You could sell the Focus and replace it with a near-identical model with an automatic and A/C.
Maybe, but I doubt I would. Right now I'm sitting here debating which vehicle to take to town. I want to take the Titan because its more comfortable, but my practical side says drive Zippy because she's cheap I just don't want to row gears today.
'Cides, for all its faults, the Titan is much more fun to drive.......especially when somebody wants to play at a stoplight, lol.
With gas running $3.20 a gallon for premium and it burns more of it than anything else in the stable. I doubt it'll get many miles on it in the near future.
My S.O.'s Wrangler will be paid off in July, probably still worth $10k or so retail, so I'm kinda hoping he decides to get a new Corolla/Scion/Civic soon after (~$14-16k). I swear between the price of the gas and tires for the Jeep, the new vehicle would pay for itself (the difference, anyway) in a year or two.
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In addition to my various other automotive obsessions, I have a Truck Fetish that reappears every so often. Lately I've been poring over the Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, & FJ Cruiser catalogs & "building" the models I want on the Toyota website (Right now I think I'd go for a 4wd Taco V6 ext. cab).
But there's no way I can justify that, & if gas goes to $4-$5, I'd regret it (if not sooner). My 528i bmw gets around 18mpg city & 23mpg hwy, & holds "plenty of stuff" as it's a wagon.
My ex-wife & I bought a 1979 Corolla new. We ran that thing for 7 years, & all it needed was a set of tires & a water pump.....then sold it in 5 minutes with the phone ringing off the hook from the ad. I used to take it to work at night sometimes in order to save on fuel (remember the "high oil prices" of the early '80's?). One time my then-wife found the name tag of a cocktail waitress in her Corolla the next day--not good. That was the only problem we ever had with that car, really.....
What are the details of the new Dodge(?) diesel truck? Nothing like having a great basement (basements, attics, & garages may be the 3 most important parts of a house), a wood stove, & a huge honkin' nice truck.....
Was at the dealer on Tuesday to pick up the Sentra...AGAIN, and sat in the new Civic. All I can say is what a sweet car. Fit me like a glove and the seat felt way better than the Sentra's rock hard chairs. It also has a ratcheting seat height adjuster like the wife's 3s. The place I was at just e-mailed me a price of $19,300. for the Galaxy Gray color which seems to be $500. under MSRP. Edmunds TMV price for our area is $19,026. Every Civic I saw had a $785. adjustment fee for door edge guards, stripes & some other junk. Not quite ready to pull the trigger...need to drive 1 first to see if it has more power than the Sentra. Still like the Volvo S40, but I really need the reliability and Honda has that hands down. A few people at work have approached me about buying the Sentra and I'll probaly sell it there. The custodian is also an auto broker and I looked in his Galves Book (?) and will use that and KBB to get a realistic # to ask once I'm ready.
I was just sitting here thinking about the new truck and *groan* new loan for the new truck. Should I put GAP insurance on it? I have it on the lease for the Titan. Truck's MSRP is $49,405, invoice is $43,824 and we will be financing around $39k or less. Of course not sure of interest rate or term yet (haven't decided what we want to do). Think that GAP is worth it or not? I'm so used to having GAP on all auto loans since I'm upside down in the Titan and have been on others in the past.
Yes! Try to get it at reduced cost, though. The dealer may try to mark it up excessively. You may be able to purchase it from a third party in Alaska. I think here in Kentucky it has to be part of the loan agreement, or part of the sale of the car.
With all the upsidedowness in the Titan, to finance that far under invoice there must be a hell of a downpayment or they are giving that truck away.
A little of both. We are getting a great deal on the truck and I'm putting down enough to cover neg equity in the Titan. I refuse to roll neg, its stupid, been doing it way too long and the buck stops here. I won't buy anything anymore if I'm rolling neg. Hmmm, guess that means I have to keep my vehicles longer huh?
I see some of you talking about the Nissan Titan. It was a fairly nice pick-up when it first came out, but the NEW GMers and Toyota's are going to be the next "big thing" for Truck buyers starting this fall. IMO will see Ford buyers start trading in their pick-ups for real trucks from the Big 2 GM will of course have the best truck, but as it appears the gap will be slightly better.
Ford and Dodge unfortunately are going to have to go back to the drawing boards before GM and Toyota take 80% of the marketshare. The Nissan will become extinct. :surprise:
After swearing I would NEVER roll negative equity again, I am already half-dreaming of the day I trade my Echo for a new car. Why does this always seem to happen to me? :confuse:
This is the first and last time I buy certified used. Not that there's anything wrong with the car, in fact I like it quite a bit and the mileage is tremendous. But CPO status boosts the asking price, which makes folks with an itchy trigger finger like me have to wait longer to trade again, OR roll negative equity. According to KBB, I am $1500 in the hole today, having bought it three months ago. I will be right-side up by the end of the year, and am thinking about Fits and Yarii. I wish there was a hybrid available with a stick - I want to do better than the 40 mpg I'm currently getting.
Note to self: buying used doesn't satisfy the CCB urge the way buying new does! This is a good thing overall though - it will help me cool my jets in future. Wouldn't it be nice if there was such a thing as the perfect car? Then the CCB urge wouldn't visit me as often, I am sure. :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Is this message directly to me ? If not I'll comment on it anyways. Hold on to the Echo nippononly, until you atleast get even pal. When the time comes, you will beable to buy a GM hybrid like a Aura intead of those "Toytinaments"
I thought of getting an Insight, but unfortunately I have a use more than occasionally for the back seats in my car. In fact, I use them often enough that it was inconvenient having the coupe I had before - I went with four passenger doors this time.
Rocky - no, sorry, the message was aimed at the general audience, but I was saying only to you that your predictions re: full-size pick-ups were bold. Don't think it will be that easy to knock Ford off the pedestal domestic truck buyers put it on.
Oh yeah, and the Aura hybrid will be the same as all the rest: automatic-only.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Let's see, you say GM and Toyota will own the market. Ok, Toyota might do alright in the 1/2 ton market due to a loyal following and notorious reliability. However, I don't see GM taking the market along with them, GM doesn't have reliability on its side or a loyal following, not to mention they have been posting record losses. GM has changed the Duramax diesel 6 times in 6 model years, not to mention they've had 4 DIFFERENT diesels over the years, what does that say about reliability??
Dodge has changed the Cummins about 4 times since 1989 and they have NOT changed to a different diesel, its always been the 5.9L I-6 Cummins. Ford has changed their diesel 4 times over the years but it was always made by International.
GM used to have some great engines, the 5.7L V8 and 7.4L V8 come to mind, then they changed to the 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8, and 8.1L V8, along with that they got the piston slap and numourous other problems.
As far as the Titan goes, its a good truck for what it is, a 1/2 ton. Unfortunatly they were marketed as more than that. I think Nissan will stay in the game, but they need to work on making a product to match the marketing that they throw out there.
Let's see, you say GM and Toyota will own the market. Ok, Toyota might do alright in the 1/2 ton market due to a loyal following and notorious reliability. However, I don't see GM taking the market along with them, GM doesn't have reliability on its side or a loyal following, not to mention they have been posting record losses.
GM has the longest lasting Trucks on the road and are among the highest rated vehicles. The previous generation of Tundra's were used by Trophy Wives, and were rarely tooken off road and couldn't pull a a Jet Ski, let alone a boat. :P The losses have been significantly reduced this last quarter, and the cost cutting measures seem to be a decent start. However good product is the key objective for sucess and anyone that has a half of a brain knows this.
GM has changed the Duramax diesel 6 times in 6 model years, not to mention they've had 4 DIFFERENT diesels over the years, what does that say about reliability??
What are you talking about ? 6 times ? You pulled that one out of thin air ?
GM has changed the engine twice LB7 and LLY and if you call giving annual hp/tq upgrades a significant revision, then I guess we are living on 2 different planets. I will also not your reliability is false. The Duramax Diesel won't stop running at 500-600K like a Cummins and Powerstroke. I've seen one run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week only stopping for fuel and oil changes until it reached one-million miles The Engineers said that's good enough and turned the truck off
The show was on TLC and they examined the engine and it showed very mild wear. Don't you hate when you are wrong. :P I sure do and have been proven wrong a few times on this site. It happens to the best of us.
Dodge has changed the Cummins about 4 times since 1989 and they have NOT changed to a different diesel, its always been the 5.9L I-6 Cummins. Ford has changed their diesel 4 times over the years but it was always made by International.
As I explained GM has only changed the engine twice. I also want to note the Duramax is a gem as far as sophistication. I believe it only uses 6 quarts of oil, while the others use atleast 12. It has and always will be more powerful than the competition and get's signifactly better gas mileage than the other 2. :P
GM used to have some great engines, the 5.7L V8 and 7.4L V8 come to mind, then they changed to the 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8, and 8.1L V8, along with that they got the piston slap and numourous other problems.
The new Vortecs are more fuel effcient, more powerful, and can haul/tow alot more than their predacessors. :confuse:
I don't know anyone who has this so called piston slap. They might be using a low quality gasoline, and if the dummy's read their owners manuels, the 6.0 is designed to run on 91 octane to reach maximum power figures but can still run on 87. Our regular grade gas down here is a lousy watered down 86 octane, and that just isn't enough octane. :mad:
As far as the Titan goes, its a good truck for what it is, a 1/2 ton. Unfortunatly they were marketed as more than that. I think Nissan will stay in the game, but they need to work on making a product to match the marketing that they throw out there.
A few friends and co-workers have the Nissan Titan. I'm yet to hear anyone step up to the plate and have a towing contest against a Big 3 pick em'-up truck :P The Nissan Titan also doesn't impress me because it so plasticky and hallow sound like it's brother the Armada. The Armada is an expensive "Tinament" on Wheels and I would refuse to also own it's twin brother the QX56 or whatever it's called now. I shut the door and got scared I broke something after the pastick rattled more than a gosh darn tuning fork :surprise:
GM has changed the engine twice LB7 and LLY and if you call giving annual hp/tq upgrades a significant revision, then I guess we are living on 2 different planets. I will also not your reliability is false. The Duramax Diesel won't stop running at 500-600K like a Cummins and Powerstroke. I've seen one run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week only stopping for fuel and oil changes until it reached one-million miles The Engineers said that's good enough and turned the truck off
Ok, I stand corrected, they changed the engine design THREE times. The LB7 was from 2000-mid 2004, the LLY was from mid 2004 until Sept 2005, and then the LBZ was from Sept 2005 until present.
With that said you drive what you like and I'll drive what I like......'nuff said.
I want you to drive what you want, but I won't let somebody take pop shots at my brand without giving them a hard time.
I have nothing against GM, in fact I gave them a serious look before I ordered my new Dodge. The Dodge won out due to me being very familiar with its reliability and longevity especially the Cummins.
On another note........you probably figured out I drive a Titan right now. :P
My FIL is a farmer and is dissapointed with his 3/4 ton Cummins dodge and kicks himself for not buying a GM truck instead. I tell him oh well, maybe next time you can get a real truck. He says he's going to buy a 2007' GM 3/4 ton so we'll see.
BTW yes I easily could figure out you drove a Titan. :P I actually am happy you decided on the Dodge. Atleast it's a Big 3 vehicle.
I want to do better than the 40 mpg I'm currently getting.
Sir, may I show you a little something we call a motorcycle. At 40 mpg you have to be doing better than 99% of the drivers out there. The only car that might do better is the diesel hybrid VW has been talking about. VW always offers a stick so maybe in a year or so you will get your wish.
I seem to get a bigger thrill from buying used because I will usually buy a domestic that already has taken it's biggest depreciation hit. After a year or more I don't have to take too bad a hit at trade in time. Although I have seen people trading Japanese brands bought new for almost what they paid for them.
I am still in a sticker shock mode and the max I want to pay for any car is about $15k, so that does not leave much new to look at. With gas hitting $3 by me yesterday I have to admit my buyers remorse is creeping in and I wish I had taken a closer look at used Vibes and Corollas. I am at 21 mpg's now. Maybe I should be looking at motorcycles now that the warm weather is here. Or , at least a used Echo.
...the max I want to pay for any car is about $15k, so that does not leave much new to look at.
My roommate is shopping in the same price range. Wants to replace her Tahoe with a small wagon or SUV. She likes the new Caliber, but at $15k, she would have the "no options" model. Looking at used Imprezas and Legacys, Saturn Vues, and Malibu Maxxes.
The Malibu Maxxes we have seen still have a small sliver of warranty remaining.
Any other suggestions? She didn't like the Hondas and Toyotas we saw.
BTW, guss, $15k will buy a really nice motorcycle!
I could almost get the Harley with that kind of money, but I would still be in 20 mpg territory.
As far as wagon go take a look at a year or two old Mazda6 wagon's I had one and loved it except for the ride height is kind of low. I bought mine with 13k miles and a year old for under $14k.They also have a 4 year 50k warranty.
I like my Escape for a small SUV but I don't think they are as good a deal right now as the wagons. I thing alot of Large SUV owners are doing what your friend is and buying smaller.
She didn't like the Mazda3 or Mazda6, or the Matrix/Vibe. The Scions were too small--I'm sure she'd say the same about the Fit. The Escape/Tribute are in the running.
However, I was thinking I could boost it a few points by getting one of those Civic HXs, only problem is you will pay through the nose for a used Honda, and it's just not worth it to improve my fuel economy by 10%.
And the hybrids, oh the hybrids. If I never used the back seats in my car, I would look into an Insight. My dealer always has a couple in stock, even as slow as they move (sales-wise, not drive-wise! :-P).
Apart from that, I can respect both the Prius and the new Camry hybrid, but no stick is available. R&T managed only 40.0 mpg in the Civic Hybrid, in the 300-mile trip including lots of mountainous and highway driving it just did, and yet got 37.x mpg (I forget the exact figure to the tenth) in the new Camry hybrid.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Many of the hybrids are short on features that are normally available in the class like a folding rear seat or sunroof.
In Autoweek's recent gas mileage test, the VW TDI beat the Prius and Accord Hybrid, and even achieved more than its EPA highway rating. Of course, I always feel compelled to point out that the VW is not economical due to its likely repair bills, nor is it ecological because of all the broken parts you'll have to throw away.
and......I live in California, so no VW diesels are an option for me.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the new Camry hybrid is equipped in every way exactly the same as a Camry XLE 4-cyl. Which is to say, you want the moonroof, you got the moonroof. Ditto the folding rear seat, I believe - don't quote me on that one! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
to get the hybrid Camry you have to get the top of the line Camry. Not very economical in my opinion for those thinking of saving money.
I'm thinking for the cost the current generation Corolla would be the best bang for your buck right now. Get it before the redesign comes out and get a bit of a discount and still get 35 mpg.
from what I've heard, the Camry hybrid is not like Toyota hybrids of the past - the price will actually slot in BETWEEN the prices of the 4-cyl and 6-cyl Camrys. You are correct, though, that it has a high level of standard equipment, if that's what you meant. It will cost thousands more (about 5, I believe) than the least expensive 4-cyl Camry.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
One of the firefighter's has a VW Jetta TDI, its a 2004 I believe. He drives 250 miles to work one way. He's had the car for just over a year I think and has put over 40k miles on it. He's had no trouble with it at all, says its a great car even on the worst of roads.
The 2 VW's I had were pretty good cars too. I don't think all VWs are bad, its just a crapshoot with them, kinda like some other vehicles out there.
I think you're right, but I was kinda hoping to go new rather than used with the next purchase. After I dismissed that Civic HX from my list, of course! ;-)
In the used market, there are actually VW diesels that were originally sold new in California. The last year they could sell diesels here was pretty recent, like 2003 or something? (I forget the exact date now)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
It's not a rant but rather a difference of opinions.
I like debating cars with ya'll and at the end of the day you will drive what you want and of course I'm going to drive what I want. OTOH persuation doesn't hurt does it ? I have folks all the time try to convince me brand X is better than mine and I have nothing wrong with that.
You want to get better than the 40 mpg you're getting with your Echo, is that right? It's a great topic, but probably not realistic (& a good excuse to just keep it).
What are the safety/crash test ratings of the Echo? I'd hate to get run over in one of those by a Lincoln Navigator. What if you threw safety into the mix......& maybe took out the stick shift requirement? Is the Prius bigger/safer than the Echo? One of the reasons I considered a Prius for a while was the hatch/cargo area/fold down rear seats.
The Echo gets five stars all the way around for crash ratings, as far as I know. At the time, it was rated safer than the same-year Camry - the Toyota PR flacks were very proud of that fact, and very eager to point it out whenever they were asked (and sometimes when they weren't!).
Today's generation of cars, the majority with side impact airbags and curtains, would do better I am sure. Back then, the Camry didn't have side curtains yet. But my Echo did better than everything else in its class from the time.
Now, as for its fuel economy, look what topic we are in! I'm not looking for good reasons to keep the car!! :-P But I think you're right that I'm not likely to do any better in fuel economy without making the move to a hybrid or a diesel. And neither of those is in my near future, so I am going to have to satisfy my CCB urges some other way. Now, how to do that..... :confuse:
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
IIRC, you can't compare different size cars to each other based on the stars. The stars are based on comparisons to other cars in the class. So, a 4 star minivan or mid size sedan might be "safer" than a 5 star subcompact.
I get confused with all the different rating systems, so this might not apply accorss the board, but I remember discussing this at some point.
Here in Denver, one of the local Nissan dealerships has had a change of ownership. To promote this, they have been doing lots of TV advertising for Altima leases for $79/mo.
Yes, that's right, only $79 per month.
I had taken yesterday off to play some golf and it turns out that this dealer happened to be between where I live and where I played, so I decided to make a quick stop to see what the catch was.
Here's what the greenpea (2 whole weeks on the job!) told me:
Altima 2.5S w/ stick shift, no options - MSRP approx $20K) $2000 down 24 months 24,000 miles EPA 24 city, 31 highway Lease deal is through NMAC
The 2.5S has power everything, keyless remote, cruise, AM/FM/CD stereo and A/C. Compared to the Focus that I drive currently, the only things I would be giving up are ABS, alloy wheels and 1 MPG on the highway rating.
On the other hand, the Altima has a 20 gallon gas tank so I could go further on a tank before having to refill - when I refill the Focus it's anywhere between 10 and 11 gallons to fill it.
I have 22 payments of $321/mo on the Focus before it's paid off.
I'm thinking of giving him a call and asking him for the residual amount and the money factor and running some numbers. I'm still not sure how they can get the lease payment down so low, even with an invoice sales price and a rebate - I need to check those numbers out on Edmunds.
Comments
Maybe, but I doubt I would. Right now I'm sitting here debating which vehicle to take to town. I want to take the Titan because its more comfortable, but my practical side says drive Zippy because she's cheap I just don't want to row gears today.
'Cides, for all its faults, the Titan is much more fun to drive.......especially when somebody wants to play at a stoplight, lol.
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But there's no way I can justify that, & if gas goes to $4-$5, I'd regret it (if not sooner). My 528i bmw gets around 18mpg city & 23mpg hwy, & holds "plenty of stuff" as it's a wagon.
My ex-wife & I bought a 1979 Corolla new. We ran that thing for 7 years, & all it needed was a set of tires & a water pump.....then sold it in 5 minutes with the phone ringing off the hook from the ad. I used to take it to work at night sometimes in order to save on fuel (remember the "high oil prices" of the early '80's?). One time my then-wife found the name tag of a cocktail waitress in her Corolla the next day--not good. That was the only problem we ever had with that car, really.....
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Not quite ready to pull the trigger...need to drive 1 first to see if it has more power than the Sentra. Still like the Volvo S40, but I really need the reliability and Honda has that hands down. A few people at work have approached me about buying the Sentra and I'll probaly sell it there. The custodian is also an auto broker and I looked in his Galves Book (?) and will use that and KBB to get a realistic # to ask once I'm ready.
The Sandman
A little of both. We are getting a great deal on the truck and I'm putting down enough to cover neg equity in the Titan. I refuse to roll neg, its stupid, been doing it way too long and the buck stops here. I won't buy anything anymore if I'm rolling neg. Hmmm, guess that means I have to keep my vehicles longer huh?
Ford and Dodge unfortunately are going to have to go back to the drawing boards before GM and Toyota take 80% of the marketshare. The Nissan will become extinct. :surprise:
Rocky
After swearing I would NEVER roll negative equity again, I am already half-dreaming of the day I trade my Echo for a new car. Why does this always seem to happen to me? :confuse:
This is the first and last time I buy certified used. Not that there's anything wrong with the car, in fact I like it quite a bit and the mileage is tremendous. But CPO status boosts the asking price, which makes folks with an itchy trigger finger like me have to wait longer to trade again, OR roll negative equity. According to KBB, I am $1500 in the hole today, having bought it three months ago. I will be right-side up by the end of the year, and am thinking about Fits and Yarii. I wish there was a hybrid available with a stick - I want to do better than the 40 mpg I'm currently getting.
Note to self: buying used doesn't satisfy the CCB urge the way buying new does! This is a good thing overall though - it will help me cool my jets in future. Wouldn't it be nice if there was such a thing as the perfect car? Then the CCB urge wouldn't visit me as often, I am sure. :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Is this message directly to me ? If not I'll comment on it anyways. Hold on to the Echo nippononly, until you atleast get even pal.
Rocky
Rocky
I thought of getting an Insight, but unfortunately I have a use more than occasionally for the back seats in my car. In fact, I use them often enough that it was inconvenient having the coupe I had before - I went with four passenger doors this time.
Rocky - no, sorry, the message was aimed at the general audience, but I was saying only to you that your predictions re: full-size pick-ups were bold. Don't think it will be that easy to knock Ford off the pedestal domestic truck buyers put it on.
Oh yeah, and the Aura hybrid will be the same as all the rest: automatic-only.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Rocky
P.S. Ford F series is going down in 2007'
Dodge has changed the Cummins about 4 times since 1989 and they have NOT changed to a different diesel, its always been the 5.9L I-6 Cummins. Ford has changed their diesel 4 times over the years but it was always made by International.
GM used to have some great engines, the 5.7L V8 and 7.4L V8 come to mind, then they changed to the 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8, and 8.1L V8, along with that they got the piston slap and numourous other problems.
As far as the Titan goes, its a good truck for what it is, a 1/2 ton. Unfortunatly they were marketed as more than that. I think Nissan will stay in the game, but they need to work on making a product to match the marketing that they throw out there.
GM has the longest lasting Trucks on the road and are among the highest rated vehicles. The previous generation of Tundra's were used by Trophy Wives, and were rarely tooken off road and couldn't pull a a Jet Ski, let alone a boat. :P The losses have been significantly reduced this last quarter, and the cost cutting measures seem to be a decent start. However good product is the key objective for sucess and anyone that has a half of a brain knows this.
GM has changed the Duramax diesel 6 times in 6 model years, not to mention they've had 4 DIFFERENT diesels over the years, what does that say about reliability??
What are you talking about ? 6 times ? You pulled that one out of thin air ?
GM has changed the engine twice LB7 and LLY and if you call giving annual hp/tq upgrades a significant revision, then I guess we are living on 2 different planets.
I will also not your reliability is false. The Duramax Diesel won't stop running at 500-600K like a Cummins and Powerstroke. I've seen one run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week only stopping for fuel and oil changes until it reached one-million miles The Engineers said that's good enough and turned the truck off
The show was on TLC and they examined the engine and it showed very mild wear. Don't you hate when you are wrong. :P I sure do and have been proven wrong a few times on this site. It happens to the best of us.
Dodge has changed the Cummins about 4 times since 1989 and they have NOT changed to a different diesel, its always been the 5.9L I-6 Cummins. Ford has changed their diesel 4 times over the years but it was always made by International.
As I explained GM has only changed the engine twice. I also want to note the Duramax is a gem as far as sophistication. I believe it only uses 6 quarts of oil, while the others use atleast 12. It has and always will be more powerful than the competition and get's signifactly better gas mileage than the other 2. :P
GM used to have some great engines, the 5.7L V8 and 7.4L V8 come to mind, then they changed to the 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8, and 8.1L V8, along with that they got the piston slap and numourous other problems.
The new Vortecs are more fuel effcient, more powerful, and can haul/tow alot more than their predacessors. :confuse:
I don't know anyone who has this so called piston slap. They might be using a low quality gasoline, and if the dummy's read their owners manuels, the 6.0 is designed to run on 91 octane to reach maximum power figures but can still run on 87. Our regular grade gas down here is a lousy watered down 86 octane, and that just isn't enough octane. :mad:
As far as the Titan goes, its a good truck for what it is, a 1/2 ton. Unfortunatly they were marketed as more than that. I think Nissan will stay in the game, but they need to work on making a product to match the marketing that they throw out there.
A few friends and co-workers have the Nissan Titan. I'm yet to hear anyone step up to the plate and have a towing contest against a Big 3 pick em'-up truck :P
The Nissan Titan also doesn't impress me because it so plasticky and hallow sound like it's brother the Armada. The Armada is an expensive "Tinament" on Wheels and I would refuse to also own it's twin brother the QX56 or whatever it's called now. I shut the door and got scared I broke something after the pastick rattled more than a gosh darn tuning fork :surprise:
Well good luck, :shades:
Rocky
I will also not your reliability is false. The Duramax Diesel won't stop running at 500-600K like a Cummins and Powerstroke. I've seen one run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week only stopping for fuel and oil changes until it reached one-million miles The Engineers said that's good enough and turned the truck off
Ok, I stand corrected, they changed the engine design THREE times. The LB7 was from 2000-mid 2004, the LLY was from mid 2004 until Sept 2005, and then the LBZ was from Sept 2005 until present.
With that said you drive what you like and I'll drive what I like......'nuff said.
With that said you drive what you like and I'll drive what I like......'nuff said.
I want you to drive what you want, but I won't let somebody take pop shots at my brand without giving them a hard time.
Rocky
I have nothing against GM, in fact I gave them a serious look before I ordered my new Dodge. The Dodge won out due to me being very familiar with its reliability and longevity especially the Cummins.
On another note........you probably figured out I drive a Titan right now. :P
BTW yes I easily could figure out you drove a Titan. :P I actually am happy you decided on the Dodge. Atleast it's a Big 3 vehicle.
Rocky
Sir, may I show you a little something we call a motorcycle. At 40 mpg you have to be doing better than 99% of the drivers out there. The only car that might do better is the diesel hybrid VW has been talking about. VW always offers a stick so maybe in a year or so you will get your wish.
I seem to get a bigger thrill from buying used because I will usually buy a domestic that already has taken it's biggest depreciation hit. After a year or more I don't have to take too bad a hit at trade in time. Although I have seen people trading Japanese brands bought new for almost what they paid for them.
I am still in a sticker shock mode and the max I want to pay for any car is about $15k, so that does not leave much new to look at. With gas hitting $3 by me yesterday I have to admit my buyers remorse is creeping in and I wish I had taken a closer look at used Vibes and Corollas. I am at 21 mpg's now. Maybe I should be looking at motorcycles now that the warm weather is here. Or , at least a used Echo.
My roommate is shopping in the same price range. Wants to replace her Tahoe with a small wagon or SUV. She likes the new Caliber, but at $15k, she would have the "no options" model. Looking at used Imprezas and Legacys, Saturn Vues, and Malibu Maxxes.
The Malibu Maxxes we have seen still have a small sliver of warranty remaining.
Any other suggestions? She didn't like the Hondas and Toyotas we saw.
BTW, guss, $15k will buy a really nice motorcycle!
As far as wagon go take a look at a year or two old Mazda6 wagon's I had one and loved it except for the ride height is kind of low. I bought mine with 13k miles and a year old for under $14k.They also have a 4 year 50k warranty.
I like my Escape for a small SUV but I don't think they are as good a deal right now as the wagons. I thing alot of Large SUV owners are doing what your friend is and buying smaller.
Would a Vibe/Matrix work or is that too small?
Did those Toyotas also include Scion? The xA would certainly fit within the price requirement.
Personally, I'd step it up a bit and get the Mazda3 hatch.
It is pretty pricey, though, in this category.
Is the Honda Fit out yet?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
However, I was thinking I could boost it a few points by getting one of those Civic HXs, only problem is you will pay through the nose for a used Honda, and it's just not worth it to improve my fuel economy by 10%.
And the hybrids, oh the hybrids. If I never used the back seats in my car, I would look into an Insight. My dealer always has a couple in stock, even as slow as they move (sales-wise, not drive-wise! :-P).
Apart from that, I can respect both the Prius and the new Camry hybrid, but no stick is available. R&T managed only 40.0 mpg in the Civic Hybrid, in the 300-mile trip including lots of mountainous and highway driving it just did, and yet got 37.x mpg (I forget the exact figure to the tenth) in the new Camry hybrid.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
In Autoweek's recent gas mileage test, the VW TDI beat the Prius and Accord Hybrid, and even achieved more than its EPA highway rating. Of course, I always feel compelled to point out that the VW is not economical due to its likely repair bills, nor is it ecological because of all the broken parts you'll have to throw away.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the new Camry hybrid is equipped in every way exactly the same as a Camry XLE 4-cyl. Which is to say, you want the moonroof, you got the moonroof. Ditto the folding rear seat, I believe - don't quote me on that one! :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I'm thinking for the cost the current generation Corolla would be the best bang for your buck right now. Get it before the redesign comes out and get a bit of a discount and still get 35 mpg.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The 2 VW's I had were pretty good cars too. I don't think all VWs are bad, its just a crapshoot with them, kinda like some other vehicles out there.
In the used market, there are actually VW diesels that were originally sold new in California. The last year they could sell diesels here was pretty recent, like 2003 or something? (I forget the exact date now)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
It's not a rant but rather a difference of opinions.
I like debating cars with ya'll and at the end of the day you will drive what you want and of course I'm going to drive what I want. OTOH persuation doesn't hurt does it ? I have folks all the time try to convince me brand X is better than mine and I have nothing wrong with that.
Take Care,
Rocky :shades:
What are the safety/crash test ratings of the Echo? I'd hate to get run over in one of those by a Lincoln Navigator. What if you threw safety into the mix......& maybe took out the stick shift requirement? Is the Prius bigger/safer than the Echo? One of the reasons I considered a Prius for a while was the hatch/cargo area/fold down rear seats.
Isn't the prius much safer to ?
Rocky
Today's generation of cars, the majority with side impact airbags and curtains, would do better I am sure. Back then, the Camry didn't have side curtains yet. But my Echo did better than everything else in its class from the time.
Now, as for its fuel economy, look what topic we are in! I'm not looking for good reasons to keep the car!! :-P
But I think you're right that I'm not likely to do any better in fuel economy without making the move to a hybrid or a diesel. And neither of those is in my near future, so I am going to have to satisfy my CCB urges some other way. Now, how to do that..... :confuse:
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I get confused with all the different rating systems, so this might not apply accorss the board, but I remember discussing this at some point.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Yes, that's right, only $79 per month.
I had taken yesterday off to play some golf and it turns out that this dealer happened to be between where I live and where I played, so I decided to make a quick stop to see what the catch was.
Here's what the greenpea (2 whole weeks on the job!) told me:
Altima 2.5S w/ stick shift, no options - MSRP approx $20K)
$2000 down
24 months
24,000 miles
EPA 24 city, 31 highway
Lease deal is through NMAC
The 2.5S has power everything, keyless remote, cruise, AM/FM/CD stereo and A/C. Compared to the Focus that I drive currently, the only things I would be giving up are ABS, alloy wheels and 1 MPG on the highway rating.
On the other hand, the Altima has a 20 gallon gas tank so I could go further on a tank before having to refill - when I refill the Focus it's anywhere between 10 and 11 gallons to fill it.
I have 22 payments of $321/mo on the Focus before it's paid off.
I'm thinking of giving him a call and asking him for the residual amount and the money factor and running some numbers. I'm still not sure how they can get the lease payment down so low, even with an invoice sales price and a rebate - I need to check those numbers out on Edmunds.
Thoughts?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S