Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

xwesx

Oh, that doesn't sound like too much fun at all! I assume that this is rust-based, rather than something as simple as a break or failed bolts/nuts....

I imagine it wouldn't be too terrible to pull the bed with all the lifts you have on site.

Haha; I think you'd laugh if you saw how the bed is attached on my plow truck. I swapped the original with one that came off a 1973 2WD unit. Turns out, the frames on those trucks were not at all similar!

greg1288

Been looking for a good old guy car as will be retiring soon. Will be giving up the old Chevy work truck.
I have been emailing a Lexus dealer in Conn. about a 1 year old Toyota Crown Platinum. There aren't many around and that's why I like them. Hybrid with 340 HP. (I gotta have me some power) So punch might be eminent.

stickguy

is the bed and attachments points on the Sierra fine, with the problem being all on the frame? Probably easier to get the bed off for full access and evaluation. I know they have some crossmembers that fail and can be replaced. If the main frame rails are compromised, I would bail unless you want to get into serious cutting, replacing, and welding. And trust yourself enough to put your safety in the result! Can't possibly be cost effective farming that work out either.

And this is why I would never actually buy an older truck around here! If I really truly wanted one I would make a trip to SC or so, and find a local one that never saw road salt or brine.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Just discovered the Sierra’s bed is holding on for dear life. The rear shock mount crossmember is completely gone on one side, and the attached side is not really attached (designed to slide into a hole in the frame on one side and welded in on the other; the welded side is gone). Also, the mid mount on the drivers side is no longer attached to anything. I think it is salvageable but will take time/money. I’m left wondering if I should trade it in or get to work. At first glance, it is looking like maybe $600-$700 in replacement parts. I have no idea if I’ll be able to do it myself. I probably could. Probably easiest to take the bed off to do it.

I was even pondering turbocharging it in the summer. Obviously, that would not be smart in its current condition.

That sucks. That’s why when I bought my pickup I not only crawled around underneath but also had it put up on a lift to check for rust.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

is the bed and attachments points on the Sierra fine, with the problem being all on the frame? Probably easier to get the bed off for full access and evaluation. I know they have some crossmembers that fail and can be replaced. If the main frame rails are compromised, I would bail unless you want to get into serious cutting, replacing, and welding. And trust yourself enough to put your safety in the result! Can't possibly be cost effective farming that work out either.

And this is why I would never actually buy an older truck around here! If I really truly wanted one I would make a trip to SC or so, and find a local one that never saw road salt or brine.

You can replace the bed rails too if you have the bed off.

https://youtube.com/shorts/_0f7AdRAtwc?si=RcFfOIN_bOLstBGr

qbrozen

@stickguy said:
is the bed and attachments points on the Sierra fine, with the problem being all on the frame? Probably easier to get the bed off for full access and evaluation. I know they have some crossmembers that fail and can be replaced. If the main frame rails are compromised, I would bail unless you want to get into serious cutting, replacing, and welding. And trust yourself enough to put your safety in the result! Can't possibly be cost effective farming that work out either.

And this is why I would never actually buy an older truck around here! If I really truly wanted one I would make a trip to SC or so, and find a local one that never saw road salt or brine.

The main frame looks and feels good. Seems like it is mainly those weird round crossmembers.

qbrozen

@oldfarmer50 said:
That sucks. That’s why when I bought my pickup I not only crawled around underneath but also had it put up on a lift to check for rust.

I did get it cheap because they reported rust in the auction report. And it was all still attached when I inspected it upon arrival. Those crossmembers degraded quite quickly.

corvette

@qbrozen - I think the Car Wizard (on YouTube) had a GMT900 with similar issues, he may have bought it from Hoovie, but I can't keep up with all of the vehicles I've seen on those channels.

stickguy

yeah, that was I think an SS that had a lot of frame issues hiding underneath. I seem to recall the cross members in the back were not terrible to replace. But still a lot of heavy labor and the bed has to come off.

corvette

@stickguy - now that you mention it was an SS, I think it may have been a GMT800--probably the 2003-06 Silverado SS.

xwesx

Sounds like a fix, to me!

benjaminh

The RAV4 and the CR-V, two of the best-selling vehicles in the US, are both made in huge factories in Canada. The average prices for the hybrid versions of these are now around $40k, which is already a lot. But if this 25% tariff goes through that would seem to mean prices of around $50k. A good income is already needed to get a new 40k car, and 50k is out of reach for many people. Plus it just won't seem like a good value. So....does that mean that production of the CR-V and RAV4 might eventually move to the US? Maybe a factory that currently runs two shifts in the US might change to three shifts and run around the clock? Meanwhile the Canadian factories might try to export to Europe or Asia...? Seems like quite a mess. I imagine there are scores of people at all the car companies trying to figure this out right now.

suydam

Lots of vehicles made in Mexico too. All part of the trade agreement he signed in his first term. Doesn’t exactly seem designed to help the auto industry.

ab348

suydam said:

Lots of vehicles made in Mexico too. All part of the trade agreement he signed in his first term. Doesn’t exactly seem designed to help the auto industry.

It's all bats*** crazy. The boys in short pants who advised him on this need to go.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

That sucks. That’s why when I bought my pickup I not only crawled around underneath but also had it put up on a lift to check for rust.

I did get it cheap because they reported rust in the auction report. And it was all still attached when I inspected it upon arrival. Those crossmembers degraded quite quickly.

I’d like to see a picture of that area.

ab348

I think rust in the crossmembers of the GM pickups has been a problem for a long time. The handyman who does various jobs for my very elderly neighbor has a very nice top-trim GMC pickup, I believe a 2013. He told me last year that he had to replace at least one rusted-out rear crossmember on it. From its appearance every time he visits next door he is meticulous with it as it always looks brand new.

jmonroe1

benjaminh said:

The RAV4 and the CR-V, two of the best-selling vehicles in the US, are both made in huge factories in Canada. The average prices for the hybrid versions of these are now around $40k, which is already a lot. But if this 25% tariff goes through that would seem to mean prices of around $50k. A good income is already needed to get a new 40k car, and 50k is out of reach for many people. Plus it just won't seem like a good value. So....does that mean that production of the CR-V and RAV4 might eventually move to the US? Maybe a factory that currently runs two shifts in the US might change to three shifts and run around the clock? Meanwhile the Canadian factories might try to export to Europe or Asia...? Seems like quite a mess. I imagine there are scores of people at all the car companies trying to figure this out right now.

————————————————
And they’ll probably screw it up too.

jmonroe

qbrozen

@oldfarmer50 said:
I’d like to see a picture of that area.

Just for you. Ha. No, really, this was my plan today to take a better assessment. It is actually far better than I thought.

Here is the main culprit, and the most common issue on these, it seems.

Then I’ve got this one questionable body mount.

And this one rotted bed mounting point.

This is the other side showing what it should look like. As you can see, this side is in very good shape. Makes me think the previous owner had it parked on a slop and the water collected on one side.

oldfarmer50

It looks fixable with the proper equipment. Having a lift makes you ahead of the game. Do you have a welder? That frame looks better than the frame on my old cargo van. Once you have the bed off drown everything with rust converter.

I notice that my vehicles always rust worse on the passengers side. I don’t know why that would be.

If you’re lucky, they’ll be singing songs about you.😂😂

https://youtube.com/shorts/G9OLlT0x0Fk?si=nrOMFc71bORX875x

qbrozen

Yup. That’s the plan.
I have a welder around here somewhere. It isn’t something I’m good at but since it is an unseen part of the vehicle, I’ll give it a shot.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

It looks fixable with the proper equipment. Having a lift makes you ahead of the game. Do you have a welder? That frame looks better than the frame on my old cargo van. Once you have the bed off drown everything with rust converter.

I notice that my vehicles always rust worse on the passengers side. I don’t know why that would be.

If you’re lucky, they’ll be singing songs about you.😂😂

https://youtube.com/shorts/G9OLlT0x0Fk?si=nrOMFc71bORX875x

————————————————
It never ceases to amaze me what idiots will do when a microphone and camera are put near their face.

jmonroe

explorerx4

That guy makes some good video's and some not so good.

qbrozen

This is intriguing.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/404267261

corvette

I like the price and the interior and exterior colors. Don't know much about the car, though. The wheels look a little small for a 2017 luxury vehicle.

stickguy

looks pretty nice. Love the colors, and the price does not seem outlandish. I just don't think they are very highly regarded.

qbrozen

Of course not. It is a Jaaag. But I love the colors and love the supercharged v6 (theoretically). AND it has a 5300-lb towing capacity.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

Of course not. It is a Jaaag. But I love the colors and love the supercharged v6 (theoretically). AND it has a 5300-lb towing capacity.

————————————————
Does that mean you’d turn it into a “hooker”? Well, not that kind but you know what I mean.

jmonroe

qbrozen

I would never rent it out for money.

Seriously, though, it is a tough call. I do like having a truck. I have found a few 2014’ish 3.5 Ecoboost F150s out there with mileage in the 60k range for similar money (outside the rust belt). BUT, I’ve yet to own a Jag. I’ll likely just fix the GMC, but all of us know our brains are constantly scheming the next possible purchase.

stickguy

surprised that they rate that for 5,300 pounds towing. That is Ranger/Tacoma max range. Not sure I would feel comfortable hooking 5K up on the Jag. Does it even have trailer braking or anything to help out built in?

That does not seem like that high a number for towing cars around though. What is the trailer, 2k? Less? even at 1K a lot of cars will put it over.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen said:
I would never rent it out for money.

Seriously, though, it is a tough call. I do like having a truck. I have found a few 2014’ish 3.5 Ecoboost F150s out there with mileage in the 60k range for similar money (outside the rust belt). BUT, I’ve yet to own a Jag. I’ll likely just fix the GMC, but all of us know our brains are constantly scheming the next possible purchase.

Are you concerned with the can phaser issues that plague eco boost motors?

Michaell

Hive mind!

Member needs help evaluating a used Lexus

I should have some popcorn ready for the responses.

28firefighter

@qbrozen said:
This is intriguing.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/404267261

Do you just hate yourself that you feel the need to punish yourself? (Says the guy who seriously considered buying a 2012 Golf R…)

explorerx4

My 2020 Explorer with the 2.3 4cyl was rated to tow 5,300 lbs.

qbrozen

@stickguy said:
surprised that they rate that for 5,300 pounds towing. That is Ranger/Tacoma max range. Not sure I would feel comfortable hooking 5K up on the Jag. Does it even have trailer braking or anything to help out built in?

That does not seem like that high a number for towing cars around though. What is the trailer, 2k? Less? even at 1K a lot of cars will put it over.

My trailer is about 1500. You gotta remember the cars I haul. Even when I carried 2 pajero minis at once, the total weight with trailer was about 5100. My heaviest to date was the diesel Pajero. Total would have been 5900. Personally, I’d still be comfortable towing that with 5300 factory recommendation. The US lawyers downgrade our towing A LOT. Just as an example, the Macan S was rated 4400 here at release but 5300 in Europe.

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:

@qbrozen said:
This is intriguing.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/404267261

Do you just hate yourself that you feel the need to punish yourself? (Says the guy who seriously considered buying a 2012 Golf R…)

What can I say? I like being different.

qbrozen

@nyccarguy said:

@qbrozen said:
I would never rent it out for money.

Seriously, though, it is a tough call. I do like having a truck. I have found a few 2014’ish 3.5 Ecoboost F150s out there with mileage in the 60k range for similar money (outside the rust belt). BUT, I’ve yet to own a Jag. I’ll likely just fix the GMC, but all of us know our brains are constantly scheming the next possible purchase.

Are you concerned with the can phaser issues that plague eco boost motors?

Eh. If it doesn’t show any signs now, I feel pretty safe. I have read the 2.7 is better, though, and I have thought about focusing on that. They just aren’t as common.

stickguy

Getting my 3rd base coach hat back on. Daughter is now about to be 3 payments left on her lease so able to do the pull ahead. We are going to visit in 2 weeks so she will have a new car by then. But I doubt she holds out until we get there to actually pick it up.

laurasdada

One point of light, previously disucssed, but I owned a couple of Jaaaags for ~10 years:

• 2009 XK used, purchased in '11 so still under warranty. Yay, as a recall for an AC issue was not performed by original owner and on a road trip the passenger footwell began filling up with water. Fixed under warranty, no further issues through trading for:
  
• 2013 XF: One (show-stopper) issue under warranty, IIRC the remote vehicle module failed rendering the car undrivable. Dolly towed to dealer, fixed under warranty but took a bit as the parts had to come from the UK. Loaner, of course. No major issues for the 3.25 years I had it out of warranty, although I did have one minor issue that I was living with, can't remember what it was.
  
• • 
    Reviews of the F-Pace were generally positive, fun to drive, not as cushy a ride as others, though. Interior showed Jag cost-cutting that appeared to begin with the second iteration of the XF, so ~2016.
    I'm not an SUV guy, so I never really considered or shopped the F-Pace (or E-) seriously.
    
    Of course, YMMV.
    Probably worth owning one so you can do your best Clarkson imitation when someone asks what you drive.
    
    

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

@28firefighter said:

@qbrozen said:

This is intriguing.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/404267261

Do you just hate yourself that you feel the need to punish yourself? (Says the guy who seriously considered buying a 2012 Golf R…)

What can I say? I like being different.

————————————————
Different is good.

jmonroe

stickguy

OK experts, what is considered normal, top tier credit, new car loan rates for 60 months? 5.99% seem about right?

corvette

Penfed (usually one of the cheapest) is at 5.39%, and my own local bank is at 6.79%, so I'd say 5.99% is about spot-on, unless there is a finance incentive on the car.

explorerx4

5.39%? I've never paid that much on an auto loan although I i'm pretty sure I paid way more than that on a lease. Never leased again after that.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

My 2020 Explorer with the 2.3 4cyl was rated to tow 5,300 lbs.

That’s pretty good. My truck is only rated for 5500-6000 pounds.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

OK experts, what is considered normal, top tier credit, new car loan rates for 60 months? 5.99% seem about right?

The interwebs is telling me top tier is 800-850. My credit union offers 5 year loans on new cars for 5.49%.

stickguy

this is captive credit through the dealer. So much easier. Plus turning in a lease early and getting waivers on that, so possible need to go through them. In any case seems to be certainly reasonable.

explorerx4

When we went lot walking on Sunday my wife liked this one.
https://www.autonationfordamherst.com/new/Ford/2024-Ford-F-350-4a85f15cac18363d30b1999c4f99c0e8.htm

xwesx

explorerx4 said:

When we went lot walking on Sunday my wife liked this one.
https://www.autonationfordamherst.com/new/Ford/2024-Ford-F-350-4a85f15cac18363d30b1999c4f99c0e8.htm

Haha! Well, good thing she is so practical. I don't think the word "overkill" is even in her vocabulary!

stickguy

go big or go home I guess. Quite the beast, with an old school 438 V8. No whimpy little turbo 6 in that one.

pretty well loaded up, and sadly, 65 seems on the cheap side for something like that these days.

explorerx4

@xwesx,
There is a pretty long hill coming out of exit 156 Wikes Barre PA that is uphill for several miles.
We usually stop at Dunkins and switch drivers there.
The first time she drove my 2017 F150 up the hill, she blew by tons of cars and remarked 'This thing has unlimited power'.
The MSRP on that F350 is pretty reasonable compared to most F150's.
Here's one I am interested in.
https://www.mikebassford.net/inventory/new-2024-ford-f-150-stx®-4x4-supercrew®-1ftfw2l58rfc07953/

corvette

@explorerx4 - great spec and color on the STX, although I'd probably lean towards an EcoBoost. I like how it has a center console but the shifter is still on the column--reminds me of my old Tahoe that I loved.