Looks like the compact truck is back

[bccap]

I have strong feelings on trucks .... I make sure to stay on good terms with my friends that own them ..... Makes it easier to puck up their weekends .....

[1948man]

From what I found online, the CVT was not offered on the Honda Fit in the US prior to 2015.

The Honda Fit was first introduced to US & Canada in 2006 as a 2007 model.

Ed
****

I have a 2019 Honda Insight hybrid and the mileage I get is incredible. I like everything about it but the lack of ability to haul anything. There was not even an aftermarket hitch made for it the last time I checked and it would probably void the warranty if I towed anything. It has a CVT . I guess the CVTs will continue to get better as they seem to be the future. At least the Ford claims the ability to tow a light load and with the small bed, I probably wouldn't need a trailer. I'll probably be looking at them. Now is a good time to sell a used vehicle.

[GS1150Pilot]

Never knew you did rallying! Glad to hear of it.


I recall stories about the first of them. They were an instant hit at race tracks.
In modified stock form they had a considerably lower CG than most competitors and some drivers would often just dive into corners and wait for the front tires to pull them through.

I owned one for about three months before it was totalled. Not much driving time in it though, as it was in three collisions in that time and spent weeks in the shops before being destroyed
Two were rear-enders, while I was stopped, which required repairs, and the last was weird.
With only two cars on the road, mine and a Chev already stopped at a traffic light and apparently waiting for me to go straight through before making its left turn, as I reached the crosswalk at about 35 MPH the Chev driver jumped on the gas and drove right into the front of the Mini.

Both cars went up into the air....just like in the movies....and the Mini was instantly shortened by a full foot. Seat belts saved the lives of both me and my passenger as he acquired a huge forehead bump from hitting the windshield, but he did not go through, while for me, the steering wheel rose to the roof , bruising every one of my ribs and cutting my chin as it passed. Had my seat belt not held me back there is no question I would have been crushed against the roof.

Never had a strong liking for Mini's after that......
.

I've owned three of the little beasts, two right-hand drive and one American import. The Australian 1098 model was the one I rallyed, and that imp was the best of the lot despite the fact that the last one had the stronger motor (a 1380).

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Not sure how we derailed this thread from new pickup trucks to Classic Minis, but I like it. Pilot, I'm jealous of your experience w/ these cars. I keep thinking a Mini is in my future as a retirement project. (I've got a ways to go). I have a friend w/ a business that solely rebuilds Nash Metropolitans, probably will employ his experience for help. Guy who owns the MINI dealership where I used to get service owns 6 or 7 classic Minis and rotates them through the showroom. He're his Monte Carlo race replica:

[GS1150Pilot]

Rich, I plan to own another, but it will have a Honda B18 under the hood (and air conditioning). 180 hp and cool air will make for a perfect commuter.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Yeah I’ve seen some really awesome videos of rest-modded minis w/ V-tec engines that have insane power. I wouldn’t be averse to something like that.

[GS1150Pilot]

I watched a modded B18 walk away from an 80's 911 SC in an impromptu drag race at an autocross event (after the event, at which the Mini posted one of the times of the day, and the 911 was bottom of its class-due mainly to the lame driver).

[1948man]

I got an out-the-door quote and go in next week to put a deposit down unless I change my mind. The Maverick looks aren't important to me and I only want to haul smallish things.... recently things such as needed to refurb two bathrooms like toilets etc and also a hot water heater. I have driven some type of pickup for 45 yrs but lately used them like a passenger car 95% of the time. I exceed the predicted gas efficiency by almost 10 mpg in my Honda Insight (yeah, hyper-mileing) so I hope to get 45-50 mpg on the Maverick. Who knows? It might be months before delivery.

[bwringer]

I got an out-the-door quote and go in next week to put a deposit down unless I change my mind. The Maverick looks aren't important to me and I only want to haul smallish things.... recently things such as needed to refurb two bathrooms like toilets etc and also a hot water heater. I have driven some type of pickup for 45 yrs but lately used them like a passenger car 95% of the time. I exceed the predicted gas efficiency by almost 10 mpg in my Honda Insight (yeah, hyper-mileing) so I hope to get 45-50 mpg on the Maverick. Who knows? It might be months before delivery.

Over on ADVrider.com, several inmates have received their Mavericks at assorted trim levels. Everyone seems quite happy so far.

I gotta say, I'm a fan of the recent micro-trend of steel wheels on trucks. Quite a few owners are ordering their Maverick with steelies. I've always really, really hated the delicate fancy alloy wheels they strap on to every grocery-getter, work truck, and off-roader. They're just useless, tacky, gaudy, and downright inappropriate.

The Maverick scratches an itch no one in the US has bothered to scratch for many years. Good for Ford; they'll sell a skrillion of them.

Also, I recently spotted a Maverick in the wild. As I hoped, it seemed like a very nice human-scale size.

Also, from what I can tell, the dealers are generally not gouging on these. You order, you wait, and generally you pay what you expected to pay. If a buyer doesn't follow through they get snapped up fast. There are quite a few reports of gouging on the Bronco.

[salty_monk]

Yeah it definitely seems like it's a Wagon alternative more than anything else... It's basically a European pickup truck. My Uncle had one over there that looked remarkably similar

[salty_monk]

Yeah it definitely seems like it's a Wagon alternative more than anything else... It's basically a European pickup truck. My Uncle had one over there that looked remarkably similar

My biggest problem with a pickup is that it's occasionally useful for hauling stuff but much more often it's a pain in the a$$ as all your gear is out in the elements ready to be stolen or fall out. Here the freeways are littered with Cr@p. Took me a while to realise that the difference causing it between here & europe was mostly that a pickup was used for everything a van was used for in the UK.....

Oh and I guess I should qualify myself by saying that I regularly use an F150 for work but also have a Mini-van and an R53 series mini Cooper S at home... In the past I also owned a van a bit like the Transit connect for hauling mountain bikes (and for sleeping in occasionally - before it became fashionable! )

[adamdaz]

Darn I'm a late comer to this party - I just found out about this truck today (Motorweek). I think it's interesting and likely to be popular. But it has to be small (3 inches shorter than my 1998 ranger) and it only has a 4 foot bed.

[1948man]

I was too late. Orders for 2022 Mavericks (hybrids) are cut off. The salesman says there is a chance they will open back up in mid January but the word from Ford Customer Service is that they're done for this year and orders for '23's will commence mid summer. You can still order a 2.0 liter EcoBoost for 2022 (not a hybrid).

[wyly]

I'd like to downsize a small ev pickup but I haven't seen sign of development for that market segment, Something similar in size to the 90s toyotas or a Tacoma when they were still small.

[1948man]

Seems I may be back in the game. A dealer says there is an order placed and the original customer has opted out and I can have it. The deal seems a little weird . A proposal was emailed to me with Trim level, options and price but nothing was ever signed. The mgr swears the build is mine but I expect there will probably be a price bump when it comes in. I don't have a deposit down so I won't be out anything. Ford confirms there is a build on record for the order number the dealer gave me and says it is possible to take over a build.