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Detroit, 10:39 PM
Fri Nov 20
28 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/09/09
11/09/09
Thhherrre gggonnna toss the big-block...sniffle, why?
(Dries eye with shirt cuff.) #gmcsierra
11/09/09
11/09/09
11/09/09
More like save $7K, and in the case of a big block, tow the same amount. Too bad only the 6.0 is left, which at least still saves all the money. #gmcsierra
11/10/09
11/10/09
A GM big block will run WAY past 200K miles without a rebuild (like 300K). They get worse milage, but if you don't tow a ton of miles, you'll be way ahead with upfront savings.
If you tow consistantly and enough miles, diesels the only choice. For low milage towers, a BBC works great. #gmcsierra
11/10/09
Depending on where you live, the diesel may also be cheaper to run, since they aren't subject to the same inspections as gas vehicles, and some of them can be run on veggie oil if you're so inclined. Maintenance is also somewhat less frequent. #gmcsierra
11/10/09
11/10/09
Have you towed with a BBC with the Allison? Not a 6.0 or a Ford V10, etc?
Again, the resale isn't true as used they tend to cost the same delta more as new (5-7K). So maybe % wise you've "lost more" but in reality it's the same $ lost.
Any savings on inspections would certainly not surpass the greater mainanence costs. On the last service I had done, here's the differences I saw:
$60 vs $120 for transmission fluid
$35 vs $95 for fuel filter
The list goes on and on like that.
So, if you don't tow a lot of miles there is no need to waste your money on a diesel if there's a BBC option. When I was truck shopping I did the full business case, and it would take something like 100K miles to pay off a diesel, and I'll never tow that much. You diesel guys refuse to accept it, but I guess I'd be adamant too if I wasted a lot more money (that was said tongue in cheek fyi). #gmcsierra
11/10/09
Diesels don't need any ignition system maintenance, either- no plugs, wires, etc.
Oh well, arguing on the intrawebs = pissing into a tornado. #gmcsierra
11/10/09
Well, for 5K you can't go wrong.
When GM shopping, you won't touch a D-max for that much, and I didn't want an older vehicle.
Also, you've put a lot of miles on it, so you seem to be missing the point that gasser's are only better for the occaisonal tower. If you tow a lot, then the diesel starts to make lots of sense. #gmcsierra
11/10/09
11/10/09
You don't have to rationalize fuel use on Jalop!
I see the thought on new gas ones, but it still takes 100K miles to make up the upfront costs. So if you don't plan to drive it into the ground for whatever reason the business case still makes sense for a gasser (although you can't get the big block any more). In stock form, a D-max doesn't drive any faster either, and the fuel economy isn't much better due to DPF, etc.
Overall, I'd prefer a diesel, but for the 6K I spent on my loaded 01 with a big block/allison, there wasn't any way to justify spending more for a D-max with higher miles. #gmcsierra
11/10/09
11/11/09
Back when gas was 4 bucks a gallon, I bet there were some screaming deals to be had on a good used tow rig, especially with a gas engine. Nicely bought. #gmcsierra
11/11/09
But man, that sound when the turbo spools up. Its awesome. ;-) #gmcsierra
11/09/09
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09/02/09
In the Merkur marketplace, this price is on the high end of the spectrum, but the car here looks to be in excellent shape and all original. Plus, this particular color is quite rare. I can't think of what Ford called the color, but there were not many XR4Tis that received this color paint, a color that I find to be one of the nicest for the XR.
So bottom line on this one (IMHO): NICE PRICE!
09/02/09
09/02/09
09/02/09
Those who complain the car is $1000 overpriced, or who can find one for $1500 cheaper, can't afford it anyway. You either like the car or you don't. If you don't, it's not worth $6 let alone $6000.
I'm not a XR4Ti fanatic so I don't know where this one stacks up in the marketplace. But I do know that if you want a rare, enthusiast car, you need to buy the best one you can possibly find, and pay whatever it takes to get it. Anything less is a waster of money. In that respect, this car at this price seems like a good deal.
09/02/09
There were a few 1988ish XR4Ti's on AutoTrader with an average price of $2500. Add $5000 for this car being rare, and another $1500 for general awesomeness (come on, the name alone is awesome not to mention the Europeanness of the car in a time when Europeanness in the US is limited to brands based in places with Europeanness). Thus, the fair market value is $9000.
Buy it!
09/02/09
09/02/09
09/02/09
I drove imports through much of the 80's but when everybody else started doing it then it wasn't fun anymore. I haven't had one since 1995. Nothing is more objectionable to me than being mainstream.
The mantra used to be "Buy American" back when they had import burning parties and such. So I didn't. Then the conventional wisdom became "Buy Japanese" so I didn't do that any more.
Buy Canadian! I got nothin'
09/02/09
fests.
Plus it's kind of like a 2-door 1st-gen Taurus to the uninitiated.
Cons: A true XR4Ti *requires* the double wing. AND the rotary wheels. The color doesn't do the car any favors. The Turbo is probably due for a rebuild.
And it's kind of like a 2-door 1st-gen Taurus to the uninitiated.
Verdict: Just barely Nice Price, and only on the reasonable assumption you can haggle the seller down to $5K or less. The rear wing and wheels are probably some of the easier parts to find... but not having to find any of the odd trim bits and glass and interior panels and the like is arguably worth a $2K premium to a subset of fans.
09/02/09
Shave $3K off it, to start, and that's a good place for the seller to begin negotiation.
I really liked the Scorpio when it appeared. I take issue with the 'Merkur' name being what put US buyers off. Scion doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.... Too close to Mercury, and honestly, that's what Ford should have brought them here as, a Euro Merc.