If you weren't going to buy a Tacoma

I had 2002 Golf TDi. That thing was doing way over 40 MPG close to 50. It was so bad I could not remember when I was last time to fill up. So I had to take drives jsut to burn fuel to put fresh one in.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um7UpIA4X0s

 

Wow what an eye opener. Based on that knowledge I wouldn't expect rates insurance wise to stay decent for long once people start piling those up. Yikes!!!

Another thing I'll ve curious on is how the panels hold to a good sized hail storm might be a write off. :O

 

I hear ya BlueT! If not for my extreme admiration for Tacomas, I might consider that one ugly truck as well...but the 2016 Taco is growing favorably on me. Like the Tacoma, I believe the grille area is just too large in comparison to the "flow" of the rest of the truck.

It is what's underneath that counts though.

If not for the Tacoma, I would consider the new F-150 as I am not too fond of the front end on the Tundra either!

 

I'd consider this too, and I have been researching the twins, since I do own a 2006 Canyon....but....:

http://coloradofans.com/forums/114-.../217609-take-look-after-9-days-ownership.html

 

I've been pricing basic, work-truck domestics, all with V8 and 4wd. They all run about $36K. Silverado 1st, F150 2nd and Ram 3rd place. I love the fact that Ford went with aluminium to lose enough weight to weigh the same as the Chevy

 

I've seen that video, and it ignores one basic thing - is the aluminum more dent resistant to begin with? They should have taken a 2014 and hit it with a sledge 3 times to see how expensive those repairs would be. The aluminum is more dent resistant than the steel, and actually held up pretty good. It's actually a thicker grade than the steel it replaces. Really all that test proves is the labor rate is more expensive than steel.

When you consider the savings in the amount of damage that a comparable incident would cause, the repair rates are not going to be significantly different. And anyway, repair costs are only a small part of your insurance rates.

 

I'd consider the Sierra with the 6.2L. The new F-150 is ugly IMO and I hate the EcoBoost. Is probably go with the Tundra though.

 

I would look at used Subaru Outbacks, Toyota 4Runners, Volvo XC70s, or Nissan Frontiers. I may find myself in that situation in another 10 years or so at the earliest. Hopefully my two year old can inherit this one when he turns 16 though.

 

Sierra Denali with the 6.2 was my second choice. Great truck with an even better engine.

 

I love the TDI wagon (manual only)...they can be bought cheap now with the currently low gas prices vs diesel

 

I'm calling bullshit. per-hour rates don't increase because you're all of the sudden, sanding, priming and painting a different material. The material will cost more, the time will increase, but that's why it's an HOURLY rate. The shop was trying to rake him over the coals. I've never heard of a different hourly technician rate depending on the type of material or type of work they're doing.

 

Working with aluminum requires extra schooling and more technique. I could see a shop charging more to pay more educated techs.

 

The thing with aluminum, as opposed to repairing panels, many of the repair techniques are going to say to simply replace the panel and glue/rivet it back on. That takes less time than massaging metal, whether it's steel or aluminum. So the labor rate may be greater per hour, but the hours spent on repair may be significantly less.

 

Dodge Charger (scat pack), Crew Max Tundra, WRX STI...but it will most likely be the Tundra.

 

Not sure... there's no truck on the market that's as reliable - second in line would have to be the Nissan, and as long as I'm selling it before 100K miles, would probably consider that one. Everything else is pretty much short term thinking...

 

Absolutely. I just cut a bunch of aluminum weld coupons for a local collision shop so they could train and certify their welders with a aluminum.

Welding this stuff is whole different animal than welding steel. Of the 8 guys in my shop, only half of them weld aluminum. Every one of them welds steel.

 

Iridium Metallic GMC Sierra 1500 with the 6.2L.

Second choice, Magnetic Gray Metallic Tundra with TRD package (I love those wheels).

Third Choice, Magnetic Gray Metallic 4runner Limited

 

makes sense.