8 Gas Pickup Trucks That Are a Waste of Money

We anticipate a contentious discourse on gas-powered pickup brands considered a waste of money, and we’re eager to hear all about it in the comment section. We here at Enemy of Average don’t shy away from difficult discussions and hot-button issues. If you’re wrangling and debating these polarizing subjects at your local mechanic shops and pubs, you can be sure that EoA will table the matter for a once-and-for-all Mayhem Vote.

Since we’re not a hammered Frank Gallagher at the Alibi, we won’t throw up one-sided opinions on some gas truck models we think are money down the drain. While there are known issues that make certain brands less desirable investments for some buyers, we can all agree that what’s considered a “waste of money” can be highly subjective.

Besides, the automotive industry has a rapid pace of innovation, with companies constantly improving and introducing updated models. Furthermore, reviews and consumer reports often change over time, and what’s considered a poor choice in the past could be a better option tomorrow.

So, instead of pointing out specific brands as a waste of money, we’d rather agree on some factors that make them look that way. Of course, this author will name names here and there because he can’t help it.

Poor Reliability

Trucks with an infamous history of mechanical issues leading to frequent repairs and high maintenance costs are usually the first accused of being no more than a money pit. If the models that come to mind right now are the Chevrolet Silverado and its GMC Sierra twin, then we’re on the same side.

In fact, multiple sources are on our side on this. The Silverado/Sierra earned the lowest possible grade for reliability by Consumer Reports, reflecting consumers’ experiences with these trucks. CR pointed out problems with the transmission, brakes, and in-car electronics (infotainment system).

Low Resale Value

Consider this: two out of three people keep their current cars for five years or less, which means many car owners are likely to sell or trade in their vehicles within a few years of ownership. The fact that personal and commercial vehicle registrations increased by 3.5% between 2018 and 2022 implies owners are selling their cars as others buy new ones, leading to an overall increase in car ownership.

In other words, residual or resale value is one of the core parameters of a good or bad investment. To bring this closer to home, consider that the Ford F-150 represented 3.6 percent of all used Model Year 2016-2020 vehicle sales in the US in 2021. Apparently, many owners care as much about how much they can expect to get from their vehicles in a couple of years, making models that depreciate faster than others look like a wasteful choice.

High Fuel Consumption

This time, we can name names without looking around to make sure no one has a gun. It’s not a personal opinion: The Ram 1500 TRX 4WD, equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter 8-cylinder engine mated to an automatic 8-speed transmission, has the worst EPA-estimated fuel economy in the pickup truck segment, returning a combined city/highway fuel economy of just 12 MPG.

For most of us, such an exceptionally poor fuel economy is enough grounds to consider any truck a terrible idea, especially now that gas prices fluctuate as rapidly as the Rain-X Latitude wipers.

Recalls and Safety Issues

Isn’t it amazing that America’s bestselling truck is also the most recalled in history, with currently available data reporting a total of 95 recalls? Just last month, Ford recalled 456,565 compact SUVs and trucks due to battery-related power loss issues. As confusing as this sounds, it makes sense that the bestselling nameplate, with an unprecedented 41 million units sold in history, would be subject to the harshest scrutiny.

It’s worth noting that these recalls were never about roadworthiness as the F-150 maintains generally good crash test results, especially in critical areas such as front and side-impact tests. Ultimately, some might consider pickup models with significant safety recalls and/or poor crash test ratings a no-go area. Can you blame them?

Outdated Technology

You know what we love the most about restomods? You get to enjoy the best of both worlds. You don’t just get a nostalgic retro design when you pay $285,000 for ICON4X4’s restomod 1950s Chevrolet Thriftmaster. Instead, the package includes a supercharged 435-hp Magnuson engine, WiFi, and a touchscreen infotainment system.

Now, we aren’t naming names, but you know what people hate the most about the Nissan Frontier? Even the improved newer models still lag in tech compared to its competitors. Of course, this is subjective, as some people might feel they got all they need in the Frontier, but the majority of the pickup crowd is not really into ancient tech in a new model and will almost always pass them over for something more cutting-edge.

Do you remember when Ford switched back to the pushrod V8 engine design a few years ago? The pickup world understood because it was a backward trip to reliability.

Overpriced for the Features Offered

Few things are more likely to elicit a contemptuous “stupid waste of money” sneer from people than an overpriced product that couldn’t justify its pricey price tag. Even the rich people in the world evaluate products based on the value they offer because it’s simply natural and smart to determine worth by value relative to price.

While some trucks offer a competitive set of features for their price point, others like (cough) the Ram 1500 TRX, Ford F-150 Raptor, and GMC Hummer EV SUT are often mentioned as way too expensive for their value.

Costly Features/Add-Ons

Similarly, shoppers might consider certain extra-cost additional packages as a waste of money, and this doesn’t apply to the pickup segment alone. Take the 2016 Ford Explorer Limited, for instance. Do you really need to pay an additional $1,995 for a dual-headrest rear-seat DVD player?

How about roof racks? Sure, they’re cool additions from the factory, but you can always get a system at your local sporting goods store for less money, let alone the freedom to move the aftermarket unit from car to car.

Furthermore, some models offer certain features as options at an extra cost, whereas same features come standard in competing models. Situations like this can easily leave customers feeling a bit cheated.

Limited Utility

A truck that ‘complains’ and strains over any meaningful grunt work is an outright waste of money because that’s not a truck, according to traditional truckers. A truck’s utility is so ingrained in the pickup culture that even people who buy them just to look cool still ask about towing and payload capacity as if they care.

Be as it may, the pickup crowd considers versatile, capable trucks as the best investment and the opposite a time-wasting, wasteful expenditure. However, “limited utility” varies by individual needs.

While some shoppers looking for the toughest nuts for the hardest jobs would consider models like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac and Ram 1500 Limited as bad investments, the same trucks might just be the best buy for those looking for a good balance of utility and affordability. Ultimately, utility isn’t just about strength; cargo space, fuel efficiency, and off-road capability are part of the deal.