West Is the Best Wrote:

georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:Brother is a former mechanic for Ford. I take my car to one of two guys. They both say the B-Series is the most reliable vehicle you can buy today.

It is based on a Ford truck not sold in the USA and built at a Ford plant by UAW workers. Most mechanics have very limited knowledge of the global operations on the company. Same for a salesman.

The window sticker clearly references this plant and not one in Japan.

They share the same engine and chassis. After that they diverge. While they are made in the same Twin Cities Ford Plant, they're running on separate assembly lines. Essentially, Mazda designs it borrowing core pieces from the Ranger, and sources Ford to build it. It's not simply a clone of a Ranger with a different logo.

Rebel Wrote:My next vehicle will be a Toyota Tundra. Bigger engine (5.7L), more power, better quality, and a helluva lot less headache to worry about.

After being a life long American car buyer I just got a loaded Tacoma PreRunner and it's better than any of the Fords I've ever owned - my Mustang was a piece of junk. You're going to like the Tundra. My wife owns a Lexus RX350 and not only is the car better than anything the B3 make but the service center treats her like gold.

georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:

West Is the Best Wrote:

georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:Brother is a former mechanic for Ford. I take my car to one of two guys. They both say the B-Series is the most reliable vehicle you can buy today.

It is based on a Ford truck not sold in the USA and built at a Ford plant by UAW workers. Most mechanics have very limited knowledge of the global operations on the company. Same for a salesman.

The window sticker clearly references this plant and not one in Japan.

They share the same engine and chassis. After that they diverge. While they are made in the same Twin Cities Ford Plant, they're running on separate assembly lines. Essentially, Mazda designs it borrowing core pieces from the Ranger, and sources Ford to build it. It's not simply a clone of a Ranger with a different logo.

You are talking to a know-it-all that knows nothing. A huge waste of keystrokes.

smn1256 Wrote:

Rebel Wrote:My next vehicle will be a Toyota Tundra. Bigger engine (5.7L), more power, better quality, and a helluva lot less headache to worry about.

After being a life long American car buyer I just got a loaded Tacoma PreRunner and it's better than any of the Fords I've ever owned - my Mustang was a piece of junk. You're going to like the Tundra. My wife owns a Lexus RX350 and not only is the car better than anything the B3 make but the service center treats her like gold.

I still go with the 20K sedan challenge. You can not find a non-ass looking American 4-door sedan for under 20K. Period. For less than 20K I can get:

- Mazda6
- Mazda3 loaded
- Mitsubishi Lancer GTS CVT loaded
- Hyundai Sonata

All of which are eye pleasers.

Fully agree, GTS. I bought a Hyundai Sonata a couple years back and love it. Between the warranty and the extra features to go with the design, you can't go wrong. I'm a fan of the Mazda's on your list as well. Not a huge fan of the Mitsubishi...

georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:

smn1256 Wrote:

Rebel Wrote:My next vehicle will be a Toyota Tundra. Bigger engine (5.7L), more power, better quality, and a helluva lot less headache to worry about.

After being a life long American car buyer I just got a loaded Tacoma PreRunner and it's better than any of the Fords I've ever owned - my Mustang was a piece of junk. You're going to like the Tundra. My wife owns a Lexus RX350 and not only is the car better than anything the B3 make but the service center treats her like gold.

I still go with the 20K sedan challenge. You can not find a non-ass looking American 4-door sedan for under 20K. Period. For less than 20K I can get:

- Mazda6
- Mazda3 loaded
- Mitsubishi Lancer GTS CVT loaded
- Hyundai Sonata

All of which are eye pleasers.

BS
Saturn Aura
Pontiac G5 +G6
Chevy Cobalt
Ford has some nice ones too.

georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:

West Is the Best Wrote:

georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:Brother is a former mechanic for Ford. I take my car to one of two guys. They both say the B-Series is the most reliable vehicle you can buy today.

It is based on a Ford truck not sold in the USA and built at a Ford plant by UAW workers. Most mechanics have very limited knowledge of the global operations on the company. Same for a salesman.

The window sticker clearly references this plant and not one in Japan.

They share the same engine and chassis. After that they diverge. While they are made in the same Twin Cities Ford Plant, they're running on separate assembly lines. Essentially, Mazda designs it borrowing core pieces from the Ranger, and sources Ford to build it. It's not simply a clone of a Ranger with a different logo.

One more time. It is NOT based on the Ranger but a truck Ford builds overseas. It IS a Ford product with Mazda badging. It is the exact same truck as offered overseas.

Back to the issue at hand. They are still built by UAW workers. No thanks, I'll pass.

firmbizzle Wrote:

georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:

smn1256 Wrote:

Rebel Wrote:My next vehicle will be a Toyota Tundra. Bigger engine (5.7L), more power, better quality, and a helluva lot less headache to worry about.

After being a life long American car buyer I just got a loaded Tacoma PreRunner and it's better than any of the Fords I've ever owned - my Mustang was a piece of junk. You're going to like the Tundra. My wife owns a Lexus RX350 and not only is the car better than anything the B3 make but the service center treats her like gold.

I still go with the 20K sedan challenge. You can not find a non-ass looking American 4-door sedan for under 20K. Period. For less than 20K I can get:

- Mazda6
- Mazda3 loaded
- Mitsubishi Lancer GTS CVT loaded
- Hyundai Sonata

All of which are eye pleasers.

BS
Saturn Aura
Pontiac G5 +G6
Chevy Cobalt
Ford has some nice ones too.

.

Mustangs are a Joke .... my daughter had one - 2004 White with a Golden Mustang emblazoned on the Sides ... man I saw it pull up and went to drooling .... took one drive in it and never rode in it again.

That WAS NOT my old '66 Green Bomber with the 351 Cleveland and that is for sure.

We also had a Honda Passport SUV and had it for a few years, when I bought my Daughter and Son-in-Law this little Low Rider Nissan Truck ...

The entire interior was the Twin to front Compartment of my Passport.

I mean I know these companies "Cross Pollinate", but this is getting close to "Inbreeding" !!!!

.

firmbizzle Wrote:Saturn Aura
Pontiac G5 +G6
Chevy Cobalt
Ford has some nice ones too.

Aura: MSRP $23,100
G5: Looks like a Chevy Cavalier reborn just as ugly.
G6: MSRP $21,160, and ugly
Cobalt: Maybe. I drove one as a rental. Horrible little hunk of plastic with no power. Depends on if you can spec it up to something less like the paneling around old CRT monitors on the interior and with something more than a few hamsters under the hood, and still come out under $20K.

Well, with all the new MSRP 2009 pricing from American automakers, you can get for under $20k

Chevy Malibu
Chevy Cobalt
Ford Fusion
Ford Focus
Saturn Astra ($15k base)
Pontiac G6
Mercury Milan (surprisingly)
Dodge Avenger
Chrysler Sebring

Ford Mustang base model (stripped V-6)

You're right, the Mazda and the Mitsu are much more impressive vehicles, and not really a fair comparison, but US automakers do have sub $20k offerings, regardless of your impression of their performance, styling or build quality.

And really, this might not be a fair price comparision anymore with rebates, dealer incentives etc.... Last month, a local Ford dealer was selling brand new Mustang GT's for $18k just to move them off the lot for winter. Who knows what you could get a car for today?

Lord Stanley Wrote:Well, with all the new MSRP 2009 pricing from American automakers, you can get for under $20k

Chevy Malibu
Chevy Cobalt
Ford Fusion
Ford Focus
Saturn Astra ($15k base)
Pontiac G6
Mercury Milan (surprisingly)
Dodge Avenger
Chrysler Sebring

Ford Mustang base model (stripped V-6)

You're right, the Mazda and the Mitsu are much more impressive vehicles, and not really a fair comparison, but US automakers do have sub $20k offerings, regardless of your impression of their performance, styling or build quality.

And really, this might not be a fair price comparision anymore with rebates, dealer incentives etc.... Last month, a local Ford dealer was selling brand new Mustang GT's for $18k just to move them off the lot for winter. Who knows what you could get a car for today?

+10

EastStang Wrote:How does one breed a Ford truck?

Sadly, I cannot find the Far Side cartoon "When car chasers dream" online.

Ford F150 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. I'm a GM man myself, but I give them props when due.

firmbizzle Wrote:Ford F150 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. I'm a GM man myself, but I give them props when due.

No thank you. The Toyota Tundra with a 5.7L V-8 would pull that thing all over the road.

.

Shoot yeah ... 5.7L Engine is the Size of an LT1-4 or LS1 Corvette Style Engine.

Those guys would take you to 150mph before you could spit.

Straight up power with no lag any where.

.

Rebel Wrote:

firmbizzle Wrote:Ford F150 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. I'm a GM man myself, but I give them props when due.

No thank you. The Toyota Tundra with a 5.7L V-8 would pull that thing all over the road.

High-reving, No torque having Jap piece of crap. Stick to coupes, and sedans. Americans make real Trucks, and Bikes.

firmbizzle Wrote:

Rebel Wrote:

firmbizzle Wrote:Ford F150 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. I'm a GM man myself, but I give them props when due.

No thank you. The Toyota Tundra with a 5.7L V-8 would pull that thing all over the road.

High-reving, No torque having Jap piece of crap. Stick to coupes, and sedans. Americans make real Trucks, and Bikes.

You're talking out of your ass. The Toyota Tundra with a 5.7L V-8 has 381 HP and over 400 foot pounds of torque.

Research will help you look a lot less like an idiot.

The Titan is also a torque-monster with a helluva lot of HP along with a towing capacity that's beyond what most American 1/4 ton trucks can reach.

Rebel Wrote:

firmbizzle Wrote:

Rebel Wrote:

firmbizzle Wrote:Ford F150 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. I'm a GM man myself, but I give them props when due.

No thank you. The Toyota Tundra with a 5.7L V-8 would pull that thing all over the road.

High-reving, No torque having Jap piece of crap. Stick to coupes, and sedans. Americans make real Trucks, and Bikes.

You're talking out of your ass. The Toyota Tundra with a 5.7L V-8 has 381 HP and over 400 foot pounds of torque.

Research will help you look a lot less like an idiot.

The Titan is also a torque-monster with a helluva lot of HP along with a towing capacity that's beyond what most American 1/4 ton trucks can reach.

If you want to spend $5-6 grand more go right ahead.

The other issue is those Jap trucks always have great numbers, but towing is where it matters. 17,000lbs for a Ford F150 doesn't compare to 10,500 for the Toyota.