Car ownership experiences

[Tex .416]

 

[Flbt]

I like older trucks have had way less problems out of them.
Honestly if I had cash for a new f350
I would have a 77-79 restored form the ground up instead of a new one.

 

[rookhawk]

Rookhawk,

seeing you are from Wisconsin, it is hard to convey the problems heat causes in the area I spend so much time. Trying to convey the challenge of heat here is like me trying to understand you explaining the level of cold in which you live. The heat is just an entirely different level and is as hard on equipment as the extreme cold in which you live.

Amen to the lack of empathy. I totally endorse large oil pans and big trans coolers to handle our different situations extreme climates. I’ve never owned a Tundra, and I’m not a fan boy we good as they are. If we want to be stuck n the desert or the bush, I’d recommend a Tacoma with $8k in upgrades, the ultimate doesn’t break, doesn’t need repairs, never gets stuck vehicle. It’s like a Jeep, but good. That’s different than arguing about what truck to use on an oil patch.

 

[Tex .416]

Amen to the lack of empathy. I totally endorse large oil pans and big trans coolers to handle our different situations extreme climates. I’ve never owned a Tundra, and I’m not a fan boy we good as they are. If we want to be stuck n the desert or the bush, I’d recommend a Tacoma with $8k in upgrades, the ultimate doesn’t break, doesn’t need repairs, never gets stuck vehicle. It’s like a Jeep, but good. That’s different than arguing about what truck to use on an oil patch.

RH,

fwiw - I do environmental and conservation work for ranches, not the “oil patch.”

Fighting over water is another major component. Side job, as a personal passion, is shooting instructor.

We have a second home on a client’s ranch five miles off pavement. Below is a pretty typical view.

When we landed on a dirt strip in Tanzania, we stepped out and looked around, we thought we had landed back in the thorn brush country in Cotulla, Texas. The thorn brush habitat is strikingly similar.

 

[rookhawk]

RH,

fwiw - I do environmental and conservation work for ranches, not the “oil patch.”

Fighting over water is another major component. Side job, as a personal passion, is shooting instructor.

We have a second home on a client’s ranch five miles off pavement. Below is a pretty typical view.

When we landed on a dirt strip in Tanzania, we stepped out and looked around, we thought we had landed back in the thorn brush country in Cotulla, Texas. The thorn brush habitat is strikingly similar.

View attachment 709930

It sounds like you need an off road beast, not a modern pickup of full size made by anyone?

 

[Sabre]

I was a Dodge tech for almost 35 yrs before changing occupation and retiring and will never buy a Dodge. I purchased a new F150 in 2021, that one was traded for a 4Runner last year due to constant problems and recalls, I swear the dealer had it more in 3 yrs than I did. Its Toyota from here out for us, we have a 2023 Tacoma and the 2024 4Runner, both with the tried and proven V6 and best of all trouble free.

I also really like Toyota vehicles, but I do not like that Toyota seems to be leading the charge in trying to make features in your car a monthly subscription you have to pay for. As long as people don't push back against that, all other car makers see it and try to institute it as well.

Companies are doing their best to get monthly subscriptions on everything you own.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Just got out of a 2017 tundra I put 377K miles on. Followed up a 2008 that I put 363K miles on and sold to a buddy. Now has 450 K miles on it. Bought a used 2021 with 56K miles to stay with the 5.7 V8. Bulletproof

 

[TMac]

Never heard of that.. but seems to be a very affordable and cool option… high quality leaf replacement kits are pretty cheap (found a really well reviewed one for $550).. and if you just want to add an additional leaf that appears to be as little as $110 (plus labor)…

I may actually have to look into that.. I’ve got maybe another 6-8 months and I’m going to be looking at new tires… I was already planning on going with a taller, more aggressive AT tire than what it came with from the factory… swapping out for heavier leafs at the same time might be a good idea..

Take a look as this system. Reviews very well. My brother added it and loves it.

RAS® Leaf Spring Helper | Made in America

Since 1998 RoadActive Suspension(RAS) has perfected a rear leaf spring suspension upgrade that provides a perfect balance of reduced squat, improved load handling, safety, stability, unloaded ride quality and complete simplicity. Master The Road!

activesuspension.com

 

[Tex .416]

It sounds like you need an off road beast, not a modern pickup of full size made by anyone?

That is what I am trying to convey. The Ford and GM 3/4 and 1 tons are what work in this environment. They have proven themselves reliable and durable. The smaller trucks are not what works here.

The only additions to my truck are lifted with a 16,500# wench, 50 gallon fuel tank, and a camper shell, otherwise it is all original. It has 185,000 miles and has been incredibly reliable and durable. It is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned.

 

[Sideshow]

You're 100% correct regarding the US emissions standards ruining the fun. That said, 1-2-3 year old Toyotas that feature the 6 cylinder are worth the same price as a brand new 2025 with the hybrid turbo 4cyl. Yes, the 6 cylinder has terrible MPGs, but it also is famous for going 500k miles while being treated horribly and maintained never.

In the 1980s Toyota had a 6 cylinder they tried a kill test on in Australia. They drained all the fluids from the engine and drove it to see how many minutes and miles it would last before seizing. They abandoned the experiment at over 400 miles because it would not fail. That is the engine in the early Hilux.

Have you seen the Top Gear program on that early Hilux. They put it in the sea even set fire to it and the thing still started here’s the YouTube on it lol. A very young Jeremy Clarkson. Think it’s 3 episodes

 

[Sideshow]

Blood expensive, even worse if you aren,'t capable of doing maintenance and repairs yourself, and within a few years you can not but a real car anymore.

Welcome to Norway.

Manufactures are no longer required to pass on diagnostic information to third parties ie your garage down the road. We just brought a 2nd hand BMW after our old one was getting uneconomical to reappear. Had a tear in the eye went we left it on the forecourt as a trade in. My mechanic said buy from a dealer as in a few years I won’t be able to fix these because of the diagnostic situation.

 

[bigborelover]

Have any of you experienced car accidents ? if yes what happend ?

 

[GuttormG]

Currently driving a 2023 Land Rover Defender 130. 60k miles on it and it has performed twice as good as any American SUV I've ever owned, and I've had nearly every one except for a Ford.

That said, Toyotas are a fantastic vehicle, but I honestly think their reign is over. We had a 21 4runner TRD Pro and that thing was great, terrible mileage though. Someone in management really shit the bed with this hybrid 4 cyl in everything they are making now.....wouldn't buy one if they sold it to me half price.

I have had less issues in 11 years with my Land Rover Discovery then my wife has had in 3 years with her Toyota Land Cruiser 150.

 

[mdwest]

I also really like Toyota vehicles, but I do not like that Toyota seems to be leading the charge in trying to make features in your car a monthly subscription you have to pay for. As long as people don't push back against that, all other car makers see it and try to institute it as well.

Companies are doing their best to get monthly subscriptions on everything you own.

Yep.. everything with Toyota these days seems to be a subscription service..

When they sold me my current Tundra they raved about the incredible Toyota App and how it does all sorts of neat stuff (all I ever found that it did of interest was remote lock/unlock and remote start the vehicle)... they didnt bother to tell me that using their app was free for the first year.. and after that there would be a monthly fee (and I didnt manage to pick that up in the small print on the contract)..

So now.. every time I fire the truck up it tries to sell me the app services that I dont want and dont pay for.. theres no way to turn off the purple screen though.. you just gotta let it try to sell you for about 10 seconds before it goes away..

They have other in car services like the vehicle has the ability to create its own wifi hotspot (for a monthly fee).. integrated streaming services.. integrated navigation services.. etc..etc.. all for a monthly fee..

I just use car play and my phone at no monthly cost to achieve the same things...

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My 1998 Jimmy went to the boneyard last fall after hitting its fourth deer in Montana and with 340K miles and upper transmission there was no point in fixing it. Great outfit for me and my dogs. Hated to see it go. While there I picked up a 2004 Envoy in very good (immaculate) condition very reasonable anticipating it would get me back home. I now hope it lasts me till the end of my driving days. This outfit has the best ride of ANY vehicle I've owned. A dream to drive on road trips. Gas mileage varies a lot but pretty good overall for 4x4. It has an interesting straight six engine with lots of power. The vehicle is wide, heavy, and tall enough to work when needed. I have a "deer duster" hitch carrier and cartop Tule carrier so this outfit can carry as much cargo as most pickups while the dogs stay safe and warm inside. I will NEVER own another pickup!

 

[steve white]

Since the OP said CAR ownership, let me rain on Toyota's parade a little bit. We got a 2012 Venza that had one of the 4 cylinder engines, akin to those in the Rav 4 that had LOW TENSION OIL RINGS! 40K after we bought it used, it started to use a quart of oil every 900 miles. Yes, Toyota. And tens of thousands of other Toyota owners were in the same fix with oil burners. To be fair, daughters' 2008 Acura developed the same problem. Blasted greenies got the car manufacturers to put them in.

 

[Rare Breed]

My horror story fortunately my only one in my 66 years was a 2014 Ford F150 King Ranch with an Ecobooste engine. What a disaster!!!! All four filters had to be replaced with a variety of other things to the tune of $7,000 on the engine. beautiful truck with 75,000 miles. Fixed it then sold it and swore I would never have another Ecobooste.

 

[CBH Australia]

The larger American trucks are becoming more popular in Australia.

The Toyota Landcruiser dropside tray tops are quite popular.

I have owned various 4th Twin Cab ties and operated many more for work purposes covering many miles.

In 2020 I went to Africa and we travelled from Johannesburg in a Mitsubishi Triton the same as I had in Australia. We used the Triton for all travel and hunting in Africa.

I was close to buying a new V8 Landcruiser for myself for daily drive, hunting and travel but it would equate to double the purchase price and nearly double the running cost.

I recently traded up to a new Mazda BT50 with a dropside tray as I find it better to have a tray as opposed to to the Tub body.

 

[Denvir Tire]

Since the OP said CAR ownership, let me rain on Toyota's parade a little bit. We got a 2012 Venza that had one of the 4 cylinder engines, akin to those in the Rav 4 that had LOW TENSION OIL RINGS! 40K after we bought it used, it started to use a quart of oil every 900 miles. Yes, Toyota. And tens of thousands of other Toyota owners were in the same fix with oil burners. To be fair, daughters' 2008 Acura developed the same problem. Blasted greenies got the car manufacturers to put them in.

Again, it's all about CAFE and the CARB

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My daughter owns a 4-Runner. Very reliable and tough. Things I don't like: poor gas mileage, terrible uncomfortable hard front seats, and relatively rough riding for SUV.