There are many reasons to buy a pickup truck these days, and you can save money when you shop late-model used trucks instead of new. They are great for hauling things, and many people use them for daily transportation. When you shop for trucks, you need to decide if you want a full-size pickup or a compact model. Let’s look at some pros and cons of each, to help you make an informed decision.
Compact Pickups Pros
A compact truck is smaller than full-size. Most have six-foot beds, but you can find a few with standard eight-foot beds. Because this kind of truck is small, it’s cheaper to buy. In fact, you may find a huge price difference in some makes and models.
Compact used trucks get better gas mileage than their full-size counterparts. In fact, some models get more than 30 miles per gallon on the highway. If you have a long commute each day, this is an important thing to consider.
Full-Size Pros
A large pickup truck has plenty of room in the front seat. Most can easily hold three passengers. If you need to haul things, your big truck can handle 4X8 sheets of plywood and eight-foot 2X4 lumber with no problem. When you need to haul roofing materials or plumbing materials, a big truck is perfect for the job.
Compact Truck Cons
Three adults in the front seat can get cramped, so you have limited passenger capacity. You can’t easily haul large items like eight-foot sections of lumber. You can’t haul much gravel or dirt either.
Full-Size Cons
Full-size used trucks are harder to park than small trucks. Small trucks get better fuel economy. You’ll pay more for large trucks, and if budget is a concern, you might want to look at smaller models. However, it’s best to test drive both types to see which one fits your lifestyle.
