| Author |
Message |
Linda Asberry
Moderator
Username: Linda
Post Number: 22
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 8:39 pm: | |
'seems I really struct a chord! I really do appreciate the input from each of you. I hate trading vehicles and the only person I know with a vehicle older than mine is Chuck's bumperless Jeep. No slur intended Chuck--they're both paid for! Ride better that way.
I have an extended cab Chevrolet pickup--see Ghost, there are some things even you don't know. Since I am a self-respecting Texan, I just have to have one. But I worked Chicago a couple of years ago out of it and I was miserable! my bank account groaned every time I gassed up and I decided it wasn't worth it. So I parked it in my 80 year old mother's drive and she hauls feed for her livestock in it. Fitting! |
Kile Anderson
Registered User
Username: Kileanderson
Post Number: 141
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 17, 2002 - 4:04 pm: | |
Well, I've been detailing cars to make ends meet lately so I haven't had much time to contribute to the discussion (That is if you can count my rants as contributions). I've been looking at every vehicle on the used car lots and I can tell you I have considered them all.
Right now I drive a 1996 Toyota 4runner. I purchased it when I was still in sales and used it as a mobile office then and now that I've been chasing storms for the past 3 years it has served me well in that capacity as well. It has well over 100K miles and can probably go another 200K if I want it to. The problem is, it can't easily carry a 2 story ladder. It does have a rather small luggage rack on top but it doesn't lend itself to easy loading and unloading of a ladder, especially when you care as much about your paint job as I do. It also has a very stiff ride which when I was in my mid 20's wasn't bad, but now that I've passed the big 3-0 I would like a little softer ride.
My dream vehicle after realy shopping around is the F-250 4x4 crew cab with the V-8 Diesel. I hear from owners of the vehicle that it gets over 20 mpg on the hwy. The crew cab is good for keeping clothes and other sensitive gear dry and also good for dragging other road weary storm troopers down to the local Outback Steakhouse for the weekly carnivore feast. The bed can be fitted with a tool box and ladder rack to carry all the essentials and the large center console makes for a great desk/computer stand.
I realize the price tag on such a luxurious mobile office is well into the upper 30's even for a late model used machine, but you can put 300K or more on that diesel engine.
But, unless the goddess of hail and hurricanes blesses us with numerous appearances this year, I'll have to stick with the 4runner. |
David P Bennett
Registered User
Username: Whitey
Post Number: 32
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 17, 2002 - 8:35 am: | |
I gotta jump in here on the vehicles. Just from personal experience mind you. I/ve used various cars with fold up ladders in the trunk and had materials and supplies in the back seat and maps and so forth in the front. Decided I was tired of waiting on contractors for a two story ladder so I went to a Dodge Dakota extended cab, V6. Could hall all computer necessaries in the back seat with luggage and so forth in the bed. A ladder rack and a separate outlet for the laptop and I was in heaven. (4x4 of course, as there were plenty of dirt and gravel drives or fields to go through to get to the property)and now.
Well I went up to the Dodge 1500 Quad Cab. Large center console for setting lap top on or writing on. With quad cab access is easy to misc supplies in the back, maps, siding & roof samples, policies, chalk, tapes etc. Ladder rack in the bed for two story and one story ladder, plenty of room to hall all necassary electronics and gear when heading to next assignment and the ride, well I would compare to a Lincoln. Of course its a 4x4, don't do much offroading, but when the conditions call for it I don't have to wait for dry ground. Mileage, well I do a lot of towing with boats, jet skis and motorcycles so I have the V8 5.9L, which gets about 15 to 17 mpg. If you don't do a lot of towing, then the smaller engine would suit you and the mileage is much better 20 to 22 I think. |
Tom Strickland
Registered User
Username: Toms
Post Number: 35
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 17, 2002 - 4:40 am: | |
I don't disagree with Chuck due to his ride, however,a suggestion, I have had explorers since 84 and they do fine, hold "all" I need, (no, I don't look like a painter while on the road), but also "all" I need is enclosed and not in the back of a pick or under a camper, etc.I have heard about rough riding but when I ask about the tires I find they (come from factory with)the "off-road" or "all terrain" tires that come with it. When I get one I have them put a "good" ole road radial on and no problems. Just a simple suggestion and as usual IMHO!!!
Happy St.Pat's!!!!! |
Chuck Deaton
Registered User
Username: Chuckdeaton
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 16, 2002 - 10:57 am: | |
Linda, Ron, Jim and I rode, roundtrip, from Dallas to Phoenix, in a 2002 Explorer. My suggestion would be to test an Explorer extensively before buying. I would rate the ride quality as "poor."
My teeth were loose when we got home. |
joseph m lombardo jr
Registered User
Username: Jlombardo
Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 16, 2002 - 7:41 am: | |
Linda, My vote is for the Chevrolet Trailblazer with the powerful and fairly economical in-line 6 cyl.---it produces 270 hp, so if you need to tow sometyhing reasonable, it has the power to do so.The distance from the closed tailgate to the front seat is about 5'8''-long enough to store a Little Giant--22' overall model. The trailblazer handles well and is much easier to park than a PU or Lincoln...especially in a city like Chicago....it is a nice rig..... |
Ghostbuster
Member
Username: Ghostbuster
Post Number: 228
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 9:35 pm: | |
Uh-Oh...this is a-gonna provoke the herd. You wanna go to SUV-land? Let's review first.
Just what do you, (and us, too), want in a trooping vehicle? We want long haul comfort, cargo space for our considerable gear, rugged dependability, reasonable fuel economy, and front seat space for our work functions and stuff. It comes down to we need a rolling office/living room. In other words, your Lincoln.
Many of us use pickup trucks for these same reasons. Some use the GM Tahoe/Suburbans or Ford Expeditions. My BOSS, (Wife), uses a 97 Expedition as her work car. With the SMALL 4.6-V8 with the 3.31 rear end ratio, it gets about 22mpg out on the open road. My 97 F150 with the same engine but a 3.55 ratio gets about 20.5mpg. With a SUV's higher center of gravity, it's harder to get in and out of it and the springs give a stiffer ride than my truck. The large SUV's are all heavier vehicles than the trucks they are based on. Their true intent is to provide offroad capability.
Here's a question, how often do we go off-roading out on storm? And, would we really want to? Well, not this little red hen, and in fact, neither do you.
While I do use a truck, (Hey, I am a Texan), given my druthers, a large standard sedan like the big Fords, Mercury, or Lincoln with rear wheel drive fits our requirements. Here's an idea for an interesting car, just up the street is a place that sells ex-police detective Ford Police Interceptors complete with the spotlight and all the cop-car goodies.
Wouldn't that be a hoot? |
Linda Asberry
Moderator
Username: Linda
Post Number: 21
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 11:21 pm: | |
Ghost, glad to see you alive and kicking, even if it is the trunk of my car. But it would seem even then you had some reading material with you.
Been thinking about getting a SUV, whada you think?
For all those Texas adjusters, just remember it may take until ca September 2003 to get rid of all the current policies. |
Tom Strickland
Registered User
Username: Toms
Post Number: 30
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 7:59 pm: | |
As usual when the "GHOST" posts, everyone listens, and also as usual thinks, and when the truth is spoken it's like the old saying "what the eye sees, the heart believes".
Thanks Ghost
 |
John Durham
Registered User
Username: Johnd
Post Number: 43
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 7:39 pm: | |
Mark, the heck with reserves, they better start thinking about CAP and SURPLUS... |
D Wong Whey
Registered User
Username: Dwongwhey
Post Number: 77
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 11:10 am: | |
Just Thank God that Linda doesn't drink and drive Ghost.................... |
mark salmon
Registered User
Username: Olderthendirt
Post Number: 144
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 10:17 am: | |
And we know that no Insurer would ever increase reserves just before year end. |
Bill Richard
Registered User
Username: Billr
Post Number: 6
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 8:34 am: | |
Hey Ghost,
Do you think that Big Reds 5 billion had anything to do with handleing telephone claims up to 10k or giving the contractors a home depot credit card and only a dollar amount on a shopping list instead of a material count. |
Ghostbuster
Member
Username: Ghostbuster
Post Number: 226
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 10:57 pm: | |
I'm still here, just been hiding out in the trunk of Linda's Lincoln. Last Friday I thought she would never stop so I could go behind the bush!!!
Here are some wry observations from my current foray. I, both choke on my bile and prit near die laughing over the openly fraudulent practices of the professional plumbers out on the job in the neighborhoods. I know they are 'PROFESSIONAL PLUMBERS' because that is what is written on the side of their vans. I saw one of their heroes emerge wearing a worthless excuse for a HAZMAT suit and respirator. In fact, the suit was a thin cotton jumpsuit with a hood. It provides less filtering protection than Jim Flynts old skivvies. The breathing filter over his nose was the 4 for a dollar kind you get at the Dollar General store. This ensemble was strictly for show. It had NO protective virtues. This is what you mold folks are spending money on.
Soooo, Big Red spent $Five Billion last year, huh? And they are blaming it on a spring storm?? Nice try kiddies, but we all know that's a lie, you spent it in Texas on mold!! This is why we all here should have got into Public Relations and become spokespersons. Where else coud you work telling lies and spins and getting pay raises for coming up with a new whopper? Not to mention all the plush perks we never hear about and they don't even carry a ladder in their cars.
Lastly, I am seeing that the Farmers agents are flushing their FIG policies into a carrier called Texas Select Lloyds out of Tampa, Florida. It's really kinda of awe inspiring to see this touching DIS-loyalty to the big FIG. It looks like in about six months it's a gonna be a great time to be a FIG property adjuster, cause there ain't gonna be a whole lot to do. On the other side of the coin, a smart vendor might oughta go on a road trip to Tampa and visit the new player out here with ALL of the ex-FIG policyholders. I'm not kidding about this, the Big FIG is being stripped and it's going to Texas Select Lloyds. On your mark, get set, GO!
Well, back into the trunk I go. I just wish Linda would slow down for those speed bumps.
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mark salmon
Registered User
Username: Olderthendirt
Post Number: 143
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 10:12 pm: | |
Please come home Ghost we miss you, hopefully you are working. |
Linda Asberry
Moderator
Username: Linda
Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, March 04, 2002 - 8:56 pm: | |
Where is Ghostbuster? I miss his posts and prose.
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