I ended up buying an AWD car for the longer road trips that don't require a lot of space for stuff. I enjoy my truck, but it's a project, and needs some work for it to be in prime shape again. As for the WP, I found a good deal and got a brand new motorcraft for 120$.

Apocalpyse, I used to drive a 98 or 99 ZX2, nice car(family, but my brother and I drove it). And a lot of the "sporty cars" are just plastic body kits held on by a couple screws and lots of chrome trim. Take the My 97 A4, I could make it look like an RS4 for a 300$ body kit and some headlights, but it's still an A4.

 

My wife doesn't mind driving the X, but loves her '10 Outback. We have 2 boys with another due in March and she was taking about a larger vehicle for her.... well she first mentioned a mini van and I replied with "hell no". She likes the idea of a gas excursion if it is 4x4 and has 2nd row bucket seat.

 

I used to be really big into the Nissans and did my own RB20det swaps. I was even more into the focus (Early models) ZX3 and rally/SCCA racing when I was in the service. I could care less about body kits, I like(d) being able to take my little ZX3 off in a ditch and through the mud and back trails at 45mph and not worry about it

This was the last swap I sold: http://www.mautofied.com/1990-Nissan...ing/100119854/

I think I had a total (240sx shell and all) of around 3k in this thing. I could do these so easy and they made so much power for the money I did a few with friends in the shop on post. I've had a few but that one was the most fun. Knowing I had so little in it and being able to just enjoy it for what it was (an ugly 240)is the best thing you can feel

 

My dad had a 95 Nissan truck. I really wanted it, but he sold it for some reason for a ford ranger. I guess he got tired of driving a stick. All the vehicles I own are sticks becuase of that. Never really learned to drive an automatic well

I think a mud car would be awesome! I'd probably get an old ZX2 and take the engine out and build a mud buggy!(With a massive lift hehe)

As much as I got my truck for, I really value it, but in it's current state, scratches, dings, and dents don't bother me since I haven't painted it yet!

 

Oh the ZX3 wasn't a mud buggy, I just rally(ed) the **** out of it. I was an Air Traffic Controller at a stage field on Fort Rucker AL. and my tower was at on a tank/deuce training course that was about 20 miles long and criss-crossed. I would go out there 2 hours before work and just drive all over on the dirt/gravel/mud roads.

 

I just went on google maps and found my old stage field... I almost started crying thinking about all the fun I had back then on those roads My airfield is in the middle, and about 5-10 miles all around were little roads and back roads and all sorts or places for me to take my ZX3. I had that modded out like crazy, and even put a body kit on it I found on CL just to see how long it would last. It never broke... for long I did fiberglass back then too so when it would break (every week) I would rebuild it on the weekends while working on other projects in the on post shop I swear that thing was so thick and busted up and had so much Bondo from all the little missing pieces that I couldn't find when they broke off it was hilarious. I'd fix it and spray paint it and then destroy it. Those were the days!






Because of the tower we knew the schedule of the vehicles on the roads and I knew when it was "All mine" which was 95% of the time. It was mostly used for night training. I could drive as hard and as fast as I wanted/dared. On those roads I truly felt alive. I could do that on a Monday and the "High" would last me for the rest of the week if I couldn't get out there again. Most soldiers drank, I beat on my little car

 

Why diesel? Wait first hi, new to the forum, I found this forum researching EX's. I plan to purchase one in the next year, year and a half. I have a lot of forum experience on planetisuzoo (92 Isuzu Rodeo 02 Axiom), cbrforum (01 CBR929RR 00 CBR600F4, and Swedespeed (04 Volvo V70R). I also have a 79 F-250 in desperate need of tlc.

So why diesel? I was still in high school when I saw my first PSD EX, and my supercharged hormonal adolescent brain said now that's the ultimate vehicle, I WANT! Largest SUV with unstoppable diesel power.

Second reason just last weekend, I was driving the Axiom on a trip out of town. Right before the on ramp I see a newer diesel jacked up F-250 speed up on me and proceed to ride my *** crazy close. So now comes the decision do I drove super slow up the on ramp and **** this a-hole off or accelerate up it and leave him behind. I chose option B of course thinking the Axiom which moves pretty damn well is up for the task. So I take the on ramp and punch it immediately. He notices I do and punches it also and within a few seconds he's riding 10 feet off my bumper again and now I realize he has an extremely modded diesel, which is customary in the lands surrounding lands of the Bakkem. How did I know this, well it sounded like a 777 jet engine was about to swallow my puny axiom. As I hit the highway the Axiom was climbing past 85 which I thought was pretty impressive for the short on ramp and the decent incline up it. As soon as the highway opens up for passing that monstrosity of a truck came around me so fast it reminded me of how I pass cars trying to better my 929. I don't know what he had but it was so damn impressive it's hard to describe.

So for me that's why diesel.

 

Oh that's cool! How was being an ATC? I know at Riley, they open up the airfield on some sundays for people to bring their cars out onto one of the lanes to race.

I would think getting rid of my quad and making a mud buggy would be pretty cool.

 

They did the same at one of the fields on post I never raced with them though, it was all pilots and they were driving WRXs and Evos. They had so much money in their cars my little non turbo couldn't even compete. I would just be in the way They were just "show cars" really. Had the stickers on the side with the part names and all that crap. There were only a handful of enlisted guys that went and they weren't normally there.

 

Welcome Wrestler Where you from?

 

Now after all that ranting here's what I will most likely be purchasing.... A V10.

Here's why. Price! And it really just fits my needs better. I'm only purchasing to take the family to the lake with camper and boat in tow. Plus the occasional road trip where more room is needed, only 2 kids so few and far in between. Essentially this will be the toy needed to use the other toys. I doubt this will ever see more than 5,000 miles in a year. Most years not even close.

Do I still want the diesel sure but there are two many things I don't want to deal with, number one price from what I've seen I'm looking to pay 5-7k more for a diesel in good shape. For as little as I'm going to drive it the fuel savings just won't add up to 7k for a very long time. I don't want to deal with the smell, I literally can't stand it gives me a nasty headache. I live in Montana I don't want the hassle in the winter.

If a diesel comes along for the right price I'm pulling the trigger if not well I'm going to set out to have a gasser EX that runs with any diesel. To me that sounds like more fun trying to achieve.

p.s. when I get my EX I will be looking high and low for my friend Kenne Bell.

 

Cow town capitol of the world Miles City, MT.

 

The post shop is a great thing through the MWR. I spend a lot of time there. Replaced the clutch on my Audi, and I'm going to rebuild my 7.3 engine when I get back from the sandbox.

Stickers add HP!! After I'm done modding my truck, I'm looking at about 450HP/900+torque. For a Dually that's fast. I'd take it on the air field just for fun. Our doc has a civic he's done some work to, and goes out there on race days. It's not so much being in the way, as long as I can smoke some guy and his stock ride I'll be happy with the work I put into it!

Welcome to the forum, lots of diesels out there! You can pick up an OBS powerstroke that will meet your needs for towing and camping and price. And my CCLB has lots of room, and seats 6, and long as the middle person in the front doesn't mind a shifter inbetween their legs!

Modability is good, but expensive, but you get the power you pay for. With some DIY enginuity, and your own tools, you can negate spending a lot.

I picked up my 7.3 dually for under 2k, well below what market price was for it. Body is decent, and it needed some work, but I already knew that. Excellent shape, you can see as high as $10k with 250k+ on the clock. Diesels age better than gas vehicles. A properly maintained diesel might run well into the 4-500k miles range before needing an engine rebuild. I think a guy was saying he had ~700k on another forum.

When I rebuild the engine, it will most likely last until I'm well into my 50's before needing an overhaul again. I think the longevity of a diesel pays for itself in the long run, it's not an instant payoff like your thinking of.

The smell is not that bad. Smells better than what comes out of a gasser any day, it burns cleaner too.

Winter starting isn't bad if you do regular maintenance. Maintain the glow plug system, and have a working block heater, and use a de-gel fuel additive, you shouldn't have any problem starting a diesel truck under 20* weather.

 

Why a V10 is better: Seeing people who are used to having small I4s **** their pants when you tell them you have 10 cylinders, then they **** their pants again when you tell them you get 5MPG.

 

I do when I can, but the X is my daily driver and I needed it ASAP. Expedited shipping would've run it well over the local price unfortunately.