tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post7975373092000076415..comments2023-11-10T04:17:00.492-05:00Comments on View From The Porch: I don't get it...Tamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-75144245567280994842010-02-19T23:30:18.998-05:002010-02-19T23:30:18.998-05:00I'm still driving my Sonoma... 2wd, 4 banger, ...I'm still driving my Sonoma... 2wd, 4 banger, 5 speed, nothing special. 113k miles now, ~25mpg average yet still. Been to the shop off-schedule exactly once (fan clutch failed... in lockup. Someone earned their day's pay for that failure mode, makes a nuisance instead of an overheating nightmare). Hauls everything I've ever wanted it to, only been stuck once (my own stupidity in parking nose downhill in soft earth), ~10 second 0-60 is plenty fast, handles better than it ought, and is smaller than most cars these days and lighter than almost all of them (3050lb kerb). <br /><br />They literally do not make them like this anymore. <br /><br />the only thing I can't do is tow... 3000lb max, for some reason. GM must not want you stressing the engine out or something, everything's the exact same otherwise as a v6 that tows 5000lb.<br /><br />heh, I even figured out it'll climb uphill in ice, you just have to find the balance point where the pass. rear is spinning just enough and the lack of drag swings the bed over so the wheel with 'traction' finds a balance point between the front wheels, and the drag in the open diff is enough to keep you moving. Plus you should see how people freak out when you climb a 1/4 mile hill at 20mph, yawed over at a 15-20 degree angle :-DDr. StrangeGunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03349076338197668654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-52590036254857079122010-02-15T07:11:43.306-05:002010-02-15T07:11:43.306-05:00Tam - I'm with you. I am currently driving an...Tam - I'm with you. I am currently driving an SUV because of the need to haul kids, pets, and stuff. And my wife refused to give up her sports sedan claiming she can't drive a larger vehicle (I've seen her in action and she has a point). While it is practical, comfortable, and can make it up the driveway through a foot of snow, it's also boring as hell. I miss my manual transmission and cornering.<br /><br />Sports cars were always it for me. Something that can really accelerate and handle the curves. I got all desire to drive large vehicles cross-country out of my system while in the military.<br /><br />As we are signing papers in the Mazda dealership for the CX-9, I'm pointing out Miata’s and RX-9's and telling the kids that Daddy will be driving one of them as soon as they move out. Yes, I will be a middle-aged, mostly bald douche-bag in a sports car in another decade.Bramnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-81494058968635049612010-02-14T20:46:39.114-05:002010-02-14T20:46:39.114-05:00No, Tam, I'm not defensive. That was a declara...No, Tam, I'm not defensive. That was a declarative statement, last I checked. I honestly don't give a crap what anyone drives--or doesn't. It's their decision to make. As log as they aren't dragging me into it in some way, such as siphoning off my great grandkid's money to pay for the still accruing interest for Cash for Clunkers, I really don't care. Drive a Bimmer, drive a Ford EarthF****r or anything in between. It's your money.<br /><br />Your original post comes off (and obviously, I'm not the only person who read it as such, given the rest of the comment stream), as the vehicular analogue of "Why do you need one of those guns?" You shouldn't be surprised that it's getting the reaction it's getting.The Freeholderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09989697995675652792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-7275411530985954082010-02-14T20:45:17.661-05:002010-02-14T20:45:17.661-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17472864264398093704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-39255576820563931402010-02-14T18:23:30.033-05:002010-02-14T18:23:30.033-05:00I felt the same way until I bought a house. My Ele...I felt the same way until I bought a house. My Element can haul back a 10 ft piece of timber. 12 feet is doable if you leave it hang out the back. I've done drywall sheets, no problem, hanging out the back.Sebastianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14648225987293475835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-79167706475095038932010-02-14T13:50:47.372-05:002010-02-14T13:50:47.372-05:00I had problems with headroom in my old Crown Vic. ...I had problems with headroom in my old Crown Vic. SUVs command premium prices at the dealership, so a pick'em-up is what I drive. Plus, every few summers, I have to throw my worldly belongings into my vehicle and flee for higher ground. My Sierra holds much more than the Rodeo which preceeded it.Cybrluditenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-23861610519566508152010-02-14T13:18:03.986-05:002010-02-14T13:18:03.986-05:00Need is just cover for want, as I heard someone sa...Need is just cover for want, as I heard someone say just recently.<br /><br />I have a truck now, but used to drive a Chevy Astro, and a Fiat X1/9, and a camry station wagon. I am eclectic.Don Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06057058763094040058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-27545968606502414192010-02-14T09:09:09.931-05:002010-02-14T09:09:09.931-05:00We've got the best of all worlds:
1) 4WD pic...We've got the best of all worlds:<br /><br />1) 4WD pick-up for 3-months winter commuting (in Minnesnowta), hauling boat to mud landings, camping, and hunting.<br /><br />2) 1WD for 9-months commuting (that's a motorcycle), with plenty o' acceleration, cornering, etc.<br /><br />3) Wife's Subaru Impreza Outback, AWD, her winter get-around through anything vehicle; also summer high-mileage for two plus gear<br /><br />4) Wife's summer toy...1997 Miata. High-mileage fun-car.<br /><br />For mileage my bike will beat anything but a teeny-tiny hybrid, and YES, I do ride an average of 9-months a year even in MN...you just bundle up with the right gear and you can ride until after the first snows, and way before it's all melted in the spring.Blackwing1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-44099137564842784312010-02-14T08:21:41.332-05:002010-02-14T08:21:41.332-05:00My Audi spoilt me. I'm no longer interested in...My Audi spoilt me. I'm no longer interested in cars that'd give me less than 60mpg.<br /><br />Though a Passat Variant 2.0TDI 4Motion would make a really nice family car...T.Stahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05351094909296928284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-89311199506173273622010-02-14T07:20:05.350-05:002010-02-14T07:20:05.350-05:00Does that thing come with an optional aerobatic pa...Does that thing come with an optional aerobatic parachute in case you have to bail out?Home on the Rangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836315423040719919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-50615987391695400772010-02-14T00:04:43.926-05:002010-02-14T00:04:43.926-05:00"I have no problem with what you or anyone el..."<i>I have no problem with what you or anyone else drives.</i>"<br /><br />Where did I say I had a "problem" with trucks?<br /><br />Jeez, defensive much?Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-25177452983212016362010-02-13T23:37:56.215-05:002010-02-13T23:37:56.215-05:00My father in laws Dodge truck is sweet to drive, a...My father in laws Dodge truck is sweet to drive, and has tons of space. Looks like a luxury car inside. If I could afford one, I would get one. I like Jeep's in stead though. Like things big, like .45acp.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-74009379676534126622010-02-13T23:37:52.916-05:002010-02-13T23:37:52.916-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.José Gigantéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00808360534075501817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-11625985633421420002010-02-13T23:35:54.310-05:002010-02-13T23:35:54.310-05:00Oh, what the hell, I'll keep playing...
3) Wh...Oh, what the hell, I'll keep playing...<br /><br /><i>3) What I was saying is that I don't get the idea of Giant Truck as Object of Automotive Desire. From where I sit, it seems like having a certain favorite flavor of vitamin pill, but I guess some people have those, too. (I haven't checked with Google, but I bet there's a forum.)</i><br /><br />I don't get the idea of highly-figured walnut and world-class engraving... but I'm pretty sure there's a forum! ;-D<br /><br />I did miss the original intent - but as rephrased, I don't see the joy in itsy-bitsy coupes, either. Had one. Should have been either arrested or killed, but somehow neither happened. Much happier with what I've got now.ZerCoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08347518441827166007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-24464268745437056222010-02-13T23:34:19.509-05:002010-02-13T23:34:19.509-05:009mm is better than .45 acp9mm is better than .45 acpTimmeehhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473249796933057572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-19307387260713826102010-02-13T23:13:19.515-05:002010-02-13T23:13:19.515-05:00Well, lessee...
Because my truck can tow 17,000# ...Well, lessee...<br /><br />Because my truck can tow 17,000# at highway speeds all day without destroying itself? And I have a trailer that grosses 10,800, so this gives me a comfortable safety margin.<br /><br />Because I' have high-centered a car in snow, but never a big tall truck?<br /><br />Because it's what I want, and, as with guns, that's good enough?<br /><br />I have no problem with what you or anyone else drives. I do have a problems with those who would dictate my resource allocation decisions.The Freeholderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09989697995675652792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-92223179049589289312010-02-13T23:07:34.330-05:002010-02-13T23:07:34.330-05:00While I absolutely believe this:
"Need's...While I absolutely believe this:<br /><br />"Need's got nothin' to do with it."<br /><br />.... becaue that is the antithesis of this:<br /><br />"To each according to his need, From each, according to his abilities."<br /><br />... sorry readin' Atlas Shrugged presently....<br /><br />It is also true that, "For the times when you need a truck, only a truck will do." The converse is not true, unless you are trying to cross a whole western state on a single tank of gas or negotiate across the old town center of some Eurosocialist -burg, -nick, or -ville.....jimbob86noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-84935308116153340552010-02-13T22:19:47.583-05:002010-02-13T22:19:47.583-05:00What I was saying is that I don't get the idea...<i>What I was saying is that I don't get the idea of Giant Truck as Object of Automotive Desire.</i><br /><br />That's cool - no reason you should lust for an extravagantly large truck. But when you've grown up and are immersed in a culture where trucks are required, it would also follow that they are appreciated as more than just a tool. So it should be no surprise to see them dolled up as a luxury item - even to <a href="http://www.f650pickups.com/indexb.html" rel="nofollow">extremes</a>! Lots of legroom, even for NBA centers!Jeffrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06873138122305060834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-1349758885069088152010-02-13T21:14:06.070-05:002010-02-13T21:14:06.070-05:00You don't have to justify a damn thing on your...You don't have to justify a damn thing on your own turf, TK...and the thread was entertaining as always; I kinda figure it was a lure, and it worked, me included.<br /><br />And just in case I forget to tell you tomorrow, I <3 and admire you so very much, and I hope you'll continue to be my cybervalentine.<br /><br />ATAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-31877313317453570112010-02-13T21:03:41.401-05:002010-02-13T21:03:41.401-05:001) I don't recall saying "Nobody needs a ...1) I don't recall saying "Nobody needs a truck"; I can certainly see their usefulness or necessity.<br /><br />2) I don't recall saying "Nobody should buy a truck"; it's a free country and people should certainly buy whatever the hell they want.<br /><br />3) What I was saying is that I don't <i>get</i> the idea of Giant Truck as Object of Automotive Desire. From where I sit, it seems like having a certain favorite flavor of vitamin pill, but I guess some people have those, too. (I haven't checked with Google, but I bet there's a forum.)Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-2869752330614613662010-02-13T20:34:41.134-05:002010-02-13T20:34:41.134-05:00Pleasant Young State Trooper a few months back: &q...Pleasant Young State Trooper a few months back: "Sir, do you know how fast you were going?"<br /><br />Me: "I wasn't really watching the clock, Officer. Probably over 75, but not more than 85."<br /><br />PYST: "Well, I clocked you at 84 coming down the hill back there."<br /><br />Me: "Well, see - I DID know how fast I was going."<br /><br />PYST: "Where are you going, sir?"<br /><br />Me: "To work, Officer." (Display badge with state seal prominently located in center.)<br /><br />PYST: "Oh, well - have a good evening. Drive safely."<br /><br />Me: "Thanks, son. You, too."<br /><br />Red lights on top help. But my truck hauls pretty much what I need it to. Ass included. :)NYEMThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08376647828923494384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-3622372218987763832010-02-13T20:22:37.408-05:002010-02-13T20:22:37.408-05:00Just watchin the crapstorm now ...
( you really ...Just watchin the crapstorm now ...<br /><br /><br />( you really needed more hits? )Kristophrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08370888276707569365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-49743954218561152062010-02-13T20:10:58.107-05:002010-02-13T20:10:58.107-05:00Tamara, dear heart, if you lived on this side of t...Tamara, dear heart, if you lived on this side of the 100th meridian you'd soon find that if you wanted to go somewhere worthwhile, if you didn't have compound-low 4x4 with good ground clearance, you ain't goin'. Or coming home, except in the Sheriff's Huey.JohnWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-62388039679753806422010-02-13T19:46:13.924-05:002010-02-13T19:46:13.924-05:00Since buying my first Blazer in 1973, I have never...Since buying my first Blazer in 1973, I have never been without a 4WD truck. I now have a Suburban, and cannot imagine life without some form of truck. They and 4WD are necessities for beach driving/surf fishing, woods paths at the hunting club, and snow. There are regular occasions to need 4WD in my rural environment; I have come to the rescue of several people who were stranded in cars on paths where cars should not be. Couple the truck with a trailer of choice, and the utility is obvious. I can also say I enjoy the better visibility on the highway. For now, in the USA, we still have this choice to drive a truck, even if not deemed "trendy". I don't give a s%#t about trendy. Your faithful reader, DavidNCDavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-55642460125856012812010-02-13T18:08:36.655-05:002010-02-13T18:08:36.655-05:00Try hauling a half ton of firewood over an hour ou...Try hauling a half ton of firewood over an hour out on a little dirt road that beens rained on real good. You'll find out what those big trucks are good for. I have an F250 Super Duty, lifted, 4wd and back in the sticks here I couldn't imagine doing without it. Rain, snow, mud, haulin' and pullin', it gets it done!Lonevikinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16793479165287433550noreply@blogger.com