General Auto Chat

FWIW

so not the australian dollar... but you're right, 135,000 AUD wouldn't be horribad for a completely tricked out truck with the premium's they probably pay over there.

 

I bought my 2015 GMC Sierra Denali DuraMAX dually fully tricked out, built to my spec for $58K in late 2014. It's the only vehicle I ever regretted selling. I thought it wouldn't fit when I moved to California in 2016ish, and it probably would have been a huge pain in the ass, but it make me sick to my stomach to see fully loaded, full size pick up trucks selling for a $100k, 10 years later, WTF!! Seriously NO pick up is worth $100k from the factory. I was shopping for a Raptor at that time too, and it was $48k fully loaded out the door!!

If I still had a Brodozer I could have ripped out to burning man and saved the Neo-Hippies from the mud, lol

 

But... But... Think of the children!*

And don't forget that wealthy children are more easily bruised than poor kids. And poor kids don't matter anyway to the mothers who use these vehicles for their school run.


*

 

Close... the mega FU to Greta was built before she was born:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mega_Cruiser

 

No they want 200k aud for the Tundra in Australia and the Ram 3500. 130k usd.


This is the current ute of choice in Australia. Landcruiser 70 series - I don't think these are available in the USA - 120k aud, sparse, no fluff. It feels like you are driving a tractor but it's pretty much indestructible, can 4x4 anywhere in the aussie outback and they say they are run in after 200k miles.

I don't enjoy how rough the ride is in this car, it has basically 0 sensors and the normal luxuries you'd want in a 100k + ute.

Maybe I should just get a newer hilux, the rogue has the features I want and is much cheaper than the tundra. BTW All these Australian utes are tiny in comparison to even an f150.

 

That... looks... awesome... (I want one now)

but I understand why it's not in the US. In general:

1. we throw our vehicles out trade-in before 60,000 miles (because we lease, can't afford to own)
2. we care more about luxuries than durability (the lease runs out before the warranty anyway)
3. we want as many sensors toys/things that can break as possible (the lease runs out before the warranty anyway)
4. it has to ride like a cloud down the road so the Karen's and their kids aren't harmed in any way
5. "tiny compared to an F-150"

 

This Land Cruiser looks cool. Too expensive and I have no idea why they dont make simple, cool cars anymore. It could come without all the addons and cost 40k to 50k.

This looks like an expedition truck?

 

Guess the manufacturers need to make more money somehow though...

 

Okay.. I did not realize the rate is so high to AUD.. 70k. Not bad.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/fsHysb60tKs?feature=shared

 

Forbidden fruit:

https://www.motor1.com/news/693469/new-toyota-land-cruiser-humanitarian-efforts/

Edit: weird that this thing is 5-lug... ???

Edit, Edit: weirder still this is running 16" split rims!! wondering if this is for compatibility w/ Land Rover D110 5x165 PCD and existing tire stocks around the world. weird, weird, weird...

 

The worst thing about the surplus of SUV's and Crossovers on the roads these days - I commute through the Amsterdam region - is that many drivers treat them as little cars. The moment you drive a bigger and heavier vehicle you have to adjust how you check mirrors, blind spots and merge. The more luxurious versions are sometimes are broad and tall as lorries but the drivers act like children in go-karts.

Add electric versions with instant torque and you have scary situations on the road. Additionally the excess of screens in the newer cars makes the average driver even more distracted.

Be extra alert when you see strange manoeuvres, no blinkers and akward mergers from lane to lane.

 

Weren't these pretty common on t-tags from the 60s/70s? I remember a guy I worked with had an older Ford 1 ton, and it had (I think) 16" 5-bolt split ring rims. Supposed to support more weight, and you don't need a wheel machine to change tires. If you know what you're doing you can change tires in the field (farm- or battle-). A buddy worked at a commercial tire store and they did lots of split rims. Very, very carefully. They can and will kill you.

 

So, Cyber Truck:







Personally, I think the only other car in recent memory that caused a similar amount of commotion in differing opinion was the C8, but a lot of that was settled pretty quickly. CT might be more of a long tail. Thoughts?

 

love it. first pickup that's excited me in forever.

 

Love this thread (only just found it whilst lurking MOAR)…

My youngest son just finished his first full year as a Mechanical Engineer at Toyota North America R/D in Michigan. He works on the brandy-new Tacoma pro and TRD’s, etc. He’s on the seat team for now.

The commitment to quality (at every level and in every conceivable way) he has been sharing with me is insane.

(there’s reasons that vehicles like our 2004 Sienna lasted 20 years and over 300,000 miles, despite having it’s first 15 years in a salt-the-roads state like Mass… There’s reasons why cars like my 2008 Lexus LS460 are still basically in perfect condition and reliability).

I used to be a VW/Audi guy - for decades. (Ask about the snowy weather champ I had: Audi Coupe’ Quattro with differential lock and mechanical TorSen Quattro)… But, when we got our first Toyota (that Sienna), I finally saw the light. My LS460 gets an AVERAGE - across all my driving for last 4+ years - of 25mpg, and it is literally the ultimate “long road trip car” (was wonderful for the 8 round trips we took between New England/Pennsylvania and Texas between 2019 and 2022…. Comfort and quiet… Quiet, comfortable, reliable and cost-effective: all the things that Audi/BMW/Merc/Porsche do NOT have…..

……. Oh and the Mark Levinson, 19 speaker sound system is pretty fine too

Fortunately, they also build some absolutely killer performance monsters. You should try out his chosen “company car” (Toyota subsidizes way below cost/market leases and pays for all costs including insurance during the lease)…. He’s got a Lexus IS500 FSport (almost 500 HP). It’s literally the faster car I’ve EVER driven (and I’ve done Lambos and Ferraris and Porsches in Europe). He sold his 2012 VW GTI…

Alas, the legendary Toyota/Lexus V8’s are slowly going away. I love the new LS, but, sheesh, twin turbo V6? Yawn. Gimme a glorious V8