That statement changes easily for someone who drives a lot of miles.

TCO can also be cheaper. Economy cars can to be cheaper to maintain (tires for my VW cost 1/3 what tires for my GMC cost, for example). If the car is a new car and the old vehicle is not, repair costs can factor in. In my case, having an additional car means if something breaks, a vehicle can sit broken in the yard for weeks while I learn how to fix it a little at a time, rather than pay labor and towing for it to get fixed professionally. (I feel differently about DIY repair when the ground is covered in snow, though.)

{according to this https://www.fordf150.net/specs/04ranger.php, the AT can tow more than the MT on a 4 cyl ranger?}

That's mostly CYA. The manufactorer has no control over the driving abilities of the person that'll be doing the towing, so with the MT they rate lower.

Bowtie is right, it is more of an excuse, however I do enjoy the room and use of my crewcab truck, which I can not get in a 4 cyl. In reality if I really had to tow something big, I could borrow my Dad's 3500 GMC Duramax, it usually gets the job done.:D On a side note my truck is a King Ranch edition and I've gotten spoiled driving a nice truck, where most of the 4 cyl. are your lower end trucks.

I appreciate all of yalls comments and suggestions.

thank you for not taking that as a personal attack, 'cause that was not my intent--it was just a general comment.

we all have excuses and/or are hypocritical to some degree. behaviors are learned and can be changed. all we can do is try to make small changes a little at a time...

I have an idea. Let's all buy whatever we want because it is what we want, whatever that reason is.

We comment on it because eh holes solo commuting in Expeditions and Hummers DO impact the rest of us, as a safety hazard on the road and in increased fuel costs due to the increased demand they foster.

And bumper sticker infested automobiles irritate me, as do people driving while; reading, texting, phoning, driving while asian, and women farding while they drive. Your government should ban that too, so your sensabilities would not be offended?

4-bangers CAN tow, but like Holy Cow said, not a 26' camper. When I moved to my current location (18 years ago), I had a '76 Chevy Luv with a 1.8 liter Isuzu engine. I made a couple trips from Long Beach to Lancaster, Calif. with a full load in the bed and a fully loaded U-Haul trailer. Did just fine.

Waaaaaaaaay back in the day, my dad towed a full sized mid-30s Nash from central Calif. back to the Glendale area with a '37 Willys pickup...


But...if you regularly go with your big toy-hauler, you'll want the bigger truck...