Wife's in Oz... and she sends me this:

Mark Smith, of Smyth Automotive, plans to build a kit to turn a Mk IV Jetta into a mini-ute. This is the concept photo he shared.

As mentioned, Chicken tax. Also, outside of company/fleet vehicles, standard cab/2wd just isn't very popular.

If someone could find sales figures for this it would be greatly appreciated.

mad_machine wrote: I still do not know why Ford and GM won't bring them up. I can only guess they think they won't sell against SUVs

prob because of the cost to convert it to be able to drive it right-side-up... can't have a bunch of people driving around upside down now can we?....

I wish they'd bring em over... pretty kewl little utes :)

I would love a FWD ute. Gas mileage ftw. TDI?

neon4891 wrote: As mentioned, Chicken tax. Also, outside of company/fleet vehicles, standard cab/2wd just isn't very popular. If someone could find sales figures for this it would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know how accurate that is. Most people buy 4wd because they're told they need it, think they need it, or get up sold at the dealerships. Then, when they never use it and see that my Rwd truck gets better gas mileage they complain.

Need to get rid of the chicken tax, I want more diesel light trucks and utes damnit.

In reply to DrBoost: The problem with these, and the American truck scene in general is that most people want more truck than they need. For every F150 being used as a work truck, there's another one or two being used by housewifes and white-collar workers. Whenever someone comes up with a vehicle more tailored for these casual users (see Ridgeline) they get pilloried for not having a "real" truck. Look at all the E36 M3 Ford's getting for making the Explorer car-based rather than truck based. Never mind that it's a significntly better vehicle than it's predecesor in almost every way. So although Utes would provide all the truck most truck users need, I don't think they'd sell well, because they don't fit the brauny look and narrative.

I keep thinking of how cheap E36s are just now. "Truckifying" it would be one way to ditch the BMW snob stereotype.

I just don't get it. The bed is tiny so you can't haul much with it. The cab is small so it's a two-seater that can't handle, and someone said go hunting fast cars. Well, with no weight over the rear end that'll be fun.
I understand the multi-purpose vehicle desire but we all know, when you get a multi-use vehicle, it's a compromise in every aspect. It's only 1/2 a truck with 1/2 or less of the capability, and twice the sports/muscle car with 1/2 or less the capability.
If I were to spend, say 20 large on one of those monstrosities, I'd buy a used miata, a Cummins-powered Dodge and a nice Rotel receiver, and a GRM t-shirt.

Bad weight distribution? Tweak the weight distribution with play sand.

In reply to DrBoost:

And what would you recommend for someone who only makes periodic trips to the dump and occasional hardware store trips, and doesn't have the space for more than one vehicle?

Diffrent strokes for different folks, and so on. I don't really need a 3/4 ton cummins(only reason I don't have one is I can't afford one >.> ), I don't want a miata, I have one place to park a vehicle, and small trucks in Murica are absolute crap performance wise. The S10 Xtreme is a turd with a drop, the Dakota R/T drinks and drives like a full size, and there is no performance light Ford that isn't 4wd. And oh yeah, the Dakota RT and S10 don't get made anymore.

If Ford brought their Utes over, if Chrysler made one, and if I could find a good deal on a GM(maybe) I'd buy them.

dyintorace wrote: Mark Smith, of Smyth Automotive, plans to build a kit to turn a Mk IV Jetta into a mini-ute. This is the concept photo he shared.

Just like the original rabbit truck that would SUCK to drive for any normal height person due to no leg room. dont believe me, just go sit in a MKIV jetta, adjust the seat to where your comfortable and then turn your head and look where the B pillar is.

notice the holdens have a little window behind the door to get acceptable leg room.

Just like the original rabbit truck that would SUCK to drive for any normal height person due to no leg room.

Seems to me that if you're gonna chop up a car, you can get as much legroom as you want. It just depends where the wall goes...

DrBoost wrote: Ok, I gotsta axe. What is the draw? You don't have the utility of a real truck, it's waay longer than any 2-seater should be, and it's ugly. I'm not knocking anyone here, God knows my vehicular taste are odd, but I just never understood the draw of the Ranchero, El Camino, Mullet-mobile, etc. I understand those have a potent drivetrain, but that potent drivetrain comes wrapped in a much more usefull, and much, much better looking package. I'm just saying.....

Depends on what you call useful. I have TONS of need for a small pickup. I currently have a Sonoma that gets used as a boat towing rig, transporting engines, transmissions, axles, and other various parts. Its perfect... and if I had money to waste I'd drop an LS3 in it with a T56

A Ute would cover all of those needs as well.

Right now is a perfect time to bring it over here. We have the Charger, Challenger, Camaro, Mustang... all making a big muscle car comeback. Why not bring the Ute over, call it a Sprint, make it only available at GMC dealers, and whammo.

I also have to agree with the proliferation of people buying WAAAY more truck than they need. I just ditched my F150 4x4 and bought this Sonoma V6. I was getting 14mpg, now I can get 23+mpg, and the only thing i gave up was the ability to tow my one heaviest flatbed trailer.

DrBoost wrote: I just don't get it. The bed is tiny so you can't haul much with it. The cab is small so it's a two-seater that can't handle, and someone said go hunting fast cars. Well, with no weight over the rear end that'll be fun.

Actually, the weight distribution is 53:47 on the Ute.

It can handle. Left-hand drive parts are already on the shelves because the Commodore is shipped over here as the G8

And one other thing... the beds have actually gotten larger on the latest gen Ute: This one is as big as my S10 short bed.

I see the way more truck phenominom all the time. The parking garage at work is FILLED with SUVs and Trucks who's only foray offroading is gingerly creeping over the speed humps

Speed humps I do not slow down for in my stiffened up and lowered BMW

I wanted the G8 ute so bad. I really need a replacement for my Ranger. I did the big truck thing for years with an 84 Dodge W150 and an 01 F250 powerstroke. Both were are genuine pain in the ass to deal with for DD in California. My Ranger is much more practical.

Still considering picking up one of the V8 2wd Colorados since the G8 ute got canceled, but they seem to be quite difficult to find in ext cab 2wd versions.

Dr Boost said,

I just don't get it. The bed is tiny so you can't haul much with it. The cab is small so it's a two-seater that can't handle, and someone said go hunting fast cars. Well, with no weight over the rear end that'll be fun.

A. You have never driven a well sorted ute, so you can't speculate on the handling. I have and you are wrong. Regarding load, they carry about the same as an F150 etc can legally in weight. They are used to tow huge trailers and boats everyday downunder also.

I understand the multi-purpose vehicle desire but we all know, when you get a multi-use vehicle, it's a compromise in every aspect. It's only 1/2 a truck with 1/2 or less of the capability, and twice the sports/muscle car with 1/2 or less the capability.

A. Most tradesmen or delivery people only need half a truck, have you checked you local parts delivery store vehicles lately. Add to that car like handling and stopping ability.

If I were to spend, say 20 large on one of those monstrosities, I'd buy a used miata, a Cummins-powered Dodge and a nice Rotel receiver, and a GRM t-shirt.

A. Not a fair comparison, you would have to compare a brand new fully optioned and souped up S10 to even get close. Not everybody actually needs a Cummins powered 25 foot long monster to deliver a ball joint/case of beer or a bouquet of flowers.

Woody wrote: That's awesome. I wish my wife would go to Australia.

did that come out the way you actually meant it ?

wbjones wrote:

Woody wrote: That's awesome. I wish my wife would go to Australia.

did that come out the way you actually meant it ?

Score!

curtis73 wrote: Actually, the weight distribution is 53:47 on the Ute...It can handle.

In reply to Luke:

I'm in love with V8 supercars as it it is, and then ya gotta show me this E36 M3!!!

Personally, I always figured it was because most cars built in Oz were four door, and Utes were the easier way to get two. Everybody knows two doors are (were) cooler.

Javelin wrote: I love me some 'Ute! That Purple GTO conversion is just SWMBO saw me eying it from across the room and yelled out, "No!".

QFT

Grizz wrote: In reply to DrBoost: And what would you recommend for someone who only makes periodic trips to the dump and occasional hardware store trips, and doesn't have the space for more than one vehicle?

I'd get a 5-series wagon with the manual trans and sport package. The cargo area will haul anything can put in one of those beasts save for the tall items. For those tall items, and the nasty stuff you might haul to the dump, get a folding HF trailer.
I just could not be seen in one of those things. There are very few cars made that are as dreadful as those.
What is the tow rating, cargo capacity and fuel economy? This being GRM, when I see a new car, I think, "what could I get for that same money"? That's where my miata, cummins came from. I can't imagine what it would feel like to have to pay money, real money, money I worked to earn and have to drive that every day! I'd be thinking "man, I could have had an Aztec or an Vehicross instead

I am going to buy an El Camino or Ranchero because I want something that can tow my Spitfire, haul dirt bikes, go to autocrosses (until my Spitfire is done at least)

This is my ute. And when it can't haul I use my Jetta wagon.

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I can always rent a big truck if I need it. I've had a Rabbit truck. It was rated at a half ton!

Would love another vehicle like it. Maybe this...

With the 1.8t from my Jetta.