Yeah, exactly. I put 200K miles on mine and then got a very light rear end tap and realized that if that b hadn't been able to slow down to 5 mph she would have cut my arse in half (unibody pickupbed). I switched to a MkII Jetta for daily driving and feel better about it, but still leery with all the brain dead morons around me.

I am converting an old Cabriolet to 1.6 IDI, which will be somewhere in between safety-wise, I think.

That should be very cool. maybe you could weld up a safety cage around the drivers compartment, then it would be ready to do some rallying :D

What ever happened to the Mahindra diesel small pickups that were coming in like, 2010?

You don't think they'd sacrifice one of their cash cows, do you? ;):)

It's like cigarettes. They're perfectly comfortable with the extensive negatives as long as it provides a steady revenue stream. Point fingers. Talk about how bad it is. But don't really do anything beyond that.

I have one of them, the mid-level PZEV "2.5i Premium" (their hottest seller, about 75% of them are these - people avoid the stripped "base" model with plastic hubcaps) and the top shelf 3 litre turbo, because the Premium does 21/29 on cheap regular)

And I am here to tell you that after a year and 20k on the one I have the CVT is sensational and you can even use the paddle shifters on it for great control on steep hills and mountain driving.

Nicely equipped you can get one for about $25.5 or $26.1, around factory invoice.

I am supremely happy with it. Worse the weather the better it does.

And it's a comfortble, reliable spacious wagon too. They sell like hotcakes up here, and around Lake Tahoe on the California and the Nevada side too.


They are really bulletproof and Consumer reports just moved them up to the #1 notch in reliability this year, I am told, up from #2 last year.

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...y302011015.jpg

I think they're holding on to them along with my diesel Honda Odyssey. And the diesel Accord. And the 4.5L Duramaxx Tahoe and Suburban. And... :D

My boss bought one last year and gives similar reviews. If I were to buy a newish vehicle, that would probably be the one. They're very popular here in New England, as well.

The Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle thing always strikes me as funny. How does one get a partial zero (I know how it's really defined ;))? It's akin to 'giving 110%' :D

^^^

I'd buy the nicest 2005 Legacy wagon. With MANUAL transmission, as the good Lord intended cars to have :)

I like the Outback's current MPG numbers and drivetrain. But the post-2009 redesign has turned it into a bloated ugly monstrosity.

Ill pass on these subaru reviews. Big concern for her about the outback is that its gotten quite large and beefy with each generation. That pic makes it look much bigger than the MB coupe. Shed probably be going with one of the smaller vehicles, maybe an Impreza 5 door. That gets 25-36 mpg according to the subaru website.

The "premium" version of that car is 18 grand, the CVT would be under the "limited" version, which is 22 grand. Only problem is that they say 25-36mpg for both models. The only difference seems to be the manual shift option on the CVT version, for which she would be spending an additional 4 grand for the car.

However, a new TDI would a couple grand more, for which she would lose the 4wd, but gain 10mpg on any model.

I have to admit im enjoying this search though. :D

My gf's subaru brumby just died of terminal rust.
After owning it for 15 years and with a yearly oil change and tune up.
It was still running strong with an 1800cc hi and low ratio 4wd or 2wd.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...1985-grnLR.jpg
Generic internet pic.
We miss that car.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahindra_%26_Mahindra_Limited

Brumby, huh? I think they were known at the Brat in the US. Don't think I have seen any in years.

Strangely enough, from what I've seen in my searching, it's often been infighting between the OEM's own divisions that's kept a small diesel pickup off the market.

Back around 06 to 08, Cummins was testing a V6 and V8 diesel for use in CJD vehicles - this was off DC's company website at work.

Plans were for the V6 to be used in the Dakota, and the V8 to be used in Ram 1500's. There was even a proposal to take the VM Motori 2.8 L inline 4 diesel that was sold in the Jeep Liberty - which can produce more torque than a 4.7 L V8 gasser when properly set up (ask me how I know:D) - and drop it in the Dakota.

While other factors - such as the Economic Prevention Agency, and Daimler running CJD bankrupt - helped prevent this - there's one other reason that surprised me.

What I've heard repeated more than once is that Dodge's own Cummins heavy truck division fought hard against offering a small diesel pickup - they saw it as killing off sales of Ram 2500 and larger Cummins equipped trucks.

Probably right - why would people pop $45K or better for a behemoth of a Ram 2500 with a Cummins 5.9 or 6.7, when they could spend around $30K for a Dakota with a 3.8 L V6 Cummins, or $35K for a Ram 1500 with a 5.0 L V8 Cummins.

Just dumping our own inane standards and adopting Euro 5 would open the door to a flood of diesel vehicles.

For every make and model of vehicle you see on the road in the U.S., there's a diesel version of it available in Europe. CJD even offered a diesel version of the PT Cruiser for gawd's sake.

Buy a Colorado or a Tacoma, both are pretty small.

Compact pickups are dieing in this country because for what they cost and the fuel they burn you can buy a half ton that does a lot more work.

I was just looking at a Toyota Tacoma, extended cab, V6, 4wd, power windows but not crazy optioned and the sticker was $32k!:eek: $32k, seriously?

So for the same money give up 1-2mpg and get a pretty loaded F150 or Silverado 1500.

Why pay the same for less?

When you use a truck, as a truck, you are buying it by the pound.

Less capabilities = less money.

Most modern half tons can carry almost a ton in the beds, while compact trucks cannot, about half of that realistically.

So if both are $25k, why would I spend money on the truck that forces me to make twice as many trips?

Plus trucks without 8ft beds are close to worthless.

Throw in the fact that most compact trucks have tinny little brakes that would be smoked by an equipment trailer... and your just better off sticking to a station wagon.

IMHO the perfect truck is a 1 ton, 4wd, 8ft bed, standard or maybe extended cab. You can carry a full pallet of 80lb concrete bags, stack the bed high with sheetrock or plywood, and have 4wd not to get stuck. Plus you can hook a plow up to it, and tow 12k pounds or more.

^^^

But not everyone needs that capability. The Ford Transit seems to be selling quite well, and it fills the niche of a less-than-fullsize work van.

By your "logic", why not buy a 2-ton truck?

Why buy a truck at all, if you never use the bed? I see a lot of that.

^^^ Why buy a Bugatti Veyron when a Geo Metro will haul your butt around?

We used our ute all the time. We'd take the mower to elderly peoples houses and cut their grass.
People want you to help them move furniture, and we'd take garden rubbish to the tip.
It's amazing the good stuff you find that people throw out, with a ute you can pick up billy carts, bikes and other large toys for friends with kids and ourselves. Recycling is fun.
Gas water heater for the garage.
Scrap metal, it's easy to get a couple hundred dollars worth that's just been thrown away.
A small utility is one of the most versatile vehicles on the market, when you can find one.

With a Veyron you could throw it around like a prison beech in a cell block riot.

I'd take a Suzuki Swift over the bloated pig (no clutch pedal, what?) that's the Veyron any day.

Wrong conclusion
 

NYC carries NY State. If it weren't for the taxes and Business/Wall Street economy generated by NYC, the rest of NY State would be in deep ****e.

Upstate can barely support itself and between the State University system, NYDOT, etc it nurses at the State teat for survival.

Wages in the upstate region are 50% of NYC so 50% less Income taxes are paid but they gat back $1.50 for every $1 paid in...vs NYC which gets .65 for every $1 paid into the state system. Yet we have 80% of the population and generate 90% of the gross state taxible income.

8 million people represent 80% of 20 million?

I'm guessing that he's talking about NYC, Westchester, Orange, Rockland, and Long Island, though the population of those is more like 12MM combined.

So uh, when I finish my 617-into-a-ranger swap there might be a market for it :D?

because Americans have a lot more crap to haul around.....

On another forum I frequent on Ford diesel pickups, there is a guy who carries so many spare parts, tool and other stuff behind the seat of his pick up that I have speculated that it must be like snoopy's doghouse. If any of you remember, snoopy's doghouse sits on top of a cavernous residence that hauses far more than would be apparent form just looking at the dog house.

NYC Metro
 

Since 2000 the NYC Metro includes the City, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and some of the Catskills due to commuting families that have to move out to find housing but still make their $$ and pay taxes to NYC (at a lower rate but they still pay) add Sales tax, Gas tax, Tolls, etc and its more like 12 million. Not to mention the folks who have a home in NYC but also have a home in PA (family lives in PA and Dad/Mom lives in NYC 4 days a week).

I travel the state weekly, our clients are the State Univ Construction fund, NYS DOT, the cities of Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, Ithica, Buffalo, Plattsburgh, Rome, etc...I see the state of employment all the time and if they pay their share and the jobs pay their share of State taxes and all is good then how come folks travel down to NYC for work. Not 90 miles but 250 to 400 miles?

The salary/benefits/rewards are 5 fold over upstate income and it is year round. Many of the workers I deal with have Summer and Winter jobs to break even. The State jobs are lucky to pay $28 to 35K for a degreed Professional. Medical jobs are the same, an RN makes 1/2 in Syracuse as they would in NYC, same for a Professional Engineer, IT Specialist, etc.

There is little or no manufacturing and Tech jobs are no better. Most towns exist on either the State University system, Private School or a Major Medical center or the Military. That is it.

Like upstate is great if you like the open country and subsistance to moderate income.

But still, the taxes and fees generated by NYC are the majority of NY State income.

or perhaps a first gen t100 with some body damage that I could handle easily-- a 125 hp turbodiesel MIGHT be enough to drive around without being a nusiance to other drivers. If I got a small tacoma I would go with a non turbo 617 .

Since I'm not working construction, or pulling an Airstream, I've found that a roomy wagon or small pickup suits me just fine. For many years I drove an '87 Isuzu P'up. Unlike todays bulky, jacked-up pickups, it sat fairly low, rode and handled decently, and with a 2.3 four and 5-speed, could get 30 mpg or better on the highway. Seat-comfort wasn't great, but I was able to tow a 16-foot boat & trailer, and a small car on a dolly, without serious problems.
Today, I use a Euro '84 300TD for my hauling. Though not currently setup for towing, I've added a customised Thule roof-rack modified to carry 4x8' plywood, galvanised roofing and lumber up to 14-feet long. With a factory 5-speed, it's also managed around 30 mpg on the road.

For those not sold on the macho, cowboy image, I think there's a need for reasonable, economical cargo-vehicles, that handle well, and get acceptable fuel mileage. Unfortuately, despite all the talk of fuel & resource conservation, the US market is saddled mostly with thirsty, overweight, crossovers & SUVs, often overstyled at the expense of cargo-room and visibility, and big, high-riding, top-heavy trucks.
So I'll stick with the older stuff. Maybe even look for a diesel Isuzu P'up someday.

Happy Motoring, Mark

They are hard to find in good condition. Most of them got pretty well used up.

Well, I still have the P'up and it's still very solid, but has some carburetor issues now.
I don't really need to tow boats and cars anymore, so maybe it would be a candidate for a diesel-swap.

OTOH, if I DID need to tow something, I could put the Euro hitch back on my TD. Would mean gong back to the pretty, but fragile Euro bumper though.

Happy Motoring, Mark