Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days!

[Hay Dude]

Our BMW can do many functions with a cell phone app. It’ll prestart or pre-coolheat the car while you’re walking towards it.
It also has a BMW credit card which can lock/unlock. Very nice to carry around instead of keyless remote.
And that car was made waaaaay back in 2020.

My ram has a “presence” key where it senses your thumb on the door latch to open it. I can also start my Ram or lock/unlock the doors with a phone app from anywhere in the world.

 

[3930dave]

Our BMW can do many functions with a cell phone app. It’ll prestart or pre-coolheat the car while you’re walking towards it.
It also has a BMW credit card which can lock/unlock. Very nice to carry around instead of keyless remote.
And that car was made waaaaay back in 2020.

My ram has a “presence” key where it senses your thumb on the door latch to open it. I can also start my Ram or lock/unlock the doors with a phone app from anywhere in the world.

I drive ancient stuff, for several reasons.

I understand the attraction/addiction people have to their phones, but don't relate to most of it. So, I'm not in any demographic that automakers give a rat's ### about....

Among the hardware failure modes / what happens if your only plan (A) fails, there are broader issues....

Your Car Is a Data Privacy Nightmare. Here's How to Protect Yourself

Some people don't care about data privacy, at all. Remember Apple, intentionally bricking phones by pushing "updates" ? Not for nothing, I said along time ago, They are just marketing vehicles using Cell Phone strategies/tactics.

Rgds, D.

 

[Jstpssng]

I do like my remote locks. When I get up in the morning I push a button to unlock; at night when I get in I lock up again.

 

[paulsharvey]

One "feature" I dont like are auto lock doors. There are different variants; but when you leave the truck running, get out and close the door; some lock. Meaning, you have to leave the window down. If I'm at work, pull up to something, I dont want to have to shut it off, take the keys with me, for a 30 second thing. So, I end up rolling window down and hoping out, but leaving it running. Yes, if I'm going to be out, or walk more than 50 feet away, I shut it down and lock it.

Another feature that I like, are the new LED strobe bars, that dont draw the battery down near as bad. The Old ones, drew battery bad, and a 12 hour shift, you might need jumped off. The next generation, some light bars had an annoying high pitched buzzing. Only thing about the new LED ones, they are completely silent, so sometimes you forget them on, until you get home, and see your strobes still in.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^
One cold January day we were headed out to work when we came across somebody standing next to his running rental car in his shirt sleeves. We stopped and he explained he was an engineer flown into the local mill and had taken a ride before his meeting. Upon returning from getting rid of a cup of coffee he discovered his doors had self-locked.
My phone was 15 miles away, attached to my truck so we gave him a ride to the nearest phone booth where he called AAA. By the time we returned him to his car the truckers were already on the CBs talking about the empty running car, wondering if they should alert the cavalry.

 

[Chewwy]

One "feature" I dont like are auto lock doors. There are different variants; but when you leave the truck running, get out and close the door; some lock. Meaning, you have to leave the window down. If I'm at work, pull up to something, I dont want to have to shut it off, take the keys with me, for a 30 second thing. So, I end up rolling window down and hoping out, but leaving it running. Yes, if I'm going to be out, or walk more than 50 feet away, I shut it down and lock it.

. . .

FYI.

Florida Statute 316.1975 prohibits leaving a motor vehicle unattended with the engine running or the ignition unlocked, requiring the engine to be stopped, the ignition locked, and the key removed to prevent theft or other hazards.The only exception is for licensed delivery vehicles making deliveries.

Georgia had a similar statute that was repealed in 2007, although local ordinances may still have similar requirements.

 

[paulsharvey]

FYI.

Florida Statute 316.1975 prohibits leaving a motor vehicle unattended with the engine running or the ignition unlocked, requiring the engine to be stopped, the ignition locked, and the key removed to prevent theft or other hazards.The only exception is for licensed delivery vehicles making deliveries.

Georgia had a similar statute that was repealed in 2007, although local ordinances may still have similar requirements.

Well, I dont leave them "unattended", but regardless, i dont like having to work about doors locking while getting trash cans, or opening a gate, or similar.

 

[Eagle1]

If I had to shut off a vehicle every time I drive through a gate, load a kid/dog, or barn door it would be fixed or gone. Not everyone has automatic door openers on everything....
Would that not be fun when you are loading some square bales in the field, shut down ever few feet to grab some more..... worse than the seat belt dings when you are in and out doing stuff around the place.

 

[Jstpssng]

worse than the seat belt dings when you are in and out doing stuff around the place

I don't mind that anymore. If I'm working around my property I fasten the belt behind my back.

I've worn my seatbelt religously since 1980, when I was in a junkyard and saw the damage a person's shoulder can do to the door of a '70s Ford pickup. Yet I don't understand why manufacturers need to make it more and more obnoxious to do things like seatbelts or taking the key out of the ignition. I've spent more time than you can imagine looking for the keys to my company Tundra after fueling the truck.

 

[Eagle1]

I don't mind that anymore. If I'm working around my property I fasten the belt behind my back.

I've worn my seatbelt religously since 1980, when I was in a junkyard and saw the damage a person's shoulder can do to the door of a '70s Ford pickup. Yet I don't understand why manufacturers need to make it more and more obnoxious to do things like seatbelts or taking the key out of the ignition. I've spent more time than you can imagine looking for the keys to my company Tundra after fueling the truck.

I do wear my belt on the road.... but never bother to buckle it when puttering around. I used the truck for 20 years picking up trash at all the camp sites. 50 stops around the park..... lot of dinging.

 

[Jstpssng]

I do wear my belt on the road.... but never bother to buckle it when puttering around. I used the truck for 20 years picking up trash at all the camp sites. 50 stops around the park..... lot of dinging.

That's when I fasten mine and sit on it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Some people are just stuck in hard mode for no apparent reason. I can’t imagine walking in the car dealership in 2025 and finding the base model truck with a manual transmission, manual window and manual locks and think that’s the one I want. I’ve had that exact truck, but I didn’t buy it new or even close to new. Apparently not many other people wanted that truck or they would still sell them. Manual locks and windows suck especially on a 4 door. Manual windows suck even more when you don’t have ac and are constantly having to put them up and down.

From growing up around the auto business the profit on new vehicles itself is always in the options…

Loaded vehicles equal more profit.

Often, base models were priced so low there was very little profit… but needed for marketing to hit a price point.

My brother’s girlfriend at the time had a long commute and was looking for an economical great mpg car and saw a new Corolla advertised at was a loss leader with no options…

She came in and the dealership tried everything they could not to sell her that car…

She insisted and then they said they were not sure where it was but we found it by matching the advertised vin number…

She drove out with that car at the advertised price and was still trouble free 10 years and 200k miles when she traded for a family size car.

The dealership was moaning the whole time trying to sell floor mats, service, etc… saying they would have to close the doors if everyone bought the base model…

Even being a base model it still had the same engine and build quality…

 

[ultrarunner]

FYI.

Florida Statute 316.1975 prohibits leaving a motor vehicle unattended with the engine running or the ignition unlocked, requiring the engine to be stopped, the ignition locked, and the key removed to prevent theft or other hazards.The only exception is for licensed delivery vehicles making deliveries.

Georgia had a similar statute that was repealed in 2007, although local ordinances may still have similar requirements.

Garbage truck drivers making pickups always exit running vehicles… always wondered about that

 

[Eagle1]

Garbage trucks making pickups always exit running vehicles… always wondered about that

SO do cops and many other gov vehicles. All exempt from the laws the plebes must follow. Like Cell phones while driving.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep… I see snow plow trucks never shutdown… even as the driver is out having a bite to eat…

 

[JasperFrank]

You can, in the PNW, get an older style truck. Thing is, you are going to have to pay to refurbish it correctly, and find a good shop, that doesn't mess around. There are plenty in Springfield Oregon. The issue is, people want a new, old style truck that cost what the original did pre-'94. I just pick '93 as A Date, but you pick what ever date you want. With rust not being an issue in the PNW, you have at least a registered frame with a title. But Oh..., are you going to feel the costs accumulate, as near everything needs replacement. Its worn out, down to the bushings. Yet, it can be rebuilt in to something very drive-able and cosmetically pleasing for $20,000 dollars. If you pay 5 or 6K for the base vehicle, its total cost is 26K. Can you resell it for that much... Yes, if the shop is known good, and you have all the receipts. You can't get a loan to fix it up. And that's the rub. YOU have to have the 26K. And you have to be careful about what you buy as the base vehicle, and can see no one has severely altered it.. as in a teenager with a lift kit, non-stock wheels/tires and altered frame geometries. Cause that's the main issue. Other wise all that money, in restoration, stays in your community and supports the Trades.

 

[paulsharvey]

Anyone saying you can't get a fairly basic truck, hasn't played with any of the manufacturers "build" sites. They all have them, and you can get a 3/4T gas truck down to pretty "low" numbers.

$55,050 gets a brand new, 2024, gas, 4x4, Chevy 2500hd, with the stuff I would want (wish you didn't need to add a $2500 package to get 120v outlet in cab). That's not cheap, but you dont Need to drop $75,000 to $90,000 to build a very functional, hard working truck

 

[paulsharvey]

You can play with it, and probably get it down to around $45k if you skip alloys and 4wd

 

[Eagle1]

You can play with it, and probably get it down to around $45k if you skip alloys and 4wd

About that.... I have a truck I bought in the south. No 4x4 never was a problem in NC but here..... can't go anywhere when it rains, snows or ice. I have on my list to fix at least one of the 4x4 trucks my daughter broke this year... or buy another before Nov.
Nothing flat and not a lot of pavement....

 

[ultrarunner]

If a VW bug can tow a 5th Wheel an appropriate sized trailer should work on a full size truck…