Technology on these new fangled vehicles - my adventure

[mwilson]

So my list was coming together...

Lane Departure
Blind Spot Detection
Climate Control
Heated / Cooled Seating
Memory Seats

Now a few more..

HID Headlights (Drive deserted roads with Deer and Moose present)
AWD (It’s Maine, nuff said)
Non Turbo V6 (Company had a very expensive experience with an early Eco Boost, never again)

 

[mwilson]

Also easily serviced, transmission dipstick is a must.

 

[Jim W]

What about a heated steering wheel with controls on the steering wheel. You also would what some type of Bluetooth radio interface for hands free calling. I know you know MAINE really will, but I think GPS is a must in any vehicle sold today.

I hate to say this but my sister has a Lincoln Navigator that has almost everything you want in an SUV. The vehicle is large enough to carry 4 grown men and be comfortable on long trip plus room for luggage.

 

[AH64ID]

Also easily serviced, transmission dipstick is a must.

Uhoh.. that might limit the playing field these days

I'd be looking into a Grand Cherokee, 4Runner, Explorer, or something else mid size SUV. The highlander is also a good call with 2nd row captains seats and a great AWD/Traction Control system.

But I'm honestly not sure you'll find much with a dipstick below the pickup line, but I could be wrong.

True AWD is also harder to find than 4WD or auto-4WD in the mid-full size range. Our 03 4Runner has 2HI, AWD-HI, AWD-LO, 4HI, 4LO. It was the base model in 03. Now to get AWD you have to have a limited and even then you lose the 2HI option.

AWD is important to me, so we will be shopping for a used 4Runner Limited when the time comes. The 03 is at 202K and counting, no real issues. Thou it will be come the kids rig in a couple years.

I know you know MAINE really will, but I think GPS is a must in any vehicle sold today.

I have to disagree with that one. OEM NAV systems are junk, I haven't seen one worth the upcharge yet..nor the map update charges.

CarPlay/Android Auto is a must thou, and they have maps built in which are better than the OEM NAV's and free.

 

[JR]

I think GM is one of the last holdovers with a dipstick, or at least a fill port on top of the transaxle. I also think they have some of the shortest service intervals as a result.

I've come to realize sealed transmissions aren't difficult at all to service once you figure out what's required. I've been doing our own for several years now, a small pressure pump and access to the underside is all that's required. Maybe an adapter for odd transmissions like our VW DSG, but for most it's not required.

FWIW most OEMs went to sealed transmissions because it allows for longer service intervals. Dipsticks allow for possible contamination and most importantly, condensation from heat/cool cycles which breaks fluid down quickly.

The 6R60 in our Mercury was rated for 150k mile intervals, I changed ours at 75k mile intervals and the fluid looked brand new each time. I've been into a few different Ford's with around that 125k-150k mile mark and their flud didn't look much different in appearance. Nice bright color, minimal material in the pan.

 

[Jim W]

John; I am basing this on my wife's 2011, TDI Jetta with factory NAV installed. It is almost as good as my Garmin RV785 with traffic, which was purchased this year. Maybe because it is German built and not from China or Japan that the Jetta works so, good. The only thing I don't like is that the Jetta GPS does not display where RED light cameras are, like my Garmin does.

Mow if you are going to run a dash cam than an aftermarket GPS such as my Garmin RV 785 with traffic which has a built in dash cam would be better! Just saying.

 

[mwilson]

So with my criteria in hand I started shopping. Somewhere along the line it was suggested that third row seating would be a plus...

Plus I had to do this right in the middle of Covid which has decimated Maine dealers. What they do have is over priced and scarce....mostly ex rentals from what I saw.
Yukon’s, Suburbans, Expeditions, way over priced and lacking some options I wanted.
Came down a size but still had trouble...Mopar stuff on the lots without the third seating option, Explorers with the 4 cyl Eco Boost aplenty but very scarce with the V6 option...
Have had a good experience with the wife’s Traverse but I lean toward the look of a GMC product..
So started researching Acadia’s....right out of the gate the Denali looked to be the most suited as far as options..

 

[mwilson]

But again very limited as to selection and decent pricing...

 

[AH64ID]

I think GM is one of the last holdovers with a dipstick, or at least a fill port on top of the transaxle. I also think they have some of the shortest service intervals as a result.

I've come to realize sealed transmissions aren't difficult at all to service once you figure out what's required. I've been doing our own for several years now, a small pressure pump and access to the underside is all that's required. Maybe an adapter for odd transmissions like our VW DSG, but for most it's not required.

FWIW most OEMs went to sealed transmissions because it allows for longer service intervals. Dipsticks allow for possible contamination and most importantly, condensation from heat/cool cycles which breaks fluid down quickly.

The 6R60 in our Mercury was rated for 150k mile intervals, I changed ours at 75k mile intervals and the fluid looked brand new each time. I've been into a few different Ford's with around that 125k-150k mile mark and their flud didn't look much different in appearance. Nice bright color, minimal material in the pan.

When I had an 07 Tacoma it was one of the first transmissions from Toyota (Aisin) to be sealed. Not only did it get a longer service life, but the WS fluid is very hygroscopic and like you said a dipstick would be detrimental for service life.

My 03 4Runner has the older trans (A340) with a dipstick, but still states no scheduled change required. I’m about to do my 3rd drain and fill at 202K. I don’t believe in fluid for life.

Funny thing is that it calls for the same fluid as my AS69RC. I get a kick out of people thinking it’s special fluid and that’s why it’s hard to find, when really it was a very common fluid 20+ years ago. It’s an old spec, and that’s why it’s hard to find today. I use Amsoil ATF in its place thou, as it says it’s compatible with T-IV/ASRC. 170K miles of using it on the 03, shifts like new.

 

[GCroyle]

#ad

 

[TFucili]

I'll see your Mr. Haney, and raise you a Hank Kimball

 

[DonFitzwater]

Here’s a real winner.....and if you travel far from home you can just stay the night!

 

[DavidC]

Here’s a real winner.....and if you travel far from home you can just stay the night!

I have a hard time visualizing Mike dressed like that

 

[SnoKing]

Here’s a real winner.....and if you travel far from home you can just stay the night!

I had a Cave Man camper with the same front windows. Leak City!

 

[DonFitzwater]

I have a hard time visualizing Mike dressed like that

Doesn't everyone in Maine dress like that???

 

[Ozymandias]

Check out late Durangos, the Citadel has all your wanted features from factory and more.
They go for lower prices then the GC.

 

[mwilson]

Right now everyone is running around with Blaze Orange and a face mask..

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Right now everyone is running around with Blaze Orange and a face mask..

Is the face mask camouflage to make up for the orange?

 

[mwilson]

So to continue, I finally settled on the Acadia /Traverse platform. I wanted a 2017 or 2018 as they made some changes including the addition of the Apple Car Play.

Also added a driver selectable AWD knob, the wife's 2016 does not have that.

Again, nothing in Maine....clock is ticking.....finally found a dealer in NH with 25 or so on hand.

Scheduled a ride over there with the GM, worked out that I would have just about 2 hours to pick one and buy it. Still had to visit a customer after I cleared the lot with something to drive...

Called ahead to make sure that they would accept our dealership check so there would be no hiccups...grabbed a dealer plate and hit the road...studied the inventory on hand while the GM was driving me over...

Looked several over, crawled underneath the three top contenders and picked the one that looked like new underneath....no damage or indication of any past repairs...

This was my choice.....

 

[Jim W]

Mike, nice looking SUV! But isn't white going to be hard to keep clean in all of the winter driving? Unless you wash the car every day!