Inside the Ford dealership was an electric mustang, or a someone who forgot to wear their glass might assume, a Tesla.

Also a couple Broncos, which upon closer inspection felt like a standard cheap interior Jeep with a melt job treatment. Not to mention the Raptor version was a smooth $99k. Who buys that?

I understand that if sales dip a company needs to innovate. But this doesn’t feel like innovation to me. More like direct copying.

I’ve always appreciated the distinct differences between a mustang, Camaro, and challenger. Or F-150, Ram 1500, and GM 1500.

The die hard commitment to a brand and old Chevy vs Ford arguments were usually nothing more than ribbing between friends or family but hell if it didn’t feel like part of American culture. With everything moving to look the same, I don’t know, makes me feel weird somehow. Have that typical Mustang and Dually 1-ton in the showroom for crying out loud.

Not so much a question here, just some rambling thoughts, but another example discovered recently. I’ve been on the hunt for a decent media separator. Every company has the same Chinese produced one in a different color. Only Dillon actually designed one. Innovate for crying out loud. Be an actual company rather than a middle man with a pile of company stickers to slap on items.

That ship (and many just like it) hath sailed...

Of the many tumblers I've had, over the years, Lyman's 3200 was the largest. It had the auto flow plug which separated the media out it's side, into a plastic pan. No need for a seperater. They still offer the auto flow tumblers but not as large. Maybe their pro series has this. Only draw back is the noise of brass tumbling once the media is drained out. 45 Auto was like the Liberty Bell ringing .

We currently own a 2007 Grand Cherokee Limited and a 2024 Grand Cherokee Limited.

In comparing capabilities of the 2 vehicles you come to a couple conclusions:
1) The basics of a vehicle haven't changed and in our case, there's less "options" available in 2024 than came in our 2007.
1a) Our 2007 has a more capable 4wd system.
1b) Our 2007 has options that no longer exist in the 2024 (adjustable pedals as an example)
2) The only real innovation in cars has been in stuff no one asks for and many of us turn off.
2a) Auto engine off, lane keep assist, adjustable cruise etc... Are the "neat" and do some ppl find it useful, yep. But not me.

If I could get an SUV with the best engine, the best 4wd system and none of the driver assist BS or other silly nonsense in the infotainment system, I'd be happy.

I'm in Chrysler dealerships 2-3 times a week, facilitating lemon buy-backs - most often Jeep Wranglers, Grand Cherokees, and Grand Wagoneers. The showrooms and lots are full of Challengers and Chargers, and usually one SRT Demon.

just bought a new Foad T-250 last month to replace my aging and no longer reliable E350,

walked in the dealership and spoke to a sales rep,

I may have posted this convo before , but he started pushing the electric Transits, had an answer for every thing I asked,

told him I run the Gunshow circuit, need range with a load and charging,
oh, every major hotel has charging stations now,
no,, they don't,
oh, if you turn on the regen braking you can increase the mileage between charges from 125 to 175 miles or so,
empty or full I asked, and what if I get stuck in traffic, etc etc,

blank stare,

he tried a few other angles and finally shut down when I said no thanks to the big E,,

then I asked him, since he had 6 Elec vans on the lot, and nothing that I needed (cargo T250, standard wheelbase and low roof) how were they doing, since he had so many,

welp, it seems they had as many if not more on a storage lot, x3, as they did on the sales area,, and he said, under his breath, that they sucked,,


true deal,

The Mach E is a Fusion with an electric motor shoehorned into it and a new skin. It’s a “get to market as fast as possible” vehicle, not something really innovative.

That said, they aren’t horrible as EVs go. Just not that interesting from an engineering standpoint. Same for the truck.

GM is doing more interesting things with their Ultium platform. I’m personally curious on their battery design, which by what I’ve read should have some options on making bad cell replacement easier.

As a Bronco owner, though, I’d say you’re pretty far off. The advanced transfer case is slick, with 2H/4L/4H and also AWD all selectable. Mine is also a daily, it drives well, comfortable on ATL potholes, the smoothest manual shifter I’ve driven. My only complaints are that the rear view mirror blocks part of my vision forward (not unique to the bronco, this seems to be common nowadays) and the instrument panel isn’t my favorite missing an analog tach (the raptor has that).


$99k for a Raptor is pretty stupid, though, we agree on that,