Chevy truck not for long distance travel or heavy work loads but only for fun. You buy one to have the unexplainable feelings that other classic Chevy truck owners profess. Make sure also that you are satisfied with the result of the inspection made by your mechanic. Bear in mind also that you are buying a vintage car and not rubbish.
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