The JT

July 02, 2024 by JT

The Jeep Gladiator has been on my radar for 30 years. Originally loving the old Scrambler and then seeing all the aftermarket companies modify an Unlimited Wrangler to make it a truck.
Jeep finally did it and gave us the Gladiator a couple years ago. My son requesting a truck to ride in, the Jeep Gladiator met the needs of both of us for this trip. So let’s get right into this and give you the opinions of a former Jeep owner on this newish Jeep Gladiator.

The first thing I noticed was the flatness of the dash and the sheer amount of buttons. My first thought was my old YJ Wrangler and wouldn’t you know it, the designers mentioned this as a slight throwback to the older Jeep dashboards. The Gladiator has a very long wheelbase and I can’t imagine off-roading this down a small trail meant for side-by-sides or two-door Wranglers. With that being said, the ride was not awful. While we aren’t fully into an SUV-quality ride here, Jeep sure has come a long way since my 80s Wrangler.
Like any Wrangler, the doors come off, the hardtop was in multiple pieces, and everything inside felt pretty clunky and purpose-built. The 4WD lever is something I absolutely love and if the Wrangler ever goes to push-button 4WD, we all should riot.

For the most part, I found the Gladiator to be a fun experience. Living with it day to day would be another story, as my commute is mostly highway and this is not a highway star. The bed needs some sort of cover or cap, just so you have room to store stuff on a rainy day. I was thoroughly impressed with the tried and true 3.6L V6 from FCA/Jeep/Stellantis. If you are considering a Gladiator, I think the most important thing to consider is the price. These are not cheap, even for the base model, and when you consider what you get, you do have to realize you are paying a premium to be a Jeep owner. While for some, that is life, and that to me is fine. I really enjoyed my time as a Jeep owner and everything that came with it. Most Wranglers & Gladiators are genuinely built to do serious off-road duty. If you are planning to just drive up and down the neighborhood streets like most Jeep owners do, then you might want to consider their non-Wrangler variants. Comfort will be higher and so will value, but if you have to have the Wrangler/Gladiator, just know that the experience will probably be different than what you expect.

2024 Mitsubishi Mirage

January 24, 2024 by JT

Sometimes, you find a car you did not expect to enjoy or even want to keep driving. The Mitsubishi Mirage is the first Mitsubishi I have driven in a long time. Quite frankly, I really didn’t know if they made cars for the US market anymore. Here we are with the Mirage, the cheapest car on sale in America.

14” wheels! 14”! Everything about this car screams cheap, but once you get inside you realize it could actually have everything you need or even want in a small but useful commuter car. CarPlay, Air Bags, Good miles per gallon, and more. Other than an overly small package, it really is something to think about. Years ago I drove the Chevrolet Spark, which depending on needs and preferences, feels very similar to the Mirage.

We were able to snag an amazing 46mpg on the highway with the Mirage. What was amazing is when you thought it was maxed out, it just kept climbing. Keep in mind, being on the highway with this next to huge semi trucks and full-size sport utility vehicles is quite nerve-wracking. Overall though we survived and did just fine.
An interesting issue that came up was phone charging. This thing very easily overheated my iPhone after just a few minutes of charging and using CarPlay. I found that to be interesting. Be sure to check out the Mirage. You may find it to be something that fits the bill and while this does not seem to be the highest of quality compared to everything else, you get what you pay for.

2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

November 28, 2023 by JT in Automotive Reviews

Coming to America: The All-New 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is Ready to Dominate in the Dirt! 

The all-new 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor®, the most powerful and high-performance, off-road capable Ranger ever, is designed and engineered by Ford Performance to take off-road capability to the next level among midsize trucks.
Built to take on challenging dunes, Raptor’s long travel suspension, including a Watts link rear suspension and class-exclusive 2.5-inch FOX™ Live Valve shocks*, gives you everything you need to chase down the horizon.
Unique Ranger Raptor 3.0-liter EcoBoost® V6 generates best-in-class 405 horsepower** and 430 pound-feet of torque paired with an advanced four-wheel drive system, a new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case, and front and rear locking differentials for improved off-road traction.
Race-proven in the Baja 1000, Ranger Raptor expands the Raptor family of high-performance vehicles, including F-150 Raptor®, F-150 Raptor R, and Bronco Raptor®.

DEARBORN, Mich., May 10, 2023 – The wait is over; the all-new 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is coming to North America. Raptor is based on a proven legacy of performance and built with uncompromised suspension design, power, purposeful technology, and rugged styling. Ranger Raptor is fully prepared to take on the most demanding terrain its extreme adventure-seeking customers can find. 

“Ranger Raptor is the high-performance off-road truck so many customers have been begging for. It’s right-sized for tight trails and daily life, can carry lots of gear, and is a blast to drive,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Ranger Raptor is fast, comfortable, and packed with top-shelf, purposeful technology that’s designed to perform. This is the baddest Ranger we’ve ever made.”

Confident Suspension, Purposeful Tech
The heart of every Raptor is its suspension. Ranger Raptor starts with a purpose-built suspension that includes lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms and a long-travel rear suspension with a Watts linkage and trailing arms for control and confidence in off-road conditions.

Ranger Raptor’s next-generation FOX™ 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass shocks are coil-overs at the front and piggyback reservoirs at the rear to reduce heat build-up for uninterrupted performance all day long. 

Ranger Raptor is built on a beefy foundation, taking Ranger’s fully boxed frame up a notch by reinforcing the front frame rails, front shock towers, rear shock brackets, suspension mounting points, and other key areas so Ranger Raptor can handle more punishing off-road conditions.***

The FOX™ Live Valve Internal Bypass system changes damping performance based on Ranger Raptor’s Drive Modes. The modes include Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Rock Crawl, and Baja, all developed to provide better on-road comfort, off-road control, capability, and ride quality at high and low speeds.

Each selectable drive mode appropriately adjusts the tuning of the engine, transmission, ABS calibration, traction control, steering, throttle response, and even the instrument cluster and touchscreen look and information. The active valve exhaust system can also be tuned to several modes including Quiet, Normal, Sport, and Baja settings. Ranger Raptor also comes with Trail Control™ so drivers can navigate tricky spots while the truck manages the throttle and brakes.

Powertrain Fit for a Class of One
An amazing suspension deserves to be backed by a matching level of power. The Ford Performance tuned twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost® V6 produces 430 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class maximum available 405 horsepower,** the most powerful Ranger ever built for increased performance on gravel, dirt, mud, and sand.

Beginning with a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block, the engine utilizes a race-bred anti-turbo-lag system to enable boost on demand in Baja mode. It keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle, so acceleration is there while exiting corners. Bolted to that EcoBoost engine is a class-exclusive 10-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission* mated to an advanced four-wheel drive system with a new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case combined with front and rear locking differentials.

Designed for Purpose
Each Ranger Raptor design element has a purpose. Confident, modern styling starts with LED projector headlights to light up the night flanked by C-clamp signature lighting. Bold F-O-R-D lettering on the grille sits above an all-steel bumper with integrated, frame-mounted front and rear tow hooks and LED taillights that provide a signature C-clamp link to the front. Flared fenders with functional fender vents house aggressive 33-inch BFGoodrich® all-terrain KO3® tires on 17-inch wheels that can be mounted to optional beadlock capable wheels with available bead locks for running extra low tire pressures in sand and rocky conditions. Ranger Raptor also sports serious underbody protection. The thick front bash plate is made of high-strength steel and is complemented by the dedicated engine, transfer case, and fuel tank shields.

The Raptor’s cab is built for performance, with a sport steering wheel including cast magnesium alloy paddle shifters for quick transmission control and a signature Raptor centering mark in a Code Orange color. Six overhead upfitter switches mounted in the overhead console simplify powering off-road hardware. Unique Ford Performance front seats are supportive, with extra bolstering to hold drivers in place during high-speed cornering. The rest of the cab includes premium materials trimmed in Code Orange.

Ranger Raptor connects the driver to adventure with features like a 360-degree Camera and Front View Camera to assist in off-roading, Zone Lighting to light up the night in remote locations, and class-exclusive* Pro Trailer Backup Assist† to help back up boats and campers at the kinds of remote locations Raptors are built to reach. Even far out there, drivers want to be informed and connected, so Raptor comes with a high-resolution 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch center touchscreen running SYNC® 4A, Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™ wireless smartphone connectivity††. Finally, if the active exhaust doesn’t provide enough auditory stimulation, there’s a Bang & Olufsen® sound system to pump out your favorite soundtracks.

The Ford Raptor family spans across its truck and SUV portfolio. F-150 Raptor, F-150 Raptor R, Bronco Raptor, and now Ranger Raptor are all built for the passionate performance enthusiast who wants a truck to tackle their biggest adventures. A pre-production 2023 Ranger Raptor even proved its mettle by winning the stock midclass category of the Baja 1000, completing the course in 26 hours and 21 minutes. And then it drove home, almost 200 miles from the finish line to California.

The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor will be proudly assembled at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan††† with orders beginning later this month and availability in the first quarter of 2024. Visit Ford.com/RangerReady for more details and information.

*Class is Midsize Pickups

**Max. 405 horsepower based on 3.0L EcoBoost® engine. Class is Midsize Pickups. Horsepower and torque ratings based on premium fuel per SAE J1349® standard. Your results may vary. Horsepower and torque are independent attributes and may not be
achieved simultaneously.

*** Always consult the Owner’s Manual before off-road driving, know your terrain and trail difficulty, and use appropriate safety gear.

†Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment, and need to control the vehicle. It does not replace safe driving. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.

††Requires phone with active data service and compatible software. SYNC® 4A does not control 3rd party products while in use. 3rd Parties are solely responsible for their respective functionality.

†††Assembled in the USA with domestic and foreign parts.

Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries

Android Auto is a trademark of Google LLC

2023 Toyota Sienna Long Term Drive & Review

April 15, 2023 by JT

For Spring Break this year, we opted for the mid-size, smaller SUV rental. The kids don’t have as much junk, we don’t need to haul beds, and best of all they all face front with their child seats. We started the trip out with a Ford Edge; very well equipped with leather and various options. Keep in mind, I got this car from a local rental car agency and then pack it to make the long drive south. Before I got home, I couldn’t even handle the smell - smoke.

The Edge basically felt ruined and I’m not even sure you can remove the smell of smoke fully. This resulted in a big problem; the agency was closed and I had no options late at night, since I picked up right at close. I was sent to the airport, which was the next closest spot to exchange the car. The counter worker wasn’t exactly helpful, but she begrudgingly gave us what she had that was comparable - a 2023 Toyota Sienna. From this point on, I wasn’t unhappy and felt this was a nice compromise by them.

The Sienna, like all minivans, is exactly what most parents need. In my case, it’s never what I want though. The low-slung entry, power doors, legroom for everyone, and enough storage to haul bikes on vacation in the vehicle, which we did!

The driving experience was what you would expect. The Sienna has a slight advantage with driving modes and even an EV Mode. From my understanding, it works more like a hybrid system and could drive on electric at low speeds for a limited amount of distance. The system would recharge as we braked, similar to a Prius. We were averaging around 29-31mpg throughout the trip on the highway which was very good when you consider minivans are not fuel sippers. I did experience while driving my first ‘fishtail’ in a minivan around an off-ramp. Too much speed, a little bit of wet pavement, and a sharp off-ramp resulted in me almost crunching the thing on day one. It caught me by surprise and I used my 17 year old driving skills to remedy the situation.

As far as the interior on this hauler, it didn’t do anything that blew my mind I’ll say. The front seats allowed you to remove a middle section to create a fake captain chair setup, but it left a disgustingly dirty piece of plastic down on the floor. We decided to leave the center section installed. The back seat folded down flat and allowed us to pile in whatever we wanted for the week. One interested feature, was this shelf like setup on the front dashboard. While very handy for junk on a road trip, things did tend to slide here and there. Overall though, for our needs and the needs of this trip, the interior was doing what it meant to do…

We put almost 3,000 miles on the vehicle over the course of the week and as I have always thought, a minivan is so practical for family stuff. Nobody usually wants to admit they want one, me included, but once you finally use one for what it is meant for, you will find the convenience and function exactly what you need. The Sienna didn’t do anything that was overly spectacular and it doesn’t have the buzz like the newish Carnival, but overall it would be a fine choice if you are in the market for a van.

2010 Chevrolet HHR SS

October 01, 2021 by JT

Over the years, a number of new vehicles have come out that have me intrigued. For many of you that have been on the journey with me the past six years, you’ve seen my car selections change for a variety of reasons. This year, I realized I wanted something that made sense. Commuting to my job each day requires about 25 miles each way. It isn’t an awful drive, but I at times I wonder why am I driving such a big, gas drinking SUV like my Trailblazer SS.

When I mentally committed to picking something up that would be better on gas, I had about five options in my head. I began searching for the following, for various purposes and reasons.

Chevrolet Bolt - Going electric always has intrigued me and I could charge at work.
Mini Cooper - This thing was a blast when my wife owned one and I know what to look for now.
Chevrolet Sonic - Great deals, four doors, turbo and solid mpg. Another winner
Chevrolet Spark - Surprisingly cheap brand new and I would just drive it until it dies.
HHR SS - Functional, unique, and lots of aftermarket support. Plus it has an LNF

As I was searching, each had their positives and even negatives. The Bolt and Spark were quickly pulled from the running due to availability, pricing, and also just me not wanting to commit to a brand new car. We were down to the Sonic, Mini, and HHR. I wasn’t fully committed to either of these, one way or another unless the perfect one came to be.

I joined an HHR SS owners group and asked - Who has one of these for sale that is clean, low miles, and preferably stock. That is one thing I hate it dealing with other people’s modifications. A few people responded but a particular one in Florida caught my eye. I’ll let you watch my introductory video now to get an idea of this particular HHR

So as you can see, I went with the HHR. I’ve owned this about a month now and I have to say; I am blown away. You have to realize what you are getting into with something like this. First off, you have all the utility and space of the HHR. This includes room for four, strollers, groceries and whatever else we can fit. Perfect for my family of four.

Second, this isn’t an LS powered hatchback. This is an LNF turbo four cylinder that puts out around 240ish horsepower with the automatic. The HHR SS is a complete package of weirdness that I absolutely love driving. It doesn’t attract attention, it has solid mpg, and is unique enough where I won’t be driving around a boring cookie cutter of a car.

The plans for this are in order, but for the most part I just want to enjoy this, commute in it, and make it last. So what do you think? Are you a fan of these? Why or why not? The biggest negative anybody has told me is they hate the way it looks. I’m not going to lie - it’s not a beauty queen and you won’t see it at a concours car show. Either way, it’s been tons of fun and I am thrilled to be able to share this car with you on the page here and my YouTube channel.