Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[Table 5]

My MIL is on her 4th Murano. She just keeps on getting a new one every time her lease is up. I've had a chance to drive all of them. They are comfortable and roomy, the drivetrain is smooth and quiet, the build quality seems decent, and neither of them have had any reliability issues. On the other hand, steering feel is non-existent, the rearward visibility is bad, and the exterior styling gets worse with every generation.

They are solid options for people who have very little interest in driving (so most of the population). For the rest of us, it's a soul numbing appliance.

[Calgary14]

I used to rent cars often so I'm quite familiar with rental brands like Nissan, Ford, Chev etc. Nothing screams cheap, especially the interior, like Nissan. In some cases I would actually prefer an early 2000s vehicle (any other make) than a new Nissan.

I prefer Honda/Toyota and I would take a Ford/Chev over any Nissan 100% of the time.

Yet I still see them quite often, maybe people just don't know the difference if they dont shop around?

I actually laughed out loud when I read the "luxury" comment above. Maybe she just isn't familiar with any other competing brand....

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

I used to rent cars often so I'm quite familiar with rental brands like Nissan, Ford, Chev etc. Nothing screams cheap, especially the interior, like Nissan. In some cases I would actually prefer an early 2000s vehicle (any other make) than a new Nissan.

I prefer Honda/Toyota and I would take a Ford/Chev over any Nissan 100% of the time.

Yet I still see them quite often, maybe people just don't know the difference if they dont shop around?

I actually laughed out loud when I read the "luxury" comment above. Maybe she just isn't familiar with any other competing brand....

I always ask for a different brand from a rental company when they offer a Nissan. I would much rather have a Hyundai if I'm getting into a cheap rental.

[Sliver]

Do the current gen Nissans still have the god awful orange backlit display for HVAC and dash lights?

[FLAME ENVY]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I always ask for a different brand from a rental company when they offer a Nissan. I would much rather have a Hyundai if I'm getting into a cheap rental.

A Hyundai in any iteration is probably amongst your best 'mainstream' rental options this day and age.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FLAME ENVY

A Hyundai in any iteration is probably amongst your best 'mainstream' rental options this day and age.

Maybe in Canada. In the US it certainly feels like Nissan is the brand of rental fleets.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Ugh the used small truck market sucks. So few options.

Someone convince me that I shouldn’t go for a Ford Ranger, because they basically tick every box I need except for my no Ford’s policy.

(I have a Sierra 1500, and haul material and brush often enough that I want a truck bed. Have looked at Japanese KEA trucks and El Camino types....)

[Ashasx]

The small pickup market is truly terrible.

If you can wait a few months, Ford is coming out with an all new Ranger for the 2022 model year.

The current model is really, really old despite just being reintroduced in North America.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Ugh the used small truck market sucks. So few options.

Someone convince me that I shouldn’t go for a Ford Ranger, because they basically tick every box I need except for my no Ford’s policy.

(I have a Sierra 1500, and haul material and brush often enough that I want a truck bed. Have looked at Japanese KEA trucks and El Camino types....)

How old? Would an Explorer Sport Trac have a big enough box? I think the look of those have held up extremely well considering they haven't made them since 2010.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The small pickup market is truly terrible.

If you can wait a few months, Ford is coming out with an all new Ranger for the 2022 model year.

The current model is really, really old.

Old but there are quite a few out there with 50,000-80,000 kms for under $17k. Which is ideal for me (I’m actually looking more $14k and under, so I’d be out on a 2022).

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Old but there are quite a few out there with 50,000-80,000 kms for under $17k. Which is ideal for me (I’m actually looking more $14k and under, so I’d be out on a 2022).

Then it's probably your best bet. I can't suggest a Tacoma given their prices right now.

[Fuzz]

Have you considered a utility trailer?

I love my S-10, but they stopped making them in 2004. The Frontier design is old AF, but it is the right size, and not to pricey.

The old Ranger's really don't drive all that well. They are what they are...some engines also have an issue where they crater themselves when a top bearing goes, oil pressure drops and blamo, so watch out for that. My buddy lost his that way. I'm not sure if it ever got fixed, I think his was a 2008.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Then it's probably your best bet. I can't suggest a Tacoma given their prices right now.

Do these people think they are made out of gold or what?

They also had recall issues for rusted frames. Which is both bad, and means some have newer frames than the production date. Either way, I’m out on those.

Originally Posted by Sliver

How old? Would an Explorer Sport Trac have a big enough box? I think the look of those have held up extremely well considering they haven't made them since 2010.

Thanks for the suggestion... and I don’t want to be too mean here on your opinion. But I’d rather find an old Aztek.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If you can wait a few months, Ford is coming out with an all new Ranger for the 2022 model year.

Ford is also coming out with the Ford Maverick for 2022, that's supposed to be smaller than the Ranger. It will be unibody though (based on the Bronco Sport)... so I assume something of a Honda Ridgeline competitor.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Have you considered a utility trailer?

I love my S-10, but they stopped making them in 2004. The Frontier design is old AF, but it is the right size, and not to pricey.

The old Ranger's really don't drive all that well. They are what they are...some engines also have an issue where they crater themselves when a top bearing goes, oil pressure drops and blamo, so watch out for that. My buddy lost his that way. I'm not sure if it ever got fixed, I think his was a 2008.

The problem with the trailer is I don’t have the space. Barely have room for the Sierra as it is. Thanks for the suggestion and additional details though. I’ll probably just keep my truck forever... that’s how these searches always end for me.

[Fuzz]

Ya, I'm content with waiting until someone finally makes something small and decent again, or the rust wins out. The other thing I've considered is a van, and just chucking stuff back there when I need to haul things. The Ford Transit Connect wouldn't be terrible, but it's a touch small, ultra utilitarian inside, more expensive than it should be, and kinda gutless. And a Ford.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The small pickup market is truly terrible.

If you can wait a few months, Ford is coming out with an all new Ranger for the 2022 model year.

At which point the prices for the old ranger should tank, and you can then buy one and send it to Hennessey for a Velociraptor conversion. Win!

http://hennesseyperformance.com/vehi...9-ford-ranger/

[Calgary14]

^what does the velociraptor conversion cost, didnt see it in the video

[81MC]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Ugh the used small truck market sucks. So few options.

Someone convince me that I shouldn’t go for a Ford Ranger, because they basically tick every box I need except for my no Ford’s policy.

(I have a Sierra 1500, and haul material and brush often enough that I want a truck bed. Have looked at Japanese KEA trucks and El Camino types....)

Keep the Sierra?

Guy with older truck = respect.
Guy with new truck = just another fool.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

^what does the velociraptor conversion cost, didnt see it in the video

About $85k US