Recent content by WXman

From 100 feet, you would never be able to tell that's not a Ford Ranger. I guess if you're going to copy another company, the leader in trucks is the one to copy. Toyota used to do the same thing, until they got sued.

Or even an EREV. Scout is prepping an EREV right now that will compete directly in this space, and they are promising a $60k starting price. If you're standing there looking at the Recon vs. the Traveler and the Traveler is $7k less money with 300 miles more range, which are you taking home?

My first thought when I saw the doors off was, “How many thousands of dollars is it going to take to repair that B-pillar the first time somebody snags that door hinge on a tree along a trail?” 250 miles of range in perfect conditions, means 175ish during winter. And it STARTS at $67k? Are...

I still say if Jeep would offer the standard Rubicon Unlimited Wrangler with the 5.7L V8 at a $59k starting price, they would literally get more orders than they could build. And I will die on that hill. Jeepers are BEGGING for it...but instead Jeep does the 392 engine and upcharges it to the...

The car is gorgeous. Inside and out. They nailed it. However, launching it as an EV put it on instant life support, and now offering an ICE that sounds like a 4-cylinder Toyota Corolla with a rusted muffler makes it seem like they are trying to pull the plug on themselves. I just don't get...

I love the B5. I think it works very well on most Dodge vehicles.

I think you missed the point. If all they want is 325 HP, they could do that with a small V8 more easily, with less emissions, and better longevity. Look at Ford F-250. They're getting "only" 435 HP from 7.3 liters. BUT...the reason is because that allows the engine to last forever by...

324 HP from 2 liters. The loading on the main bearings is going to be fierce. I see this as an engine with a 150k mile maximum lifespan on average, with a finnicky ownership experience along the way. I still don't understand why they do this. You can make 324 HP from a small V8 with ease...

I want to see more info on the new midsize truck. We need specs, REAL specs. Wheelbase, suspension design, powertrains, tow ratings via SAE J2807, etc. Hopefully that info starts to leak over the next few months.

Peanuts advertising is a nice change of pace after that PG-13 crap they dropped with the Wagoneer last week. I still can't believe they published that one on their official sites.

Seems like CUVs/SUVs are getting all the sales these days. A high quality large car seems very Chrysler to me, but from a business view maybe CUV/SUV would be a better choice. Advertising would have to be aggressive, and would have to showcase an attention to quality and premium status.

I was referring to the 2.4L engine. The 3.6L Pentastar is one of the best engines they've ever made. I've had 4, all in different vehicles, and all were 100% flawless. The last one I had showed 202k miles when I traded it in a year ago for a 392 Hemi Challenger. The only repair it had was...

That's textbook pulley or idler whine. Since the idlers are very easy to change I'd start there. If noise doesn't go away then I'd suspect an alternator or compressor pulley.

The original Dakota had a great game plan. Come in with size and powertrains that Ford and GM and Toyota and Nissan just didn't have. It worked pretty well for them. Even when the Dakota eventually went away in the 2000s it was still the only compact/midsize truck with a V8. If they play...

Yeah. Or oil consumption issues, failing shifters, electronic failures, popping steering columns, UConnect glitches, horrible fuel economy, etc. etc.