New England B.S. Thread

I still my my last Frontier. They're good trucks. Can't speak for the new ones though.

A bit back, I had a Ram classic w/Hemi for a month or 2 while my van was down... preferred that over the van. Was averaging 20mpg, etc. I liked it...

 

I had a 2017 Ram 1500 (5.7L) and now have a 2019 Ram 2500 (6.4L) - for that truck to be showing 14.8 on the gas mileage means people are driving it like a rental. The Ram V8s have the cylinder deactivation "eco mode" and it is noticeable when it kicks in. I never drove my 1500 like Jeff Gordon, however I was routinely averaging 18-20 mpg. Even with my 6.4 I average 17-18 mpg.

 

If I was buying today, a Tacoma would maybe be in the top 5.

Ranger, Frontier, F150 with the 3.3 NA V6 (but Ford stopped that in 2023, stupidest decision ever), gladiator (I know, I know...)...Okay so that Tacoma WOULD be in the top 5, but number 5

Back in 2018-19 there was talks of the Mitsu coming back for 24, and I thought the Dakota too. Don't know if those projects were shelved or not, but if so, the Mitsu would probably top the Taco in my list.

 

Any of yall replaced the water pump? Wondering if I should do that preemptively before mounting my steel bumper. Currently approaching 112k miles.

 

My ExtremeLED roof light has this wire that won’t stay tucked in on the weatherstripping of the windshield. Anyone try that kc wire hider?

 

All in on a power wagon

 

You've mentioned your Frontier before I think?

This one was a 2019. No 4x4. The interior did seem a tad plasticky but that doesn't bother me, it was minimalist for the most part which is what I go for. I think it had power windows? Def power locks.

Not sure re long term reliability of that year/powertrain/blah blah but I liked it enough that I'd investigate more if in need of another vehicle.

 

My Tundra was tied up for a few days and I got a Frontier loaner. It was okay, but not really Toyota quality. When my Tundra was tied up waiting for Copeland to find a reman steering rack, I had a Chevrolet half ton crew cab loaner. The interior was very nicely done, but I reminded myself that it was a Chevy, so that the nicely done interior would start to have problems in a couple of years.

 

Ya brah do it while you have it open. PITA. Honestly take the rad out, you're gonna lose coolant anyway. Felpro gasket, kiss of FIPG on both surfaces. Make sure you have good 6 point sockets (should be all 10s and 12s) and wrenches and torque to spec. The top drivers side bolts are a hassle.to reach, finger tight then one click at a time on the torque wrench.

Do the thermostat gasket and bypass block o-ring while you're there, you have to be there anyway. Careful careful with the o-ring, it will split or twist in a second when you reinstall and you won't know until it's way too late.

 

I've got over 220k on my original water pump. Don't fix it if it ain't broke!

 

I had 2,
First was an 07, Crew Long bed. Sold it with 180k. No issues.
Last one was a 16 Pro4x, with 6spd. Sold it with 30 or 36k in thr high market post COVID. Still wish I kept it instead of my 3rd gen.
Yep, not as "nice" as my the Tacoma. But, I kinda prefer basic in a truck, etc.
The VQ40 is a solid engine, some earlier has timing chain tensioner noise,/premature wear, and transcooler failure in the radiator.
I'd snag another or a low/mid mileage Xterra without hesitation.

 

I think GM interiors were hit or miss. Not so much in materials, but assembly. On some vehicles I've had, certain things just didn't line up, like the softer materials weren't glued in place properly. I think GM's plastic is better than Toyota's though. I've never had anything really peel or fade in my GM cars. My 4Runner's steering wheel started peeling after only 4 years.

 

My dad's 4Runner leather wheel did the same thing, but it was some hand creme(for eczema) he used that caused it to peel up.

 

Ordered the borla today. 690 OTD. Have a shop that'll weld shut the secondary air connection to the headers

 

It's a common issue. I don't think anyone has said exactly how it starts, but anything like a moisturizer makes sense. Mine started in the humid weather, and only gets worse in humid weather.

 

I bought my daughter a ‘14 Xterra 5 years ago. Nice running truck, no issues - just runs and runs. Plenty quick and is much, much quicker than my ‘13 Tacoma 6 spd. I wouldn’t hesitate to get another Frontier or Xterra with that drivetrain.

 

IMO the Frontier/Xterra are the Taco/4Runner for people who don't care about bolting shit to it. They're good vehicles overall.

 

I had a Frontier rental for a week quite a while back. In many ways, I liked it better than my Tacoma. Only thing I really really didn't like was the seats - they killed my back after an hour. Though the seating position was better.

I'm picky about seats overall - it's part of the reason I have an F-150 instead of one of the competitive full sizes - though Ram seats were pretty close to Ford's in comfort last time I rode in one.

 

I think in my dad's case it was some medication for his hands, as the leather started to peel after only 1 day being exposed to the creme. Thankfully I bought a leather steering wheel for my truck but didn't end up using, so I sold it to him for what I paid for it.

 

The Ram is gone. Forester in its place. I know I'm a heretic, but I'm happier. The Forester isn't great, certainly, but since my Mom has the identical model and I'm borrowing hers from time to time, I'm at least used to it.

I will saw the Ram was very quick, even if it didn't feel it. I just don't every have a need for something quite so large.

Regarding GM interiors, hopefully they've made strides since the C5. Which things didn't scratch like the new Tacoma does, certainly, every single panel in that interior moved or made noise. There were a few panels that didn't line up when I bought it and I assumed it was due to age or having been apart once or twice and then I consulted the dealer promo docs and the gaps were in those photos too. For being the flagship model they certainly didn't put any money into materials. That being said, I did have a friend of a friend who had a G8 and the interior was decent, at least when it was new.



Look at the left of the steering wheel, just left of the dimmer switch. There is a point where the upper and lower dash come together into a seam, and the door panel comes towards the steering wheel to a point. A good designer would have those three panel intersections line up, extend the door panel right and up to follow the lower dash line. Nope, not GM. They decided to make the door panel line up just under that point creating the look of a saggy door panel that existed when the car was brand new. Metal pedals? Of course, but only for the clutch and brake. The gas can be basic rubber, that's cool.

My first car, a 90 Accord might be the pinnacle of interiors as far as I'm concerned. Nothing broke (except the inner door handles), nothing rattled, tight panel gaps, well wearing soft-touch materials.