Vanishing Things I (used) to love

[Too Tall]

Vanishing Things

It happened just the other day. To fulfill my Jewish cowboy destiny I was looking for an new 1/2 ton 4WD pickup truck. This should be easy ,say I, I'll just browse the Chevy website and spec. something basic to see what I'm up against.

Bad news, I was pulled up short on almost ever model save one. Chevrolet does still offer an manual transmission in one of their small engine trucks that I really would not buy.

Thus began my defeat at the hands of an industry with no reason to supply me with the very thing I thought was synonymous with the words "pickup truck".

In the words of Fred Sanford "You hear that Elizabeth... I'm comin' to you, I'm comin' home to Georgia "

[xjoex]

Have you seen the Tacoma? Good lord what happened to that truck? Oh how I wish I could buy a 1993 Tacoma.

-Joe

[nahtnoj]

Since you mentioned cars, I'll start there. Many other examples.

My 1994 Volvo 945 turbo acquired some more character this weekend in the form of a bent door frame at the hands of a hit and run driver.

The logical replacement for this vehicle - an XC70 - is over 1000 pounds heavier, slower, and gets worse fuel economy than my 17 year old car. A monumental feat of engineering, that.

I'd rather spend $5-6K completely rebuilding the engine and suspension on my car, and then get it repainted, than buy a new one. I suspect TT that you would get the same satisfaction out of re-doing a truck from the late 80's.

[fatallightning]

i'm not sure if you looked over the ford, and i don't know what the stick availability is, but the new powertrain options in the f150 are real world beaters.

[gt6267a]

i get that so many people purchase auto trans that the days of vehicles coming standard with stick and then paying extra for an auto trans are over. that said, why the fcuk can't the system have swung the other way. the standard model comes with an auto trans and i am able to pay $1500 and get a manual?

as i consider vehicles to replace my A4 its like a wall of rejection. the subaru outback looks great but if i want the nice one with leather, fcuk you buddy no manual t. (note they offer manual with cloth seats and a 4cyl only). oh, you like the audi wagon? fcuk you buddy we only sell the wagon in auto. etc. etc. how about the mercedes c class. only the 4 cyl rear wheel drive has a manual. you want all wheel drive? yeah you have to get an auto.

i get that auto is the US default. i've cried my tears about that BS. call it a fcuking sport package if you must. charge 3000 for sportier tires, suspension ying yang, a manual t, etc etc. just make it fcuking available.

[robin3mj]

The US of A has been in a headlong rush away from manual transmissions for years now. When I worked for the Public Works dept a while back, I asked why didn’t any of the Rams/Dakotas have stick, and was told not enough people know how to drive them, so in most cars/trucks that are sold largely as fleet vehicles, the manual has gone the way of the dodo.

[caleb]

I'd rather spend $5-6K completely rebuilding the engine and suspension on my car, and then get it repainted, than buy a new one. I suspect TT that you would get the same satisfaction out of re-doing a truck from the late 80's.

There's something really awesome about the 70's 1/2 ton Fords and Chevys: Fermaguiana: sheer manliness

[Too Tall]

Caleb, what you said X 10. This time I want something with a warranty. The straw that broke the camels back was a month ago when my starter burned up in the 51 chevy pickup and I could not force myself to lay on frozen concrete to replace it. I suk. The 51 is going to become a "pet" and I'll spend a few more yrs. finishing the restoration. My manliness will remain intact as long as I can say "yeah I'm restoring it myself" hehe.

Chevy, you broke me.

[caleb]

I understand, Too Tall. Everyone has their limits and new vehicles are, well, nice.

I'm sure not in a position to judge since I'm still trying to figure out why I have a crush on fifteen year old regular cab diesel F250s. Raunchy, I know.

[Saab2000]

If this is about manuals, VW and BMW are among your last friends. But even there they're disappearing. One reason is that automatics have, in some cases, actually become more efficient. VW has their DSG 'automatic manual' which gets better gas mileage than the manual. BMW's 3-series diesel is not available with one due to the massive torque of that engine.

In Europe it's probably about 50/50 these days but the default on smaller cars is still definitely the manual. But even there on upper models it's the automatic.

But if you must shift, your options are dwindling. VW and BMW are among the last of the dying breed.

[Eddie]

I understand, Too Tall. Everyone has their limits and new vehicles are, well, nice.

I'm sure not in a position to judge since I'm still trying to figure out why I have a crush on fifteen year old regular cab diesel F250s. Raunchy, I know.

Make that an F-150, add some peeling window tint, sixteen years of patina, scratches, and minor body damage, and a Mako Marine front license plate, and that's been my daily driver since right about the time I turned sixteen.

I should turn 200K miles in a couple of months. Little nagging things go on it now and then, such as the headlight assembly that cracked and I replaced for $18.95 on Amazon.com (70% off - had to couple it with some chopped coconut to get the free shipping), but shit, there's no reason to ever get rid of it. It's got a 5-speed on the floor, and the first clutch lasted 150K+ miles.

[Too Tall]

Lest I sound bitter....

The curtains at movie theaters used to have an dance. They would open with an welcome message, close than reopen with a short clip or cartoon, close and re-open with the main feature. Now, the curtains never budge and I'm treated to 20 mins.s of TV clips and dancing popcorn. The popcorn dance is not bad but I'm not complaining.

[caleb]

Make that an F-150, add some peeling window tint, sixteen years of patina, scratches, and minor body damage, and a Mako Marine front license plate, and that's been my daily driver since right about the time I turned sixteen.

I should turn 200K miles in a couple of months. Little nagging things go on it now and then, such as the headlight assembly that cracked and I replaced for $18.95 on Amazon.com (70% off - had to couple it with some chopped coconut to get the free shipping), but shit, there's no reason to ever get rid of it. It's got a 5-speed on the floor, and the first clutch lasted 150K+ miles.

Way to keep her running. I've got 302k+ on my current car without touching the engine or transmission. Your truck probably has lots of life left in it. Taking a look at what new trucks cost will likely give you a little more incentive to make the little nickel and dime repairs.

[prcrstn8]

Totally irrelevant, but the new Caddy CTS-V wagon (6.2L supercharged V-8, 556hp) is available with a 6-speed manual.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/au...20block&st=cse
But even at that, to make it an uberskiwagen you'd need AWD which is, yes, you guessed it, only available with the automatic.

[alexstar]

I understand, Too Tall. Everyone has their limits and new vehicles are, well, nice.

I'm sure not in a position to judge since I'm still trying to figure out why I have a crush on fifteen year old regular cab diesel F250s. Raunchy, I know.

You're preaching to the choir, I'm on the lookout for a longbed 4x4 diesel. The search continues.

[shanerpvt]

check out the 3/4 tons.............they will have the transmission you seek and a beefier suspension to boot................just a thought.

[maunahaole]

I want that wagon. But bigger. With that much torque, an auto is OK. I could not imagine how quickly one would vaporize the rear tires with RWD and a stick.

[WadePatton]

Give me a stick or Give me Death (DK theme yo). I have no reason to ever want more than my NV4500 (I have a spare one) gearboxed 98-12valve. I've been driving a manual since 82. I'm beginning to get the hang of it.



see that plate on the side? that's where you add pto-driven accessories-there's one on each side. by god man-tranny!

the Southbend Clutch goes on the left side and then the Cummins. The transfer case bolts to the right side (as pictured), then the Dana 80 with limited slip clutches...

TOOTS--you gotta look at some good used gear-I highly recommend Tejas-they don't rust down there. I've been party to three great, rost-frei pickups being relocated from TX to TN.

[54ny77]

them's the best lookin' generation of ford trucks ever!

last forever if kept up right, relatively cheap to maintain, simple but just enough electrical gremlins to be a pain but not a total deal killer like the new ones.

maybe try these:

(automatic--15k original miles!)

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

(manual)

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

I understand, Too Tall. Everyone has their limits and new vehicles are, well, nice.

I'm sure not in a position to judge since I'm still trying to figure out why I have a crush on fifteen year old regular cab diesel F250s. Raunchy, I know.

[Craig Ryan]

The automatic transmission has proven to be more reliable. Not that I like that, but it's the way it is.
I'm constantly shopping for a car. I can't ever find what I want.
- stable highway ride
- good fuel economy
- good interior room
I'm starting to seriously look at mini-vans again.