Hello all. I bought my wife a Pontiac G6 for Christmas, and after seeing just how cool a new vehicle is, heated seats, remote start, built in XM, adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, etc., I'm thinking it is time for an upgrade myself. I want to buy a truck this time around. But I want a truck with a car feel, inside and out. Sporty, yet powerful. I am thinking about something along the lines of a Toyota Tundra. Whatever it is, it needs to have a 6 Cyl or better and needs to have FOUR (4) doors, not the suicide doors, or extended cab, but an actual FOUR door setup. I currently drive a Olds Intrigue GLS. It is immaculate. I've owned it since 99, it was paid for the day I bought it, and only has 95k. It is beyond PERFECT, in terms of its condition. It has every option that was ever available at the time I bought it. It is my baby! I have had it serviced only at GM dealers, and the oil had been changed every 3,000 miles. I'm anal with vehicles. Did I mention it is show room new. Anyway, I am thinking of trading it for the truck, whatever I get. Now I am not opposed to an "SUV", assuming it is not a TANK, ie., one of these butt ugly disgusting gas guzzlers. I really do not need a suburban assault vehicle. The reason I want a "truck" is because I pull my V-Rod around, as well as a boat. Pulling an 18 1/2' RINKER and a 3000lb trailer with a pair of 600lb bikes is hard on the Olds. It can handle it, but I get horrible mileage when doing it. My olds has a 3800 Buick in it, so I need something that has that kind of kick or more. I've been over 135 in the olds, and know no truck is gonna touch that, but I love the off the start tork. I hit the gas hard and like to get where I am going without hesitation. So, I am looking at the following: Truck Used Preferable or close out ( I NEVER BUY NEW ) Non-American (no GM Ford, etc.) though I might think about it Has to have 4 doors (I have a kid and need the room and comfort) Can have a short bed would like V6 or better Good mileage Good crash testing rating Would like 4WD or AWD Sporty Car like comfort with truck like power Should be able to tow at least 6k without hesitation, though as low as 4k is fine Money is an object (I'm cheap) Will of course consider hybrids, and vehicles that can use that 80% ethanol crap (I'm an enviro-freak) I will be paying cash/trade, no financing. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanx.
You're lucky I am drinking wine my friend.. That is hillarious! I've actually ridden in something similar in France year ago. Just don't take corners too fast!
Why do you want a non US 'truck'? I always thought the majority of US truck/suv/pickup buyers would ONLY want 'USA MADE'. Get an old Land Rover Defender and show all those girls in their pimped out SUVs what it's all about. This one covers the 4 door requirement, with 2 doors to spare
Most US made vehicles seem to be made in Mexico. Toyotas seem to be made in the US for the most part. I don't care where it's made so much as I meant to say, I don't care for GM/FORD. It's just time for a change. I've had GM Vehicles for so long, for the most part they have all been quite dependable and offered the best bang for the buck, easy to service, cheap, etc. It just looks like only the "foreign" type trucks offer creature comforts and sporty looks. FORD and GM have some of the ugliest looking trucks on the planet, inside and out. My problem with Rover is dependability. They are rated the absolute worst, bottom of the barrel when it comes to reliability and mechanical break down. I've got a friend that owns one. It's an $80,000 vehicle that is in the shop almost weekly. It's the 5th one he's owned in 3 years. They look nice, and are pretty cool, but they are built like SHIT. You really have to have love those types of vehicles to keep buying them. He does, and that's why he sticks with it. I spend about 5 years with each vehicle, historically. So it's gotta last. $80,000 for a truck, it better NEVER break down. That's just insane. I can think of so many more intelligent places to spend that money.
Land Rover Defenders start at AUD$48,000ish (apx USD$37,000) Everyone I know with Land Rovers (and even Range Rovers) swear by them. Maybe we (in Australia) just have more old Rover mechanics who know a few tricks to keep them going If it was me I'd be getting a monster Peugeot - truck torque with that sleezy slushy French comfort. I've driven Pugs all my life and they're as tough as nails. But I guess that would be an even bigger headache in the US than a Rover ...
I know, those that own Rover's swear by them. You have to love them to deal with the issues. In the US at least, they are the least dependable of all vehicles.
just get something normal, and nice to use. i find when it comes to buying cars it hink what i want, get to the dealer and the little boy comes out from inside of me when i see something sporty and fast. Keen him at bay!
Hey Mia...check out the new Saturn Outlook...it is a "crossover"...kind of a mix between a minivan and an SUV...4 doors, all the goodies, v6 engine...30+ mpg...but lots of room.
Volvo XC90 V8 ( 7 seats and full option ) Great peace of machinery and faster, bigger, safer than most cars. And it has a feel of a car kind of
While I agree, Volvo is probably the safest car to die in, (think they invented air bags, seat belts, etc..), that thing looks way too much like a station wagon for my tastes. I'd like to stay away from anything that says mini van, or station wagon, oh, that and those "cross overs".... ICK.