Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

fintail

I wonder if there are ADMs on the Gladiator.

Fancy pickups and fancy Jeeps are very much both lifestyle toy posing vehicles, combine that and you can mint money from the relatively affluent wannabe rugged outdoorsman demographic (which is huge in my area anyway).

au1994

I’m sure there will be, at least initially.

The fancy Jeeps are all over the place here too. Most of the dealers have a few of them new, straight off the lot with a lift, wheels and tires etc. The appeal is universal too: high school boys to soccer moms drive them.

I remember the prices on some of this stuff from when I had my 2007 and with a purchase price in the 40’s and easily 10-20k in equipment and the labor to install, there are lots of 50-60k rigs parked at the high schools around here.

fintail

When I was a student 20+ years ago, I remember new Wranglers were a thing for spoiled co-eds, but they were a bit cheaper then, and the lifted movement hadn't caught on.

Local dealer has a Gladiator Rubicon listed at 62K.

henryn

I believe it was @qbrozen who (a few months back) posted a picture of the upcoming Jeep truck, and expressed an interest. It would be interesting to hear what he thinks after reading that article in Car and Driver. I do agree with their assessment of the Ridgeline (it is a minivan with a bed in the back).

xwesx

au1994 said:

Yep. About as long as we were taunted with the Jeep pick up. Which, btw, just came in 3rd out of 4 in a C&D test. It also had a 55k sticker.

Wow; the Colorado wins! I didn't expect that.

stickguy

it wins all the comparisons. Best combo of truck and car. Ranger needs some improving, ridgeline gets dinged for macho truck things.

tjc78

Surprised they dinged the 3.6 power train in the Colorado. I have had three of those engines now and really like them. It’s not a Nissan VQ or Toyota 2GR but really close.

corvette

Had a nice scare on the first leg of my first road trip in the G37. Remember how I bought that Y shaped USB cable to provide more power to my phone? Well, after I headed out, it looked like the phone wasn't getting enough juice, so I thought I'd unplug the 12v lighter adapter and plug it back in (I sometimes have to do this in the Tahoe, as the adapter needs a reset).

Very bad idea when you have 5v current back-flowing through the adapter! I heard a spark and a pop through the stereo, then the infotainment display turned all grey with black lines going through it. I tried to power it off and on, but that didn't help. I assumed fuses would be blown and was prepared to go back home and pick up the Tahoe, if need be.

I found a place to pull off in downtown Louisville, shut the car off, opened the door to kill the electronics, and restarted, and everything worked fine, even the Y cable. Waze really uses a lot of energy, the phone was at around 60% charge at the beginning of a three hour drive, and ended up around 80% at the end. Without the Y cable, it would've slowly drained the whole time.

I had about 100 miles on this tank of gas when I started, with mostly highway driving, but some city, as well. Drove about 205 more tonight, all highway. Trip computer indicated over 24 MPG, but manual calculation says 22.5-ish. Tonight, I had the cruise set on 85 wherever traffic permitted. The G37 was very poised and stable at that speed (and higher), and it was quiet so long as the pavement wasn't beat up. Tomorrow is a 400 mile trek that is exclusively highway, so we'll see whether MPG improves.

Michaell

fintail said:

Haven't we been taunted with a new Microbus in some form for around 20 years?

The research I've done indicated that the first tease of this iteration was in 2017. Supposedly the electric CUV version will be out next year.

@breld guessed $40-50k pricing, but VW will get the full federal incentive for a while. Colorado also has a $5k tax credit, so there's $12,500 right there.

I'm sure it will be a bit more sedate in styling when it's released. For some reason, I'm imagining it in cream over red with a light colored interior.

Plenty of time to follow developments.

au1994

I thought C&D’s comment on the Ridgeline was spot on “what every mid-sized truck buyer is looking for”. What they didn’t add was but is afraid to buy! All 4 have some level of appeal to me if I was in the market.

ab348

tjc78 said:

Surprised they dinged the 3.6 power train in the Colorado. I have had three of those engines now and really like them. It’s not a Nissan VQ or Toyota 2GR but really close.

Well, it's a GM vehicle so C&D had to find something to criticize. Besides, they were probably really out of sorts when they realized they couldn't rank the Honda first.

tjc78

Probably some truth in that. They weren't happy with the VQ in the Murano in another test, but that may have had something to do with the CVT.

nyccarguy

Good comparo test by C/D.  Just macho up the front end Honda.  Please!

au1994

nyccarguy said:

Good comparo test by C/D.  Just macho up the front end Honda.  Please!

Agree. It just looks like they cleaved off the front of an Odyssey. It’s a great option if you don’t want to go full on truck.

I saw the rationale about not including the Tacoma or Frontier. I’d still like to have seen where they all stacked up.

nyccarguy

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

Good comparo test by C/D.  Just macho up the front end Honda.  Please!

Agree. It just looks like they cleaved off the front of an Odyssey. It’s a great option if you don’t want to go full on truck.

I saw the rationale about not including the Tacoma or Frontier. I’d still like to have seen where they all stacked up.

I sat in a Ridgeline at the Auto Show. It is so thoughtfully & practically designed. I'm sure it drives like our Pilot (no reason to think it doesn't).

graphicguy

Michaell said:

My wife, who loves her Outback and doesn't have much interest in cars, tells me the other day that she may have found her next vehicle:



All electric, and available in 2022, apparently.

Not sure how, but it showed up in her Facebook feed. Sheesh.

She’s a forward thinker. Gotta love that!

fintail

Yep, this is the latest tease. Back in 2001, people were taunted with this:



I remember some people went nuts, and with the New Beetle still being fresh, people thought it had a good chance. Fast forward 18 years and choose your CUV same sausage of different lengths.

Ridgeline to me looks like a Pilot someone "el camino-ized". It's probably the most honest pickup in that it isn't trying hard to be more butch than it is.

Michaell said:

The research I've done indicated that the first tease of this iteration was in 2017. Supposedly the electric CUV version will be out next year.
Plenty of time to follow developments.

tjc78

I'll say it... I would take a Ridgeline. IMO it's no worse than driving a crossover. Say what you will for a guy with a family there is a lot of utility there while still being very friendly for little kids, etc.

tjc78

I remember some people went nuts, and with the New Beetle still being fresh,

My cousin was a VW nut. He had a few older Beetles in his early 20s. He ordered his "New Beetle" early and had one of the first ones delivered in our area. He used to get people looking at it all the time. After a year or two the novelty wore off, he bored of it and traded it for something else. He mods everything so it had better suspension, aftermarket wheels and who knows what else.

Same guy now drives a Chevy 2500 Diesel.

au1994

tjc78 said:

I'll say it... I would take a Ridgeline. IMO it's no worse than driving a crossover. Say what you will for a guy with a family there is a lot of utility there while still being very friendly for little kids, etc.

I’d rock one too. As @nyccarguy noted thoughtfully and practically designed (in other words a Honda) and pretty nice looking. I like the in bed storage and it looks like its just enough pickup bed for 90% of the PU buyers out there. Mileage is pretty good for what it is too.

stickguy

It would work for me. Plus the wife would drive it. Maybe they’ll graft the passport nose on it.

Neighbor has a new temp tagged Colorado in driveway. Dark gray ZR2. Knobby tires, sits a bit high. Not sure if that’s standard for that model. Looks sharp, and not too gigantic.

ab348

Some very high percentage of pickups sold are vast overkill for the use case, so something like a Ridgeline (or the El Camino a few generations ago) is perfectly adequate. It lost that comparo because of the styling but mostly because of the structure not being up to the task of going off-road. The same holds true for hauling heavy trailers or payloads, very rare for most. How many pickups actually get used like that? Darn few I'd say.

pensfan83

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

Good comparo test by C/D.  Just macho up the front end Honda.  Please!

Agree. It just looks like they cleaved off the front of an Odyssey. It’s a great option if you don’t want to go full on truck.

I saw the rationale about not including the Tacoma or Frontier. I’d still like to have seen where they all stacked up.

My buddy has a Tacoma, TRD Sport with a 6 speed. Having used it a few times I think it's a decent overall package but you never forget you're driving a truck (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

I'll say it... I would take a Ridgeline. IMO it's no worse than driving a crossover. Say what you will for a guy with a family there is a lot of utility there while still being very friendly for little kids, etc.

The main issue I have with the Ridgeline is they don't lease well.

kyfdx

pensfan83 said:

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

Good comparo test by C/D.  Just macho up the front end Honda.  Please!

Agree. It just looks like they cleaved off the front of an Odyssey. It’s a great option if you don’t want to go full on truck.

I saw the rationale about not including the Tacoma or Frontier. I’d still like to have seen where they all stacked up.

My buddy has a Tacoma, TRD Sport with a 6 speed. Having used it a few times I think it's a decent overall package but you never forget you're driving a truck (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

Hey, thanks for calling me your buddy!

Try driving it in 4WD, and you'd pick something else..

tjc78

nyccarguy said:

tjc78 said:

I'll say it... I would take a Ridgeline. IMO it's no worse than driving a crossover. Say what you will for a guy with a family there is a lot of utility there while still being very friendly for little kids, etc.

The main issue I have with the Ridgeline is they don't lease well.

What Honda does?

Acuras are the better buy if leasing. I'm actually a little surprised they never made an Acura version of the Ridgeline. They made that ZDX thing, so it's not like they aren't willing to take a chance.

I'm sure they sold at least 5 or 6 ZDX.

au1994

I thought Accords leased well?? Or at least they used to??

suydam

nyccarguy said:

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

Good comparo test by C/D.  Just macho up the front end Honda.  Please!

Agree. It just looks like they cleaved off the front of an Odyssey. It’s a great option if you don’t want to go full on truck.

I saw the rationale about not including the Tacoma or Frontier. I’d still like to have seen where they all stacked up.

I sat in a Ridgeline at the Auto Show. It is so thoughtfully & practically designed. I'm sure it drives like our Pilot (no reason to think it doesn't).

One of our neighbors just sold his aging Silverado and bought a new Ridgeline. For his needs it’s perfect. A little hauling but mainly daily driving plus long camping drives. He loves the camping package.

Michaell

Help with high mileage 4Runners....

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/55740/toyota/4runner/toyota-4-runners-high-mileage-used-value#latest

Michaell

And, add me to the list of folks who would drive a Ridgeline. Nice balance between comfort and utility, plus the legendary Honda reliability.

28firefighter

Speaking of legendary Honda quality, I've been meaning to share this.

Our friends have a 2016 Honda Fit - all loaded up. They were over this weekend and my buddy was showing me the Fit's paint. The clear coat and paint have completely worn off down to the primer in 7 different areas - roof, door panels, fenders etc. Now the primer is starting to peel off. Apparently started about 2 months ago without any warning; it started to rain and the paint literally started falling off in a couple spots and then from there just got worse.

Honda sent him for a quote to a body shop - it'll be a $7500 deal to get the car completely repainted. Sounds like Honda is going to step up and cover it, but sheesh.

au1994

I think I’ve developed a minor obsession...the dealer nearby has a really nice silver Ridgeline RTL AWD...37 and change on the sticker...

breld

The way I see it, while there was a time that a pickup truck was 99% a choice of utility and need, they're now as much a personal choice as any other vehicle.

@jpp75 and I were talking about this in the context of his Tacoma. The Ridgeline absolutely fills the need of most pickup buyers, but there is a character to the trucks that holds the most appeal to the owners. As well as some reputation. That's why the Tacoma sells like hotcakes. And same goes for the new Gladiator.

pensfan83

kyfdx said:

pensfan83 said:

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

Good comparo test by C/D.  Just macho up the front end Honda.  Please!

Agree. It just looks like they cleaved off the front of an Odyssey. It’s a great option if you don’t want to go full on truck.

I saw the rationale about not including the Tacoma or Frontier. I’d still like to have seen where they all stacked up.

My buddy has a Tacoma, TRD Sport with a 6 speed. Having used it a few times I think it's a decent overall package but you never forget you're driving a truck (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

Hey, thanks for calling me your buddy!

Try driving it in 4WD, and you'd pick something else..

Ha. I've only used it when my dad's truck was unavailable so no experience when 4 wheel drive was required. What happens in 4x4?

kyfdx

pensfan83 said:

kyfdx said:

pensfan83 said:

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

Good comparo test by C/D.  Just macho up the front end Honda.  Please!

Agree. It just looks like they cleaved off the front of an Odyssey. It’s a great option if you don’t want to go full on truck.

I saw the rationale about not including the Tacoma or Frontier. I’d still like to have seen where they all stacked up.

My buddy has a Tacoma, TRD Sport with a 6 speed. Having used it a few times I think it's a decent overall package but you never forget you're driving a truck (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

Hey, thanks for calling me your buddy!

Try driving it in 4WD, and you'd pick something else..

Ha. I've only used it when my dad's truck was unavailable so no experience when 4 wheel drive was required. What happens in 4x4?

The front wheels are locked in... It is a bear to drive. Reminds me of my '95 Pathfinder SE, but worse.

roadburner

I’d take the Jeep; I don’t need a serious 4WD vehicle all the time, but when I do I REALLY need one. 

tjc78

28firefighter said:

Speaking of legendary Honda quality, I've been meaning to share this.

Our friends have a 2016 Honda Fit - all loaded up. They were over this weekend and my buddy was showing me the Fit's paint. The clear coat and paint have completely worn off down to the primer in 7 different areas - roof, door panels, fenders etc. Now the primer is starting to peel off. Apparently started about 2 months ago without any warning; it started to rain and the paint literally started falling off in a couple spots and then from there just got worse.

Honda sent him for a quote to a body shop - it'll be a $7500 deal to get the car completely repainted. Sounds like Honda is going to step up and cover it, but sheesh.

Wow. Surprised they are doing that.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

28firefighter said:

Speaking of legendary Honda quality, I've been meaning to share this.

Our friends have a 2016 Honda Fit - all loaded up. They were over this weekend and my buddy was showing me the Fit's paint. The clear coat and paint have completely worn off down to the primer in 7 different areas - roof, door panels, fenders etc. Now the primer is starting to peel off. Apparently started about 2 months ago without any warning; it started to rain and the paint literally started falling off in a couple spots and then from there just got worse.

Honda sent him for a quote to a body shop - it'll be a $7500 deal to get the car completely repainted. Sounds like Honda is going to step up and cover it, but sheesh.

Wow. Surprised they are doing that.

I'd ask for the $7500, and drive that until it dies. I don't need paint.

tjc78

Oh I couldn't. One of the deciding factors for me getting rid of my 04 Grand Marquis was that the paint was getting ready to peel off in sheets too.

The hood had already been repainted and there were three other areas on the car that I could tell were getting ready to start.

We call it on the Panther forums Ford Fail White This is what happens when it gets really bad.

qbrozen

henryn said:

I believe it was @qbrozen who (a few months back) posted a picture of the upcoming Jeep truck, and expressed an interest. It would be interesting to hear what he thinks after reading that article in Car and Driver. I do agree with their assessment of the Ridgeline (it is a minivan with a bed in the back).

Yes, that was me.

There is nothing comparable to the Gladiator if you want to remove the top and doors. And, let’s be honest, the Gladiator will sell on its looks and perceived lifestyle. The Wrangler has always been absolutely wretched to live with, but that doesn’t affect its saleS.

ab348

qbrozen said:

The Wrangler has always been absolutely wretched to live with, but that doesn’t affect its saleS.

Which explains the ample numbers of late-model Wranglers found on used lots. Give the Gladiator 6-12 months and I suspect it will be similar.

28firefighter

My friend is completely OCD and the paint wearing off is driving him crazy.

fintail

That would drive me batty, too. I've seen plenty of failed paint on dark colored late 90s-early 2000s Hondas, but nothing so new.

stickguy

just peel the rest off, and a roll of tape, some paper, a few rattle cans (a brush if you are lazy) and good to go.

pensfan83

fintail said:

That would drive me batty, too. I've seen plenty of failed paint on dark colored late 90s-early 2000s Hondas, but nothing so new.

@nyccarguy and myself have red Hondas that were notorious for fading. They are different hues (mine is San Marino Red, darker and like a blood red and his is Milano Red, a lighter shade of red) but they faded just the same.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

just peel the rest off, and a roll of tape, some paper, a few rattle cans (a brush if you are lazy) and good to go.

Plan B if they choose not to fix it.

au1994

Do a vinyl wrap and pocket the difference.

cdnpinhead

pensfan83 said:

@nyccarguy and myself have red Hondas that were notorious for fading. They are different hues (mine is San Marino Red, darker and like a blood red and his is Milano Red, a lighter shade of red) but they faded just the same.

Me too, with my 2008 TSX. The hood is quite faded, but there are four other shades of red on the areas that have needed body work done over the 153K miles it's been driven -- front bumper cover, top just aft of the windshield, rear bumper cover and driver's door. I certainly don't want to spend what a quality full-up repaint would cost, plus which with the crap latex water-based paint available today, there's no reason to expect a better result going forward.

stickguy

Mine should be good for the 3 year lease term! I forget which red I have. Maybe San Marino.

mjfloyd1

qbrozen said:

henryn said:

I believe it was @qbrozen who (a few months back) posted a picture of the upcoming Jeep truck, and expressed an interest. It would be interesting to hear what he thinks after reading that article in Car and Driver. I do agree with their assessment of the Ridgeline (it is a minivan with a bed in the back).

Yes, that was me.

There is nothing comparable to the Gladiator if you want to remove the top and doors. And, let’s be honest, the Gladiator will sell on its looks and perceived lifestyle. The Wrangler has always been absolutely wretched to live with, but that doesn’t affect its saleS.

Are you referring to the JK and earlier body style Wranglers?

My JL Wrangler Rubicon is fun to drive. It rides a lot better than the JK.  I’m smiling when I drive it. 

Waiting on in damage report on MB GL 350. Red battery light came on, then fan running like crazy and had to pull over twice and run heat to keep engine temp down. Then power steering went out. I think alternator or pulley froze as the serpentine belt is shredded.