Time for a new SUV, what to get?

[Gas Man]

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

The imports in comparable segments are really no better anymore. The Japanese put good parts in the late 70s to mid 1990s after which they started to cheapen out on shit. Today, their shit is just ugly.

Agreed. I don't get those tt speak tt the jap cars are so much better yada yada yada. Then in the next sentance they tell me how a majority of my american parts are made globally.

Bottom line. The parts that are outsourced are probably made to spec by the lowest bidder. This goes for all companies of anything.

I will put my gm/ford against any meanufacture tit for tat. The american cars/trucks today are leaps not bounds better than many foriegns and maybe not all.

[Krabill]

Disclaimer - I'm from Michigan and I too have a few family members who retired from GM. I did buy my wife a Toyota (whatareyagonnado?), but I drive a Jeep. My next vehicle will also be another Jeep. I won't buy a foreign car for myself. Just because.

That said . . . I've got a friend in Ohio who used to work for a machine shop that made body panel molds for all of the manufacturers. He told me stories about how the different manufacturer's reps acted when they came to inspect molds. He said the reps from the Japanese companies (Honda, Toyota) came and brought laser mics and spent all their time going over every square inch of their molds to make sure they were exactly to spec. The Ford, GM, Chrysler reps would bring donuts, coffee, and sit around telling jokes the whole time they were supposed to be "inspecting" their molds. He said he saw it time and time again.

Just sayin' . . .

[itgirl]

get a 4runner.

[Rider]

Going with the Expy, end of story. Bigger and more comfortable ride than a Tahoe/Yukon. The independent rear suspension offers a great feel for the road and the 365 ft/lbs of torque will tow my boat no problem.

[ontwo]

Originally Posted by Rider

Going with the Expy, end of story. Bigger and more comfortable ride than a Tahoe/Yukon. The independent rear suspension offers a great feel for the road and the 365 ft/lbs of torque will tow my boat no problem.

We expect pics

[shmike]

Originally Posted by Rider

Going with the Expy, end of story. Bigger and more comfortable ride than a Tahoe/Yukon. The independent rear suspension offers a great feel for the road and the 365 ft/lbs of torque will tow my boat no problem.

How does the IRS affect tow rating?

Is there a noticeable difference between the Ford and the GM's?

[Rider]

Originally Posted by shmike

How does the IRS affect tow rating?

Is there a noticeable difference between the Ford and the GM's?

The Expy tow rating is 8400 lbs and the Tahoe/Yukon is 7600 lbs. Don't know if it's because the GM has a 5.3 and the Ford is a 5.4 or the IRS in the Ford helps with towing. Either way both vehicles are overkill for what I need as far as towing but the Expy was a more comfortable ride.

I've heard that a solid rear axle provides better towing but the numbers show it makes no difference at least not much of one at all.

[Gas Man]

Originally Posted by Krabill

Disclaimer - I'm from Michigan and I too have a few family members who retired from GM. I did buy my wife a Toyota (whatareyagonnado?), but I drive a Jeep. My next vehicle will also be another Jeep. I won't buy a foreign car for myself. Just because.

That said . . . I've got a friend in Ohio who used to work for a machine shop that made body panel molds for all of the manufacturers. He told me stories about how the different manufacturer's reps acted when they came to inspect molds. He said the reps from the Japanese companies (Honda, Toyota) came and brought laser mics and spent all their time going over every square inch of their molds to make sure they were exactly to spec. The Ford, GM, Chrysler reps would bring donuts, coffee, and sit around telling jokes the whole time they were supposed to be "inspecting" their molds. He said he saw it time and time again.

Just sayin' . . .

Unions... the downfall of the "American Dream".

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Unions... the downfall of the "American Dream".

What do unions have to do with lazy executives?

[Avatard]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Unions... the downfall of the "American Dream".

Unions may or may not be the downfall of the American dream, but I believe that co-ops may be the salvation of many of American companies.

If the current administration really wanted to bail out "Main Street", and the American worker, it would use stimulus funding to provide loans, and logistical assistance to workers who are willing to save their closing factories, take them over themselves, and band together, not as unions, but as cooperatives.

Business that are owned by their employees are far more successful at everything, because everyone has a personal stake in the company.

This needs to be this country's new direction, in this new global market. It's the American worker's only hope and salvation, IMHO.