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Pickups Pickups - Archived Discussions Extended cabs OK for "real" people 
83 messages, Last post on Sep 12, 1998 at 5:41 PM
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I think more people have two cars today than ever. I tell people I have my 4x4 extended cab truck for my weekend homeowner stuff (which I do a lot of), but, mostly it is because I like a truck, I like the Tacoma's looks and I like sitting up high. (My last car was an 1986 Civic Hatchback.) And if they don't like my reasons, screw them. They can make the payments on the vehicle I "should be driving". |
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I am considering buying a new Ford Ranger 4-door extended cab. This size and configuration of space is perfect for my storage/hauling needs: expensive photo gear, tripods and scopes would go behind the seat where I imagine them readily and quickly accessible and slightly more secure from theft; and an inflatable boat with its small motor in the bed. But what bothers me is the suggestion that these rear suicide doors are prone to rattle. Anyone have experience with this? Another consideration is to get a regular cab with a quality, secure shell that is accessible from the side (for the photo gear). I would also like a shell strong enough to support me and a tripod. Any experienced-based advice for a shell like this? I would like to hear some chat on the cost/benefits of the Ranger vs. the full-size 150. |
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Regarding the whole trucks vs. cars debate: Until last year, I had always been a "car guy". I thought trucks and SUV's were big unwieldy, primitive eyesores whose sole reason for existing seemed to be to get in my way. I kept noticing that the number of trucks, mini-vans & SUV's appeared to be always increasing. It seemed that it was getting much more difficult to see what was going on in traffic because these oversize behemoths kept blocking my view. Finally, after several near misses, I became convinced that I was going to get nailed by one of these tanks and that, if I did, it would not be pretty. So, reluctantly, I decided "if you can't beat 'em--join 'em" and I bought a '96 Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab. It was a little disconcerting at first to go from a low slung sports sedan to this tall upright truck. But right away I began to notice something--I could actually see what was going on around me! What a concept! Plus, I no longer felt intimidated by some yahoo in a SUV that thought he/she owned the road. I had my truck a little over a year, and during that time a weird thing happened--I began to have really strong feelings of affection towards it. I had had many "cool" cars over the years but had never really had any type of emotional connection with them, but I loved that stupid truck! It was reliable, dependable and I had never known how great it was to be able to haul around just about anything a person would need to. I can't begin to describe the feeling I had when, for example, I would make a purchase at a furniture store and be asked by the sales person if I needed to set up a delivery. "No," I would reply, with just a hint of smugness, "I have a truck." A week ago last Friday I was sitting at a dead stop waiting on a traffic light when a housewife in a Suburban rear-ended me going approximately 30 mph. Somehow she had failed to see my bright red 4,000 pound truck. There were five of us in my truck and, thank God, nobody was seriously injured. I am convinced, however, that it would have been a different story if we had been sitting in a little sports sedan. I had been proven correct in my prediction a year earlier that eventually one of those "big guys" was going to get me. I could have stood being wrong on that one. The insurance company says that both vehicles are repairable. This suprised me since they both appeared to be pretty well messed up. (Especially the Suburban--don't mess with Mr. Dodge Ram!) My truck is supposed to be out of the body shop within a few weeks. I'm not very optomistic that it will ever be the same (hope I'm wrong). Anyway, that's my two cents worth (sorry about the long post). P.S. anybody wanna buy a slightly bent Dodge truck? |
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| Slightly Bent? Is that straight from the factory? | |
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larrwd: I have a brand new 4-door ranger. No rattles at all (nothing like the problems with GM's third door. I've gone over railroad tracks, curbs, pot holes, etc. and never heard as much as a ping. Ford did a great job! |
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| Hi everyone! I've been "shopping" (by which I mean fantasizing) for months now planning to trade in my '97 Sunfire, currently with 35600 miles, for a used '97 Jimmy or Blazer with fewer miles. My rationale is that I wanted the following: 1) Larger size, greater "road presence" (but I'm not exactly looking for a Hummer or even a Suburban); 2) 4-wheel drive (long snowy winter); 3) More power; 4) More cargo space, as I've just moved to upstate NY and will be moving again in a year. I'm a single guy with no children. Then I found that I could have a loaded S-10 or Sonoma 4x4 extended cab BRAND NEW for about the same price, maybe even less. And I realized that I haven't used even the back seat in my SUNFIRE half a dozen times since the middle of 1997, two or three of which were, ironically, clumsily carrying big things like a mattress and a desk (please don't ask how; suffice it to say miracles do happen). I'm glad I didn't buy the Jimmy, because I think I was into the wrong vehicle! I stopped by a lot that still had some S-10s on it (sadly no V6's), and I think I actually could like this vehicle. Only problem is there are a gazillion skillion options, and I'm worried I'll have to order a '99, since my chances of finding a leftover '98 with all the options I want (power everything, remote keyless) look unfavorable compared to those of the proverbial snowball. Please, anyone, am I on the right track? What the heck will I do with all these options? Third door really rattly? Will I probably have to order a '99 as I said? Any chance of working such a deal from invoice, as is discussed so often here? Two disclaimers: I'm committed to GM in spite of so much bad hype about them (I'm also typing from an Apple Powerbook, which says a lot about me); so with due respect to the people who swear by Ford (like my father did) or to imports (like some of my best friends), or IBM (tee hee), I'm committed to the S-10 or Sonoma if I should go this route. Also I have no desire to get anything larger than this size class, even though it looks like it could be had for much the same price (I found the same problem with Sunfire/Grand Am when I was shopping in late '96, and as you see I went for the smaller car). Thanks, and happy "trucking" to all of you! | |
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Addendum: Never mind about the S-10/Sonoma 3rd door rattle; I read the topic below about it. Sheesh. -- I stopped by a GMC dealer today, just to ask if they were getting more '98 Sonomas in, and when the '99s were coming in. He proceeded to try to sell me a leftover *'97*. This is not a misprint. They were asking $21000 for it, which is also not a misprint. Pleeeeeeease. It had the 3rd door on it; I mentioned that I'd heard from more than one source that it rattled. "Well, you can't believe everything you hear," he said. I respect salesmen, because I could never do what they do; but sometimes they're funny. 
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| 21K!!!!! the guy must be dreaming. I paid 24K for my K1500 Z71 with the silverado interior. | |
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Well, I neglected to mention that this truck is actually loaded: 4WD x-cab, auto trans, A/C, several other random things including "electronic shift transfer case" (?!), for MSRP of $23368. But still your point is well taken, stevek. I've calculated the dealer cost of this truck as $19858; I doubt it's really "worth" even that much anymore. I suspect this dealer is going to be buying this truck a second birthday cake. -- By the way, what IS an "electronic shift transfer case"? Do I want one?! |
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It is push button on the dash, instead of a stick on the floor to get inot 4WD. Just more things that can go wrong. The dealer cost you calculated is NOT what the dealer paid for it. Unless you "fell in love" with this truck, I would make a take it or leave it offer of no more than 19K. I have heard a lot of bad things about the new S10 trucks, I personaly have an '89 S10 Blazer with 175K+ on it and it can not be destroyed, still runs strongs and looks good. |
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