Car Talk

A friend of mine has a Ram 1500 Big Horn edition. Very nicr truck, but he also paid 60k for it.

Imaging me hopping out of a f150 in Rick. lol
 
doghouse said:
No. These are work trucks.



Currently I'd say the positives are reliability and general value. We just got three XLTs with the 300A package, which is the base, and one XL with the 102A, and I have to say these things are really fucking nice inside. It's a lighter truck, and results in better fuel economy. The EcoBoost twin turbo motor is eyebrow raisingly powerful for someone who grew up on V8's. They are being reported as having less MPG than advertised, but ours are beating the supposed MPG. Around 24 MPG or so. I can't give you the long range report on the new ones obviously yet, but the 04-09 ish F150's we had were unquestionably the best trucks we've ever owned from a reliability/cost of ownership perspective. I keep a spreadsheet of ongoing cost for vehicles, with subtotals for total cost and fuel excluded. I think a couple of them were like $16/mo or something silly. For reference I have nine Silverados. They are having a lot of fuel pump issues, and I've replaced two transmissions and two motors. In the Fords, the only motor I replaced was in my old F 250 that one of the guys drives now, and that is because it jumped timing and sent shrapnel all over the crankcase. I have replaced a transmission in one F150 becuase the guy drives it like Mario Andretti. He burned through the brake pads in 20k miles. I have fourteen Fords I think. So a much better reliability ratio.

For a totally subjective bit, the new Fords look so much fucking better. And I only sat briefly in the cab of them, but I really like the cockpit in these versus Chevy which is like two miles across. I actually had two former die hard Chevy guys ask for new Fords becuase of how well their last ones performed.



Porsche are girls cars.
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No worries about turbo longevity in general and while towing?
 
Thruth said:
No worries about turbo longevity in general and while towing?
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Not to me, but I have being running engines with turbos for decades, both on and off road. The average consumer probably doesn't have the same familiarity, but I would wager these turbos have been tested way beyond the range of the old diesel ones.

Edit:The 3.5 V6 gets within a mile or two MPH too, I've got several of them. Naturally aspirated.
 
doghouse said:
Not to me, but I have being running engines with turbos for decades, both on and off road. The average consumer probably doesn't have the same familiarity, but I would wager these turbos have been tested way beyond the range of the old diesel ones.

Edit:The 3.5 V6 gets within a mile or two MPH too, I've got several of them. Naturally aspirated.
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I know I should believe it. Have had many turbos in the past without problem. Just never on a truck. But it has torque galore

They ran that engine hard in testing to the equivalent of 150K miles including running it for 24 hours pulling 10k pounds and ran Baja with it. There is a video of them tearing it down and even Ford engineers being amazed at how good shape it was in and saying it could run another 150K.

I did drive a platinum edition with it last year. Was unaware that it was a turbo until I accelerated and said "what the fuck?" to myself
 
Thruth said:
I know I should believe it. Have had many turbos in the past without problem. Just never on a truck. But it has torque galore

They ran that engine hard in testing to the equivalent of 150K miles including running it for 24 hours pulling 10k pounds and ran Baja with it. There is a video of them tearing it down and even Ford engineers being amazed at how good shape it was in and saying it could run another 150K.

I did drive a platinum edition with it last year. Was unaware that it was a turbo until I accelerated and said "what the fuck?" to myself
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I can count on one hand the turbo failures I've ever had on trucks. They are generally rock solid, a seal will go every now and then. Happens more on bulldozers than anything else really.

I think I actually heard about that video, that's badass.

Yeah, these new V6's stroll. I'm genuinely impressed.
 
doghouse said:
I can count on one hand the turbo failures I've ever had on trucks. They are generally rock solid, a seal will go every now and then. Happens more on bulldozers than anything else really.

I think I actually heard about that video, that's badass.

Yeah, these new V6's stroll. I'm genuinely impressed.
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you should be getting a kick back from Ford. i think you completely sold Thruth Thruth now.
 
Thruth said:
Only from the POV that the turbo 6 is a choice over the 8. It is still a fucking Ford
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One thing I'd like to point out, is that when coming down to single use, I really would not tell someone to get one over the other. There just isn't enough between GM and Ford to really override personal preference. I'd never tell someone to get a Dodge, but that's another whole different conversation. With a sample size of one, the reliability part doesn't come into play because the chances of getting a lemon are miniscule, and if you do get one, it could be either, since there isn't a big enough sample size for statistics to be in your favor by getting the slightly more reliable one.

I've always driven Fords personally, and there would have to be some cataclysmic fail on Fords part to get me in a Chevy, but there are several concrete reasons why, some of which are basically irrelevant to the average consumer, some which are not. Ford accessories and controls are worlds better than GM. Always have been. Anyone who owned a GM product from the 80's through 90's with power windows will tell you the motors just flat out sucked and eventually quit working all together after a few years. Even in the Corvettes. Ford power window motors would practically rip your arm off. Alternators are another area where GM is woeful. None of these things are deal breakers if you prefer the GM product and styling, but they are very real differences. The more nebulous differences are in the engineering. Ford is just a higher end product from an engineering standpoint, which really goes back to Fords engineering prowess in many different sectors. Ford is the only manufacturer to win titles in every major motorsport category in the world. Plus they made airplanes, tractors, etc... GM just doesn't have that engineering horsepower (pun intended). When GM tried to get into Indy about 15 years ago they were so down on power half way through the year they called on Ford Cosworth to bail them out. But, as I said, this stuff isn't really as important to the average Joe as it is to me as an engineer and general motor enthusiast.
 
doghouse said:
One thing I'd like to point out, is that when coming down to single use, I really would not tell someone to get one over the other. There just isn't enough between GM and Ford to really override personal preference. I'd never tell someone to get a Dodge, but that's another whole different conversation. With a sample size of one, the reliability part doesn't come into play because the chances of getting a lemon are miniscule, and if you do get one, it could be either, since there isn't a big enough sample size for statistics to be in your favor by getting the slightly more reliable one.

I've always driven Fords personally, and there would have to be some cataclysmic fail on Fords part to get me in a Chevy, but there are several concrete reasons why, some of which are basically irrelevant to the average consumer, some which are not. Ford accessories and controls are worlds better than GM. Always have been. Anyone who owned a GM product from the 80's through 90's with power windows will tell you the motors just flat out sucked and eventually quit working all together after a few years. Even in the Corvettes. Ford power window motors would practically rip your arm off. Alternators are another area where GM is woeful. None of these things are deal breakers if you prefer the GM product and styling, but they are very real differences. The more nebulous differences are in the engineering. Ford is just a higher end product from an engineering standpoint, which really goes back to Fords engineering prowess in many different sectors. Ford is the only manufacturer to win titles in every major motorsport category in the world. Plus they made airplanes, tractors, etc... GM just doesn't have that engineering horsepower (pun intended). When GM tried to get into Indy about 15 years ago they were so down on power half way through the year they called on Ford Cosworth to bail them out. But, as I said, this stuff isn't really as important to the average Joe as it is to me as an engineer and general motor enthusiast.
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I get that and it makes intuitive sense to me. I just have to take a leap of faith as I've been Toyota forever and have realized i just can no longer justify getting a new Tundra
 
Thruth said:
I get that and it makes intuitive sense to me. I just have to take a leap of faith as I've been Toyota forever and have realized i just can no longer justify getting a new Tundra
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My buddy just let go of his T100 recently. Literally almost pulled from his cold dead hands as someone hit him head on. Ended up with a Jeep for some random reason, he had been talking F150 for years.
 
Skoda is mostly old VW technology and especially the interior and navigation/communication system is much more based on VW (used in the cheaper one, with the small display) than Audi. However, since all use the same platform anyway, the difference between all four including Seat is small, at least for the regular 2l/4c volume models.
 
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LKP said:
Skoda superb
Very good
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Mega top top

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Monkeyface said:
Old audis
Top top
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Absolutely. Low maintenance costs and I find my recent model to be still goodlooking, even after 25 years (AUDI 100 C4 2.8e).
The only negative point is the fuel consumption (sort of inefficient 4 speed automatic, especially at lower speeds), which isn't really such a big thing in the US as it is over here due to extra taxation.

Thruth said:
Skoda, always ahead of the curve with cutting edge design

View attachment 17984
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Well, compared to other Eastern European cars, Skodas were rock solid and reliable. And they came fully equipped, no need to buy spare parts or steering wheels to make it work.
 
The Suberb is built on the MQB. It has nothing to do w/ an A6, not even an A4. The A3 is built on the same platform, but has a completely different engine and transmission. You guys sound like a bunch of poor people trying to rationalize your decision buying a cheap car. It's embarrassing.
 
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güero said:
The Suberb is built on the MQB. It has nothing to do w/ an A6, not even an A4. The A3 is built on the same platform, but has a completely different engine and transmission. You guys sound like a bunch of poor people trying to rationalize your decision buying a cheap car. It's embarrassing.
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Eh, close enough
 
When buying used cars, what do you guys suggest is a realistic discount a dealership is willing to negotiate? There is a Lexus IS250 I like. Asking price 22500, I am thinking about offering 20500. Too low or too high?
 
Pauly Chase said:
When buying used cars, what do you guys suggest is a realistic discount a dealership is willing to negotiate? There is a Lexus IS250 I like. Asking price 22500, I am thinking about offering 20500. Too low or too high?
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Offer 18
 
Pauly Chase said:
When buying used cars, what do you guys suggest is a realistic discount a dealership is willing to negotiate? There is a Lexus IS250 I like. Asking price 22500, I am thinking about offering 20500. Too low or too high?
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Offer 18
 
Lol. There was an Infiniti G37 awd, dealer was asking 20999, I offered 19000, no. The best deal they were able to give was 20399, so I walked.

What you guys think of Jeep Wrangler Rubicons? Found one that is 2007, but only has 33000 miles. Priced at 21.5k.
 
Pauly Chase said:
When buying used cars, what do you guys suggest is a realistic discount a dealership is willing to negotiate? There is a Lexus IS250 I like. Asking price 22500, I am thinking about offering 20500. Too low or too high?
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The fact that you want it works against you. First rule of negotiating - be willing to walk away from the table.
 
Also, I thought the IS300 was the coveted model amongst the gear heads?

Why aren't you buying new Pauly? Rates are ridiculously low now.
 
Rambo said:
The fact that you want it works against you. First rule of negotiating - be willing to walk away from the table.
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I wanted the Infiniti. All inclusive, it was 23450. I was willing dish out 21k, max 21.5k all inclusive (fees and taxes), they didn't budge so I left.

I did walk. I told them what I was willing to pay, and they didn't budge so I left.

Rambo said:
Also, I thought the IS300 was the coveted model amongst the gear heads?

Why aren't you buying new Pauly? Rates are ridiculously low now.
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The 3.7L V6 in the Infiniti was powerful, the exhaust note was very attractive, but the ride is on the rougher side and steering was hard.

The IS250 and IS300 I drove were soft, which is my preference.

Paying all cash. Going to save up for a few years and get a Tesla.
 
I have not bought a car in a long time, let alone used. So I am trying to figure out what is usually the discount to ask and expect on used car.
 
Pauly Chase said:
I have not bought a car in a long time, let alone used. So I am trying to figure out what is usually the discount to ask and expect on used car.
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well, its relative to both the blue book value and your location. if IS300's are rare around you they might fetch a premium. you have to research the selling prices on both KBB, NADA, Edmunds, and eBay and try to gauge the market. If you're doing something like certified pre-owned, that chops you off at the knees unless you can find the exact same model at another dealership.
 
Rambo said:
well, its relative to both the blue book value and your location. if IS300's are rare around you they might fetch a premium. you have to research the selling prices on both KBB, NADA, Edmunds, and eBay and try to gauge the market. If you're doing something like certified pre-owned, that chops you off at the knees unless you can find the exact same model at another dealership.
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Not looking at the certified pre-owened in particular.

IS is pretty rare around here. I don't see many of them around as BMW 3 series and MB C-class.

Since I won't keep this car for long, maybe 3 years max, I am looking at low mileage if it is older than 3 years or 13 or later if it has slightly higher miles.
 
Rambo said:
so why not get something new in your price range and then you'll have a better asset to sell when it comes time to get the Tesla?
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The only thing I can get new at my max budget is a RAV4 XLE. I need some all wheel drive. Might look at subaru xtrek, but I want something a bit luxurious this time.

i could also put down 15k and finance and get something in the 35k range, but I really dont want to do that.
 
Quality of Jeep Wranglers? I drove one before, the ride and road noise are horrendous, but they are off road kings. Never owned an American Car before, so not sure about built quality. But from my research, Wranglers are built like bullets and parts are really easy to find. Could get one and modify it.

Here is one, 2007 Wrangler Rubicon, 2 door, 6 speed manual, 33k miles, one owner, asking 21900.
 
Pauly Chase said:
The only thing I can get new at my max budget is a RAV4 XLE. I need some all wheel drive. Might look at subaru xtrek, but I want something a bit luxurious this time.

i could also put down 15k and finance and get something in the 35k range, but I really dont want to do that.
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I always recommend used, just to save money, but new car rates are so low now that it's practically a free loan.

If you're looking for a status symbol, what about a lease?
 
Pauly Chase said:
Quality of Jeep Wranglers? I drove one before, the ride and road noise are horrendous, but they are off road kings. Never owned an American Car before, so not sure about built quality. But from my research, Wranglers are built like bullets and parts are really easy to find. Could get one and modify it.

Here is one, 2007 Wrangler Rubicon, 2 door, 6 speed manual, 33k miles, one owner, asking 21900.
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Jeeps break. Lots. You'll also get sick of the short wheelbase ride
 
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