they are. we got to test drive one at our local dealer, but the vehicle was reserved for someone already.
I had a 2010 3.0L V6 XLT 4WD which I bought new. Between the two (and all else being equal), I'd go for the '09; less mileage and a little more power for when you need it.
That's where mine started to die out too. Eventually it got to the point where it was too rusted through to be safe; even the slightest little fender-bender would have snapped the frame.
I just bought a Trek FX2 this summer- Love It! But it's in hibernation now.Get a bike...I put 5 gallons of gas in mine when I got it in July and it has hasen't used a drop!
Really nice bike! Love the quality of Trek...unfortunately my old Dawes Mtn. bike was stolenI just bought a Trek FX2 this summer- Love It! But it's in hibernation now.
so I replaced it with the Trek.
I had a 2012 ranger hatchback, 5 speed. Sporty, fun car but 32-33mpg vs 22 is not THAT much of an improvement.
I'm definitely not looking for the gas savings to pay/cover the cost.....not quite expecting or needing that, it's just that if I am going to take on a 2nd vehicle, I want something efficient. I don't want to spend money on a vehicle that costs more than the Ranger to maintain and operate.
Oh man, I could do bikes all day. Maybe we need a bike thread. ?I had a 2012 ranger hatchback, 5 speed. Sporty, fun car but 32-33mpg vs 22 is not THAT much of an improvement.
The problem with your budget, OP is that for the math to make sense you need a car that doubles the mpg (if you want gas savings to pay). Now we are talking hybrids and the problem there is the ones under 10K are old, and a failed battery would total it. My wife had an insight for years and sold it just under 200K. No major issues outside of the AC needing to be overhauled, but it was a liability. Only got a few grand out of it (pre pandemic), but the new Ioniq hybrid with lifetime battery warranty seemed worthy.
edit: we doing bikes? Here is the budget CF I built out over the summer. Sub 15lbs now (no bottle, computer, pedals which is how mfgs list weight - with it’s like 15.5lbs).
Do you have any future road trips planned with the new bike? Like the FX2 model name - sounds like a Ranger...I just bought a Trek FX2 this summer- Love It! But it's in hibernation now.
Good job and lightweight! How does it ride? My bike is aluminum (not carbon) and I too try to keep everything as light as possible but don't want to get stuck out in the field without water, headlamp, pump and a spare tube so with minimal addons total weight is 43 lbs.I had a 2012 ranger hatchback, 5 speed. Sporty, fun car but 32-33mpg vs 22 is not THAT much of an improvement.
The problem with your budget, OP is that for the math to make sense you need a car that doubles the mpg (if you want gas savings to pay). Now we are talking hybrids and the problem there is the ones under 10K are old, and a failed battery would total it. My wife had an insight for years and sold it just under 200K. No major issues outside of the AC needing to be overhauled, but it was a liability. Only got a few grand out of it (pre pandemic), but the new Ioniq hybrid with lifetime battery warranty seemed worthy.
edit: we doing bikes? Here is the budget CF I built out over the summer. Sub 15lbs now (no bottle, computer, pedals which is how mfgs list weight - with it’s like 15.5lbs).
Pretty amazing! It’s my first light road bike, dropped 10lbs or so vs the bloated sora bike I started with. I still have a few ultra weight weenie bits to install, and am swapping to an integrated handlebar setup.
I'm with you about flats...lots of thorns, goat heads, and cactus out here in our high desert areas...got one flat from broken glass while riding on the street...
