Looking for a new car ...

Darell · Nov 23, 2004

Sadly, the one *truly* American car that I've ever driven is the same car that GM won't let me continue to drive. In my driving career, there has NEVER been, and likely never will be again, a more American car than the EV1. I don't dislike American cars - I simply dislike that the "American" car companies won't build the car I want to drive.

BlindedByTheLite · Nov 23, 2004

this is just a generalization, but... LOL @ ppl concerned with things like cars being American products but voted for Bush.

(sorry if that was out of line for the thread. i just couldn't resist)

Draco_Americanus · Nov 24, 2004

[ QUOTE ]
BlindedByTheLite said:
this is just a generalization, but... LOL @ ppl concerned with things like cars being American products but voted for Bush.

(sorry if that was out of line for the thread. i just couldn't resist)

[/ QUOTE ]
Same would be true if they voted for kerry /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Draco_Americanus · Nov 24, 2004

[ QUOTE ]
hank said:
>chuckle<
Wonderful thread. Should I start my own, or pile in?

Looking for anything with an extra super-low- gear (at least, if not a true low range) like an older used Subaru '87 wagon, or another like my 1983 Toyota Tercel 4x4 wagon, which was fine til someone stole and trashed it this summer.
Maybe a Ford F100 pre-1996, if I can find one. I never drive but for long weekend trips that include some very steep forest roads - I do field botany as a hobby, not four-wheeling offroad.

[/ QUOTE ]
Unless you have thusands for repairs and upkeep I would avoid a Subaru that old, every one that I know that has had an older one has spent a lot of loot to keep them running.
IMHO I would use a small Toyota tocoma pickup truck or a Jeep. A Jeep wranger is small but if it has the inline 4.0 engine you will have pleanty of power or a Jeep cherokee with the same motor. A jeep grand cherokee might be a bit bigger then you want and they don't fit as well down narrow trails (mine has the scratches to prove that) but the low gear is very nice. Anyway thats My 2 pennies

markdi · Nov 24, 2004

what is wrong with cv joints
they are easy and cheap to fix

3rd_shift · Nov 24, 2004

[ QUOTE ]
markdi said:
what is wrong with cv joints
they are easy and cheap to fix

[/ QUOTE ]

Many mechanics just don't see it that way for some reason.
500-700 bucks for each one replaced is not uncommon.

Now U-joints on rear wheel drive, solid axle, are much closer to the cheap and easy to fix description.

kenny · Nov 24, 2004

Discount Auto Parts Exchange in Fort Worth does them for just over $100 bucks a side -- the older Hondas lasted exactly 112K mi befor needing replacement, but even if you do that every 50K mi that's not expensive maintenance.