What vehicle do you drive?

We looked at colorados too, but they were just too small for us. You REALLY want that larger rear cab with a kid on the way. At least, we sure as shit needed it. Granted you will have a newborn, but carseats can be a bitch to fit in the tighter spaces of the shorter rear cabs. Just speaking from experience. The potential downside to a larger truck is it is likely to be a bit taller than the smaller ones, which may or may not be an issue for you guys.

Replaced the CAS and starter, she runs like a dream. Gonna clean up the engine bay this weekend and try to get some good vids of it running and driving. 2 years I've worked on this...pretty fucking excited for this weekend.

Finally had some time to get things going. Need to install the wideband, replace the BOV because the one I have is not behaving, then I can finish the tune. After all that, I'll get some good videos and stuff up. When you go WOT and that wastegate opens with my dump pipe...it's just silly.

I hope you left the name of your company on the side of the truck.

Madruk said:

We looked at colorados too, but they were just too small for us. You REALLY want that larger rear cab with a kid on the way. At least, we sure as shit needed it. Granted you will have a newborn, but carseats can be a bitch to fit in the tighter spaces of the shorter rear cabs. Just speaking from experience. The potential downside to a larger truck is it is likely to be a bit taller than the smaller ones, which may or may not be an issue for you guys.

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Missed this post.

Honestly, start looking at tundra's. Not much worse gas mileage, I am getting 17mpg. Momma if she ever drives will appreciate the get up and go in traffic/merging/getting out of harms way. The crew max I would go with kids. Big enough on the floor to flipping play monopoly while driving. Though personally I prefer the double cab (way more room than other brands smaller cabs and retains 4 doors) with the 8 foot bed. Slightly rare though. A few cool options for camping or otherwise modding the truck however.

Like the tacoma it holds value pretty well so you dont save much on used. I lucked out with 6k miles for like 33k. Basically SR5 is good value, if you want any of the TRD type shit, you are better off doing it after market yourself. (And can order the TRD pro grill pretty cheap if the appearance there matters.)

Since you have a Z and would appreciate it, there are options to get aftermarket but are basically the former factory option super chargers that turn the truck into a pretty good race truck... (look at video's)

Tacoma's are great offroad and I wish I'd had one earlier say college days. Another negative other than small cabs (family...) is they have a suprisingly short cab, so the seating position is closer to what you expect in your Z or my R32.

Madikus

Only 4 days til gone forever, you need it. Dat Sun IV





and a SEMA Z

That a 2jzgte in there? Some wicked fender flares, wow.

Genesis

My GTi was one of the most refined, comfortable drives, so check into the Audi/BMW/VW line. You also can't go wrong with a lexus but avoid the RC-F it has some terrifyingly bad understeer issues as shown below at about 1:50.

Your best bet is to go test drive all the cars you're interested in and then make a decision based on your needs and wants.

Haus said:

I plan on some test driving, just wondering if there are any options i'm missing. WIth my work driving schedule and the fact that I get to write mileage off on my expenses I will probably rent one for each of my next road trips and use the mileage money to effectively pay for "extended test drives" assuming I can find places that rent some of these.

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Own or lease (with write-offs for taxes)? In that segment, I'd go with: Lexus GS350, LS460, Mercedes E350, BMW 535i, or Hyundai Genesis (assuming new buy or lease). If used, go with Lexus. Unless you need something for the snow, I'd steer clear of Audi.

Haus said:

I plan on some test driving, just wondering if there are any options i'm missing. WIth my work driving schedule and the fact that I get to write mileage off on my expenses I will probably rent one for each of my next road trips and use the mileage money to effectively pay for "extended test drives" assuming I can find places that rent some of these.

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If you can swing it, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S550) would be ideal for over the road work. It should fit everything but Android Auto(?), and that may be able to be added after market. Most importantly, the cruise control for the newer ones (I think 2010+), can also do some pretty nifty things, like speed matching, and assisted braking. Which, if you are doing conference calls while driving, could save your ass.

You might be able to find some good deals on a used S550. Here are the current price I pulled from Manheim (Black Book):

2012 S550 average $35,000 @ 48,000 miles (10 cars sold in last 30 days)
2013 S550 average $39,500 @ 49,000 miles (19 cars sold in last 30 days)
2014 S550 average $58,000 @ 34,000 miles (45 cars sold in last 30 days)

Edit: I dont own one, but I have talked to an acquaintance about theirs before. The major downfall seems to be the maintenance costs. Other than that, they said the cruise took a bit to get used to, but they dont want another car w/o it and it is one of the most comfortable cars they have owned.

I know you said car, but in terms of comfort driving and techno gizmoes- such as the adaptive cruise and braking stuff - I would recommend a Nissan Murano - it has really cool technology in terms of adaptive cruise that can check not only the car in front of you, but the one in front of it. The "anti gravity" seats have been praised from day 1 of their release in terms of long term comfort. if you want car, I think the Maxima has all the same type of stuff, even higher end Altimas - but they are not as "fancy" so you also could go infinity. Every Mercedes, including my own short time with one- its maintenance costs.

Finally got my shims in for the head and I can now finish assembling the engine, of course they are doing construction right above my garage with debris raining down. It's always something.