Oh my goodness...
Well I guess it was time. Y'all will remember that just on 4 years ago I bought this old girl, second-hand, from the local Ford Dealer.
That is the Ford F150. 4.6 liter V8. Auto box (they all are
)
In the 4 years I have owned it I put around 50 000 Miles on it. In that time I have replaced all 4 tyres (about 40k miles ago), I have replaced the battery, twice. (second time was replaced under warranty), and twice it has blown out a spark plug from the head, resulting in me having to drill out the hole, tap a new thread, and fit an insert. And of course a new spark plug.
Over the last 18 months it has developed an issue where it doesn't go into Drive. It selects Drive, but nothing happens. Then I have to select either 2 or 1 (lower gears) on the auto box, and then it will pull away. Once moving a few seconds I can then move into Drive, and it's fine. This started off happening once a week or so. After 18 months it has gpotten worse to the point where it happens EVERY time, and now it has started sukkeling to get Drive even after I start moving in 1 or 2.
I spoke to some people who know about Auto transmissions, and they all say it needs a full rebuild, with some new parts. Cost around $4000.00
Lets be real guys. I don't have a spare $4k lying around. I don't even have a spare $400 lying around
So this morning I decided to take the bakkie to the same dealer I bought it from and see what happens...
I took a test drive in a 2019 Ford Ranger... it was spectacular! But the price was just way too high for me. Monthly repayments would have almost doubled.
Then the salesman showed me a different bakkie. He showed me a Chev Colorado...
My first words were "why don't you just kick me in the nuts?" You see, I am a Ford man. True Blue Ford fan.
But I went for a test drive anyway...
HOLY SHIT !!!
The Chevy goes like stink!
It is a V6 engine, 3.6 liter. 8 speed auto box.
And I swear, I only found out AFTER I had taken delivery, and had picked up Mrs Zog for a drive, that is is also a 4X4!
I don't know what the stickers on the side mean... nowhere does it say "4X4", all it says is "Z71 Off Road". I just thought that that meant it had a higher than usual suspension...
Anyways, to cut a long story short, I traded the F150 in on a 2019 Chevy Colorado (Smaller than the F150, same size as a the Ranger) with 25k miles on it. I didn't put a single cent down, and my monthly payments only went up by a shade over $140. Tomorrow I will call the insurance company and change vehicles, so I'm sure that the insurance will also go up, but not more than $10 or maybe $20.
I was completely open and honest about the issues with the transmission on the F150, but the salesman just shrugged it off. He told me that because the F150 was 12 years old, and had over 205 000 miles on it, that they would just be sending it to dealer auction anyway, so no hassles.
The Chevy still has some Factory Warranty left on it, and then I also got an extended 3 year or 45 000 mile "bumper to bumper" warranty from the Ford dealer that added an extra $4 per month, yes, just $4 per month to my payment. The warranty also includes 3 years of free "scratch and dent repair" (minor dings and shit), all maintenance covered for 3 years (oil changes etc) and free car washes for life. I just stop at the entrance to the maintenance dept, give them the keys, go wait in the air conditioned waiting room for a few minutes, and they return my truck back to me washed and clean
For as long as I own it.
I also get a free loan vehicle while my truck is in for service, or repair, etc.
They made an awesome deal for me. They were having a special on, advertised on TV, $1500 over value on trade in. So I got that value over the book value of my F150, and they cut the price of the Chevy right down to the bone. They needed to get rid of it, they don't want other brands on their lot for too long. The previous owner had traded it in on a big F250 that was able to tow his big new camper.
The Chevy is also "full house" spec. Fake Leather seats
, satellite radio system, onboard WiFi, heated front seats (to keep the pizza warm on the way home
), The load bed has been sprayed with rubberizer, electric seat adjustments, ag fokkit, lots more fancy stuff that I just can't even understand yet...
Let the pictures do the talking
Sexy hey!!!
Ok, so now I have a vehicle that is almost new, and should be reliable for many years to come. It is also a lot lighter on fuel than the Ford.
The bow-tie is growing on me.... I think that we will get along just fine
Topic: Life in America - I made the move. (Read 1305480 times)
