[NSRCA-discussion] New Vehicle

[brett terry]

I agree with you there, Bob.  Isuzu in Japan makes a FINE diesel engine
(Duramax)!  That is an extremely nice setup.  The tundra is very nice too,
and I have noticed very nice 1 year-old Tundras going for very good prices
locally (say $27k loaded, when they were over $43k new last year).  It seems
the Duramax trucks hold their value better.

I was going to buy the Toyota Sienna until I drove the Honda.  They are very
close to equal, but in the end the Honda was a bit less for the same options
and the seats are better in the Honda.  I have a Honda Odyssey that I can
completely pack with planes.  I can put my 35% plane in there with all three
kids (two in car seats) and my wife, and still have a little bit of room for
other toys.  With the middle seat out and the back seat folded down I can
fit a ton of stuff, a big 40% would easily fit.

My wife wishes we had the Chrysler T&C for the stow-and-go, which I agree is
very nice.  However it takes up some headroom, and since I am 6'6", that is
high on my list.  The Dodge had some fit-and-finish issues that turned me
off, but the Chrysler was very nice.

I believe the Odyssey is the largest minivan on the market.  I have loaded
it up with a big pile of 11' lumber, 4'x8' plywood and sheetrock with the
door closed when I was finishing my attic a few years ago.  10' lumber fits
easily, but the 12' - 14' stuff extends out the back obviously.

Last year when I swapped oceans to move to the Northwest I completely loaded
the van with Rubbermaid Totes full of the things that wouldn't fit in the
moving truck, hoisted my 2m pattern plane from the ceiling with ropes, threw
4 mountain bikes on a trailer hitch-mounted bike rack, and averaged 24 mpg
along I-90 effectively from Boston to Seattle, travelling around  75-80 most
of the way.

FWIW I have a '98 Chrysler Concorde LXI with the 3.2L that is simply
bulletproof.  I bought it for a song a few years ago and it now has 170k
miles on it.  The leather on the drivers seat is starting to show a bit of
wear and one of the speakers is blown but otherwise it is excellent.  I will
likely be able to sell it in a few years for the price I paid - literally a
song...

On Sun, Aug 16, 2009 at 8:05 AM, Bob Richards <bob at toprudder.com> wrote:

> I agree with you 100% about Toyota. I almost bought a new Tundra, but ended
> up with a Chevy 2500 Diesel due to the towing capability (and the
> Duramax/Allison reputation).
>
> I suppose everyone has a reason why they prefer one make over another. I
> won't buy another Ford because of the way they treated me regarding my old
> Explorer. And don't get me started regarding the cruise control harness
> recalls....
>
> I don't expect any vehicle to be trouble free, but I do expect the
> manufacturer to stand behind their product. This is as much about the
> particular dealer as it is the manufacturer. Some dealers are DEFINITELY
> better than others.
>
> Bob R.
>
>
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