OT - Looking for a fun family car

Legume

@Eoin I bought my first truck (Nissan 2wd) when I bought my first house and it was indispensable for all the diy on that house - bldg materials, haul off, appliances, dirt, etc.  It was also my daily commuter.  I went to SUVs after that which was fine, but not a great replacement when you need to haul something.

I’m back to a truck now, again 2wd because I haven’t needed 4wd.  I don’t need a work truck or need the bed on a regular basis, but it’s there when I do.  If trucks were not as comfortable as they are these days, I probably wouldn’t have one as a daily driver.  I would bet there are many here in the states that have trucks for the same reason - as comfortable as a car and you have the truck aspect when you need it.

fishlessman

Eoin said:

WeberWho said:

alaskanassasin said:

anyone else think the new Ford Ranger looks.... meh. To me the front end looks like a Taurus. The whole thing reminds me of the Honda Ridgeline.    I hope they use a different front end on the Bronco.

My last two vehicles have been Ford Rangers. They've been nothing but reliable. I was excited to see Ford bring them back to North America.

They're going to be a tough sell for Ford. Only available in 4 cylinder. Apparently going to be pushing 300 horse power. Not sure what towing will be like. Most pickups are grocery getters anyways. Also read they scrapped the Raptor Ranger. That would have been a fun truck. 

Do people who aren't into cars care about the engine capacity / number of cylinders if it goes OK and gets good mileage? Anne's Audi A3 has a 1.5 litre 4 pot engine with 150 HP and cylinder cut for cruising. It goes well, once you work out how to pursuade the DCT to do what you want it to do, and is economical as well. Do they also do 2WD versions of trucks as a cheaper / lighter / more economical option for the people who just use their truck for shopping and posing?

the lighter trucks dont last long in the north with the salt they put down, you really need to upgrade to a 3/4 ton and get the heavey duty version. we have two toyotas here, a tundra and tacoma, toyota changes the whole frame after about 8 years, ive seen frames go in less than 4 with those.  even with the rover thats pretty much all plastic im washing the undercarriage off weekly

alaskanassasin

 @Eoin There is very much a place for 2wd trucks, especially in the south, most pick up trucks spend their life on the highway and if you don't see the need for 4x4 you most likely will not need it. If you live where there is snow and ice you will probably want a 4x4.

 FWIW I have a 2006 3500 mega cab ram 4x4 with a Cummins diesel, the last year before they started meeting Tier 3 emissions regulations and it gets 24mpg highway.

 

DoubleEgger

alaskanassasin said:

 @Eoin There is very much a place for 2wd trucks, especially in the south, most pick up trucks spend their life on the highway and if you don't see the need for 4x4 you most likely will not need it. If you live where there is snow and ice you will probably want a 4x4.

 FWIW I have a 2006 3500 mega cab ram 4x4 with a Cummins diesel, the last year before they started meeting Tier 3 emissions regulations and it gets 24mpg highway.

 

2WD trucks are better for towing. I think I’ve put my truck in 4wd two or three times in two and half years. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. 

nolaegghead

Best to not have it and never need it.

fishlessman

all i know is the better the 4 wheel drive, the more stuck you get, i mean really stuck

GrateEggspectations

Smokin_Trout said:

Ford Edge ST
335 HP and 380 lb-ft
starts at $42k
or 
Raptor Crew cab 
starts about $58k

I actually love the ST suggestion. Did not know they produced these. Will have to see what they fetch in Canada. 

Botch

fishlessman said:

all i know is the better the 4 wheel drive, the more stuck you get, i mean really stuck

A Very Wise Man once told me, Always use a 4wd in 2wd; only use the 4wd to get unstuck.  It's worked for me for 26 years.  

lousubcap

Botch said:

fishlessman said:

all i know is the better the 4 wheel drive, the more stuck you get, i mean really stuck

A Very Wise Man once told me, Always use a 4wd in 2wd; only use the 4wd to get unstuck.  It's worked for me for 26 years.  

I was taught a variation of the above....if in  4WD, always stay in Hi gear and use 4WD Low to get out.  Like you it worked for me.

fishlessman

several times it took a few 4x4's to get me unstuck in my 2 wheel drive dodge dart, when i got the first 4x4, i carried 150 cable, two 3 ton come-alongs, and an ax.  4wd low is useless in deep mud

alaskanassasin

I used 4 low the other day, my truck and trailer were sitting in about 3” of frozen solid water. It wouldn’t budge, I popped it in 4low and it rolled right out. 

fishlessman

alaskanassasin said:

I used 4 low the other day, my truck and trailer were sitting in about 3” of frozen solid water. It wouldn’t budge, I popped it in 4low and it rolled right out. 

510 hp, high range, turn the stupid traction/stability control off. works everytime when the front/back lockers kick in    i have not cleaned the driveway yet and two weeks ago i was also slushed in, had no power trying to free the truck til i shut that stability/traction control off

saluki2007

Beige Betty?

Ozzie_Isaac

Whatever you get, make sure you will love it, and cherish it, and never let it go.

Just traded a 2019 BMW430i for a 2019 4Runner TRD.  Very expensive 5 month experiment.  We are not a car family.

MNEggerandStuff

Botch said:

This doesn't directly address the OP's question, but it belongs here I think.  
 
As you know I bought my first, and last, "brand new" car a few months ago, an Audi A5 Cabriolet.  I'm very happy with it, but of course continue to read up on every "new" 2019 that hits the web.  
 
BMW announced they're bringing back the Z4, and it is stunning!  
 

 
I was MORE fascinated to learn that BMW developed the frame/drivetrain/engine in conjunction with Toyota (!!!) who are also using the base for their soon-to-be-released Supra:
 

 
OMG, what a difference some sheetmetal makes!  Don't know if the Supra will be coming out as a convertible, but that coupe looks like a damn Shar-Pei!!  YUCK!!  

As Paris Hilton would say...That's Hot

Botch

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Whatever you get, make sure you will love it, and cherish it, and never let it go.

Just traded a 2019 BMW430i for a 2019 4Runner TRD.  Very expensive 5 month experiment.  We are not a car family.

Owch!!  You took a couple hits!  

Ozzie_Isaac

Botch said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Whatever you get, make sure you will love it, and cherish it, and never let it go.

Just traded a 2019 BMW430i for a 2019 4Runner TRD.  Very expensive 5 month experiment.  We are not a car family.

Owch!!  You took a couple hits!  

It was brutal.  However, both my wife and I absolutely hated the car.  It was a treat my wife bought for herself, within 2 weeks she was like WTF did I do.  I kept my mouth shut, because it was her deal.  Finally after 5 months of almost no miles on it I told her it was stupid to pay for a car she didn't want to drive. 

Sometimes you just take the lumps and keep going.

alaskanassasin

Why didn’t she like it?

Ozzie_Isaac

alaskanassasin said:

Why didn’t she like it?

To low.  Couldn't see around cars when trying to make right/left turns, couldn't just park it because chin spoiler was so low, it was only about 3" off the ground.  Couldn't even pull straight into our driveway.  The rims stuck out past the low profile rubber so she was afraid of curbing it.

Backseat was to small.  Not enough legroom for kids, let alone adults.  Getting in and out was a pain.  I could only sit in it if I moved the side lumbar supports all the way out and even then it was tight.

She didn't realize how often she was on dirt roads until she had a car that couldn't do it.  Her job takes her all over and having a car that only works on perfect roads sucked.  Many times she had to come back home to get the truck or the jeep.

It drove great when roads were perfect, the Nav screen was awesome, and it looked sharp.  Bad roads, passengers, cargo, it was awful.

She is a truck and SUV girl. She wanted to be a BMW girl, but she just isn't.  Utility and capability trump looks and brand.