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Input on what Truck/SUV you drive

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Hi all.

What it is is a Legacy Outback platform but instead of a hatchback or trunk it has an open bed.

I saw a Baja the other day with a shell on it....I thought why?, But I guess he needed to spend an extra few $$$$ to cover the goods he had in the bed /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif
I think the Toyota would be a good way to go on the 4dr pick-up, I know I also mentioned the Landcruiser, But you cant go wrong on the quality, Its kinda odd to have a Triumph that needs all sorts of attention and 2 vehicles that need so little, Other than routine fluid changes.
Good luck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif
 
My reliable backup vehicle is my 1990 Ford Ranger extended cab with the V-6. It was my grandfathers until he rolled it about 5 times. It was rebuilt by a family friend and made it's way back to me. It's been pushed about as far as you can push a 2WD truck off road, been stuck numerous times. We've had many adventures in it.

The motor has been reliable but the interiors of fords always fall apart. Yesterday the driver side door handle linkage broke, a few months ago the lock linkage in the passengers side came apart and lots of little things like that seem to happen. The chack engine light comes on after driving more than 45 minutes, no one can tell me why either.
 
Gary,

My, choice is Dodge.
In 1975 I bought a new D-150 PU. Absolutely no problems 'til my Ex stole it from me in '81. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
In 1981 I bought a Dodge Ramcharger and drove it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif both on an off road, pulling up to 8,000 Lbs with it an had no problems. Traded it in with 200,000 on the clock (because I just had to have a new truck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif)on a 94 D-2500, will drive the '94 'til the wheels fall off of it, 170,000 miles right now and still pulls off the line stronger than anything else I own. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif It has pulled up to 10,000 lbs, carried 5,000 lbs in the box (not at the same time...that might be a little much /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif )
If I decide I need a new truck it will most definately be a new dodge. ( /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Maybe a Hemi this time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif

Mike
 
I have a Cayenne Turbo. Try it, it would be a great improvement over the RRC
 
I have a 98 Expedition, and my inlaws have a 2003 Navigator, which is the new platform of Expedition. Basically, I think they're pieces of junk.

Here's the skinny -- Fords are decent, but designed in a way that will keep dealer service operations very profitable (really -- by design.) For instance, replacing a heater core in a Suburban is a 1.5 hour job. In an Expedition, it's a 10 hour job. To replace the catalytic converters (there are 4) in the Expedition (which went out at 140,000 miles) the parts were only available via dealers at over $900. No aftermarket parts would fit.

The wiper arm has a little ball and plastic socket that wears out. They don't sell the 1 cent socket (which, when it wears out, the ball pops out and the arm is no disconnected from the motor.) They only sell the $145 (wholesale) complete motor and arm assembly, which is an hour to remove, an hour to replace. (I did it myself, but it's a pain!)

As an owner of many GM cars (Corvettes, Oldsmobile -- my inlaws have a GMC 1500 pickup, my father has a Caddy SLS) stay away. I won't buy another GM. While they are generally decent cars, the corporation refuses to fix long-running problems -- and even recalls just are silly band-aids (stop leak to fix huge leaks in plastic intake manifolds in Buicks, Olds, Pontiac which leads to hydrolocking...a computer workaround to cut the fuel pump so the car can't be moved when the column lock fails in the locked position in 1997-2004 Corvettes (they don't fix the column, just disable the pump in the case of failure! Which happened to my C5 last week.) There are probably 20 problems for each GM model that are known, documented and of various severity, and there are no "cures" by GM...just have service replace parts with the same basic parts which will fail in the same way.

Now, on the truck/SUV side, I would strongly recommend looking at the Honda Pilot, Nissan Titan or even Subaru Forrester/Outback. I'm not a fan of SUVs or Trucks unless you really need to tow a lot, because for the price of a basic SUV, you can get a heck of a great sedan, which is usually longer, has more legroom and handles a lot better.

While it's a couple years old, I invite you to take a look at my newspaper story on a 20+ SUV comparison I did at Mudfest. It's on my web site at www.apexstrategy.com

I've driven so many SUVs, it makes my head spin. I can answer a lot of questions, especially about things the magazine reviews don't tell you (reliability, dealer service quality, cost of ownership.)

Feel free to email me.

Sam
 
Just said goodbye to my '96 F150 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif. It was a good truck, but getting a little long in the tooth.

Looking at the '05 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab. HP is up from last year, as is the gas mileage (17/21). Tow capacity is 5000 with the automatic, and 6500 with the six speed, which is not in production yet. The salesman I'm working with told me that according to the marketers, if you spend over $25K for a vehicle, you don't want to shift! Still don't understand their logic. Another salesman at the dealership told me there are three people who've said they wanted the six speed.
 
Mickey,
It's really true...pickups and SUVs are now so popular with the urbanites and suburbanites, they're made for cruising and "hauling" the stroller and family dog. Part of that means only providing a smooth automatic tranny. You can count the number of pickups and SUVs on one hand available with a manual tranny.

As for the Toyotas, they are nice trucks. I've always thought the Tundra was very nice, but quite expensive for what you received. My buddy and I towed my '55 Packard on a trailer with his 2001 Tundra, so it's powerful enough.

Toyotas have had some reliability issues as of late. In the last two years, they've had, across the board, some problems with Volvo-esque electrical issues -- you know, the ones where you go out to start your car after being in the store for 30 minutes and the car won't start! Not widely talked about in the public, but has been a major topic of conversation in the auto writer circles.

That being said, I'd still probably balance Tundra vs. Titan in my final truck decision. (Yes, I'll amend my first comment and add the Tundra in there, since I haven't heard issues specific to the Tundra, rather just the Toyota cars and SUVs (but just because they sell more, so there are more to break down.)

As for the Tacoma...being just 25 miles from Tacoma, WA, all I can think of is: "The aroma of Tacoma." Do Toyota Tacomas smell like Tacoma's pulp mill (which causes the whole dang city to smell like something died.)

And more appropriate use of the name Tacoma would be the IROC Camaro "Tacoma" edition, which comes standard with a jacked-up rear suspension, tinted windows and a stereo that only plays Scorpions music.
 
2001 F-150 extended cab

Bought mine new, and love the fact that the 4 doors open even though it looks like a 2 door. It is also the 5.4 L. engine. I was told by friends who had the smaller engine to get the larger one. I have over 72000 miles on it, and have towed a large livestock trailer up to Michigan and back (from Georgia)with a load and no issues. (The automatic tranny is great.) It has been everywhere(Florida, Washington, and all points in between). I did nothing but oil changes/filters every 3000 miles for the first 70,000 then took it in for a 'Get it back to new' session with the dealer. Needed new brakes all around, replaced all plugs and tuned, changed all fluids incl. tranny, and replaced all filters. A couple of other minor things, like wiper blades,etc.. Cost was exactly $804 or a maintenance cost of about 9/10 of a cent per mile. She runs great and looks great. I plan to keep it for a long time. I think I am hard to please when it comes to cars , but I love them. This pick-up truck is in company with my other cars, all dependable /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif...62 XKE OTS, 31 Model A Coupe, LS400, Boxster, and a Wrangler. I'm no longer young /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif but do think the old saying is correct, "When your kids are grown and gone, your income seems to triple!" Get the F-150..I have NOT regretted it for a moment..and I don't like buying new cars, and probably never will get another one new again.
 
Re: 2001 F-150 extended cab

Sammy,

I gotta agree with you about new pick-ups/SUVs being built for cruising and not hauling. I am always amazed at how luxurious these "work vechilces" are getting and how the towing capabilites are so far removed from what they used to be. Lets take for example my 52 International 1/2 ton pick-up. It has gas burning engine putting out 92 horses and 185 Lb/ft of torque, came with vinyl upholsetry, steel door panels, a rubber floor mat, no heater (though it was an option and mine does now have one I got at a junk yard), no radio, a four speed unsychronized transmission (a three speed synchronized tranny was an option), and was rated to pull 40,000 pounds (and it will do it too). Now lets take a 2004 Chevy 3500 HD, supposably the most powerful pick-up in its class (1 ton), it has a diesel putting out 300 hp, and 520 lb/ft of torque, has nice upholstery, plush carpeting, full two zone climate control, a cd player/radio, a five speed synchronized tranny, and is rated to pull a stagering 12,000 lbs, or a fifth wheel pulling capacity of 15,900 lbs. Now you'd think that with all the technology and power they have thrown at this class leading "work" truck it would be able to out work my small under powered fifty-two year old pick-up, but it can't even begin to pull with it. Oh well times change I guess. Sorry if this seemed like a rant, it was just an odd observation I have made.
 
Re: 2001 F-150 extended cab

Walter,
I'm right with you, buddy. My neighbor growing up kept an old 50's International (in the proper green-blue color) pickup, and actually he still has it and uses it. Using the clutch is pointless except starting in 1st.

I've had so many SUVs and Pickups as press vehicles, so I've seen enough to compare...big thing is PRICE! I can't understand why someone would pay $50K for a pickup truck -- they do so because it is a bad pickup and mediocre family hauler. Personally, I'd rather have a new $25K Accord and $5K old F150 or GMC1500 to beat on when I actually needed a true truck.
 
Re: 2001 F-150 extended cab

Walter,

You’re telling us that a fifty year old work truck with the “semi-adequate” specs you mentioned has a 40,000 towing capacity? Wow! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif That’s pretty amazing – those capabilities are well within commercial vehicle status.

But I must admit that I’m having a hard time seeing that truck pulling that kind of load tooling down an Interstate at 70 or 80 MPH for extended periods of time. Let alone pulling the same load up a steep grade at more than 10MPH. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Regardless, while I too wouldn’t purchase a brand “new” truck, I think you & Sammy are being a bit harsh on the more modern trucks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Admittedly most new trucks are quite plush compared to their earlier counterparts. Not wishing to start that tired old debate about whether or not everyday folks really need trucks & SUVs as daily drivers. But the fact is trucks & SUVs make up a much larger segment of today’s vehicle sales. They are much safer, more fuel efficient and a far cry more utilitarian than trucks of old. Needed or not these vehicles need to at least be capable of pulling duties such as a commuter vehicle, a weekend work horse & play toy as well as a daily kiddy & grocery hauler.

So a "real truck" like say my old 1994 F-150 regular cab with the 4.9L Inline 6, with a vinyl bench seat & rubber floor mats isn’t going to cut it with today’s consumer.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Re: 2001 F-150 extended cab

Bret,

No there is no way my pick-up would pull 40,000 lbs at 70 mph, more like 45 tops, and pulling a hill it can do closer to 14 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif . I wasn't really trying to dog new trucks so much as I was trying to illustrate how far pick-ups have come from what they were designed for, utility, to what they are now. Now they are plush consumer vehicles which everyone drives, and which fulfill the roll of comfort better than the roll of utility. Anyway I just think it is odd that in todays world when you go out and buy a "utility" vehicle or "work" truck the standard models have so many bells and wistles that they would put most luxury cars from 30 years ago to shame. Yet they still refer to this new breed of pick-ups as "work" trucks. Furthermore a bare bones pick-up, like your F150 you mentioned, has to basically be special ordered today, rather than the super luxurious model having to be special ordered.
 
Re: 2001 F-150 extended cab

Where I work, most of the work trucks are badly equipped. Next week I have to turn in my 2004 plush nicely equipped GMC 4WD for a 2003 Ford Diesel. Vinyl seats, rubber floor mats. It does have cruise control and air conditioning, but most of ours do not. It has manual hubs and floor shifting 4WD control. The last pickup I had with decent ventilation was a '96 Ford. Other than that, the manufacturers seem to say: "You're not buying air conditioning? Well heck with you then!"

You can barely drive a late modle truck at highway speeds with the windows down.

Remember cowl vents?

Remember the side vents at the floorboards? Wind Wings?

That stuff worked!
 
Re: 2001 F-150 extended cab

Cowl vents are my friend. When the pick-up you drive is basically a steel box and its at least 20 degrees hotter in it than it is outside, cowl vents are the best thing ever.
 
Re: 2001 F-150 extended cab

[ QUOTE ]
You can barely drive a late modle truck at highway speeds with the windows down.

Remember cowl vents?

Remember the side vents at the floorboards? Wind Wings?

That stuff worked!

[/ QUOTE ]

That stuff may have worked, but then our expectations were less then than they are now. We've gotten soft, and we've gotten used to and expect A/C wherever we are. Traveling interstates at speed with the windows open just isn't an option for us! I hardly see anyone with windows open on the interstate.

Mickey
 
Sam:

thanks for your input. I actually got a buyer on my '88 RR Classic yesterday, for my lowered asking price of $5900. I really am selling her with mixed emotions. It has been a great, if not expensive truck to run. Considering it is 16 yrs old, it is in remarkable shape. Yes I did replace the engine at a cost of $6000, replacing the tired 3.5 with a new 4.0, but because the body is aluminum there was no rust & virtually no corrosion. The beauty of the 1988 is it doesn't have all the complex bells & whistles of the later RR's, plus I think the quality control was better. I also like the fact that I don't blend in with the crowd like all the new SUV's do. The guy who bought it from me had a Series II Land Rover in college & is basically buying it for weekend driving & tooling down along the beach. The sad thing is that some of the components are just plain wearing out & $125 seat switches & the like are just adding up. Bottom line is I paid $4500 for the truck with 100k on it & over 6 years have put prob $8500 into her. Not a great return on my investment, but I don't usually look at any car to be a profit maker. Amazing that this rig went for $38,000 in 1988!

Anyway, looks like I will prob go with a Land Cruiser FJ 100 '98-2001, Not cheap either, but from what I hear very good ratings. Do you have any input?


p.s. I need the size, for hauling my kids, soccer team, 2 large Labs & a 22' Grady White.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sam:

Anyway, looks like I will prob go with a Land Cruiser FJ 100 '98-2001, Not cheap either, but from what I hear very good ratings. Do you have any input?


p.s. I need the size, for hauling my kids, soccer team, 2 large Labs & a 22' Grady White.

[/ QUOTE ]
WOO HOOO!. You wont be disapointed, I have had ALL sorts of things in mine. Just thought I would add, I have towed a Datsun 2000 on a trailer and didnt really feel much differance in the performance, But I do have the I6.
Good luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sam:

Anyway, looks like I will prob go with a Land Cruiser FJ 100 '98-2001, Not cheap either, but from what I hear very good ratings. Do you have any input?


p.s. I need the size, for hauling my kids, soccer team, 2 large Labs & a 22' Grady White.

[/ QUOTE ]
WOO HOOO!. You wont be disapointed, I have had ALL sorts of things in mine.
Good luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
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