Full size hard times

[MrToyota2U]

Originally Posted by tguil

MrToyota2U,

I need a "Twelve Step Program" to kick the addiction that I have to big a-- American V-8's. But at age 65, what the he--. My first bad a-- V-8 was 1956 Ford with a 1957 312 cu.in. V-8 and dual quad carbs -- 10 mpg max. But what a ride! I went through extreme withdrawal during the first energy crisis -- emasculated V-8's and 55 miles per hour.

However, I have liked my wife's three Toyota regular cab 4X4's although the four cylinder 2002 and 2005 were/are a bit "pokey". Her 1992 had a V-6. It was a darn nice ride.

I looked at a 2007 Tacoma Double Cab before I bought my 2007 Hemi Quad Cab. I even thought about the mileage factor. Shoot there wasn't all that much difference and the Hemi with rebates was less expensive. I put 94,000 miles on a 2003 Hemi with no problems so I wasn't that impressed, by Toyota reliability. For that matter my wife's Tacoma's have been in the shop more often than my Dodges.

Now about scooters. I too have a Harley. Two of them. I think that my 6'3"frame fits a Harley a lot better than it would fit a Vespa. Besides that what would I do with all my Harley t-shirts if I were to quit riding.

Now on a serious note. If push comes to shove, I can get by using as lot less fossil fuel and have just as much fun. The days of us "old dinosaurs" has pretty much run it's course. I'll probably buy one more big a-- American V-8. Maybe even a Vette and although it is darn selfish of me I'll think, "Damn, what a ride!"

Tom

Hey Tom... I realize how hard it is to change at our age (I'm 62)... I've owned 10 Corvettes (61-73), 2 GTOs, 2 442s, 6 ElCaminos... and I totally understand the V8 thing... but I sold my 73 454 4 speed convertible last year because it just sat in the garage. It had 53K miles on it, and I understand why... LOL I'd much rather drive my 4 banger Tacoma because for most of life's functions, it does everything better... except look and sound like a Corvette Same with the Harley... it gets ridden to the coffee shop and the rest of the time I ride the R1200GS, so I can take off on a gravel road when I want. Observing what people in other parts of the world use for transportation made me realize that what we use is highly determined by culture.

[tguil]

Originally Posted by MrToyota2U

... Observing what people in other parts of the world use for transportation made me realize that what we use is highly determined by culture.

I agree with this. A few years ago my daughter and I did a wonderful road trip through England, Scotland and Wales in a subcompact sedan.

By the way you sure as heck would beat me in any "most toys" competition. I had a very rare 327 SS Chevelle, an SS 396 Chevelle, a Olds 442 and a Olds 88 with a 455 cu.in. which I bought a couple of months before the first "energy crisis". After that although my vehicles were very nice and all V-8's. they were real pooches.

From what I've been reading about the value of big SUV's and big pickups. I may be keeping my Hemi until the wheels fall off. I'll not be "giving it away".

I have to drive on four miles of gravel road to get to a highway. I think that I might be able to justify a R1200GS. It gets better mileage than a Prius, right?

Tom