RE: Global Ford Ranger won't come here
I have owned a sample of each generation of the Ranger truck. They always did what I wanted, that is provide a decent little truck for light hauling and back and forth to work. I always thought they were the best example of the mini truck on the road. This year I test drove a Tacoma and realized Ford had no business being in the mini truck market. I switched to the Taco and have learned it is superior in ride and handling. It has more cabin space and better fuel economy. Like GM and Chrysler, Ford has forgotten or ignored this segment of the auto market and will now have to scramble to catch up.
GM hasn't forgotten. My son has a 2008 Chevy Colorado extended cab, Z71 package. He has 20,000 + miles on it first year, no problems. Good power ..3.7 liter 5 cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC 242 hp/242 ft. lbs. of torque. Very current design.
More a mid sized truck than a compact.
Good room in extended cab.
In the last compact truck shoot out I read it got thumped by the Tacoma and Frontier in just about all areas. The current Ranger is outselling it by around 20,000 units YTD. It is a solid truck don't get me wrong, just no big improvement over the S10.
The Colorado was outdated the day it was introduced...busy ride, noisy, anemic, and agricultural 5-cylinder, 4-speed slushpump, GM's typical Playskool interior. Most Colorados I see are fleet trucks.
Outdated ???...Coming with a modular series engines...DOHC...4 valves per cylinder...4, 5 and in the TrailBlazer 6 cylinder...won design award for the engine when it came out...he has 20-22,000 miles on it first year...no problems...in a climate that goes from 40 below to 100 above F. He parks it outside...no plug...no trouble starting....I could go on...we get real, tough winters up here that grind vehicles down.
What's your experience with the Colorado...do you have one...drive it, day in day out...or is just an...opinion...?
RE: "Bluehair"... sign of disrespect???
When I talk with my mother (whom nearly died last year) I call her all sorts of names.. blue hair... aged one... and my favorite "wrinkly" .
She knows its all in good fun.
I also work with an older guy at work... i tease him about his age also...
It really is all about the intent.
If it is said to insult someone, the word is not the issue. the intent is.
I think it really depends on how YOU intend it to be perceived.
Bruce.
Exactly. Using the term 'bluehair' isn't what this is about, it's how a phrase, a word....is used.
A word in itself is harmless, but it's how a word is used...what's the intent.
If you say it to hurt someone, then it is wrong.
RE: "Bluehair"... sign of disrespect???
Any use of any 'label' to describe a person is disrespectful. People who are being described by labels don't like them and just about all people have been described by a label.
Most people I know would rather be regarded as a person, rather than be id'd by a label.
RE: Cash For Clunkers top 20
I understand that some of the so called clunkers were collector's items...like an '80's Buick GNX with the legendary Buick turbocharged 3.8.
There were also a number of Mustangs and Corvettes.
RE: Global Ford Ranger won't come here
The Tacoma...doesn't really have anything on the Colorado...except that it has that import 'perception'.
and 4 doors + 6' bed option, 6500lb with some stuff in the truck towing capacity vs 5500lb with only 150lb driver this year (up from 4000lb last year) for the Colorado, an extra gear in the transmission ...
I think the 4000lb towing capacity hurt the Colorado until this year.That was the orig. tow rating and I agree it hurt the Colorado. In fact i couldn't beleive that when it came out the tow rating was less than the S10 that it replaced.
My son's 2008 Colorado with 3.73 gears, AT and the 242 hp 3.7 is rated at 5500 lbs towing...that was 2 model years ago. The V8 in his LS Z71 would be rated at 6000 lbs.
The Colorado has that domestic 'perception' (largely designed by Isuzu and has a Japanese transmission among other parts) and a 6 passenger seating option.
As a '3/8 ton' fan I like them both, but each does have a few advantages over the other.I agree again...modern pick ups in my view are very competitive...all pretty good.
The Ranger while reliable, etc...needs to be redone...I still think a small turbo diesel , bit bigger Ranger, more room in the cab and a good sized box would sell like hotcakes.
The Mahindra will be sold in the USA in Feb., 2010 and while it's not going to set the world on fire, even it has some things on the Ranger....like Turbo Diesel, 6 speed AT, etc.
I am a firm supporter of North American domestic product, but they have to be...a bit more than competitive in today's market.
I like going into a domestic dealers...for the most part they are one of the few stores that sell product that...for the most part... is made on this continent.
My Buick body was made in Canada, the Buick engine in Michigan, the Colorado was made in Louisiana and our Vibe was made in California, although I suspect the engine, trannie and other components came from Japan.
RE: Global Ford Ranger won't come here
I have owned a sample of each generation of the Ranger truck. They always did what I wanted, that is provide a decent little truck for light hauling and back and forth to work. I always thought they were the best example of the mini truck on the road. This year I test drove a Tacoma and realized Ford had no business being in the mini truck market. I switched to the Taco and have learned it is superior in ride and handling. It has more cabin space and better fuel economy. Like GM and Chrysler, Ford has forgotten or ignored this segment of the auto market and will now have to scramble to catch up.
GM hasn't forgotten. My son has a 2008 Chevy Colorado extended cab, Z71 package. He has 20,000 + miles on it first year, no problems. Good power ..3.7 liter 5 cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC 242 hp/242 ft. lbs. of torque. Very current design.
More a mid sized truck than a compact.
Good room in extended cab.
In the last compact truck shoot out I read it got thumped by the Tacoma and Frontier in just about all areas. The current Ranger is outselling it by around 20,000 units YTD. It is a solid truck don't get me wrong, just no big improvement over the S10.
It has lot's of features over the S10...a whole new series of engines that are part of the Inline six, 5, 4 cylinders...al DOHC all good mileage, all good power, in addition having an optional 300 hp V8.
But your right, I don't know why it doesn't seem to do well in public perception...I put it down to the erroneous domestic bad, import good.
My son looked at the Ranger...but as a young guy, he felt it was too small, too 'old' in design. It does sell, but Ford has been selling the same truck for the most part for decades and the price is incredibly cheap...much less then the Colorado. I think the Ranger is a fine vehicle, but Ford needs to bring a new vehicle out.
As far as Toyota goes, we have one (Vibe-essentially all Matrix) and it's a good little car.
The Tacoma...doesn't really have anything on the Colorado...except that it has that import 'perception'.
On top of that the Taco has a rusty frame ...that have been getting news... there is a recall.
But at least Toyota is standing behind the problem, which is good for the consumer...I suppose it depends on how much someone would get in the buy back.
Toyota Tacoma and rust issue
RE: Global Ford Ranger won't come here
I have owned a sample of each generation of the Ranger truck. They always did what I wanted, that is provide a decent little truck for light hauling and back and forth to work. I always thought they were the best example of the mini truck on the road. This year I test drove a Tacoma and realized Ford had no business being in the mini truck market. I switched to the Taco and have learned it is superior in ride and handling. It has more cabin space and better fuel economy. Like GM and Chrysler, Ford has forgotten or ignored this segment of the auto market and will now have to scramble to catch up.
GM hasn't forgotten. My son has a 2008 Chevy Colorado extended cab, Z71 package. He has 20,000 + miles on it first year, no problems. Good power ..3.7 liter 5 cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC 242 hp/242 ft. lbs. of torque. Very current design.
More a mid sized truck than a compact.
Good room in extended cab.
RE: "What can I tow" question you probably have never seen.
If the Ford won't pull it just use the Superbird. I understand that most of them came with gears more appropriate for drag racing (or towing) than for speedway racing. It certainly has the engine, transmission and brakes needed. My father used to pull a 6000 pound boat with his Chrysler Newport that was mechanically very similar, just a weaker engine. One of those teardrop trailers or a classic Airstream would look great behind the 'Bird.
The only potential issue I see towing with a Superbird is the fact that those cars had issues with the cooling systems due to airflow issues with the unique nose cone. They stayed cool at high speeds, but low speeds and traffic situations were an issue I believe. I would think towing would also be a challenge for the cooling system, unless tweaked somehow.
This is all based on what I've heard and read though. I have never been fortunate enough to sit behind the wheel of one of those iconic automobiles, much less drive one. :(
Now that you mention it, I've heard the same thing r: Superbird cooling.
RE: Please help this ignorant man with gift ideas!!!!!!!
The AAA may have nice eye shades for sleeping, with a secret pocket for ear plugs...could be around $ 7-8 dollars.
I got them at the CAA for about $ 10 CAD.
RE: Global Ford Ranger won't come here
Stupid Ford. We don't need another F150. We need the Ranger, with an efficient diesel engine and manual transmission and we don't need it with a crew cab and a 4 foot bed either.
I agree, except for the 4 door part. I don't know how much room an extended Global Ranger would have, but if it's like the current US/Canada Ranger it's too tiny a space, even to put your stuff. My son's Z71 extended cab Colorado has ok room (more than Ranger) to put his stuff...a 4 door I could do without if the extended cab was bigger. You're right about 4 foot beds...not too useful.
RE: Global Ford Ranger won't come here
F100 is being bandied about.Read between the lines of some press releases 'lighter cheaper, better FE then the F150'
How much lighter, cheaper, smaller, better FE than the F150 is the question and...and...why not use the Australian model for the US/Canada market ?
I'm sure Robt. Ryan is correct...Ford wanting to make more money by selling as the US/Canada market is 'the' market for bigger and of course bigger is more profitable.
I wonder when Ford will start importing some of these smaller Global Rangers over here...I think there is a market for them...with an optional turbodiesel and four doors.
RE: "What can I tow" question you probably have never seen.
Yes, the A-code (2bbl was C-code) 4bbl 289 was 225HP (gross)--it's not as simple as a carb & intake swap, though: I think the cam was different, and maybe more compression. Even the legendary 289 Hi-Po (K-code), with a big Holley carb, high compression, high compression, and solid lifters only had 271HP (gross). Realistically, the 1987-92 Mustang's 5.0 HO (225HP net) had about the same power as the Hi-Po...general rule, net to gross is about a 15-20% power drop. I still say the best route is transplanting a built 302...maybe even a 331 or 347 stroker.
And it's Jarlaxle, please. :)
Sorry about the name screwup Jarlaxle. I like the idea of a 347 stroker..maybe one with a RV cam, etc...to emphasize strong low and mid range torque. But then I've always been very good at spending someone else's money .:B
Global Ford Ranger won't come here
The Global Ranger truck will not be coming to North America. It is developed by Ford Australia and will be in many parts of the world, except for North America.
The Ranger we have will be discontinued in 2011...Ford is still looking at what to do here in the home market.
No go to North America for Global Ranger
Well Ford fans tell me that Ford knows what it's doing, so maybe there will be something impressive coming down the pike for North America.
RE: "What can I tow" question you probably have never seen.
Folding trailers are something to think about. You won't have the greater front surface area acting as extra wind resistance, that a travel trailer will have as...being folded down...won't rise above the height of your wagon.
Maybe all you will need is bigger rad, front disc brakes, heavier springs to replace those that are tired., trannie cooler, new tires if not already new. Still a few bucks.
Once you start looking at switching powertrains, it get's expensive, unless you are a do it yourself home mechanic.
As an aside, my FIL back in '66-67 had a '66 Meteor (Cdn. Mercury) with a 428...345 bhp engine..C6 transmission...powerful engine.
One thing that will give you a few more ponies , might be a used 4 bbl carb and manifold and a true dual exhaust system...but still with little cubes (289) it won't increase your torque a bunch.
I think the '67 289 with 4 bbl was 225 hp gross (using Jaraxle's formula..prob. be a true 180-185 hp.)...not sure if there was a different cam, higher comp. or other changes...I have a feeling no.
Just some ideas.
I understand your desire, it would be nice to have something different and a big Ford wagon from the '60's will bring back lot's of pleasant memories for many folks.:)
BTW, like your Superbird.
RE: "What can I tow" question you probably have never seen.
That 289/200 hp engine is not that strong in a car that size and weight. I would say it was the basic V8 back then. A 390 or a 428 would provide a lot more torque. A 3.00 axle ratio would be more of an economy ratio in the big Ford wagon.
However, back in the '60's my parents used to tow trailers that I'm guessing weighed in around 3-3500 lbs., maybe more and then with 5 people aboard.
They used a '61 Nomad (Impala) wagon and a '64 Impala wagon...both with 283- 2 bbl. carbs and they got around ok. But then traffic was a lot less busy back then.
Concerns I would have as others have said...it's an old car, with lot's to go wrong. Also you indicated drum brakes all around ? That could be a concern in modern traffic, especially with a trailer hooked up.
I don't know if there is a front disc brake system available.
Upgrading an old car can be expensive. Is it worth it ?
Those big Ford wagons were very nice cars...for their day..but their day was over 40 years ago.
RE: 2010 Mahindra
Les. Those little stubby screwdriver's with the hex end on them for using a wrench on them to adjust the primary chain tensioner of later unit construction twins, must have a bsket full of those somewhere. I too have all of the BSW, BSF, wrenches and some taps & dies as well from trying to keep all the brit stuff running and as I remember, that was the fun of a Sat. afternoon for a bunch of us to gather at someones garage and wrench on them so we could go for a ride on Sunday.We used to do the Saturday fix it, Sunday ride too..'60's and '70's
BenK. I know exactly what you mean by "soul". When in the Navy I bought an old 1.5 litre Riley that had those suicide doors on the front and the biggest chrome headlight pots I'd ever seen along with the very same oil pressure indicater my triumph M/C's all had, the little poppit valve pin that pops out when pressure builds, only it was on the floor beside the shift lever and it used to leak and p*** oil up my pants leg, now THAT'S soul. Later I ordered a brand new 67 MGB and the options list included the walnut steering wheel & shift knob, wide badge bar for the front bumper with Lucas driving lights on it, Lucas PL700 conversion headlights, chrome luggage rack for the trunk (oops "boot") lid, wire wheels with knock-offs and Borg Warner overdrive. I loved that thing! But later family requirements mean't it had to go for something that would carry more.
I would love to have that little Riley back. Observatroy hill in Victoria B.C. was so steep ,that little car couldn't grind it's way up in first but reverse was a much lower ratio so I used to back all the way up with my dates, to stargaze. What fun!
Back on topic; I'd buy one of those little diesel Rangers in a heartbeat as the ideal run errands around town vehicle & park on the property and slowly load it with accumulated junk from years of pack-ratitis and haul it to the landfill. If something even remotely resembling one of those comes on the market it'll sell well up here.
Your story about the Riley reminds me of my Uncle who was in Cdn. Army (officer). He had a year course at the British officers training at Sandringham , England and during his stay there, drove a '40's Triumph convert...pardon me drophead...
RE: 2010 Mahindra
Love motor cycles, but scared after too many either got hurt or killed
when I was in high school.
My path was with sports cars. MGB, Triumph, Tiger, Jag, Morgan, Lotus,
Ferrari, Masterati, Nissan, Volvo, Toyota, Subaru, etc, and my fav Lamborghini & Datsun.
Not all mine, but wrenched buddies and their parents or friends.Had a '62 Volvo PV544s with B18S engine...wanted a Tiger and an Austin-Healey 3000..could of got either one for $ 1900 in '69. Instead bought a '67 Camaro 327 RS Coupe, 4 speed. Slapped on red line tires and a big Smiths Tach (remember those).
Great selection of sports cars you had back then Ben. San Francisco would be a hot bed for them...not many on the Canadian Prairies, except British (lot's) and Japanese. Always wanted a Datsun 240Z and the early Toyota FJ.
Was one of very few in my group who had a complete set of metric tools.
Originally a domestic iron kid, but after touching foreign and finding
the huge difference in them. Mainly that they had a 'soul' that Detroit
has lost.
In the late 60's and early 70's when seat belts became mandatory, noticed
that on domestic setups, once you belted up couldn't touch anything
other than the steering wheel and shifter. Had to unbuckle to change
the radio station.
One of my worst cars was an Audi 5000S. Bought used, so not really it's
fault. Ditto a Nissan Maxima uncle gave me. Not it's fault as cousins
never took good care of it. Currently drive a 1991 Caddy STS inherited
from dad. A true hot rod, but now the all aluminum V8 is leaking coolant
and show the difference to the BMW GF drives. The caddy is faster off
the line, but she can then catch and pass all the while getting better MPG
Domestic 'cars' lost me in the 70's. Domestic trucks still king of the
hill and still is, but domestic CEO's and upper management killing
themselves and continue to get their lunches eaten. If they continue,
trucks will too be lost to me...I've been largely a GM guy since 'the '60's, but the way things are going I've been doing a lot of re-thinking..may go Japanese. First new car after U. was a '73 Toyota Corolla..stripper model, no carpets, rubber mats, etc., optional 1600cc Hemi engine, 4 speed, optional larger tires and disc brakes. C+D back then said it was the hot setup for econo cars in the SCCA Showroom Stock races...so I bought one. Did go well for it's time.
RE: 2010 Mahindra
Les, we could have some fun posting pic's (if I knew how) of specialty tools required to keep a mid 60's Triumph in top running form, then asking folks to guess what it was for, but it just occurred to me this is a "Tow Vehicles" forum Haaaar!
I don't know how to post pix either...I'm too old to learn.:D
I have quite a few British Whitworth tools I bought, in order to work on my '67 Matchless. I bought them from Walridge Motors in London, Ont.
One of the British tools that would throw people is my sump plug/ fork wrench...very odd looking tool, but it works perfectly on the Norton 750 engine and the elongated, beefed up Norton Roadholder forks on the Matchless.
I don't know about you but because of the vibration of the Norton engine, the orig. owner safety wired a lot of the fasteners in order to keep them there.:B With a mid 60's Triumph I would think you also have vibration 'issues'...lol.
Good thing for as you know it's not the easiest thing to replace British Whitworth.
I think my Matchless Scrambler would qualify for the Tow Vehicles forum...I've got the scrambler 'tow package' which includes , HD shocks and the low geared tow rear end ratio of about 4.94... :B
RE: 2010 Mahindra
I'm old enough to remember these exact types of comments when the first
Japanese cars and trucks showed up in the late 60's.
Detroit lost me around 1970 after I had enough experience with them
all. From British, Italian, French, German, American, Japanese and
two home made (my Dune Buggy and old M5x Jeep).
Lost me on 'cars', not trucks. Though I owned a 1970 Toyota FJ40 and
the family owned several Datsun & Toyota mini trucks.
Laugh all you want, but 'they' have been eating Detroit's lunch for
decades, continue to and looks like into the future.
AND....it is not just the OEMs and their bean counter management, but
the buyers who drive this.
Ben, your post triggered memories for me back in the '60's. I was really into motorcycles back then (still am, come to think about it) and I recall back then that the Japanese motorcycles were no threat to the British and American (Harley) motorcycles, because they (Japanese) would never make a motorcycle over about 350cc.
Or least that's what the smart money running the British and Harley factories had figured at the time.:)
Boy...did they have a wrong #. :B
The British bikes (500-750) and Harley-Davidson (883-1200) owned the large displacement market (500cc+ up..back then) till Honda brought out it's so nicknamed black bomber...the 450 DOHC twin. It was 50 cc less than the Brit's starter big bike, but it put out as much or more power and didn't leak it's vital oil out of the crankcase, like the Brits and the Harley's did.
When ('69) Honda brought out their 750 four, then Kawasaki ('73) brought out the 'King' the 903cc four...it was all over for particularly the British bikes and to a lesser degree Harley. Harley was fortunate that a bowling equip. company bought them out.
The Japanese bikes were faster, more durable, more reliable, didn't break down with regularity...as did the British and Harley.
Now the M/C market is Japanese, with Harley having a lock on the nostalgia market with their antediluvian OHV big twins.
The British bikes...Triumph was resurrected and is doing fine. But the Brits who run Triumph today, are canny..modern day businessmen and learned the lessons from the past. They build nostalgia and up to date, competitive motorcycles which are in demand.
The moral of my story...history repeats itself...if your not careful...domestic auto makers could probably learn from the new Triumph.
Les
BTW...I still have two motorcycles...a '78 Yamaha SR 500 single (copy of the British big singles)and a British big twin...Matchless 750cc scrambler (Desert Sled)....so I'm not anti Brit bike , I suppose. But I do keep a cake tin under the Matchless' crankcase to catch leaking Castrol oil...don't do it with the Yamaha, though.:D
