I replaced my vehicles with ones Scotty Recommended . I have a 2010 Lexus RX-350 89k miles on it. A 2019 Honda CR-V with 12k miles for the wife. The Honda is still under warranty. I've changed the oil and filter on the Lexus and that's it. I'm no serious mechanic, but I like to work on my cars and can work on most things engine, body, or electrical. Just no good at major transmission, drivetrain, suspension, or steering issues.
First off, I know, I know.. Scotty's numerous videos about GM's but I'm still thinking about buying a cheap beater 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 (02 Chevy Silverado 1500) 4X4 for off-roading/camping fun, AND something to wrench on. Nothing over 150k miles. Consumer Reports shows 02 to be good year. A ^ very good overall rating, and a ^ very good reliability rating. Just enough to give me something to wrench on now and then. Any common serious issues with those trucks?
By the way, whatever happened to those places where you could rent a lift or service pit to work on your own car. There used to be a couple places, one in Baldwin Park Ca, when I was a kid (Gone Now). Those still common around the country anywhere?
If you are bothered by the lack of drama in your life, by all means, go ahead!
lol yeah, if your bored, get 1. moneypit and 2.timepit
Lol. Yeah, I knew that was coming. Call me old fashioned but I get sense of accomplishment and fun fixing my cars. Reminds me of working on cars with my Dad. Plus its an excuse to get together with the guys, something for me and my buds to do while having a couple beers on the weekend. Everybody throwing their two cents in. If we tell our wives Joe needs help working on his car, its better than I'm gonna go drink beer at joes.
If I wanted throw my money and time away I'd get into working on boats. lol
Hahaha well said. If you really need a lot of time away, get a real money pit. Get a Chrysler or Fiat.
There are a lot better projects than a 2002 GMC Sierra. But it is your time.
Never trust Consumer Reports. Their reviews are up for sale and everyone knows it.
Lol no, I'm sorry you think that. They are the most famous unbiased ratings, reviews, and pricing consumer advocate aside from maybe J.D power. Let me do some quick research instead of just blurting out statements... Okay, even J.D power says, and I quote
"Consumer reports has a reputation for delivering concise and reliable information on vehicle quality, safety, and performance," (J.D. Power and associates online/J.D. Power.com
Fox Business: "Consumer reports ranked number 1. most reliable auto brand reviews."
USA Today: "Consumer reports recognized as being a trusted partner, owned by a non-profit consumers union." Which means all the money they make, above paying the bills, goes back into testing.
I think I'm going to put this up for debate in a post. I'd actually like to hear what Scotty Kilmer thinks about Consumer Reports
@Operator Scotty’s take on CR:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zT5UYP06crs
Okay I watched that, He did say to the question, Is Consumer reports a trusted source? Scotty says "It is to some extent, but you can never really trust print media." by the way CR is mostly a digital medium now. Anyway goes on about how He had a friend he met once in Los Angeles who worked for "one of these" magazines?" haha okay. By the way Scotty recommended the Rain X waterless car wash, which I'm sure he got paid to promote having gone to the Rain X factory to meet the scientists. That stuff was crappy. It left waxy spots all over my car. So Even Scotty is a trusted source "To some extent".
Sorry to keep going on. I'm just a big CR fan as well as a Scotty Kilmer fan- Consumer Reports, formerly Consumers Union, is an American nonprofit consumer organization dedicated to unbiased product testing, investigative journalism, consumer-oriented research, public education, and consumer advocacy. Winner of the '02 and '04 Shorty awards for Best in Civic Engagement in Social Media - Shorty Awards
@Operator Sorry you believe CR. I can personally tell you, as a former GM employee, they bought PLENTY of good reviews from CR. And J.D. Power? Everyone in this industry knows if you want on their good list, you stroke a check. Not assuming or an opinion. I have personally witnessed it first hand. But hey, if you like magazine reviews, be my guest.
Wow what did you do at GM where you personally witnessed first hand Consumer Reports taking a check for good reviews? Its funny because I haven't seen any good reviews for GM by CR in a long time. In fact here's what they're saying now about GM. "Despite their “professional grade” ad slogans and some styling differences, the GMCs don’t really stand out, equipment-wise,(CR) GMC is a mixed bag, ranging from average or better reliability for some SUVs and heavy-duty pickups to below average for its 1500 Sierra and Canyon pickup trucks." I haven't seen a good review for GM since 2002 hence the '02 GMC I first posted about.
You were probably the CEO or Vice President of GM at one time huh?
@Operator Nice attitude. Keep it up, you'll go far. I'm not even entertaining this argument with someone who clearly has no idea what they are on about. If you think Mary Barra bothers with signing checks, that tells me all I need to know. I'm done talking to this wall.
Haha "I have no idea what I'm 'on' about?" What does even mean? "You're done 'talking' to 'this' as well?" That's okay I'm having a hard time understanding you at all now anyway. Thank you! My attitude is to question things and call out BS where smell it, and that's taken me pretty far I do have to say. {black}:laughingoutloud:
Yeah everybody in the industry knows it except: USA today, Fox Business, JD Power and Ass., NPR News, US News, ABC News, NBC News, Wired.com, Car and Driver, Motor Trend... etc. etc. Even Scotty Kilmer said it was a trusted source, "to some extent" granted. You make it sound like CR is total BS, and I'm sorry to have an attitude again, but I got to call you out that you personally witnessing first hand CR taking a check for good reviews is what's total BS here.
Get an early 2,000s Ford Explorer if you want something to wrench on!
There are some folks with the know how to wrench. Take your pick on cars!
If my tacit knowledge of wrenching was up to par, I’d probably choose stuff besides Toyota’s and Honda’s. Because it really wouldn’t cost me much to maintain besides my time and effort.
But damn, changing a water pump and timing belt on my Accord... it was supposed to take 5-7 hours, but it took like 5-7 days. Haha.
That one is fine - I would get it. These older GM trucks were more reliable than the newer ones. See below at 3:07
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Jx0dWLQSI
I didn't know about the "Active Fuel Management" problems with the 06 and up thanks.
2007 and newer had the AFM.
ah thank you for the clarification.
It seems you in similar dilema as me. I bought Toyota Auris some time ago but still look at AWD cars like Škoda Octavia or Superb or Toyota RAV4. Only obstacle there is money and reliability.
Just my two cents as a non mechanic. I've always thought of getting an older pick up and rebuilding it to MY specs. No emission controls. GM fuel injected 350 V8, TH400 tranny.Or a good synchro mesh 5 speed manual. A/C, AM/FM,CD and thats it. No new tech for me.
I've thought the same, going the route of early 70s something or other with carb and manual transmission. Heck, I wouldn't mind (and might prefer) it to have points instead of electronic ignition.
Reminds me of Some Zombie Movie/show I watched I forget now, probably The Walking Dead, but they had a mechanic guy with the group. He was passing all the newer cars with fuel injection. With a can of starter fluid and some gas he siphoned out of its tank, he got it cranked up! Yeah you cant beat the reliability of carburetors, distributors, and manual transmissions.
Haha yeah I don't know about their reliability or about JD Power for that matter. No, but I have heard they're having problems with their seatbelts restraining occupants in the event of a crash. Sounds like a Takata air bag event again.
Get an old Volkswagen bus and rebuild it. Easy to work on. Transform it to a camper bus and make money too.
Older Gm's can be ok but something fun for camping and offroading would be the 2007-2013 Avalanche. I can say from personal experience that these trucks are pretty reliable very comfortable and versatile. I would go for an LTZ or one that has the Autoride suspension because those ride so nice on the road. They are also very good on long washboard dirt roads too. I wouldn't go too crazy offroad without a new front bumper and a lift though. For camping, they are also awesome because you can sleep inside them in a pinch. If you fold down the midgate and put the covers on the bed you will have a very secure space where the weather cant get to you.
