Imagine all those lobbyists. They are NOT looking to help US.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Granted, there is a lot that I don't know about this topic.

I do know that when I was in college and a few years thereafter I drove a VW or a Toyota PU, got good milage, longevity, and the initial purchase price was within my reach.

Now, new vehicles are not affordable for me. $60,000 for a pickup. A new van - lucky to find one stripped for that price.

Anyway, there are affordable rigs, but they don't import them.

This is just one example:

https://youtu.be/3l5P7G05SSM?si=hDxE9xb4rAiaB139

2024 Toyota Hilux Champ 2.4 Diesel Turbo LWB Review (On-Road/Walkaround)

https://youtu.be/j2FYCVv9tRg?si=B4VYpZPJhVxpMYVA

Toyota CEO Releases a NEW $12K Pickup Truck & WOWS Everyone!

Lobbyists for corporate entities should be banned from contacting government officials. They are the source of the bribe money that creates and perpetuates the military/industrial complex and the resulting corruption that ensues. They are only interested in generating profit for those they represent and themselves. They are not interested in the welfare of the environment, economy or the general population.

Lobbying a d Lobbyist are going to be protected through Citizens’s United.


Think about it, a Lobbyist/Lobbying firm is noting more than a single issue PACT using its speech (money) to reach out to representatives. The actual communication would be speech.

Now, I could write an opinion limiting such activity under a Strict Scrutiny analysis. However, I would have to get enough votes to narrow Citizens United. I can count to five, and there is not five to be had.

Have you noticed that lobbyists are ex politicians?

Something we can agree on ME.

You have a small First Amendment problem shutting down lobbying entirely.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobster:
Lobbyists for corporate entities should be banned from contacting government officials. They are the source of the bribe money that creates and perpetuates the military/industrial complex and the resulting corruption that ensues. They are only interested in generating profit for those they represent and themselves. They are not interested in the welfare of the environment, economy or the general population.

Bob, I love you Man.

At the same token, if it was just up to lobbyists, we’d be all driving Chinese cars and that would be political suicide
So what gives?

quote:

So what gives?

That's what I'm asking too.

We can see the problem. What is the cause?

I don't want to drive a Chinese car, but one of those Toyotas would suit me.

The main thing is that if we could purchase a new basic rig for $15,000 the US auto industry would have to take notice.

Every time I go by a dealership and see the inventory spread out, I cringe and try to not look. That millions of $$ inventory is costing. us whether we buy a new vehicle or not.

The price of used vehicles shot up during the pandemic and has remained elevated.

Al that truck is, is a diesel Tacoma.

You will never see auto prices reasonable when the UAW union dictates the hourly wages and benefits. They dont want robotics, full pensions for anyone with 20 yrs, so on and so on.
Price of steel, electronics, which has gone crazy in vehicles. Every aspect seems to have gone sky high. A total junk pick-up brings 7-9 grand now.

I am still driving my 1993 Dodge with Cummins, 32 years now. The drivers seat has worn to fit my buns. Everything electronic has been dead for ten years but the mechanical fuel injection soldiers on, and it now has a junkyard radio that's better than the original (but cheap 6"x9" speakers that are worse) A new truck like it would be $70K+, out of reach on my current income, and the new ones don't run without their electronics. If it lasts ten more years, that might be enough...

I have three vehicles. One or the other is in the shop most of the time. So, it takes three to have one available all the time.

The Ford 150 has the least miles at about 160,000. The van has about 196,000. About 5 years ago I bought a shuttle bus with a 7.3 liter diesel to modify into a camper. I mostly had the idea of using it for Alaska trips. I did two round trips to and from AK with it. It now has about 206,000. It has been expensive to maintain. Diesel mechanics think a lot of their services. Most mechanics just don't want to work on it.

They all have different purposes. The bus is my camper and it has enough room for my dogs to go along. The van is my everyday driver - big enough for the dogs too, but not for camping. The F150 is for towing locally and going off-road. It's 4x4.

Anyway, on all three vehicles I still think it's less expensive to maintain them than to buy something newer or especially new, even if I could afford new.

Why do they not want to work on your diesel?

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
Why do they not want to work on your diesel?

Same problem here, the guys down the street won't work on the engine. It's unfamiliar to a gas motor mechanic.
There is another set of tools, too, and they're not cheap.
The injection pump is probably the big issue, the lift pump is just a pump.
I do what I can, but a Cummins 12-valve engine block is 980 pounds by itself.
I can rehab a 4-speed T-10, but not an A518 automatic transmission.

Oh, and our local Cummins guys will not work on one of their engines older than twenty years.
I will not print my commentary in this forum, but you could guess at its contents from Carlin's "heavy seven".
I had to go to the Dodge Dealer on my knees to get a gasket replaced on the side of the block.
They had one old guy left who knew how, the rest of their guys were in diapers when the truck was built.
They did find a cracked flex plate when they took the engine out, a stroke of good fortune.
The bill was a tad over $5k...

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
Why do they not want to work on your diesel?

Mostly because that engine is large and it's crowded into the E450 chassis. It has two AC compressors, and everything is difficult to get to.

Also, it's a 2002 year model. To do diagnostics on it requires a device with software and that requires updates. The last I heard was or so I was told the subscription update is $1,000 or more annually. Most mechanic shops just don't do the update since they work on the 7.3 L diesel infrequently.

One shop I went to did the update and I'm sure he included it in his bill, just hid it in the other elevated prices.

Out of frustration and disappointment with mechanics, I towed it to a local Ford dealer who supposedly had an expert old timer familiar with the 7.3 diesel and the diagnostic tools. They "diagnosed" for three months, did the parts changing thing, ran the bill up to over $6,000 and then said I needed a new engine for an additional $14,000.

I had it towed to another diesel mechanic shop who fixed it. His bill was over $4,100. It did not need a new engine, just injectors, some electronic parts, fuel pump and filter, clean the fuel lines and tank.

I filed a claim in small claims court yesterday - the Ford dealer shop as defendant, for recovery of what I had to pay them to get the bus out of hostage. I have no experience with small claims court.

Bring’em to Texas and I will hook you up with mechanics. No problem.

I'm glad I have the tools and the know how to work on my 1997 f350 7.3 PSD.

Ouch Kabob, that hurts! A skid steer is a nightmare to work on, but can still be done, same with anything.
There should be cheaper knock off diagnostics out there, but if they can tack it on the bill, why bother getting those I guess. Sounds like scrutiny of the mechanic is key..... and cross your fingers your not being played.

quote:

Originally posted by TomP:
I am still driving my 1993 Dodge with Cummins, 32 years now. The drivers seat has worn to fit my buns. Everything electronic has been dead for ten years but the mechanical fuel injection soldiers on, and it now has a junkyard radio that's better than the original (but cheap 6"x9" speakers that are worse) A new truck like it would be $70K+, out of reach on my current income, and the new ones don't run without their electronics. If it lasts ten more years, that might be enough...

Tom,
Good luck finding a new diesel pickup for 70K most are at or over 100K. We have an 07 Chevy duramax in pristine condition and I will not get rid of it because I cannot afford to replace it.

quote:

Originally posted by Gundog 64:

quote:

Originally posted by TomP:
I am still driving my 1993 Dodge with Cummins, 32 years now. The drivers seat has worn to fit my buns. Everything electronic has been dead for ten years but the mechanical fuel injection soldiers on, and it now has a junkyard radio that's better than the original (but cheap 6"x9" speakers that are worse) A new truck like it would be $70K+, out of reach on my current income, and the new ones don't run without their electronics. If it lasts ten more years, that might be enough...

Tom,
Good luck finding a new diesel pickup for 70K most are at or over 100K. We have an 07 Chevy duramax in pristine condition and I will not get rid of it because I cannot afford to replace it.

Ouch. Houses used to be $100K. The money's not worth what it was, although it's just as hard to come by...

Don’t vote for Democrats.