What Have I Been up to?

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
02/03/2016 at 17:44 • Filed to: update, reviews, panther, truck, V8

As some of you know, I’ve been considering replacing the C30. Working at a dealership has allowed me to touch many things and when the dealership got a lightly used 2012 GMC Sierra with the 5.3L V8 and four wheel drive, I became very intrigued.

You would know about these shenanigans if you followed me on the Oppositelock Facebook page (Oh God, I think I’m embracing my inner Demuro) where I’ve been posting some photos. Just yesterday for instance I was showing off a lovely 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis.

Now you might be thinking “Why on Earth is JQJ213 looking at both a 2012 pickup truck and a 2000 Mercury?” (Or maybe you’re not. I just to like to imagine people thinking about me) The good news is that I’m finally moving on from this introduction and going to answer almost all of your questions! (I’m still not telling you where babies come from. Ask your parents.)

Being an employee of a dealership is awesome. There is a lot of trust. Like lots of trust. When I went to look at the Sierra, the discussion went a little like this.

Ronnie (main salesperson): Hey Justin! Here to pick up your pay check?”

JQJ213: Actually not. I’m interested in the GMC Sierra you have on the pre-owned lot.

R: Okay. Gimme just a sec

(I decided to start touching the brand new 2016 Camaro during this waiting period)

R: Look fast! (Keys go flying through the air)

He then hands me a dealer tag.

R: You’ve got half a tank of gas in there. Bring it back in a few hours and let me know how you like it.

Yup. They just gave their Saturday only employee keys to a $30K truck and a magnetic dealer tag. Even I didn’t know how I felt about that.

I thought I was man enough. Boy was I wrong.

I honestly had been considering these for a while. While the Ram was my first pick, I work for GM so getting access to one would be damn near impossible. This truck had two key features: a V8 and 4X4. I also could get a rather hefty dealer discount. With gas by me reaching $1.65 I figured it might be a viable vehicle option. Until I tried backing it out of the pre-owned lot.

The truck is huge. This is a small two door with a short bed. And yet it felt larger than our Honda Pilot (it probably was, I don’t feel like doing any actual fact checking right now though). We sold the Pilot months ago, I haven’t driven anything so large or with such a high ride height in ages. And the steering was so awkward. Driving it home, I felt too large for the road. The 5.3L V8 was quick and made pretty noises, but it wasn’t right for me. I tried to do a simple task like run to the bank and regretted that. The one (and only) twisty road in my town is the only way to the bank. And in the Volvo it is a blast. In the truck, I felt like I was more focused on keeping it in one lane and not rolling.

The truck went back a few hours later. I admitted defeat. And as soon as I got back into the C30 I realized how crazy I was. The truck was fun, but as a daily driver it would be miserable. Maybe for a second car or a racecar tow rig. Just not for me. And so, the search for my next car continues.

Then I brought home a Grand Marquis.

Now how do I go from a $30K pickup truck to a $2K AARP special? I’ve been looking for a car for my grandpa. Maybe this would be it (hint: it’s not but please keep reading!)

Am I comfortable with him driving? Not entirely. But if he can actually pass the vision test then more power to him. His current daily, a 1997 Lincoln Continental (again, following me on Facebook would have hinted towards this vehicle) needs lots of work. It barely runs, was sideswiped, and that wide ass is basically scraping on the asphalt thanks to that lovely air suspension. At the end of the day, it’s cheaper for him to sell it and buy some cheap beater for the next few years and maybe 3,000 miles he will put on it.

My dealer took this in on trade about a week ago. Owned by a very old couple who got a newer Malibu. And yes, the smell of the interior alone led me to believe this story. The word “WHOLESALE” was poorly written across the top of the windshield. It would be going to auction at the end of the week. Once again I walked in, talked with the floor manager this time, and he gave me the keys and a dealer tag and told me to have fun.

I felt old. It seemed like the perfect car for my town. The steering was so vague and body roll was so strong. The acceleration just sort of happens. For a V8, it wasn’t very loud. The seats were very flat and low and quite uncomfortable. It was perfect for the early bird special at the Country Kitchen Buffet.

This one went back a lot faster than the truck did. Although their price was fair, he wants to spend even less (people still think that they can get a perfect car for under $2000) so I have to keep looking.

The manager was joking with me about becoming a salesperson. He told me that this was exactly how it starts. I wouldn’t mind the opportunity one bit.

At the end of both of these, I was so glad to get back into the C30 and get home. That shirt still smells of old man. Might be time to have a little bonfire in the backyard…

Thanks for reading!

DISCUSSION (25)

Aaron M - MasoFiST > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 17:55

I can empathize re: truck size. My dad bought a Tacoma a little bit before I bought the BMW, a short bed Access Cab. I drove it for the first time last weekend and told him it felt “halfway between a Honda Accord and a U-Haul”.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 18:00

Honestly, 2500/3500 trucks feel smaller to me. Due to their very stiff suspension, body roll is not bad at all. I hate driving our Silverado 1500 sampling trucks, but I love the 2500s and the 3500(as long as nothing is behind it.) Though, I very much prefer our Ram 3500 when it comes to the heavy lifting.

thedevilinside > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 18:08

I would like a truck occasionally but I agree daily they don’t fit. Also, be careful judging what you can afford based on $1.65 gas may get yourself stuck with something you don’t want when/if gas goes up again.

EL_ULY > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 18:09

awww, I miss my truck

mazda616 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 18:12

I love my truck. It comes in handy often. But it is old and clunky and thirsty (13 MPG), so it stays firmly at “spare vehicle" status.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > EL_ULY
02/03/2016 at 18:15

For a day it was a blast.

I just like my Volvo too much!

Now I’m trying to get an S60 T5 AWD

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 18:15

With gas by me reaching $1.65 I figured it might be a viable vehicle option.

NEVER! I REPEAT NEVER! buy a vehicle with this mindset. I know you are smarter than that I’m just pointing it out in general that his is the BIGGEST mistake people make.

Buy a car you can afford to drive when gas is $4/gallon and when gas less than that enjoy the savings.

If you do it the other way around and you buy a vehicle you can only afford to drive when gas is $1.65 you are going to get royally screwed when(not if) gas goes up again.

Under_Score > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 18:27

As a permanent car, a regular cab truck is awful. Visibility is great, yeah, but no seats, no storage, and usually no features.

Source: I have one, but I’ll be getting something new for college and beyond. It’s a great truck (Ford Ranger), but not practical for carrying stuff (that isn’t forestry or industrial) or carrying other people.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
02/03/2016 at 18:41

Yeah very true. I was only looking for a V6. I just figured with gas cheap that maybe I could go for the V8 instead. Especially considering on my current streak I can’t keep a car for more than a year.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 18:42

How long have you owned that C30 though? Seems like you just got it...

E92M3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 18:52

Good thing you didn’t like it. While trucks work great for most drive-thru windows, it can be impossible to use a drive up ATM in a lot of them.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > E92M3
02/03/2016 at 18:52

Funny you mention that

The one picture of it in the parking lot... Was at the bank. It didn’t fit.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2016 at 18:55

Not long enough. I got it in May.

But I’m not that underwater and my warranty is gone.

And I plan on moving up north and the whole family and myself want AWD. What im looking at doesn’t change my payments, has all the things my car is lacking, and is newer with warranty.

Yes, I am crazy.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 19:03

You may be. You may be.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
02/03/2016 at 19:39

Ha. I got a DD that averages 12 mpg when gas was $4 a gallon. I’m prepared for heartbreak.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Under_Score
02/03/2016 at 19:40

I disagree, I daily drive these for work. There is a terrible blind spot behind and to the left and right.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 19:51

On feeling too large for the road:

That’s exactly how I felt when I drove an F150 after months of my Colorado. Thought strangely the company Silverado (which I have only driven once in the same period) doesn’t feel huge. That said it is a basic 2wd reg cab long box, so...

E92M3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 20:58

It’s no fun having to get out of your warm truck when it’s 30 degree’s. #firstworldproblems

Jonee > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/03/2016 at 21:43

I just went from a truck to a C30 and I sure as hell don’t miss driving my Ranger. And, I loved that truck, I had just had enough. Of course, now I need to transport a shitload of Renault parts, but c’est la vie .

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/04/2016 at 10:04

The thing is. Once you buy a $30,000 vehicle vs a $10-$12000 vehicle you end up being stuck with it sometimes as in the are way harder to get rid of when you decide you want something else.

No one really craigslist shops for a 30K vehicle they’ll go to a dealer instead and shop for a certified pre-owned.

If you can’t sell it privately and a dealer is only willing to give you half of what you owe on it on a trade in it becomes a very vicious circle that you can’t get out of.

I almost lost everything at one point because of this. Where when you buy a 8-10k vehicle you can drive it for a year or two and often times sell it for what you paid for it without too much trouble.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/04/2016 at 10:08

That means if you could afford to drive it then so now everything is gravy and you spend less on gas then you normally would. If gas goes up again you won’t lose your house because you never budgeted “what happens if gas goes up?”

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
02/04/2016 at 10:11

Well it helps that $36 a month covers full coverage insurance and roadside assistance, plus it’s an old Toyota with no rust.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/04/2016 at 14:10

AWD is the biggest myth. Any car with good winter tires will do just fine.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
02/04/2016 at 14:40

True, but its not just AWD

I’d be getting a car at least 5 years newer, with less mileage, a warranty. And more options that I currently don’t have. All while paying the same per month.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/04/2016 at 14:43

From my experience if you need AWD that roads are too far gone to safe. AWD just looks good in advertising & on paper.