So I'm thinking I'm not really liking the KYBs i put on my silverado and looking at something to soften up the ride a little bit. Gonna research a little more but thinking I want it to ride a tad more softer like it did when it was a new truck. I know my polyurethane bushings will keep it a little stiff. Also looking into LED replacement bulbs as well. I want everything lit brighter.
My 2008 chevy HHR wagon daily driver is finally shot. 15 years and 200K on it. I knew i was going to need to replace it and have been looking / saving for something the last 2 years. I will probably keep it for a spare vehicle, but it will need new lower control arms, a windshield, and a turn signal switch.
Used stuff half worn out and no warranty for like new prices doesnt appeal to me. For a daily driver i honestly didnt care what it is except it had to be either a chevy, ford, or dodge, and it had to check off the right boxes in my mind for what I need it for. It needs 4 doors, a small 4 cylinder engine, either a wagon, or sedan with a pass thru from the trunk. I was figuring mini pickup, but nobody makes these anymore, or so I thought.
Last october poking around on the net I found the 2022 ford maverick. A 4 door mini truck available with either a FWD hybrid drivetrain that standard with 42mpg and can tow 2,000 lbs or carry 1,500 lbs in its bed, or optional 2.0 turbo, AWD, 30mpg and optional 4,000 lb tow package.
As a daily driver this will do what I use my HHR for and more. It checked off the more door box, and 4 cylinder box. But added boxes to check off I didnt think I needed. AWD, Turbo, tow hitch, android linked 8" center touch screen, smallish truck bed for most of my needs, with the big needs still done with my silverado. All done up in a slick looking little package.
The AWD will be great for wintertime with our freak snow storms, and 1,500 lb payload is plenty for running engine blocks to and from the machine shop. It has an 8" touch screen, and I can synch my android to it, and use the screen for google maps off my phone.
I ordered one in december from a dealer in Iowa doing $3K off MSRP to boost their future allocations. They will also take my Texas farm Bureau membership for as another $500 off. 2.0 turbo XLT AWD with a regular tow hitch, full size spare, and in cab 400W 110V power inverter. I did not get the 4K tow package since I dont think pulling 4,000 lbs is very wise with a turbo 4 banger, but with all these B.S. supply chain issues I probably won't likely see it until october. $24,025 after discounts and paperwork fees plus sales tax for a decently loaded mini pickup is pretty reasonable these days.
I did order some high bright LED 3rd brakelight bulbs, and bed light LEDs for the maverick. It uses the same OEM 3rd brakelight and bed light bulbs as my silverado. Anyhoo, these do a panic flash 4 times before going solid on, and are damn bright. I bench tested these. It should get anybodies attention unless your in a coma. I am also going to get these and the bed lights in LEDs for the Silverado. Pretty inexpensive a pair of the panic flash ones are about $14 a pair, and the bed light ones are about $8 a pair. Heres pic below of the panic flash ones I got from evilbay, and a pic of what I got on order.
