Shopping

[thewarden86]

I happen to have in my possession the 2010 (last years edition) of the Consumer Reports buying guide. It has most used cars back to 2000 and all the top appliances, cell phones, TVs, etc.

Should you need anything looked up in the next few days, feel free to hit me up. We're currently car shopping.

[K-Dog]

15 + years in automotive / collision repair I have a pretty good grasp on cars out there.

Lemmie know if you want any opinions.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1294800750' post='601735']
15 + years in automotive / collision repair I have a pretty good grasp on cars out there.

Lemmie know if you want any opinions.
[/quote]

Appreciated Dog. I may hit you up on a front end suspension issue I've yet to troubleshoot on my F150 actually. lol

She (the boss) wants a Ford Escape. I've heard good things from folks who own then/have owned them and they rated good in consumer reports. I was trying to get her into a Hyundai Santa Fe, but she's not having it. lol

[TreTheRaven]

Dodge Charger. She makes my heart melt.

Hit me up, please.

[H8R]

I too am a CAR/Truck enthusiast who ran and automotive shop for a good bit of time and it was the family biz. I'm well versed on potential problems with certain vehicles.

As for the F150 squeaky front end, have you peaked and the Sway bar endlinks?

The Escape is a pretty decent little deal, My mom had a Mazda Tribute ( same car, different badge). Never gave her a lick of problems and had a pretty peppy engine too ( as comparing it to other X-overs).

[thewarden86]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1294805884' post='601794']
Dodge Charger. She makes my heart melt.

Hit me up, please.
[/quote]

Sure, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. Books on my desk and I'm not going into work today. Any particular year?


[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1294835184' post='601907']
I too am a CAR/Truck enthusiast who ran and automotive shop for a good bit of time and it was the family biz. I'm well versed on potential problems with certain vehicles.

As for the F150 squeaky front end, have you peaked and the Sway bar endlinks?

The Escape is a pretty decent little deal, My mom had a Mazda Tribute ( same car, different badge). Never gave her a lick of problems and had a pretty peppy engine too ( as comparing it to other X-overs).
[/quote]


It's not a squeak. It's metal on metal. I'm thinking bushing or tie-rod end, but I need to take the load off the suspension and I don't have a floor jack.....plus we just got about 8 more inches of snow I am also without a garage. lol

[H8R]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1294849040' post='602022']
Sure, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. Books on my desk and I'm not going into work today. Any particular year?





It's not a squeak. It's metal on metal. I'm thinking bushing or tie-rod end, but I need to take the load off the suspension and I don't have a floor jack.....plus we just got about 8 more inches of snow I am also without a garage. lol
[/quote]

Metal to metal? Does it sound like it's roaring ( if that makes sense?) If so, Ball-joints/wheel bearings might be going out. BE CAREFUL!!

[K-Dog]

Escape is a good option. Ford is the only domestic product I can recommended with a clear conscious. I am very, very hip on the new Hyundai stuff. My folks just got an 2011 Sonata and that thing, bang for the buck is pretty out standing.

Metal on metal still could be the end links on the 150. I have seen that more often than not.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1294858645' post='602165']
Metal to metal? Does it sound like it's roaring ( if that makes sense?) If so, Ball-joints/wheel bearings might be going out. BE CAREFUL!!
[/quote]

I'm sorry, I should have given a little more detail. It's not a continuous grinding, more like a periodic clanking. Know the sound worn out u-joints make when you put a car in gear? Like that but you can feel it in the steering wheel (though its not in the column, I checked). Definitely left front suspension.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1294944017' post='602910']
I'm sorry, I should have given a little more detail. It's not a continuous grinding, more like a periodic clanking. Know the sound worn out u-joints make when you put a car in gear? Like that but you can feel it in the steering wheel (though its not in the column, I checked). Definitely left front suspension.
[/quote]
Clearly its the flux capacitor....give that a look see. If its leaking, replace it

[thewarden86]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1294960889' post='603203']
Clearly its the flux capacitor....give that a look see. If its leaking, replace it
[/quote]




How'd you like 1.21 giga-watts up your flux capacitor, funny man?

[1/28/01]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1294961574' post='603218']



How'd you like 1.21 giga-watts up your flux capacitor, funny man?
[/quote]
"You don't have the technology or the steady hands to pull off a procedure like that, so ha!"

[thewarden86]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1294961866' post='603226']
"You don't have the technology or the steady hands to pull off a procedure like that, so ha!"
[/quote]

*sigh* "You pumpkin pie hair cutted freak!"

[1/28/01]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1294963012' post='603245']
*sigh* "You pumpkin pie hair cutted freak!"
[/quote]
Ha, classic movie.....sorry for the thread hijack.

Still getting used to posting again. Being absent for 3 weeks had me confused there for a bit.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1294967955' post='603328']
Ha, classic movie.....sorry for the thread hijack.

[b]Still getting used to posting again. Being absent for 3 weeks had me confused there for a bit.[/b]
[/quote]

Consider yourself counseled then. lol

[H8R]

Is the truck 4X4?

[TreTheRaven]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1294849040' post='602022']
Sure, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. Books on my desk and I'm not going into work today. Any particular year?





It's not a squeak. It's metal on metal. I'm thinking bushing or tie-rod end, but I need to take the load off the suspension and I don't have a floor jack.....plus we just got about 8 more inches of snow I am also without a garage. lol
[/quote]

Let's go with 2008, please. Thanks! Greatly appreciated.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1295034215' post='603858']
Let's go with 2008, please. Thanks! Greatly appreciated.
[/quote]

No problem. I need to wait until things settle down here, but I will check it out in about an hour or so. Sound good?

[TreTheRaven]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1295037379' post='603921']
No problem. I need to wait until things settle down here, but I will check it out in about an hour or so. Sound good?
[/quote]

Sounds good to me. Thanks for doing this, btw. Greatly appreciated.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1295045786' post='604081']
Sounds good to me. Thanks for doing this, btw. Greatly appreciated.
[/quote]

DAMN! I forgot to grab the book from the truck (put it in there last night). I'll go grab it right now! ...

[thewarden86]

Okay, the 2008 Dodge Charger was not reviewed. However, the [b]2007[/b] rated as follows:

Potential Trouble Spots ---- Grade

Engine Major ---- Well Above Average

Engine Minor ---- Well Above Average

Engine Cooling ---- Well Above Average

Trans. Major ---- Well Above Average

Trans. Minor ---- Well Below Average

Drive System ---- Average

Fuel System ---- Average

Electrical ---- Average

Climate System ---- Average

Suspension ---- Well Above Average

Brakes ---- Well Below Average

Exhaust ---- Well Above Average

Paint/Trim ---- Well Above Average

Body Integrity ---- Above Average

Body Hardware ---- Above Average

Power Equipment ---- Above Average

Audio System ---- Above Average

Overall ---- Average

So only two spots below average keeping it from being above average (Don't worry that it's not overall of well above average - I think they reserve that for Japanese Hybrid imports).

The Trans minor is probably something stupid like a monitoring switch or something (check recalls). Not sure about the Brake issues, but a Charger forum would likely have some info.

Hope that helps!