US pickup truck buyers demanding more luxury

ABC News ^ | October 12, 2017 | Dee-Ann Durbin, Automotive Writer, The Associated Press

[Vaquero]

I’m waiting for that Arthur C Clarke space elevator utilizing carbon fiber filaments strung from the equator to a geosynchronous space station.

[Future Snake Eater]

How many people can drive a manual now?

How many are even made anymore? This is not a "these damn kids today" thing. They're just not at all common which means few have any chance of experience with a manual transmission.

[Spktyr]

That wasn’t carbon fiber but carbon nanotubes that he postulated. Carbon nanotubes do have the strength but are very hard to make at current. Carbon fibers don’t have the strength.

[Spktyr]

The number one vehicle type with manual transmissions on the road today are motorcycles - and even there, automatic/DCT transmissions are starting to make inroads.

[wally_bert]

Mine was a special order and about 10G cheaper than the automatic version.

[wally_bert]

I’m on my last batch of fixer-uppers.

If I get another oldie, it’s one that someone else did the labor.

Parts are pricey and in more cases, take longer to get in my case.

[Yosemitest]

You'll have it until it starts giving computer chip problems,
and when they quit stocking computer parts for it, and you can't get those handle little computer relays for it ...

THEN WHAT WILL YOU DO ? ? ?

It's not like we have REAL MECHANICS any more.
We've only got PARTS CHANGERS !

[Yosemitest]

When you buy an older vehicle, you MUST do some research FIRST !
You have to buy a popular brand, and one you KNOW that's easy to get plenty of after market parts for.
Ford and Chevrolet are a good start for your research, but be sure that they sold a lot of that particular model.
Do a parts search FIRST for the type vehicle you're considering, and after you KNOW that you can get parts, THEN start looking for a "Frame Off Restoration" of that vehicle.
It IS worth your time.

[wally_bert]

I’m just a glutton for punishment on vintage Jeep.

The AMC stuff isn’t too bad but sometimes I get grief for my oddball 65-ish Willys. At times I think it’s more of a mutt of 60s era components.

I’m glad LMC exists for my Blazer. Ebay helps with the rest.

[Yosemitest]

LMC is good stuff.
I've been looking at Willys Wagon Delivery models for the vertical rear doors.
And I like the late 50s and early 60s International Travelette; but some of those parts are getting a little harder to get.
But their V8s are rock solid, as long as you don't over-rev them.
But old Fords and Chevys are easy to get parts for most of them.
Stay away from their experimental runs like the Ford SVTs and the SHOs.z

[wally_bert]

LMC is great but I’ve learned to shop around.

Their rebuilt Q-jets are kind of high. On Ebay, there is a seller offering rebuilt with a one year warranty for not quite $200 less.