New truck #@$%@#&

[Jstpssng]

While vehicle quality is way up, let's not forget what roads were like in the past.
Many of the roads I drive on today - nice smooth pavement - were gravel with potholes and washboards just 40 years ago.
Tires sure are more dependable now, too - when is the last time you got a flat? As a kid I remember changing flats right and left (partially because of the used tires we bought, but even new ones weren't fantastic). You can get a tire with an 80k mile warrantee now! I wouldn't, because I like traction, but I regularly buy 40k mile tires which actually get that and they don't hydroplane easily either.
I like the "don't make them like they used to - thank god!" quote, because it's really accurate.

The last time that I had a flat tire was just before I put 10 ply tires on my Ford Ranger. A bit of overkill I'll admit, but I drive a lot of gravel roads that are hard on tires.
I think that the oil today is probably better also, which has a lot to do with engine longevity. A lot of the repairs that people complain about are at mileages that most vehicles of 20 or more years ago didn't attain.

I found Moss' comment about scratching paint to be rather timely, as just last month our summer employee told me that I should be driving a Prius after I chose not to go pushing through the alders on a strange road, and on a separate occasion opted to unload the ATV rather than drive across a bridge which was obviously suffering from tired abutments.
Then again I probably knew everything when I was in college, also. Sometimes I can walk faster than I can drive, and he's never experienced that sinking feeling when the bridge gives way as you're halfway across it.

 

[3930dave]

I've got $7K total wrapped up in this 93 going on 11 years, and it's still worth $1500, so that's about $5500 for 11 years.... $500 per year for a daily driver... reminds me of my $500 Novas in the 70's and 80's. :laughing:

That comment reminds me of someone on TBN quoting his mechanic Dad from years back.... "You can buy Fuel, or you can buy Parts - take your pick".

Old quote now, but I think of it today, when chatting with my neighbour as to how his buddy is doing down-sizing his fleet unit-size....... still true now.....

Rgds, D.

 

[Ritothebull]

The fancy computers and electronics aren't what's making these engines get higher mileage, cleaner burning fuels, modern lubricants, better materials and technology used to build engine and drivetrain components are what's doing it. You can pull apart a modern engine with 300,000 miles on it and it will be pretty clean inside.

 

[ultrarunner]

Depending who you ask, you get different answers from people as to what their technology sweet-spot is.

I know people who think they NEED the latest/greatest digital interfaces in what they drive, and there is a lot of present day heavy-marketing directed their way in that respect.....

For those of us wrench-your-own types, the answer may be different...... unless you enjoy rebuilding carbs, fuel injection in most forms is a really Nice To Have.

Beyond that, I could live with an AM/FM radio, windup windows, A/C optional. For most street vehicles (unless I was planning Track Days), I'd prefer rear Drum Brakes.

I know with the (production year) range of vehicles that you have ur, that you've likely seen this - older and even vintage vehicles are sometimes way easier to find parts for in the aftermarket, and at lower cost, than for newer vehicles.

Rgds, D.

Being in California and having California Air Resources Board over vehicles 1976 and newer I have seem a lot of high end vehicles not worth much as they age... if a vehicle cannot pass smog the value plummets...

12 cylinder Mercedes and BMW, Range Rover, etc can have real problems as they age... emission parts may have been long discontinued and limited production means not much on the salvage side... things like CATs and be prohibitively expensive... then there are the air suspensions, digital instruments... etc...

Now, take a 20 year rust free Corolla with 180,000 miles on Craigslist and it will be gone over the weekend...

I hazard to say just about any part for my 80 year old Ford is available... ANY PART.

 

[Handloader109]

A couple of points, don't buy new, get a 2 or 3 year old vehicle. Depreciation is mostly done by then, still a lot of life in truck and you can save a lot..... insanity is paying what these dealers want for the new trucks. Heck my f150 Cost me less than the discount offered on a lot of the new trucks and mine was loaded and has been driven over 110k miles since purchase with nothing over normal maintenance.

Buying new vehicles will insure you remain poor... unless you can pay cash for the truck.

 

[dfkrug]

It is good to see lots of older PU trucks on the road and being used. You can "always" fix or have
fixed an older truck that is not crashed, for substantially less than the cost of a new truck. You can
even buy replacement frame sections to repair structural rust. Engines and trannies for common
trucks may cost a few thousand, but there is a lot of room for repairs when new means $30-70K.

If you want new looks or features, fine. Buy a new truck. Even here in CA, you can usually make
an older truck pass smog inspection. The hardest are from the 80s with the electronically-controlled
carbs. Cars had them too, but truck emissions limits are lower. Diesel PUs here don't need smog
inspections if newer than 1997. Cars: 1975, as ULTRA said.

 

[4570Man]

New truck #@$%@#&

I’ve got an old truck that still earns its keep. Manual window, manual transmission, bench seat, rubber floor liner, ac which doesn’t work. I’ve spent less than $200 in parts over 8000 miles. It needs a starter or ground cables or something so that’s probably another $100. It’s become pretty much essential to life. I wouldn’t sell my dump truck for anything close to what it’s actually worth.

 

[gsganzer]

I have a 2016 Chevy 3500 cab/chassis with flatbed. It's the work truck trim with vinyl seats and rubber floor, just the way I like it. The only convenience things I wish it had is climate control and steering wheel controls for the radio.

 

[3930dave]

Diesel PUs here don't need smog
inspections if newer than 1997. Cars: 1975, as ULTRA said.

df - did you mean older than 1997 ? Either way, I find that a bit surprising.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Re: New truck #@$%@#&

I致e got an old truck that still earns its keep. Manual window, manual transmission, bench seat, rubber floor liner, ac which doesn稚 work. I致e spent less than $200 in parts over 8000 miles. It needs a starter or ground cables or something so that痴 probably another $100. It痴 become pretty much essential to life. I wouldn稚 sell my dump truck for anything close to what it痴 actually worth.

What kind of a Mall can you buy dirt at ?

JK

A powerful and useful tool that's cost you next to nothing for parts - good value :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.