You already know this, but….

[skunkhome]

I pray that my stable will last til they throw dirt in my face. All the new autos are so expensive with just standard equipment. The EPA is doing everything to kill the internal combustion engine. Auto makers are doing some extraordinary things to meet the latest standards. Each fractional mph increase comes from ever increasingly complicated engineering. Very expensive and delicate engineering. Tiny engines with turbos, big horsepower, much higher rates of wear. Many start burning oil before they are broken in. On some You have disassemble your air boxes, electrical circuits and vacuum hoses just to gain access to the oil filter. All these crazy designs not only run up the sticker price but increases the cost of regular maintenance exponentially. A major failure is financially crippling.
GM boasts that it will be 100% electric by 2030 but just this week ended production of the Volt because they can’t get batteries for the thousands under recall for Battery failure.

 

[Millwood]

Friend bought a new Colorado. Info screen kept going blank and rebooting. Took it for repair 3 times, then took it back and they sold him a Silverado. Way too much money for a truck that has so many bells and whistles he will never use them all. I have learned from him. I will keep my 98 Ranger w/134,000 on it and rebuild/replace any major component if they go bad.

 

[ultrarunner]

Batteries on fire on cargo ship complicate strategy to fight...

I hope we are not exchanging one set of problems for another.

 

[piper184]

How do you handle inspection and smog checks?

My 85 Chevrolet Service Van took a lot of time for me to outfit but I sweat out each emission test and several times through the years it has not passed by the smallest of margins.

I use it for business so I swap out the CAT and no problem on retest...

What is an inspection or smog check?

Seriously, I know what they are, but in my state we used to have so called "safety inspections" which were little more than a scam. The citizens rose up and got that baloney tossed to the curb. Lived in a state once that required emissions testing. Moved away soon after and have never looked back....

 

[ultrarunner]

Such states exist?

Just about all California requires ongoing emissions inspection year model 1976 and newer and many are directed to special test sites because the year/model fit gross polluter profile.

I'm not referencing cars that have been modified...

Seeing a 25 year old smog tech look in amazement opening the hood and seeing dual carbs or telling me he couldn't test my all original VW Thing because it is a Kit car makes me wonder just who is in charge.

 

[JRH02]

I had been driving the same 2000 F250 V10 for 19 years. It wasn't very efficient and has minor scars. Minor scars are OK cause I don't worry about tree branches, etc. But really low mileage and extremely well maintained. Factory sized but aggressive tires. In fact I had just finished the ball joints, brakes, shocks, fluids, etc. That rig was as tight as a new pickup.

Then I had a non-start event. The DW had already been on my butt about a new pickup and she was pissed I got stranded. But the 2000 started fine after 15 minutes. Go figure. So I buckled and factory ordered a 2021 F350 online. I didn't want or need the F350 but that was the only way I could get the smaller V8 and the 10speed together. With the factory order I could get it the way I wanted without the dealer crap/upgrades. Drive train as above. Manual roll up windows. AM/FM but with bluetooth. Locking rear. Cell access but we don't have any (that's another story).

Over all I am really happy with the new rig. But the 'ol 2000 is now disabled cause it wasn't being used and got rat chewed.

Anyway, lesson one: F*** the dealer. The better deal was on line if you can wait.
Lesson two: if the old rig is working like new then enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[travlitt]

After reading these post on how expensive new cars and pickups are, I have come to the conclusion at my age (82) years young that I will just keep my 1998 long wheel base crew cab 3500 SWR pickup with just 42,000 original miles until I no longer need a pickup.
Found a couple of pics of my 98 chev.

 

[kubota shifty]

Such states exist?

Just about all California requires ongoing emissions inspection year model 1976 and newer and many are directed to special test sites because the year/model fit gross polluter profile.

I'm not referencing cars that have been modified...

Seeing a 25 year old smog tech look in amazement opening the hood and seeing dual carbs or telling me he couldn't test my all original VW Thing because it is a Kit car makes me wonder just who is in charge.

I had a kid once look in my car and couldn't believe I was driving a stick (Honda Fit). How things have changed.

 

[JRH02]

Travlitt, you are so far ahead of the 'game' its almost funny. Oh, and then there is the pickup (smile). I wish you many more healthy years and good stuff from your rig.

 

[ultrarunner]

Old car prices are up because of demand...

My former boss who I stopped by to see yesterday told me he sold his 1967 Ford and got a 2020 convertible Corvette in trade plus cash...

He's owned this car over 50 years and now in his mid eighties liquidating one car at a time... mostly all Fords.

I always thought there was a very slim chance it might come my way. way... but with the prices of old cars it's pie in the sky...

 

[ufcxl]

Great conversation and I believe y'all can help me: I'm a weekend farmer with a day job (who doesn't have to work to support a farming habit?). I need a farm truck that can haul heavy stuff (tractor, etc). Been looking at 3/4 ton used (I have a daily driver - Yukon). everything out there is 100K miles+. Diesel motor is extra expensive. My question: should I be scared off for high miles?. Also, thoughts on gas v diesel for longevity. Any thoughts on what to look for beyond the obvious?

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Great conversation and I believe y'all can help me: I'm a weekend farmer with a day job (who doesn't have to work to support a farming habit?). I need a farm truck that can haul heavy stuff (tractor, etc). Been looking at 3/4 ton used (I have a daily driver - Yukon). everything out there is 100K miles+. Diesel motor is extra expensive. My question: should I be scared off for high miles?. Also, thoughts on gas v diesel for longevity. Any thoughts on what to look for beyond the obvious?

A lot depends on what size tractor you want to haul. I have a 2015 f-250 gasser and it hauled my tractor just fine on flat ground put it did have to work pulling an estimated 16,000 pounds GCVW over some high mountain passes.

 

[skunkhome]

Another nuisance device are these so called infotainment centers. They are far worse than a cell because they absolutely demand you take your eyes off the road. Secondly the touchscreens are very unforgiving….if you reach yo touch the pad and hit a bump you are not likely to get what you intended. Sometimes it wii complete take you to another function that requires you to spend more time with eyes directed at the screen. I like my old radio with push buttons that will not activate with the slightest touch. Lots of marginally useful gimmicks.

 

[sunandsand]

I'm not completely scared of the electronics on newer vehicles. Yes, they are excessively complex, but if you have a code reader, you can find and fix most things pretty easily. Even the cheapest readers are far better than nothing. If you have access to a pro-grade reader, things get easy.

My beater is an 01 Accord - 125K miles on it, paint is shot but the car runs very well. Check engine light said hello, OBD II reader said "Knock sensor". Took some time to find it, took some gymnastics to change it, part was $8 on eBay. SRS light came on (which means the air bags wouldn't work, so that's worth fixing), buddy has a Snap-On diagnostics computer, turns out the switch on the driver's side seatbelt buckle was bad. $5 junkyard part, fixed.

My weekend/holiday/flash special is a 2008 MB convertible (which never, ever goes to WalMart's destruction derby parking lot). A/C stopped playing nice. Wallet started quivering in fear . . .

I bought an MB specific diagnostics box from someone for $50, he'd paid $500 and it didn't fit his model, it was too late to send it back. MB uses a proprietary 37 pin connector, so the local FLAPS can't use their scanner to see anything.

The box is pretty smart, it covers several dozen models and runs a LONG list of tests. Plug it in, turn it on, select model and year, press go. "Module 41527 is out of range". OK magic box, tell me about "out of range". Answer from magic box: "Outside air temp -40C, humidity 0%." In Florida. In the middle of August. Right. Sure thing.

Module 41527 cross references to MB part number (something) and the dealer wanted about $400 for it. eBay had a used one for $11.72 delivered (really!), three screws, one plug, the A/C works again. Took longer to find it than to change it.

I regard these readers as simply another "special tool" to work on my vehicles. Nobody complains that they need to buy a Phillips driver when all that's in the tool box is a flat blade screwdriver because the Phillips is the right tool for the job. These code readers are the right tool for the job also (in this case, diagnostics), and keeps us owners from just throwing (expensive, non-returnable) parts at the problem until it is fixed or we run out of money.

Cheap OBD II code readers can be bought for $20, if you have any vehicle with OBD II, having the reader is your first line of defense. I do know that the green tractors have proprietary codes, but I have heard rumors that if you look around the internet, you just might be able to find something that will help you.

Best Regards,

Mike/Florida

 

[ovrszd]

Batteries on fire on cargo ship complicate strategy to fight...

I hope we are not exchanging one set of problems for another.

Of course we are. Stimulates big Corp profits.

 

[ovrszd]

I see a concerning trend. The use of free time has changed significantly. Not sure what drives that. I'll keep observing.

 

[Redwagon96]

Into a dealership last week. On floor display was the super duper jeep. Just a few dollars short of $120,000.00. My old 96 dually dodge with 190000 miles will be mine for a few more years.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Batteries on fire on cargo ship complicate strategy to fight...

I hope we are not exchanging one set of problems for another.

From what I can gather, its going to be a superfund type eco disaster. Recycling and EOL (end of life) efforts are small or non-existent. Getting the average consumer to accept the idea that they are buying a brand new vehicle with used batteries would be tough. The solar revolution is even worse with less recycling efforts and no real plan for EOL disposal.

 

[ddbackhoe]

I see a concerning trend. The use of free time has changed significantly. Not sure what drives that. I'll keep observing.

More of society moving into smaller places? Nothing to do with “free time”. No chores, no garden to tend, no equipment to repair. You just call a guy to deliver or fix stuff.

 

[ismilelots]

Found this truck today. Great shape. Literally laughed and left. Look at what they are asking used, 21k miles. View attachment 734078Now look at the original window sticker. Car dealers have lost their minds. View attachment 734079

Going to be that way for awhile. Lack of new inventory drove up the used market. I just bought out my lease on my 19 Silverado. I can get over $10k more than buying the lease. But it's been good to me and the new ones have gone up way too much.