Forgot to mention - ten days back I picked up a newer detectomobile...

[Uncle Willy]

Got a slightly used 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan with Stow-N-Go seating whereas the seats fold down into the floor and disappear giving you a flat floor from the front seats to the tail gate. One can pile a lot of stuff in there, my dog has room to run around, and my wife in her wheelchair has lots of room. This is what she wanted.

THis thing has every kind of gadget on it but an automatic rump wiper, including satellite radio which I have no use for. The radio has more buttons than a NASA shuttle craft. Need a degree in electronic engineering just to operate the danged thing. I can haul a lot of detectors and stuff. Now I got to gussy up my old van and peddle it. Sort of hate to part with it. It's like an old, comfortable, pair of shoes that you get attached to.

Bill

 

[John-Edmonton]

n/t

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah lots of room for beeper swingers.

Bill

 

[NM5K]

Sounds like a pretty comfy detectomobile. I like
the stowaway seats. The little 05 corolla I bought
recently can fold the back seats down. Not totally
flat, but good nuff to haul longer stuff. Or even
sleep in if I had to. My honda accord does the same..
The corolla seats are split though. You can leave one
side up if you want someone to sit in the back.
Still would have room for longer goodies on the other
side.
I still have two old ford trucks too, but they drink
so much gas compared to the dinky cars, I don't drive
too much, except for work. I have a 68 F-250, and a
74 F-100. Both have camper shells. But I'm going to
unload the 74, and the honda too I think. I've already
killed the insurance on those two. But I have to have
the F-250 for work. Both run good, but I'd rather keep
the 68 as it's older, and I've replaced the engine,
rebuilt the front end, all new tires, etc.. It needs a
paint job.. I haven't had the toyota too long, and I've
already put nearly 4000 miles on it. I've already zipped
up to Oklahoma and back in it twice since I got it. Was getting
in the upper 30's mpg. On the way up, I was doing about 65
mph, as thats the night TX speed limit. I got about 40 mpg.
But on the way back doing 70 mph, I probably got about 36-37
or so..
And for such a gas stingy 1.8 liter engine, that thing will
get up and boogie if you stick yer foot in it. It growls at
you..
Still is better than the accord ever was as far as
mpg. The 89 accord will be lucky to do 30 mpg most of the time.
Usually in the upper 20's mpg..

My trucks both get about 16 mpg +-... Both have six bangers.
A 300 in the 68, a 240 in the 74.
MK

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah I've owned several Ford pickups ( my favorite trucks ) and they were all 360 V-8's and gas guzzlers. I had a 74 LTD years ago ( my all time favorite land yacht ) with a 400 CID in it and it got 21 MPG on the highway driving 75-85. My friend had a late model Ford pickup with the big six in it and it sucked the gas. That 68 ought to be just about a classic. Wish I had a few of my old rigs. Can't believe the prices they command now. AS I recall, way back then, I sold a few of them for $75 or so. One was a 1930 Model-A Sport Roadster. Now they're worth a 1000 times that much. Makes me sick.

I haven't had a chance to check the mileage on this van but it's supposed to get 26 MPG or better on the highway. That's at least 10 MPG more than my old van gets. THe center seats in this thing are Captains chairs and the rear seat is a 75/25 split seat whereas the backs fold down flat. There are even hooks built into the back of the rear seat to hold the plastic shopping bags you get everywhere.

Bill

 

[ohio fred]

n/t

 

[Uncle Willy]

Momma bought it. She got a little inheritance and it was burning a hole in her pocket book.

Bill