Are Modern Truck Buyers Asking for Too Much Luxury?

[rbattelle]

As I read the TDR, DTR, Dieselstop, and Dieselpage, I frequently hear things like:

"For $40000 it shouldn't be this noisy..."
"For $50000 it shouldn't ride so stiff..."
"For $45000 is should/shouldn't [insert complaint]..."

Legitimate problems aside, there's lots of lamentation on how someone paid a ton for his truck and the axles make too much gear noise, the transmission is too notchy, the suspension is too stiff, the engine is too noisy, the cab smells like diesel, the air conditioning compressor makes too much noise, etc. Frequently people imply that for $45000 (or whatever you paid) the truck should ride nice, not smell, and not be noisy or otherwise "uncivilized".

The number of HD diesels sold as commuter vehicles is increasing all the time. Is it perhaps the case that all these people are complaining about buying a truck instead of a Caddy? Are trucks really noisy, stinky, rough rip-offs at $40000 a pop?

My truck is far noisier than any gas vehicle I own or have owned. With the windows down I breathe diesel fumes. The A/C compressor sometimes sounds like it's going to explode when it engages, and I can feel when it's on from the increased vibrations in the wheel. My NV5600 shifts like a truck transmission (notchy, long throws). My rear end sounds like a geartrain. My transfer case has a whine in it when engaged. The engine sounds like a washing machine full of marbles when it's cold outside.

Guess what: I enjoy all this music! These things are exactly why I bought this truck - because I wanted a TRUCK. So what did I get for my $40000? I got a vehicle with one of the most powerful (in terms of torque) engines available in a light duty vehicle in the entire world. I got a vehicle that can easily tow more the double it's own weight. I got a massive rear end, massive transmission, massive transfer case, and all-told around 7000 lb of steel and iron. My truck cost about 2.5 times my wife's civic, but it's at least 10 times more capable. I call that value. A friend recently bought a Suburban for near $50000 with all the options. And yet I see my truck as more capable: more towing, more payload, more ground clearance, etc. I paid much less than $40000...who got the real bargin?