First time whoring my cars out... (lots 'o pics)

[ss82480]

Get ya an x-runner!

[simmode1]

Nah... If I get a truck, it's gonna be a V8 F150 quadcab. You can't beat that thing... But for the moment, I'm focused on the Elly...

[JustDriftMore]

Nah... If I get a truck, it's gonna be a NISSAN FRONTIER. You can't beat that thing... But for the moment, I'm focused on the CUBE...

That's what it should say. Traitor.

[simmode1]

That's what it should say. Traitor.

Brand loyalty is for fanboys and functional retards. I go with whoever has the best platform to suit my needs. In terms of the Frontier, I looked at them and did not like what I saw. The years I'd be looking at would be the model with the superchaged VG33 in it. It has more displacement than a 300zx VG30, but even when supercharged it makes less power than the N/A Z32. Its around 210hp and 245ft/tq. Plus the superchargers are part of your routine scheduled maintanance. They fail and have to be replaced about every 60k miles. I don't like that.

The V8 quad cab F150 make about 230hp and 290ft/tq. Plus its the best selling pickup for over 50 years. Parts available will be rediculous. I'd love to outfit one with Harley Davidson 150 suspension, areo and some nice wheels. But again... these are just ideas at the moment.

the Cube is too new/pricey for me to consider realistically. Therefore, I haven't even bothered to look at it's attributes yet. I can pick up an Element for under $9k.

[TheBlaiant]

Get ya an x-runner!

I want one sooooo bad!Bags and turbo!

[mattblancarte]

Nice rides, Simmode.

I've never sat in or driven a Honda Fit, but the pic you posted looks pretty sweet.

Recently, I went through the process of finding another DD that I could haul the 240 behind, load stuff in the back, AWD for bad weather, etc.

Ended up choosing a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8 (235hp/295ft lbf). Lots of power, SUPER comfy, decent reliability. In 1999, the powertech v8 was part of Ward's 10 best engines list and it has something like a 95% life expectancy rate to hit a minimum of 150000 miles without major repair.

The little stuff that I love are all the "limited" features like the seat warmers, sunroof, SICK stereo, etc. Market value for Jeep trucks is ridiculously fair, too.

Thought I would share that with you since you are in the market for a "do-all" DD.

Good luck choosing, I changed my mind 100 times before picking up the Jeep hehe.

[simmode1]

Thanks alot, Matt! That's precisely the kind of feedback I need on that topic. I had never really consider Jeep before! Hmmm... gonna go read up on them!

X-Runner's cost a little more than I want to spend. Plus, I'd want a fullsized back door if I got a pickup...

[mRodiek]

Brand loyalty is for fanboys and functional retards..

I agree to an extent, most people take it too far. But there is something to be said when your family has had 8 Nissans and never had an issue, your going to look more closely at other Nissan models.

I agree with the jeep choice, I love those trucks.

[simmode1]

^^^ Oh yeah, for sure. If it ain't broke don't fix it! Nissan makes great products. I'm just not going to blindly say that they are the best for me. Someone else might make something that appeals more to my needs or sense of style, ect...

[mattblancarte]

Thanks alot, Matt! That's precisely the kind of feedback I need on that topic. I had never really consider Jeep before! Hmmm... gonna go read up on them!

X-Runner's cost a little more than I want to spend. Plus, I'd want a fullsized back door if I got a pickup...

Happy to throw my $.02 your way.

I had the same reaction when I first considered the Jeep. I was like WTF why didn't I even remember this truck existed. The price range for a decent one around 100k miles is only 8-9k.

I picked mine up for 8100, and it has 122k miles on it. Body is in great condition (Champagne Pearl Metallic, no dents!), interior is in awesome condition (leather, carpets, dash, control switches are all in place) and without stains or rips.

Motor runs perfectly, and I went ahead and did the A-Schedule 120kmile service at home after I bought the car. The FSM is ridiculously easy to read, way better than my old Integra hehe.

Only thing I didn't do on the schedule is replacing the in-line fuel filter. I didn't want to pull the fuel pump relay (to begin de-pressurizing the fuel lines) and have my check engine light be on until I take it into a Jeep/Chrysler dealer to have it wiped.

I picked up the Quadra-Drive model, which can move power to-and-from any individual wheel to ensure max traction in bad conditions.

p.s. I've sat in a lot of S.U.V.s, and the seats in the Jeep are ridiculously comfy. I realize that is pretty subjective, but seriously, the driver's seat is like sitting in a living room recliner. So much cushion!

[pj]

ill back the new f150 and the jeep ideas...the new fords are nice and jeeps are tough as all heck

[simmode1]

I had a little trouble finding info on the V8 Grand Cherokee version as MSNautos only seem to list the I6 models... But good ole wakopedia gave me tons of info on it! It's a really atractive choice... One of those "good family car... don't even think about bothering to mod me" kind of cars... Might be just what I need! lol

[adrianfromthecastle]

damn, this threads a year old... and yet somehow I missed commenting on it? :

any current pics simmode? :

[simmode1]

Nah... nothing new really, but black stripe removal and some fatty tires on the s13 and a dent from a fat chick in the s14's drivers side front fender...

[mattblancarte]

One of those "good family car... don't even think about bothering to mod me" kind of cars...

Yep! I don't intend on touching anything because it already comes so well equipped to do what I need.

All of my "car mod" money goes toward the 240, so I figured that I would keep the tow-truck/DD nice and simple, yet "luxurious."

The fact that it turned out to be a rather frugal option was a sweet bonus,too. I may lose a few grand in the end when I sell, but no where near the sunk cost of other vehicles I've owned/leased/financed.

/end jeep fanboi rant

[simmode1]

^^^ That's really good input. In stock form, that Grand Cherokee would likely outperform the upgrades I'd want to do to the Element while being similarly priced and more mature looking! Getting something else that I'd be tempted to modify would be counterproductive to getting my S13 where I want it to be. Thanks for the dose of reality!

Plus, my brother owns a Jeep... Commander, I think... I'm gonna ask him about his experiance with it...

[mRodiek]

To make it just a little easier for you, I have been in many of my friends Grand Cherokees and they are awesome to sit & drive in, uber comfy. The only thing I didnt like was the shifter but that was an older one anyway. I looked at getting one as my winter daily for a while and you can definately find them cheap [although with alot of miles].

Commander?