Hacker News Reader

Comment by LeBit | Hacker News Reader

What do you think is the % of people having F150 that really do need F150?

As someone who does not own an F150 (or any truck), I find myself frequently wishing I had a truck, and either borrowing a friend with a truck, renting a truck, or doing some really unsafe things with my hatchback while muttering with my wife that our next car with be a truck.

If we had a truck, what % of the time would we be using it for things that can only be done with a truck? Very little, since it would also be our daily driver, but even if just 1% of the time, it's 100% worth having a truck over some sedan (or a hatchback!)

Tbh as someone who does not drive or own a car regularly, I get by renting those U Haul vans (not trucks). It’s not expensive and it’s a hell of a lot more useful than a truck for doing the random heavy odd job.

As someone who until last year has only had (mostly sports) cars or motorbikes, I now have a ute and it’s awesome to be able to do ‘ute stuff’ with it. Carrying toolboxes, transporting large/heavy/dirty cargo, collecting firewood, going off-roading and camping. I use it way more than I thought I would.

Likewise with my Jeep Gladiator. I traveled, hauled and camped with it more than I ever expected.

The bed is only 5 feet long but I'm thinking of taking out part of the back seat for even more room .

I also used 4x4 in 4H mode more than I thought on bad roads even though I didn't go truly off-road that much so no need for 4L. I did take advantage of the higher wheel clearance and the more rugged suspension and the 8-speed manual shifting is useful going down mountain roads.

Can't be more than 1% at this point. The cleanest cars on the road, and the only rough terrain they face is climbing kerbs to bypass queues in traffic.

What % of people who have wealth really need that wealth?

Not sure I follow.

Apart from feigned ignorance, a common trope is arguing X vehicle isn’t used optimally in a way they agree with and thus isn’t necessary to own.

I was pointing out the logical destination of this.

Numerous stats show truck owners don’t use their trucks to tow or haul stuff.

At least 50% don’t need a truck. There is maybe a 30% that do use their trucks to actually tow and haul on a regular basis.

Imagine replacing 50% of pick up trucks with fuel efficient or EV vehicules.

But how much of what you own is do you actually "need."

People are welcome to do with there money things that simply make them happy. That is a good and proper use of money.

This would be a very boring life indeed if people were only allowed to own things that others decided they need.

It's wild to see all these people clowning on truck owners... and then say they are going to buy two 5090's for local AI even though they know it's less efficient than a cloud and don't necessarily need the privacy aspect of it... but want to do it just "cuz" . The hypocrisy here is amazing.

I think you guys are comparing apples to oranges.

It’s wild you don’t realize it.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com