What Do You Drive??

[Top Shelf]

Figured this is as good as place as any to ask for an opinion or two.

Currently driving a Ford Fusion, but looking at getting a Crew Cab type of half ton truck. I think I've narrowed it down to the Ford F 150 or the Dodge Ram 1500. There are pretty good deals out there on the remaining 2011's.

Pylon's leasing posts have almost convinced me to try the leasing route, and since I can write the business KM's off, probably makes the most sense.

I'd love to hear anyone's opinion on the two trucks.

Ford


Dodge

[Finner]

Thought i'd ask for some opinions too.

Looking at trading in my wifes 2007 Dodge Caliber, has about 90000 KM on it. Would guess based on value it would be work around 8-10k on it, with a loan on it for around 5k.

Its been having some electrical problems, and is absolutely brutal on the roads during the winter (in edmonton), and i'm concerned about its reliability.

Any good deals on pretty much any new vehicles? Will lease or finance, would preferably be under or around 20k with an auto transmission. Pretty much open to anything.

In browsing looked at the Jeep Patriot, Hyundai Tuscon, Dodge Journey all online, but not really sure if that's even what i want. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[JMN]

I drive a 2003 Honda Accord that was beaten up by the massive hail storm during Stampede two years ago. Engine and interior works perfectly still and it's great on gas! I'll be keeping this car until it breaks down.

[burn_this_city]

Top Shelf, personally I would get the Ford. I've driven all of the big three new half tons this year and the Ford is the nicest. I'm a GM guy to the core, but it's hard for me to find fault in those trucks.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

Figured this is as good as place as any to ask for an opinion or two.

Currently driving a Ford Fusion, but looking at getting a Crew Cab type of half ton truck. I think I've narrowed it down to the Ford F 150 or the Dodge Ram 1500. There are pretty good deals out there on the remaining 2011's.

Pylon's leasing posts have almost convinced me to try the leasing route, and since I can write the business KM's off, probably makes the most sense.

I'd love to hear anyone's opinion on the two trucks.

I am a fan of the EcoBoost engine, will you be considering the EcoBoost?

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by fotze

This coming from the guy that after I spotted at the saddledome concourse, I mini-bodychecked, and he starts apologizing to me, 3 feet shorter, before realizing who it was. Talk about a puss.

I thought I just tripped on your wang, of course I apologized!

[Top Shelf]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

I am a fan of the EcoBoost engine, will you be considering the EcoBoost?

Yeah I test drove both the Ecoboost and the Hemi, both have tons of power. I really like the EB, quieter and you can just feel all the power under your foot, haha maybe that can be a bad thing too though!

The Ram is a lot cheaper then the Ford, but that is really the only thing that stands out about it.

And thanks burn this city, good to hear someone who had recent experience with the big three.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

I have the Juicebox 4 piggyback mod on my 335i and with Map 1 (for unmodified cars), it's an extra hundred horsepower over stock. So your desire for 400 horsepower is only a $500 purchase away. Easy to install too.

BurgerTuning.com is where to get it.

Have you experienced any fuel pump issues with your N54? I didn't do a ton of research on the issue before bought, and am not so much worried as curious. My understanding is the thing is warrantied for 10 years against failure now. I have done a lot of searching online, and cannot seem to get a straight answer as to if the replacement pumps actually fix the problem or if it is a bandaid solution. I called the BMW dealer and it is an open recall on mine.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Finner

In browsing looked at the Jeep Patriot, Hyundai Tuscon, Dodge Journey all online, but not really sure if that's even what i want. Any ideas?

If reliability is a concern, I'd take the Jeep and Dodge off your list....those always seem to have issues. The Hyundai would be a much better buy, especially since they come with a great warranty.

If I were you, I'd first look to an Impreza. Subaru's are reliable as hell, are great winter cars, and also have good resale value. If you can wait, the new 2012 generation is just about to come on the market. It's not a looker, but considering you had a Caliber, anything will be an upgrade in the aesthetics department.

Other options Id consider are a Nissan Juke (polarizing in terms of looks, but from all accounts a great vehicle to drive, has AWD), Ford Escape (it's been around forever, so no surprises), or a Chevy Cruze (Eco version has amazing fuel economy, although I'd get a 2012 model year since this year was the first and therefore probably has some kinks). If your wife loves gadgets, the Focus might be a good one to look at too.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by pylon

Have you experienced any fuel pump issues with your N54? I didn't do a ton of research on the issue before bought, and am not so much worried as curious. My understanding is the thing is warrantied for 10 years against failure now. I have done a lot of searching online, and cannot seem to get a straight answer as to if the replacement pumps actually fix the problem or if it is a bandaid solution. I called the BMW dealer and it is an open recall on mine.

Pylon, that fuel pump issue is why I stayed away from the 135....seems like it's been mostly fixed, but BMW is way too shady about it for me to trust them if things go bad. From what I hear their "fix" also decreases power a little bit, although if yours has already been done, you wont know the difference.

One other thing you'll want to look into is the "Clutch Delay Valve" mod.

[wookster]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

Figured this is as good as place as any to ask for an opinion or two.

Currently driving a Ford Fusion, but looking at getting a Crew Cab type of half ton truck. I think I've narrowed it down to the Ford F 150 or the Dodge Ram 1500. There are pretty good deals out there on the remaining 2011's.

Pylon's leasing posts have almost convinced me to try the leasing route, and since I can write the business KM's off, probably makes the most sense.

I'd love to hear anyone's opinion on the two trucks.

I currently have a 2010 Ford F150 FX4...its a great ride. Gas milage is better than expected and the cab has way more room than the dodge. My Bro-in-law has a 2010 Dodge 1500. He's had nothing but issues with it but I think he just got a lemon. I wish I would have waited a year with my ford and got the model with the new engines in it but to date I have no complaints with it.

I leased my last truck and would never do it again unless I was in your scenario. If you own a company and can lease the truck under the company name it works out very well and you can write off way more than just the milage.

They are making it so cheap to purchase a vehicle now with all the incentives and low interest financing that it doesn't make sense to lease a vehicle unless you do it for the work write-offs, but even if you own it and its under your company name you can still get the write-offs.

I bought mine during the employee discount days at Ford, and that worked out to about a 12k discount just for that, I got another grand off for being a costco member for some reason...With the cheap financing it was cheaper monthy payments to buy than it was to lease.

That is my experience with it anyway, I know I won't lease again, but my feeling also is that if I'm going to pay that much a month for a vehicle I would like to actually own the vehicle and not be left with nothing in 3 years time. I was also pretty bitter about how they were when my lease was up and I had to take the vehicle back...minor chip in the windshield...you have to replace it...tires with less than 75% tread left, you have to replace them. The lease said normal wear would be accounted for (including rock chips etc) but it actually came down to an argument over a rock chip that I had on the front of the hood about me paying for it...they finally let it go but what a pain.

Here is my truck:

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by pylon

Have you experienced any fuel pump issues with your N54? I didn't do a ton of research on the issue before bought, and am not so much worried as curious. My understanding is the thing is warrantied for 10 years against failure now. I have done a lot of searching online, and cannot seem to get a straight answer as to if the replacement pumps actually fix the problem or if it is a bandaid solution. I called the BMW dealer and it is an open recall on mine.

One of the first things I asked about when I looked at the car.

There was a major recall on the fuel pump that has finally fixed the issue, however BMW has put a 10 year warranty on any failure of the HPFP. I'm not terribly worried about it, I've always been taken care of by BMW Gallery.

[Nufy]

2011 Ram 1500 Sport

Love the Truck but Courtesy Chrysler will not see a
cent my my money ever again...

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by pylon

Well winter is around the corner, and our boss just dropped the BMW 135i I have been drooling over for 3 months down to $27,000. Pretty soft market for a car like this once the snow hits. With 34,000 kms on it, it is too good a bargain to pass up.

Gonna park it for the winter, and try and get rid of the GTI in the Spring.

Same color as this one, with an M package.

Leaving the GTi world, I am dissapointed!

[Finner]

Originally Posted by Table 5

If reliability is a concern, I'd take the Jeep and Dodge off your list....those always seem to have issues. The Hyundai would be a much better buy, especially since they come with a great warranty.

If I were you, I'd first look to an Impreza. Subaru's are reliable as hell, are great winter cars, and also have good resale value. If you can wait, the new 2012 generation is just about to come on the market. It's not a looker, but considering you had a Caliber, anything will be an upgrade in the aesthetics department.

Other options Id consider are a Nissan Juke (polarizing in terms of looks, but from all accounts a great vehicle to drive, has AWD), Ford Escape (it's been around forever, so no surprises), or a Chevy Cruze (Eco version has amazing fuel economy, although I'd get a 2012 model year since this year was the first and therefore probably has some kinks). If your wife loves gadgets, the Focus might be a good one to look at too.

Never thought of those, any idea when the 2012 subaru rolls out? Ideally the car i'm looking for would have some size (small suv) but also winter driving ability, so the subaru meets one of those with great winter driving. Like the juke as well.

Any thoughts on a wrangler? Seems to be well reviewed (the 2012 anyways).

Like the escape as well, but going to an auto adds 5k to base price.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

Leaving the GTi world, I am dissapointed!

Once you have a FWD car with more than 200hp you start to see the limitations. After you leave that car for RWD or AWD it's hard to go back.

Which is why the Golf R is pretty exciting. Finally!!!

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by pylon

Actually, Boxsters and Caymans are shockingly nimble in snow with a good set of snow tires. They are a perfectly balanced car.

No love for the 911 in snow? The C2 handles like a dream in the winter with a good set of tires.

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Finner

Never thought of those, any idea when the 2012 subaru rolls out?

A guy I work with is waiting for them, and his sales dude called this weekend and said they are actually en route now. They are hoping to have them within 10 days or so.

Apparently they are $2,000 less than the 2011 as well.

[Rerun]

This...



and this...

[pylon]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

Leaving the GTi world, I am dissapointed!

I am torn. Part of me wants to keep it, it is such a versatile car, and with the APR tune, it can give some pretty heavy hitters a run for their money.

The more I research this 135i, and the tuning potential of the N54, the more I am thinking this may end up becoming a 450 HP, weekend only beast. The car is so unassuming with that beast of an engine in it. Makes for an awesome sleeper. I have already ordered my Juicebox4 on the advice of torquedog. So I am already in the 400 HP club with it. I see a ton of potential in the thing for getting some serious bang for the buck.