The Toy's and Datsun's etc. were good mechaniclly, but their bodies rusted right to the ground. And you're right, the old Bronco's are dirt cheap because they built a zillion of them and they use thicker sheet metal than the Jap's.

 

I used the term in a different way. I've invested $17 on the car and in return, aquire a good number of years of fun transportation. Rust would certainly lower the return.

As a previous owner of a C4 Vette, I'm very aware that few cars ever actually increase in value.

 

I can absolutely concur that is the case. 4x4 in deep snow, great. Stopping on slippery roads: a whole different story. I've seen a'plenty Explorer, Jeep, 4-wheel truck slowly sliding towards the ditch, trees & certain doom as I have cars. Frankly, I don't see any more RWD's ditched than I do FWD's. If you don't drive with your head you're screwed no matter what you drive. That said; I'll still be driving the Cougar this winter unless, like Chuck above, the weather is nice. After all, I still need my Xfire fix!

 

Back to the question:
Beep, nothing wrong the winter POS idea but small trucks are hard to beat. Tough, durable, fairly reliable & it doesn't matter what they look like. Heck, rust looks about right on one of those!

 

I used to see lots of Nisson p/u's with home-made wooden beds because the old ones would only last a few years, but even those are gone now. All that's left are a few Jimmy's and lots of Bronco's.

I drove a Toyota p/u for a while in the 80's and it was a fun ride but they're all gone. I believe the Minnesota Dept of Transportation is the primary supporter of the nations salt industry.

 

Well there you have it. I didn't think of the total weight factor. In this case it's kind of self limiting because of the size issue.