Northern MI Cucklyfe: Floating Garage Edition

[Johnny_P]

Damn, I wish that car was 12-15% smaller.

so you would just go and buy another Volkswagen?

[Johnny_P]

It's more because people are paying the prices, so why not charge them? Cash cows.

A TuRD Pro (which has smaller tires, no front locker, no disconnecting sway bar, and obviously not a convertible) starts at $44k. Adding an auto trans is 2,700, so $46.7k. Equipment is mostly similar to a Rubicon, only the TuRD has some extra safety stuff, so you're essentially paying ~$3k more for the Rubicon Gladiator. Which is way better off-road and a convertible...which I personally value really highly.

The ZR2 remains a screaming bargain by comparison. But that was mostly my doing when I was at GM. I expect the price of that thing to come up big time this year in-line with the TuRD and Gladiator.

I kinda think the product is worth the money. It's a super unique, fun, cool product that no one else can touch, and the JLs are actually really nice DDs on top of being so capable. The Taco is just kind of meh, better than the Ranger, maybe equal to the Canyonado... I would just get a Fronturd if I needed a pickup. A JL would be something I'd get because I actually want to own it, versus need for a

Jeep feels more special I think.

Taco isn't a bad truck. Maybe a bit underwhelming in its class. I love the way they look though, esp in orange and that tan color I came close to getting a last gen four-oh Taco. Should have bought the fucking thing.

[wap]

Damn, I wish that car was 12-15% smaller.

so you would just go and buy another Volkswagen?

[wap]

Damn, I wish that car was 12-15% smaller.

so you would just go and buy another Volkswagen?

Actually, I've been trolling local dillers and VW's website and I'm not all that on their offerings these days. Not interested in the Tig or Atlas, the GSW now comes with the 1.4 , don't really want an Alltrack, ARR is too , the Arteon is nice but also 15% too big. That just leaves the which are great, but if I'm going to go that route again.

[D Griff]

I kinda think the product is worth the money. It's a super unique, fun, cool product that no one else can touch, and the JLs are actually really nice DDs on top of being so capable. The Taco is just kind of meh, better than the Ranger, maybe equal to the Canyonado... I would just get a Fronturd if I needed a pickup. A JL would be something I'd get because I actually want to own it, versus need for a

Jeep feels more special I think.

Taco isn't a bad truck. Maybe a bit underwhelming in its class. I love the way they look though, esp in orange and that tan color I came close to getting a last gen four-oh Taco. Should have bought the fucking thing.

My buddy has a 2014 TRD... it is a decent truck but kinda meh.

You should get a Stingah, seems like it would fit your needs pretty well. Go lightly used or hugely discounted to help with the depreciation.

[D Griff]

so you would just go and buy another Volkswagen?

Actually, I've been trolling local dillers and VW's website and I'm not all that on their offerings these days. Not interested in the Tig or Atlas, the GSW now comes with the 1.4 , don't really want an Alltrack, ARR is too , the Arteon is nice but also 15% too big. That just leaves the which are great, but if I'm going to go that route again.

Nothing wrong with a GTI but four in a row or whatever would be a bit much.

Have you thought about a G70? Like a Stinger but smaller... oddly enough with actual cars now I feel like Hyundai/Kia are kinda leading the charge. The Civic/Accord/Mazderps are also nice.

You could get like a 230i M Sport or something to mix it up.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

I too agree that The high end Acura systems are as are the Mark Levinson stereos in Lexus vehicles.

I'm also though since I think the Blose in my car and truck sound pretty good, especially with a CD which I still buy.

My sounds horrific. I think the wiring adapter thing I bought for the aftermarket headunit is faulty. Sometimes it sounds decent, while other times it's like listening to a 1960's AM radio.

Been debating putting the stock radio back in so I don't have to deal with the anymore. You're right, the stock radio with a CD sounds

[CaleDeRoo]

I too agree that The high end Acura systems are as are the Mark Levinson stereos in Lexus vehicles.

I'm also though since I think the Blose in my car and truck sound pretty good, especially with a CD which I still buy.

My sounds horrific. I think the wiring adapter thing I bought for the aftermarket headunit is faulty. Sometimes it sounds decent, while other times it's like listening to a 1960's AM radio.

Been debating putting the stock radio back in so I don't have to deal with the anymore. You're right, the stock radio with a CD sounds

Even the old school aux setup I have on the stock HU sounds decent. Do you have aftermarket speakers as well?

[ChrisoftheNorth]

My sounds horrific. I think the wiring adapter thing I bought for the aftermarket headunit is faulty. Sometimes it sounds decent, while other times it's like listening to a 1960's AM radio.

Been debating putting the stock radio back in so I don't have to deal with the anymore. You're right, the stock radio with a CD sounds

Even the old school aux setup I have on the stock HU sounds decent. Do you have aftermarket speakers as well?

No, stock speakers and I think that's the problem. There's this adapter box thing that you install for an aftermarket headunit to work with the stock Blose amp and speakers. I've read those things can be kind of shitty, and if you get a bad one, they can really suck. I think I got a bad one.

[CaleDeRoo]

Even the old school aux setup I have on the stock HU sounds decent. Do you have aftermarket speakers as well?

No, stock speakers and I think that's the problem. There's this adapter box thing that you install for an aftermarket headunit to work with the stock Blose amp and speakers. I've read those things can be kind of shitty, and if you get a bad one, they can really suck. I think I got a bad one.

Finding aftermarket speakers to use with the factory amp is tough. At least on my truck the factory speakers are 2ohm so switching to standard 4ohm speakers will lack volume and over work the amp. The closest I could find were some 2.7/2.3 ohm speakers. Haven't installed them yet though.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

No, stock speakers and I think that's the problem. There's this adapter box thing that you install for an aftermarket headunit to work with the stock Blose amp and speakers. I've read those things can be kind of shitty, and if you get a bad one, they can really suck. I think I got a bad one.

Finding aftermarket speakers to use with the factory amp is tough. At least on my truck the factory speakers are 2ohm so switching to standard 4ohm speakers will lack volume and over work the amp. The closest I could find were some 2.7/2.3 ohm speakers. Haven't installed them yet though.

If I were committed to the car, I'd bypass the factory amp and do it all from scratch.

But I don't care that much.

[CaleDeRoo]

Finding aftermarket speakers to use with the factory amp is tough. At least on my truck the factory speakers are 2ohm so switching to standard 4ohm speakers will lack volume and over work the amp. The closest I could find were some 2.7/2.3 ohm speakers. Haven't installed them yet though.

If I were committed to the car, I'd bypass the factory amp and do it all from scratch.

But I don't care that much.

It's a 17 step process to get the the amp in my truck. It's staying.




Forever

[Johnny_P]

Jeep feels more special I think.

Taco isn't a bad truck. Maybe a bit underwhelming in its class. I love the way they look though, esp in orange and that tan color I came close to getting a last gen four-oh Taco. Should have bought the fucking thing.

My buddy has a 2014 TRD... it is a decent truck but kinda meh.

You should get a Stingah, seems like it would fit your needs pretty well. Go lightly used or hugely discounted to help with the depreciation.

It has crossed my mind. They are rather large and I do worry about rattles. Probably worth a drive. Problem is, if going something that large, just get a Charger or 300 for cheaper and possibly with a big ass V8. I know those 2 can handle shit roads if you forego the performance packages.

[Johnny_P]

Jeep feels more special I think.

Taco isn't a bad truck. Maybe a bit underwhelming in its class. I love the way they look though, esp in orange and that tan color I came close to getting a last gen four-oh Taco. Should have bought the fucking thing.

My buddy has a 2014 TRD... it is a decent truck but kinda meh.

You should get a Stingah, seems like it would fit your needs pretty well. Go lightly used or hugely discounted to help with the depreciation.

This was basically it:



I think it was a 2011, black with grey interior. TRD off road with the locking rear diff. Crew cab. I passed because dillerman games hardcore. They wanted $20k for the truck which had something like 70k on it. It was a bad deal.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

My buddy has a 2014 TRD... it is a decent truck but kinda meh.

You should get a Stingah, seems like it would fit your needs pretty well. Go lightly used or hugely discounted to help with the depreciation.

This was basically it:



I think it was a 2011, black with grey interior. TRD off road with the locking rear diff. Crew cab. I passed because dillerman games hardcore. They wanted $20k for the truck which had something like 70k on it. It was a bad deal.

games do not deserve to be rewarded.

But I also don't "get it" with Tacomas.

[Johnny_P]

This was basically it:



I think it was a 2011, black with grey interior. TRD off road with the locking rear diff. Crew cab. I passed because dillerman games hardcore. They wanted $20k for the truck which had something like 70k on it. It was a bad deal.

games do not deserve to be rewarded.

But I also don't "get it" with Tacomas.

Agreed on the games which is why I walked.
It was a nice truck. They're very dependable. Nicer interior and features than the Frontier which was the only other truck I was cross shopping. I drove about 5 of these. And even with 140k on the one, it drove pretty similar to the others. Drive a 140k mile GTI and compare it to a new one

[ChrisoftheNorth]

games do not deserve to be rewarded.

But I also don't "get it" with Tacomas.

Agreed on the games which is why I walked.
It was a nice truck. They're very dependable. Nicer interior and features than the Frontier which was the only other truck I was cross shopping. I drove about 5 of these. And even with 140k on the one, it drove pretty similar to the others. Drive a 140k mile GTI and compare it to a new one

They're certainly durable and decent, I just don't get people's obsession with them driving prices so high.

[Johnny_P]

Agreed on the games which is why I walked.
It was a nice truck. They're very dependable. Nicer interior and features than the Frontier which was the only other truck I was cross shopping. I drove about 5 of these. And even with 140k on the one, it drove pretty similar to the others. Drive a 140k mile GTI and compare it to a new one

They're certainly durable and decent, I just don't get people's obsession with them driving prices so high.

juan hunnit percent

[D Griff]

Even the old school aux setup I have on the stock HU sounds decent. Do you have aftermarket speakers as well?

No, stock speakers and I think that's the problem. There's this adapter box thing that you install for an aftermarket headunit to work with the stock Blose amp and speakers. I've read those things can be kind of shitty, and if you get a bad one, they can really suck. I think I got a bad one.

I don't remember the details, but I actually had an issue with distortion when I installed my aftermarket HU and I think you actually helped me. IIRC it was something with the gain structure - adjusting the input/output levels on that little transformer thing. Mine sounds just fine/like stock with my poverty Kenwood. Considering it's all almost 20 years old, I am actually happy with it, it sounds better than the factory BMW system. has a Fusion with a Sony system that is pretty solid as well.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

No, stock speakers and I think that's the problem. There's this adapter box thing that you install for an aftermarket headunit to work with the stock Blose amp and speakers. I've read those things can be kind of shitty, and if you get a bad one, they can really suck. I think I got a bad one.

I don't remember the details, but I actually had an issue with distortion when I installed my aftermarket HU and I think you actually helped me. IIRC it was something with the gain structure - adjusting the input/output levels on that little transformer thing. Mine sounds just fine/like stock with my poverty Kenwood. Considering it's all almost 20 years old, I am actually happy with it, it sounds better than the factory BMW system. has a Fusion with a Sony system that is pretty solid as well.

Yep, the gains need to be maxed out to sound the best.

The problem with mine is the sound quality varies DRASTICALLY with each start up. That stupid little module is powered and apparently has a "reset" function as per the installation instructions. It involves pulling the battery, which I do every year and has had no impact. Sometimes the audio sounds fantastic, other times it sounds terrible.

I'm just over this cheap aftermarket garbage.

[D Griff]

I don't remember the details, but I actually had an issue with distortion when I installed my aftermarket HU and I think you actually helped me. IIRC it was something with the gain structure - adjusting the input/output levels on that little transformer thing. Mine sounds just fine/like stock with my poverty Kenwood. Considering it's all almost 20 years old, I am actually happy with it, it sounds better than the factory BMW system. has a Fusion with a Sony system that is pretty solid as well.

Yep, the gains need to be maxed out to sound the best.

The problem with mine is the sound quality varies DRASTICALLY with each start up. That stupid little module is powered and apparently has a "reset" function as per the installation instructions. It involves pulling the battery, which I do every year and has had no impact. Sometimes the audio sounds fantastic, other times it sounds terrible.

I'm just over this cheap aftermarket garbage.

Yeah... that sucks. Mine is totally fine. Maybe you just need a new $5 box? I would hate to lose BT.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Yep, the gains need to be maxed out to sound the best.

The problem with mine is the sound quality varies DRASTICALLY with each start up. That stupid little module is powered and apparently has a "reset" function as per the installation instructions. It involves pulling the battery, which I do every year and has had no impact. Sometimes the audio sounds fantastic, other times it sounds terrible.

I'm just over this cheap aftermarket garbage.

Yeah... that sucks. Mine is totally fine. Maybe you just need a new $5 box? I would hate to lose BT.

The box is $60

This bullshit:

https://www.amazon.com/Axxess-XSVI-2004 ... JTY88CJ0PE

I too would hate to lose BT. It's the whole reason I switched to the aftermarket stereo.

[Johnny_P]

This was basically it:



I think it was a 2011, black with grey interior. TRD off road with the locking rear diff. Crew cab. I passed because dillerman games hardcore. They wanted $20k for the truck which had something like 70k on it. It was a bad deal.

That truck is still $20k.

Shit doesn't make any god damn sense. "The four-oh is better " - Olds

[Apex]

Mod

[D Griff]

Yeah... that sucks. Mine is totally fine. Maybe you just need a new $5 box? I would hate to lose BT.

The box is $60

This bullshit:

https://www.amazon.com/Axxess-XSVI-2004 ... JTY88CJ0PE

I too would hate to lose BT. It's the whole reason I switched to the aftermarket stereo.

Was going to suggest Crutchfield, but it is still pricey: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120SVI200 ... rface.html

It was super cheap as an add on with my HU...