[V8] Diesel stuff etc, etc, etc...what those guys said before

[Roger M. Woodbury]

Here in eastern Maine diesel fuel is relatively easy to come by. Even most
of the little necessary stores that have only a small pump island have one
pump for diesel.  The price difference between regular gasoline and diesel
is in the neighborhood of a buck, and I have run the numbers over the past
ten years many times as I have looked for a light duty truck or some sort or
other, and each time have come up with only one resolution:  there is NO way
that a light duty diesel truck...like a pickup...makes ANY sense from an
acquisition or cost of operation standpoint unless one plans on driving the
vehicle for at least ten years and half a million miles.  What that means in
simplest language is that it makes no sense at all, because there are very,
very few ten year old pickups on the roads up here now that have more than
100,000 miles on them, and still have their bodies attached.
 
For the past ten to fifteen years Maine has used the most corrosive liquid
on the roads any time there is snow or ice and it will totally destroy the
underpinnings of Detroit's offerings in three to five years, if the vehicle
is driven in the winter at all.  About two years ago, the mixture was
modified somewhat simply because there were so many complaints about brake
lines rusting through in less than two years, and thus becoming an
unnecessary burden on elderly people or others of limitied means that the
all mightly MDOT had to do something.  
 
When I was looking for a truck to replace my burnt GMC last spring, I saw an
'05 Ford F250 parked at Walmart that was totally rusted out in the bed area
as well as the rear sections of the cab corners.  Nasty.
 
So coupled with the basic driving conditions here, the added cost of diesels
make little sense unless in the hands of a truly high miles driver.  When I
was pounding my bottom all over the state in my insurance days, at the end I
drove small Mercedes diesels. Granted, the cars were relatively good value,
considering their longevity, comfort and mileage, but they were also 100%
deductible under IRS rules in those days.  Not so now, on any basis.
 
After my search of last spring, I finally did locate an oddity:  a 1998
Chevy 3/4 ton 4X4 truck that had never really been used as a work vehicle.
111,000 miles, small V8, and no rust, although there was a bit of corrosion
appearing on the low edge of the doors.  Firm price:  $3900.00.  I drive it
about fifty miles per week on a high use week, and it will likely be the
last truck I buy.  Parts are available, and it will take very little to make
it like new.  The frame is solid which is what makes it such an oddity up
here: most of its peers are now long gone.  Oh, yes....about 14 miles per
gallon if I drive it further than ten miles at a time.  It has A/C and
cruise but I have to wind up the windows by hand:  saves me some time in the
gym that way.  
 
That's the way that I will be buying vehicles from now on.  I just had the
front brakes and all the brake lines replaced in order to go through
inspection. So after three thousand miles of use, I have a useful truck that
is repairable into the distant future, for chump change.  Even if gas gets
to $8 per gallon, there will be no sense in seeking anything else, even if
my yearly mileage triples.  
 
So also my V8 or 100CS.  Those cars are not at all rusty, and immenently
repairable for the forseeable future (although there are potential issues
with the V8 in terms of parts, I suppose). 
 
Hybrids?  I'll pass and wait for something saner to come along.
 
Incidentally, last night we all went out to dinner and my daughter drove us
all in her rental Chevy Equinox. This was the first time I have ridden in
any car that is newer than my Chevy truck in quite a long time.  All of you
who are reading this who own more recent cars than mine will laugh, but I'll
pass along my comments here as bullet points:
 

*	The three young children all sat in the way back (third row) seat
and my wife and I sat in the two second row "club" chairs.  The chairs
themselves were comfortable enough, although a tad narrow.  The real point
of pure discomfort was the annoying lack of legroom with my daughter
driving.  She is about 5'4" tall and if she had been much taller and
required the driver's seat to be back any further, it would have been very
uncomfortable sitting behind her for anything further than the ten miles we
went each way.
*	The engine and transmission in the Equinox are strange things.  I
guess there are six speeds in the transmission, and although neither she nor
I actually know what the engine in the thing is, it sounded to me like the
engine was whining or crying changing its little voice a whole lot.  It
didn't sound abnormal, just strange.  It appeared to have plenty of power,
though, but I think Chevy's intention was that the engine was just sort of
there, like the tank on the back of a toilet.
*	Riding in the mid position the truck felt like it has a solid rear
axle that has been exceptionally well dampened.  The road was smooth and
newly paved through most of the trip, so I had a good chance to feel the
suspension operating under very good conditions.  The motion while
controlled was obviously so, and the up and down motion felt to me like
someone had taken a 1980 Suburban, shortened it, and put a whole lot of
marshmallow like substance between the wheels and the body.  Probably feels
much better sitting behind the wheel but in the mid position, it wasn't
exceptionally comfortable nor did it feel all that well controlled.  I am
going to ask her if I can drive the thing around the block myself to see
what that feels like.
*	The truck is quiet and the body is tight...this truck has around
20,000 or so on it.
*	Perforated leather is nice on the seating surfaces. The interior is
"modern", sort of like from the Star Trek-Next Generation school of interior
design.  And especially so once the lights are turned on and the gazillion
little green lights come to life.
*	I REALLY liked the rear view camera that comes on for parking.  How
lazy can you get?  My daughter still looks over her shoulder when she backs,
and i would too, but I liked the view available in the mirror a lot.
*	Great high beam headlights, I thought. We drove back in serious dark
and rain, and high beams really do a great job lighting up the road in
front.  NOT as good as the European lights in my last V8, but for an
American car, really, really impressive.
*	Electric door locks.  How annoying!  Automatically lock when the car
is put into gear, but the rear doors cannot be opened without the driver's
"permission" or the thing being put into park.  
*	The obvious :"threat" of On Star.  My daughter's fiance admitted to
pushing the button once and was greeted by "Big Brother or Big Sister"
inquiring if there was an emergency.  If I EVER have a car that speaks to me
under ANY circumstances, I will take a steel club to it.

I'll drive the thing and maybe say something more later.  For right now, I
wouldn't trade the '94 100CS for one straight up.   (Well, maybe straight
up....)
 
Roger