<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/09/24/honda_diesel.reut/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/09/24/hon ... index.html</a><!-- m -->

As always, one-upping the competition. They may not make the fastest or "best" vehicles, but innovations such as this remind me why I buy Honda.

The F-150 turned over 100,000.00 miles this past weekend. So, I thought I'd do a little writeup on the truck and my likes/dislikes.

Specs:
2001 F-150 XLT Extended Cab Short Bed
4.6L V-8, 4x4, 4x4 package
Miles when aquired: 12,500.

Major costs of ownership:
Tires, all 6 sets of them (my fault).
2x coil plugs about 15k miles ago
Idler Pully
Brake Pads (3 sets, current set is Performance Friction heavy duty, no more fading, yay!)
New Battery at 60k

Services performed:
Oil - Castrol 10/40 every 5-6k miles
Flushed cooling system at 60k
Changed tranny fluid at 60k
Changed rear end fluid at 60k
Flusid brake fluid at 60k
Replaced rear window due to change machine falling into it (ask Sean S)

Things it needs:
Tires, again
Rotors
Shocks
E-brake cable (rusted, broke at rear wheel)

Background:
I drive this truck pretty hard. Hard enough to fade the brakes on the downside of the Rt. 33 mountain (and not from dragging them). It has been used for everything from arriving at Black Tie Affairs to playing in mud to crossing 3-4' deep creeks. Ok, driving straight down them. It has pulled car-loaded dumptruck trailers, motorcycle trailers loaded so full the trailer's axle was bent, and of course my car/trailer combo anywhere from across town to 6 hours away to Watkins Glen. I've driven it in the dep sand of Cape Hatterass (past "the point" for those of you that know). It has survived 5 winters and pulled out countless vehicles both smaller and larger than itself. I never stay at home due to road conditions and it has gotten me to and from every time. Even made a trip to Reddish Knob in 12"-24"' of snow. (pics)
Tires of choise are oversized 285/75/16's (same size as 33's) Bridgsteone Duler AT Revos. Have used oversized tires since 12k miles. So, since they are about 10% off I guess it has around 108k miles... anyhow -


Cons:
Coil Plugs going bad is annoying. #8 plug is a PITA to change. Fortunatley the ECU tells me exactly which one is bad, so diagnostics is cake.
Rotors are warped.
Exhaust has a hole in it somewhere. Makes a tick sound until it warms up, and then between 3k-3200 it whines.
Transmission slipps occasioanlly. I think it's due to driving in the above mentioned creek.
Steering Wheel color is rubbing off

Pros:
Still very solid. Solid steering wheel, no play.
Balljoints are all still solid.
Interior is in great shape except for the steering wheel
No drivetraine problems.
Cleans up great, paint is still great, clear is still clear ;-).
Power is good. I'd rather have the bigger V-8 but the smaller gets better gas milage and still pulls my usual rig at 75mph up Afton Mt.
Gets around 20mph unloadad, 13mpg pulling. (Not really a pro or con), just a stat.


I'm so attached to this truck, so my review is a bit biased. However, had it been a lemon I would hate it. It starts every day, 100 degrees or -10. AC works awesome, Heat works just as well. I put it through its paces every day. 9/10 stoplights see redline RPMs. Put it in 4x4 and it'll crawl pretty well. Seats 6 with seatbelts.

That is all.

hey guys, like it says above. im in no rush but im just wondering why my name isnt displayed on the members list tab and why i cant do anything a paid member can do yet?

I don't know if anyone is interested,but the Winchester 200 is the night before NASA at Summit Point. I'm going to be crewing for one or two late model teams on that friday night,and will be spectating/hanging out at Summit Point all weekend.

Was wondering if some MM fellas/ladies wanted to get together and go see Jackass 2 either Thurs. or Fri. of this week. I've heard great things about this movie so far and the first one was hilarious. Anybody interested? :lol:

http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/boa...hp?t=20204

I am looking for a small I/C to toss on the van. Something like a Probe or DSM sidemount. Maybe something off an audi would work too. It must be small (less then 18in square) and have both pipes on the same side. I might be able to get around the pipes, but no huge I/C will fit. Let me know what you have. DJ? DSM sidemount?

Im coming down from Baltimore, and the weather is iffy. Any ideas on whether I should ride down on saturday and leave on sunday morning, or just drive down with my roommate (Boobies or Chris Procopio)?

Why is that not IN the car? What could I be upto?

I lost interest in the series after GT2, but this nailed it for me, and probably for others too.
Forza 2>GT5

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060921-7802.html

"A quick calculation shows that to purchase all 750 cars and 50 tracks would cost an astonishing $637, more than the price of the console itself!"

And the argument that they'll make it this way to cover production costs sounds like BS. Invest millions of dollars to develop an advanced gaming system, then charge people to use the games for it, because it is so advanced?