Trucks.

So I was hesitant on asking about trucks on a shaving forum but then I saw Wullies post on his new toy.

Anyways this is a question about which truck I should get. My wife told me a few months ago that I should maybe get a truck for my next vehicle. I have thought about it and I am seriously considering it although I am not a truck person. I like my two door sports car but now that I have a house I have learned that it would be very useful having something that can haul. I was thinking about getting a new truck being that I would like it to be the last vehicle that I buy for me for the rest of my life. That is, of course, unless I become able to buy a ferrari. I figure if I get a new truck then I will know the trucks history from day one being it will have been mine the whole time. However new is always expensive and have thought that maybe a used truck a year or two old would still be just as good and significantly cheaper.

So now my question is what would be a great truck with great reliability and a good background. I don't want a huge truck because I really don't think I need that plus bigger truck mean bigger gas bill. I was thinking a midsize like a Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma with a crew cab. Has to have a crew cab.

Anyways let me know your opinions and why. And whether I should get new or if a particular year of a model is better than newer. Thanks guys.

I drove a 1978 Chevrolet Beauville van from about '93 to '97. Had to put $500 into it for engine work after I first got it, then it ran like a top for the remaining time I had it. Sold it in '97 and bought a 1996 Ford Powerstroke F250 Lariat. Had about 10,000 miles on it. Drove it until October of '01 and sold it, bought a Ford E-250 cargo van with a V-8. Plain no frills model, brand spanky new @ $24,000.

Made me sick to sign on that dotted line. Drove that van until June of 2013, with no problems, and sold it and bought a Ferrari !!! :y

Customized to look like a 2005 Ford Focus ZX3. I didn't want my neighbors to get the wrong idea. Kidding aside ........ :p

What ever you get make it a 4 cylinder. In past years I've had two Chevy S-10 mid size pick ups with V-6 engines and they loved gasoline. Both were 5 speed manual, an auto trans might like gas even more.

All of the aforementioned trucks and vans were real good, but they all ate gas big time. I came to prefer a van. I've always had toppers on my pickups but it is a lot more convenient to get around in a van. In my experience anyway. I'd look for a mini van with low miles, and do a carfax check on it. You'll get the history if there have been any reported accidents, damage, like that. See if the owner has records of maintenance. :gl:

Funny you should say Tacoma, because I have been looking at them for about two years. The different Tacoma models and trim levels leaves pretty good selection. Depending of course on what your intentions are and the type of terrain you drive in will dictate if you should get the 4 cyl or the 6 cyl as far as I have been told if you do a lot of hauling or drive in hilly areas frequently the 4 cyl will save you bucks at the pumps. If you lice in a developed urban area you are unlikely to need all the stuff I always look at, skid plates and ground clearance. They are a super dependable truck. I have been very impressed with Mitsubishi as a company and their products. They make a regular pick up but it is not available in Canada but is available in the US. It would be worth looking at.

Thanks guys. Keep them coming though.

Rez, I forgot to even look at mitsubishi. And yeah I was thinking no bigger than a V6 engine at most. Being I love in sunny downtown Orlando I need something that can handle some really heavy terrain and steep grades. Those smooth highways to disney and what not are really rough... Just kidding of course. I was looking at reviews for current year midsize pickups and both the GMC and Chevy offerings got great reviews with GMC leading of course even though its the same truck just with some added comforts. I will definitely give mitsu a look though. I really don't know how I forgot to look at them.

Right now I am looking for a new Truck. I am going to go Ram this time. My last Truck I bought was a 1995 Ford F-250 XLt. Had some bells and whistles but it's basically a work truck. I have driven noting but Ford for as long as I can remember. I will not buy Toyota, Nissan or anything else made in Japan. (Remember Pearl Harbor and the Bataan Death March).

I am split between 6.4 Hemi and or a 6.7L Cummins, I have seen too many horror stories about the Ford Power Stroke. (and most of the Ford Dealers in this area are Flim Flam salesman, How can you tell they are prevaricating Their lips are moving)
I called one dealer talked to three different salesman, got 5 different prices. (Yes I said five different prices):gaah:

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Originally Posted by PatrickA51

Right now I am looking for a new Truck. I am going to go Ram this time. My last Truck I bought was a 1995 Ford F-250 XLt. Had some bells and whistles but it's basically a work truck. I have driven noting but Ford for as long as I can remember. I will not buy Toyota, Nissan or anything else made in Japan. (Remember Pearl Harbor and the Bataan Death March).

I am split between 6.4 Hemi and or a 6.7L Cummins, I have seen too many horror stories about the Ford Power Stroke. (and most of the Ford Dealers in this area are Flim Flam salesman, How can you tell they are prevaricating Their lips are moving)
I called one dealer talked to three different salesman, got 5 different prices. (Yes I said five different prices):gaah:

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Most Japanese vehicles are actually built in the good ole US of A. Toyota or Nissans main manufacturing plant is actually in mississippi. And a lot of U.S companies are actually building outside of the u.s. Its all outsourcing.

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Originally Posted by PatrickA51

Right now I am looking for a new Truck. I am going to go Ram this time. My last Truck I bought was a 1995 Ford F-250 XLt. Had some bells and whistles but it's basically a work truck. I have driven noting but Ford for as long as I can remember. I will not buy Toyota, Nissan or anything else made in Japan. (Remember Pearl Harbor and the Bataan Death March).

I am split between 6.4 Hemi and or a 6.7L Cummins, I have seen too many horror stories about the Ford Power Stroke. (and most of the Ford Dealers in this area are Flim Flam salesman, How can you tell they are prevaricating Their lips are moving)
I called one dealer talked to three different salesman, got 5 different prices. (Yes I said five different prices):gaah:

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We've had LOTS of problems with our fleet of Ford diesels. Most of ours are that damn 6.0L. I don't think Ford makes that engine any more.

You might check into that new Dodge Eco-Diesel. Supposed to have plenty of spank and get 25-28MPG. As far as I know, all of the Dodge Ram diesels since 2013 require that DEF stuff to get rid of the smoke. I'd go with a 6.7 before I went with any V-8 diesels. The only V-8 diesel I ever liked was a 3408 Cat. Those won't fit in a pickup. ;)



Owned 4 Tacoma pickups. 2 FWD and 2 2WD Pre-Runners. Both the FWD's ahd manual transmissions. All had the V-6 motor. The '99 FWD got the best gas mileage of any of them. It would get 18mpg IF you babied it.

Got a couple of buddies with newer Tacomas with auto's and V-6's. Crap gas mileage. They look good, they're well built, and they'll probably last forever if treated halfway right. They'll never get good mileage. The older Tacoma's with the 4cyl won't get out of the way of their own smoke. Very under powered. If you can find a small Toyota pick made in the late 80's with the 4cyl. It will most likely run forever. It just won't do it very fast.

That mini-monster of mine gets better fuel mileage than a 5.1L 2012 F-150 I drive at work. My work truck is dual fuel. It gets right at 10MPG on propane and 12-13 on gasoline. That bigger V-8 will get it going from the shoulder of the interstate to traffic speed very easily. It is nice not to worry about getting hit in the butt when trying to get back in traffic.

No idea what your budget is, but I'd forget about great gas mileage as a qualifier because it really doesn't exist in the truck world that I know of unless you want to buy new and live with low 20's MPG's and spend in the high 30's to buy.

No it's called greed.

How many miles do you drive a year? And how many times do you haul something that needs a truck? Can you do your own maintenance? Do you have 2 parking spots?

I am a truck type guy but want a sports car. When my last truck started to get to the level that I could not guarantee that I would get to work every morning. 358,000 miles. I wanted to buy a sports car for every day and keep my old truck. SWMBO said that I needed one or the other. I have only one off street parking spot, insurance for 2, etc. and she made sense. I chose a truck! It costs me over $1,000 a year in gas more than a car but I can throw a gas can, chain saw, or a dead deer in the back and don't have to smell it like a van. Small trucks don't get that much better gas mileage and when you load them they can get worse. In town a trailer makes a lot of sense to me. Don't get a fiberglass topper, they are a pain! In town a topper is alright but I would never get one when I lived on the farm. I have a tonneau cover right now and it has been OK.

Random thoughts of mine and you have to decide what is best for you.

I am in the same boat SWMbO says I need to get a new truck also.

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Originally Posted by 32t

How many miles do you drive a year? And how many times do you haul something that needs a truck? Can you do your own maintenance? Do you have 2 parking spots?

I am a truck type guy but want a sports car. When my last truck started to get to the level that I could not guarantee that I would get to work every morning. 358,000 miles. I wanted to buy a sports car for every day and keep my old truck. SWMBO said that I needed one or the other. I have only one off street parking spot, insurance for 2, etc. and she made sense. I chose a truck! It costs me over $1,000 a year in gas more than a car but I can throw a gas can, chain saw, or a dead deer in the back and don't have to smell it like a van. Small trucks don't get that much better gas mileage and when you load them they can get worse. In town a trailer makes a lot of sense to me. Don't get a fiberglass topper, they are a pain! In town a topper is alright but I would never get one when I lived on the farm. I have a tonneau cover right now and it has been OK.

Random thoughts of mine and you have to decide what is best for you.

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Around 5000 miles a year if that. Mostly we drive my wives car because well its a 4 door and more comfortable and I can fit a car seat in it for the baby. I do have a garage with 2 spots plus I have 2 street spots. I can do my own maintenance and I am planning on buying a boat soon so I need a truck to tow the boat. Plus I am always having to rent a truck from home depot for when I do major housework which is quite often enough to where it gets annoying.

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Originally Posted by 32t

How many miles do you drive a year? And how many times do you haul something that needs a truck? Can you do your own maintenance? Do you have 2 parking spots?

I am a truck type guy but want a sports car. When my last truck started to get to the level that I could not guarantee that I would get to work every morning. 358,000 miles. I wanted to buy a sports car for every day and keep my old truck. SWMBO said that I needed one or the other. I have only one off street parking spot, insurance for 2, etc. and she made sense. I chose a truck! It costs me over $1,000 a year in gas more than a car but I can throw a gas can, chain saw, or a dead deer in the back and don't have to smell it like a van. Small trucks don't get that much better gas mileage and when you load them they can get worse. In town a trailer makes a lot of sense to me. Don't get a fiberglass topper, they are a pain! In town a topper is alright but I would never get one when I lived on the farm. I have a tonneau cover right now and it has been OK.

Random thoughts of mine and you have to decide what is best for you.

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for $1000 per year in fuel (over a few years)you could probably buy an old "farm truck" for the times you actually need it, and keep a more reliable/comfortable car for everyday use, I know that counters what you are saying with regards to off street parking etc but weighing up the costs might be worthwhile?

Cosperryfan-After months of dithering on the same issue, I bought this '13 Tacoma last August with 13k miles on it (but like new condition). My wife found it online, and it literally had every option I wanted, and then some (down to the metallic blue color). We drove all the way to Bristol, Tenn to get it (on race day, no less-what a zoo!). By the way, the Friendship family of dealers up there were awesome to deal with, very fair, honest and up-front.
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V6 4x4, 236 hp (plenty for me!),TRD Off-Road package, step rails, fully-loaded interior with all the bells and whistles, including a kick-a$$ stereo and bluetooth. And it can haul all I need; probably the biggest load I've hauled was a half-ton bag of sand for a lawn project. I think it's more than plenty for basic household duties (mulch, cinder-blocks and what have you). Does great up in the mountains on all the dicey fire-roads my fishing buddies and I mess around on. The mileage is in the mid-20's hwy if my guesstimate is right, but at any rate way better than my old Jeep used to get. I couldn't be happier with it (well, except maybe for the payments!). Everybody I know with a Tacoma loves it. And yes, these "Japanese" trucks are USA-made (in Brownsville TX I am told), as many "American" cars are now made overseas.Let us know what you end up with!

edit: I saw where you are eventually planning to pull a boat. My manual says it will pull 6500 lbs., which should cover most boats and moderate-sized campers.

The new Chevrolet Colorado is the Motor Trend Truck of the Year. It is mid-sized, comes as a crew cab and gets great gas mileage.

I just finished truck shopping. I previously had a 2007 Ford F150 Crew Cab that was gorgeous and which I loved right up until the transmission failed at 107,000. $3600 later, I had a new transmission, but didn't really like the way it behaved (perhaps it was my imagination). So I shopped. I looked at and read about every choice.

I finally settled on a Chevy Silverado which is even more beautiful and comfortable than my Ford was. In spite of being a V8, it also gets great gas mileage for its size 18/22 mpg city/highway. I need the full size truck, but if I didn't I probably would have gone for the Colorado. Take a look: Trucks: 4x4 Work Trucks - Diesel Trucks | Chevrolet

Never been much on 'late model' stuff. When the kids were little, I could fit about 8 in the back for jaunts around the neighborhood. :)


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That tacoma is just wonderful. I really do like the TRD models too and always said to myself if I had to get a truck it would be that but like Haroldg48 said chevy and gmc got the whole truck thing on lock down according to reviews and edmunds.com. Im so torn. I really like the tacoma and I really like the gmc. I don't think I will get a ford as the F-series are a little too big for me and the explorer I used to drive on patrol in the navy and I absolutely hated them. Nissan makes a really nice (looking at least I have no idea how it performs) pathfinder called the dessert runner but it seems to have more than I need but I really really like it. Only thing is according to edmunds the pathfinder was last out of there midsize truck review.

I think the Toyota is about the best. The Colorado is smaller, FME and used to have that whacky 'Trail Blazer' engine in 5 or 6 cylinders. I hope they have changed those up.
My last new truck was in '01. Always running around and hauling kids. I test-drove the big ones, but they were so big compared to my previous trucks. You needed a step-ladder to get in the bed and forget about reaching over and grabbing something.
I settled on a Dakota 4.7 and love it. Back seat is elevated and quite comfy. No issues with it yet, save one front wheel bearing and 2 P/S sensors. I upgraded the shocks to KYB Monotubes and bigger Michelin tires. Does anything I want it to.
Not sure if they still make them anymore, but the later body style change later brought a cheesey front end and a smaller diff.
I can reach over the bed and grab something. Highway has been good, 21-24 mpg with no trailer. Big plus, IMO
Gonna make it last. No video screens advertising the thing every time I start it! :D

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'07 Suburban LT - The Batmobile. Nearing 200k, nurse it for 19mpg highway or 20-21 with a tailwind - 16-17 around B-roads, pulls 8000#, autolevel, excellent visability, DVD player in the back, seats seven neatly, backseat comes out in 15 seconds, middle seating flattens out mostly making huge flat cargo space, reliable, superbly comfortable, quiet - prima air-conditioning (North Carolina summers are good test). I am a fan. The vehicle has taken loads of kids, furniture, groceries, timber, razors all over - and grandma (at 96) and two kids, wife, wheelchair and all that jazz from Raleigh to Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower WY and back with nothing but rave reviews.

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Originally Posted by MisterMoo

'07 Suburban LT - The Batmobile. Nearing 200k, nurse it for 19mpg highway, pulls 8000#, autolevel, excellent visability, DVD player in the back, seats seven neatly, backseat comes out in 15 seconds, middle seating flattreliable, superbly confortable. I am a fan.

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Hard to beat the 'Burb! "National Car of Texas'!

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Hard to beat the 'Burb! "National Car of Texas'!

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I like the space inside and, when I really NEED a bed, I hook up the 6x12 cargo trailer. Bought the Burb used and saved a bundle on it when gas was $5.00 gallon.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Never been much on 'late model' stuff. When the kids were little, I could fit about 8 in the back for jaunts around the neighborhood. :)

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Sweet. '34?

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Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Sweet. '34?

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No. A '31. Last year for the Model A and first Ford with a steel top. Pretty original, the wheels are from a '33.
Kids are grown now so me and Kyle ride around. He loves to yank on the Wolf Whistle! ;)

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Maybe this isn't what your looking for , but I just got this one in November when I retired, I have not owned my own truck for 35 years , always had a company truck , the last 20 years being a dodge and all have been diesel and one ton 4 wheel drive , I had most all of them at one time or another , the company got me one every year and passed mine down so I got to drive all of them. The dodge deisel was the better one I had , but now I went gmc for my first owned truck. It's has the 6.2 liter 425 hp 3/4 ton 4wheel drive , and it is a fine driver just not good on fuel , but being is was in the oilfield for 40'years I love it when fuel gets used at a high rate! lol But still the gmc is a truck you can depend on. Tc

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what about this beast?

Had an old international scout down at the farm that was roughed up like that ,, my dad bought it new in 1970 and we beat it up down there until 2 years ago , now gave a Polaris ranger for that ,, the old "binder as we all called them trucks is now dead and burned in the back 40 to rest until someone finds her a thousand years from now. Thanks for posting that , I had almost forgot her. Tc

Also for those who don't have a hardon for Japanese vehicles , I bought my wife a Nissan Armada Platinum edition, 3 years ago and when I offered her a new vehicle she told me she didn't need another , we love that SUV I,m sold on them ,, and she was driving an Escalade before that Tc

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

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what about this beast?

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There goes Ed and his ute! :D

I am thinking an International CXT would fill the bill!


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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I am thinking an International CXT would fill the bill!


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Well that settles it. Thats what I am getting. I might need a brighter color though so that way people can see me and my small truck coming. Im thinking neon green with chrome flames going down the side. Obligatory truck nuts too. Oh and the train horns so that way they can hear me when I honk.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

for $1000 per year in fuel (over a few years)you could probably buy an old "farm truck" for the times you actually need it, and keep a more reliable/comfortable car for everyday use, I know that counters what you are saying with regards to off street parking etc but weighing up the costs might be worthwhile?

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I did the cost comparison. Minimum insurance with only liability costs about $600/year for second vehicle. Tabs/tax $50. One off street parking spot for me. [My wife gets the other!] If I make a mistake during a snow emergency it is a minimum $250 to get it out of impound and they are tearing up the streets in my neighborhood this year so it would mean walking possibly blocks to have on street parking. I got rear ended late this last winter. The insurance company would pay for a rental while it was in the shop and got mad when I didn't do it right away. They wouldn't pay for a truck because I don't own my own business and don't "need" one. Every time I thought about having my truck in the shop for up to a week I remembered that I wanted to tow a boat or haul something.:D My truck was very drive able and the car that rear ended me was totaled.

So when I add it all up not counting the cost of the second vehicle itself. I figured I would go with the truck. My goal was under $30,000, 4 wheel drive, V8, extended cab. I ended up with a Ford F150, $30,300 if I remember right. The GM products would have won out but I refuse to buy anything with their OnStar.

You guys keep mentioning these street parking spots like they are special. Do you guys have to pay a fee to park on the street or something? Thats crazy. Like I said to I have a garage and driveway too. If I wanted to I could fit like 6 cars at my house before pushing over onto the neighbors side.

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Originally Posted by cosperryan

You guys keep mentioning these street parking spots like they are special. Do you guys have to pay a fee to park on the street or something? Thats crazy. Like I said to I have a garage and driveway too. If I wanted to I could fit like 6 cars at my house before pushing over onto the neighbors side.

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I live in the city, St Paul MN, and I probably have a preconceived notion of Orlando as city living. Parking/storage is a big thing to me and I assumed so for you also. I think that I am right in assuming that you don't have snow emergencies!:D Here it is a big deal.

In some areas around here you can't park a truck in the driveway as part of their covenants! I wouldn't live there!!!! You can't have a cloths line or a TV antenna on top of your house either.:rofl2:

We all come from different walks of life and live in widely varying areas. What is important to you may be inconsequential to me.

You don't have to have on star on, in the oilfield two way communications have to be shutoff during any explosion type operation , so those guys either park off location or go and have it disabled, I on the other hand enjoy the phone connection on it , I have been in way too many areas without service , But like you said everyone is different , me I wouldn't live in an area that was tough to park at. Tc

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Originally Posted by 32t

I live in the city, St Paul MN, and I probably have a preconceived notion of Orlando as city living. Parking/storage is a big thing to me and I assumed so for you also. I think that I am right in assuming that you don't have snow emergencies!:D Here it is a big deal.

In some areas around here you can't park a truck in the driveway as part of their covenants! I wouldn't live there!!!! You can't have a cloths line or a TV antenna on top of your house either.:rofl2:

We all come from different walks of life and live in widely varying areas. What is important to you may be inconsequential to me.

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I used to live downtown and yeah I guess there probably were some people that had to pay for parking spots but I was lucky enough to have gotten my own covered parking spots in the deed with the condo unit. Now I live in a suburb so I don't have to worry about it now. Of course if there aren't really any parking meters downtown orlando unless its in front of a major bank or city building like a courthouse. So if you didn't have your own spot you could park on the street for free as long as it isn't like a limited times spot. Again those are usually in front of commerce buildings.

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

You don't have to have on star on, in the oilfield two way communications have to be shutoff during any explosion type operation , so those guys either park off location or go and have it disabled, I on the other hand enjoy the phone connection on it , I have been in way too many areas without service , But like you said everyone is different , me I wouldn't live in an area that was tough to park at. Tc

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If you can point me in the direction to figure out how to disable OnStar it would be greatly appreciated. From what I understand you can not pay for the service and not be able to use it but it is truly never disabled or shut off. If OnStar decided to call your truck at anytime as long as they are in range they can. The cell phone is built into the truck and designed so it is not removable. If I am wrong please show me!

With my Ford I have to sync my truck to my personal cell phone, it is not built into my truck. I choose not to talk to my truck or have my truck talk to anyone.

I grew up in the countryside where parking is not an issue. I still have a couple of old race cars stored at my mothers.

I needed to make money and support my family. The main reasons I live where I do. There are advantages and disadvantages to everywhere. The analysis of everything combined leads to our choices.

Limply disconnect the plug to the on star module , and to resell or decide you want it , plug it back in, the dealer can do it for you too, but according to the new regs if you don't sign on and pay they shut you off from the network which does not let them track you , or supposedly so. I respect your wishes for not wanting it,, but a GM vehicle can be bought without it active, but hey we're being watched at every place we go and we are tracked, cell phones atm,s traffic lights sattelites our mail , our email, and so on and so on, I don't like it but you can't hide, they can watch you taking a dump in the desert around the world,, but all tech stuff aside , I like some of the features , not to mention the cool email they send you on your truck diagnostics , and I lock my keys every now and then (old timers) niw I don't have tomkeepna spare on the outside for someone to find!!! Tc

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Limply disconnect the plug to the on star module , and to resell or decide you want it , plug it back in, the dealer can do it for you too, but according to the new regs if you don't sign on and pay they shut you off from the network which does not let them track you , or supposedly so. I respect your wishes for not wanting it,, but a GM vehicle can be bought without it active, but hey we're being watched at every place we go and we are tracked, cell phones atm,s traffic lights sattelites our mail , our email, and so on and so on, I don't like it but you can't hide, they can watch you taking a dump in the desert around the world,, but all tech stuff aside , I like some of the features , not to mention the cool email they send you on your truck diagnostics , and I lock my keys every now and then (old timers) niw I don't have tomkeepna spare on the outside for someone to find!!! Tc

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Tc, you are one Fancy dude! :tu I seem to fight technology tooth and nail! :roflmao

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Limply disconnect the plug to the on star module , and to resell or decide you want it , plug it back in, the dealer can do it for you too, but according to the new regs if you don't sign on and pay they shut you off from the network which does not let them track you , or supposedly so. I respect your wishes for not wanting it,, but a GM vehicle can be bought without it active, but hey we're being watched at every place we go and we are tracked, cell phones atm,s traffic lights sattelites our mail , our email, and so on and so on, I don't like it but you can't hide, they can watch you taking a dump in the desert around the world,, but all tech stuff aside , I like some of the features , not to mention the cool email they send you on your truck diagnostics , and I lock my keys every now and then (old timers) niw I don't have tomkeepna spare on the outside for someone to find!!! Tc

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Again if I understand right if you "unplug" the module the buttons on your rear view mirror don't work. The module/cell phone is still active. You haven't disabled it. Just your ability to use it.

I want to be in control of what I own. If I am at work and the boss wants to know where I am all power to him/her. My work phone triangulates me within 20 feet. When I punch out it sits in my locker until my next shift. The world is getting to the point that anyone who wants to can look up my refrigerator temp.

This is true , I never like the ". Big brother is watching" world we live in , but it's not something we can change. i,m not a Fancy dude , I just worked with some pretty smart guys , if you take away the power to the transponder , transponder doesn't work ,, and seeing how I don't go out to locations anymore , I leave it on now, heck if anyone wants to find me its pretty easy anyway ,, and if they do I,ll cut em with my razor! Just kidding, tc

Next time I look for a vehicle I will try to find a work around for that situation. Until then I won't worry about the details.

One of the things I don't like about my F-150 is that if you open the door about 17 light bulbs light. If you have the program you can do a police blackout mode from what I understand. The solution is to jumper a wire in the door so the door thinks that it is closed all the time and it takes care of the issue. One side effect is that it is easier to lock your keys in. I have a heavier key ring so the sensor doesn't tell that the keys are in the ignition when I turn it of many times already. I have been camping and not started my truck for a day but gone in and out and have had low battery alerts from the lights being on.... My truck is now out of warranty so I will get bored/mad some day and try the jumper.