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It’s a 2019 and has only 2,400 miles on it. No turbos involved. Though it does use air slightly different than most other vehicles.

Again. Further update: Credit Union approved the loan. Deposit has been sent to seller. Plans are in the works to travel to Alabama to get it on April 10th. This will be the first non-American vehicle I will purchase. Import brand and built in its home country. Edit: This is an addition to the fleet. Nothing is being replaced. It has an uncommon but not unheard of engine configuration. However, this engine is legendary in its own segment.

Depends on your trim level. XL's still have turn keys.

A thing might be being did. Negotiations have started, FaceTime video inspections have been done, insurance quotes have been obtained, credit union has been contacted.

I think I paid 26 or 27K with discounts for my truck which was decently equipped. For a brand new vehicle, hard to beat. Really would like to look at the Maverik as our next vehicle.

Upcoming Maverick dimensions spy shot

Post # 20,000 on Random Thoughts!

They both build Epic motorcycles. My motorcycle safety class is this weekend The world war two aircraft engine thing should also be a clue.

...and more reliable.....the worst British Triumph TR-4 from the 60's is indeed more reliable than the best RX-8 so...

He means it's restored in 2019 and only has 2,400 flying hours on it. It's actually a Hawker Hurricane with a Merlin. Not trechnically a completely British engine as Packard built the V 1650 as a wartime necessity. And yes, flying through the air means it does use air very differently than other vehicles. Yes, another British vehicle. previously Drew bought a concourse Blower Bently, and cruised Pittsburgh. One wonders when he will buy a proper American vehicle to join the Olds and the Avalanche. What he bought has actual appeal to people over 30, and will actually stay running long enough to enjoy....rules out an RX-8. Besides, British Iron is so much sexier.

Dammit man, I already told them about the Reliant Robin that you and Albert bought for cruising Pittsburgh....

Rotary? RX-8? Probably not. Ill go with inline 5. Maybe turbo.

But...we are discussing HYPOTHETICALS.... I understood you quite well. I gave you plenty of 'real' examples to counter your hypothetical scenarios. It is what it is! At least we both had a good back and forth and that is all I could ask for in discussing stuff! On to the next subject!

I like Michelin tires, didn't realize they had Michelin-branded wiper blades. I've used Bosch blades for years, they work great.

Not a joke, but funny... Product fail...

Oh for the Pete’s sake David, we have to know! What’s the bed length? Isn’t that what’s most important here??

I could see this in my driveway next to the Ranger. Speaking of trucks, this one is even shorter, but cool. Rolling along right behind that rig... Small convoy of dump trucks following would be cool!

So a current Mustang is 188", so the Maverick is maybe 192-196 (looking the rears are about even, and maybe 4-6 inches of front beyond the Mustang) ? Just eye-balling it..so maybe a 1 1/2 ft shorter than the Ranger (211").

Pretty sure Ford is going to go with lifestyle over simple function on this one. They are not going to make money on base trucks, even though they will be made in Mexico. Personally I think they should have base trucks closer to 20k simply based for the fact they would sell quite well to small businesses, and many other businesses as well. Also sure this truck will also be sold in Mexico as well.....

Moto2 is an unconventional motor for a bike. Moto2™ Engine | For the Ride (triumphmotorcycles.com) OLD,

So if Drew got a 2019 Hayabusa I wonder if he might start to glow from the Iridium spark plugs? ?? Suzuki Cycles - 2019 Hayabusa - GSX1300R Course Merlin Bike Gear would imply Triumph Motorcycle. Merlin Motorcycle Clothing - Online Shop (merlinbikegear.shop)

Don't discount Merlin and Packard. Well...Yamaha does build Pianos... But Pianos can play off key.

Triumph surly has a very interesting air intake compared to the Yamaha, but I would still take a Yamaha over the Triumph IMHO. Interesting comparison though from 2010 of their engines. Triumph Rocket III Roadster vs. Yamaha Star VMax Comparision Test Review | Cycle World

Hmmmmm hmmmmm.... Clues are there to easily figure this out. Several WW2 aircraft have a feature similar to the motor in this...and no David it's not an EV.

Good comparison of the two for 2020 Spec Showdown: Triumph Rocket 3 Vs. Yamaha VMax (rideapart.com)

Okay, so the inbreeding of a Reliant Robin and a TR-4, got it...let's just hope it has wire wheels. Since the Merlin was used in the Mustang, and I like Mustangs, Drew and I must be thinking alike.

One of our members already knows what it is, so I’ll ask him to not tell for now. @A Horse With No Name

Reality is complex.

Tri-P intake prepped for paint.

It's also a FOOT longer than the Rivian. ?

Correct, hence:

I have also...

One for Ocnblu...proof that people who vote for Democrats are not always that smart...

Sir William Lyons and a Jaguar E type...

Yes, but those examples are all 50+ years ago. Irrelevant to the reality of today and say, 10 years from now...

Riding dirty

Some very cool news, Police now have a new Police edition Pickup Truck from Ford. Police F-150 has been beefed up to handle continued use at 120MPH. It also has the following new features: QUOTE The pickup also features a new "police engine idle," which allows officers to remove keys from the ignition and securely exit the truck with the engine running with the touch of a button. The new police pickup, like the consumer truck, features remote, or over-the-air, connectivity as well as data and telematics analysis to assist in vehicle uptime, running costs and driving behavior. Customers also can opt to order a vehicle without the front console between the driver and front passenger, which allows agencies to more easily install their own department-specific consoles. Meet Ford's new pursuit-rated F-150 pickup for police (msn.com) VW has announced that they will get Close to Tesla within the next couple years and then where people say Tesla is the Apple of the Auto World, VW will be happy to be the Samsung of the Phone world for EV's Globally. If Tesla Is the Apple of Electric Vehicles, Volkswagen Is Betting it Can Be Samsung (msn.com)

I am sure the heavy truck hauling members here will bitch about this mini-truck only having a 5'4" bed since it is 4" longer than the Hummer. ? Course it also does not match up to the Chevrolet Luv truck's bed lengths they had in the 70's. For all the bitching about bed length, I see a ton of empty beds on the road as they have become the new Station wagon of the 21st century. I remember before the pandemic hit, one of the sales guys came into the office and he was talking about how awesome his Raptor is and how much he has enjoyed driving it the last year plus. We went down to check it out and I commented that his bed was so clean and shinny and I remember he said he would never haul anything, but drove it for how high it sat and how it drove and the look. Another truck not being used as a truck. Like you posted and a few others, lots of people are buying trucks but not using them anywhere for what they were originally designed for.

I personally don't have strict brand loyalty, other than buying American-company product. I've had Fords, MoPars, but more GM than anything (and more Pontiacs than any other brand). But I believe what ocnblu is referencing is how mass homogenization may dissolve whatever brand preferences are out there now. I can see that among those buyers who have strong preferences. There ARE hardcore Ford guys, Chevy guys, bimmer owners, etc. What I don't have any grasp on is what percent of the consumer pool that may be, but I imagine it's pretty low (10%?). I've never met anyone/ seen online where someone has stayed -say- 75% or higher with only one brand.

Fiat money from the government is more the problem. You print a ton of money, it becomes less valuable. Read the inteeresting and sad tale of the 1933 double eagle gold coin... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1933_double_eagle

I was stunned to see that, since the last time I went in (you know, no more Costco lunch), Costco now has self check-out. It didn't take cash and I haven't been "following" Costco around with all their credit card changes. But it is for those who have their VISA or want to use debit cards. * Windshield wipers by Michelin at Costco are currently $ 5.99 each. I'm good for this season. I bought a pair for next. *

Then add in the greed of corporate executives and that easily gets pushed up to 22 to 25K. Crazy prices for sure.

The Ranger starts at $24,820 so it would have to be significantly below that to be worth it and that is a SuperCab so you already have a small 4 door option with the 2.3T. $28,675 if you want 4WD.

A vehicle costing $15K in 2010 would cost (with annual added inflation increases); $18096 in 2019.

ah...no! Same brand of truck. Not same identity of truck. Workhorse meant for the job site. Possibly RWD only. I would assume RWD would be the one to have for maximim towing capabilities. Wheels and tire combos for work duty. Not pretty etc... Poseur truck for the lifestyle dude with machismo styling cues lifted. Capable offroader. Luxury version. Possible all wheel drive/4 wheel drive. Chrome accents. Meant for the luxury poseur that wont go off-roading. Offroading beast with the same lifestyle machismo styling cues and lifted. And if it were still available...on road speed demon. The least capable for hauling and off roading of all. All different trucks. Same platform. Engine differences between all that I posted. One sticking point that I get is that ICE engines are the souls of vehicles. From a standard 5.7 Hemi for work duty to a turbo cummings diesel or any other diesel for even more towing capabilities to super quiet tuned V8s for luxury duty to supercharged 700 horsepower or so enthusiast tuned. And with that to, lifted with off the charts off roading suspension with lodas of travel and skid plated to a possible stiff suspenioned, low to the ground road racer. One platform. Yes. One brand. But that one platform could be transformed into many things by anybody... GM does not have a TRX/Raptor competitor. Outside firm does one. NOT the same identity as this truck. just like none of the Rams have the same identity. GM could sell the platform to somebody and they could come up with something like that Paxpower 442 Silverado truck with different sheetmetal... They dont even need to buy GM crate engines. They could go with Mopar crate engines. Or they could stick with GM crate engines... An EV platform supplier (with powertrain) is just 1 step above of what AMG was doing with Mercedes cars and what RUFF is still doing with Porsche... Ill keep on saying it... A distinction without a difference no matter what angle you want to take this to. Well...GM will supply skateboard platforms and battery tech to Honda without Honda being under the GM umbrella as of now. What difference will it BE if Honda and GM merge 5 years from now as opposed to now as they remain two separate entities yet will share the same platforms and battery tech? NONE. A distinction WITHOUT a difference... The end result is STILL the same as Honda will be using GM platforms and battery tech either way. The difference will be is that Honda as its OWN entity will be able to spin its OWN identity to the platform and battery tech as opposed to a merger in which Honda will just be another shytty Chevrolet... Non? You see the catch-22... I see it. You see it. We are saying the same thing, but differently. A distinction without a difference. Fair enough!

Well...as you stated with GM over the course of 75-80 years. Durant bought many OEMs. Many were consolidated just before the war or right after with other GM brands. Others were folded outright just before the war or right after. Others toughed it out and were recent losses. Chryco bought out several other brands before the war and right after the war. These brands were consolidated into the Chryco corporation only to have Chryco being bought out by another corporation that has had its own history of buying out other OEMs.... From literarily thousands of car makers all over the world 100 years we are left with a little bit more than a handful... We've lost a dozen in the last 20 years. All American. (Plymouth, Mercury, Pontiac, Oldsmobile...etc...) Only now you are worried about this? Been happening since waaaaay before the EV thing was ever a thing. Marchionne before he died said what you are fearing now. At that time, Tesla was laughed at and was not a 'threat' to no one. We are still laughing at Telsa... But after all the smoke is gone, Tesla will probably be one of those that will be supplying platforms and EV drivetrains to everybody else... There will be a day when Toyoter WILL be consolidating with either a GM or Ford... Honda will be using GM's EV platforms and battery tech. Will Honda be part of the GM umbrella one day? The Ram thing was just to illustrate how one platform could be used SEVERAL different ways with DIFFERENT results and identities. No matter if that one platform that I showed all happened to be Dodges. Toyota (and Scion) and Subaru did a shyte job of distinguishing their 86/FRS/BRZ GM and Toyota did a shyte job of distinguishing between their Matrix/Vibe Toyota and BMW did a satisfactory job of distinguishing between there Supra/Z4 ALL ICE vehicles BTW...

Look at all the automakers building compact CUVs with transverse 2.0 4cyls. Would it matter if the engines/transmissions/other dirty bits all came from the same supplier? Probably not. It’s usually not the powertrain that distinguishes a sale of one appliance over another, it’s the brand perception, the content/options, styling, dealer network etc.

Your Ram example is non-applicable to my statement (since you are addressing my statement). It's 1 vehicle line with a number of variants, built by 1 corporation. No one (including me) has an ounce of issue with that. However, in a scenario (because my statement was a rhetorical scenario) where Ram, Chevy, GMC, Ford, nissan & toyoter all rode the same platform with an indistinguishably similar power output. Might as well merge all those brands into a new "Truck" brand- because there's no competing anymore.

Been in the making since... ------------------------------------------ I have been a fan of General Motors products of the 1980s and 1990s. So yeah...I guess appliance-conversion is my thing. But since we are on that discussion. We are focused on Rivian's 4.5 foot bed, Hummer's 5 foot bed because we are focused on hauling shyte. We are soooooo into hauling shyte that we are solely viewing pick-up trucks AS appliances. Yet...with Dodge as an example to show how one platform could be used differently with simple engine, suspension tuning to differentiate one from another. To illustrate what you already know, but want to cling on to an argument that really is much ado about nothing. And if Dodge wanted to, they could slam it on the ground and make the TRX into what they did when SRT stuck a V10 under the hood. 'coupe' or 'sedan' Again...what difference does it make if one supplier supplies a platform to multiple makers? If the multiple makers could make something unique of their own imagination and style? What difference does it make if 1. a platform by one maker is made into several itinerations by 1 brand 2. a platform by one maker is made into several itinerations by SEVERAL brands within 1 corporation 3. a platform by one maker is made into several itinerations by several brands by several corporations? Ive discussed this matter SEVERAL WAYS: A DISTINCTION WITHOUT DIFFERENCE