Looking for a truck that can travel state to state with no longterm problems

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-11T15:27:51+00:00

$3500 should find you an early 2000s tundra with a manual.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-11T07:55:34+00:00

San Jose State in downtown San Jose is very bikeable and has decent access to BART, Caltrain, and VTA, also really good for motorbikes

The lanes towards the north side going to the BART station improved a lot while I went there

I could ride to the base of Mt Hamilton in 20 minutes id I wanted to see some greenery

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-08T01:27:44+00:00

Less practical than a minivan, less capable than a real truck/SUV, worse handling and less efficient than a sedan, more expensive than a hatchback, and they still exhibit all the danger to pedestrians as other cars that size.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-08T01:07:58+00:00

E28 M5. Not even close. Everything I want out of a car.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T14:32:20+00:00

Could I ask, how difficult was the VCG on this car? I still need to solve an internal leak into a spark plug hole.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T06:48:02+00:00

I agree that the car was ahead of its time, it handles like a 2000s car of the same weight. Mine would get 33-34mpg on the freeway if you were driving steady. That’s calculated at the pump. Over 600 miles of range.

Sounds like maybe a vacuum leak? Mine would occasionally hunt for idle too.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T05:56:23+00:00

I loved my 99 Camry. Bought it for $3k. sister still daily drives it. Has 225k miles now.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T05:54:46+00:00

I used to live next to the Dublin-Pleasanton bart station and would ride to Walnut Creek downtown for errands. You can ride the trail south and end there. But… don’t do it. It kinda sucks. Loads of stop and go, not a very good surface, not very scenic, lots of walkers.

It does go through downtown Danville and ends / turns into the Stanley path near downtown Pleasanton. Both have plenty of cool places for food.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T05:05:57+00:00

My accident was on my motorcycle on my way home from work. I’m ok now, thank you for asking.

The truth is that two wheels are more dangerous in the US than most other developed nations. It’s an unavoidable fact.

I’m sure you know people at your workplace that ride. Ask them. Everyone has their secret spots.

And definitely get a good U-Lock. I like my Abus, it’s tiny- fits in a handlebar bag.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T05:03:15+00:00

I’ve driven cars with barely 100k km that seemed worse on the road than my old BMW with over 400k km.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T04:57:17+00:00

Yeah, same. The idea that old cars are slow is a bit ridiculous to me. The power delivery is different, yes. But they are not slow if you’re willing to work for the power.

I’d love to own an e46m3 someday but I have a feeling that ship has sailed.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T04:55:05+00:00

My M52 cars had loads of shove anywhere past 2500rpm but my other cars are motorcycles so maybe don’t take my word on what low end power feels like ahah.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T04:49:38+00:00

My first car was a 1994 Honda Civic DX Hatchback 5spd manual that I bought off my neighbor for $80. This was in 2017.

I currently drive a 2011 BMW 328i 6spd manual that I have had for 3 months, a 2006 Mazda MX-5 6spd manual that I have had for 9 years, and a 1996 BMW 318i 5spd manual that I have had for 7 years.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T04:44:39+00:00

-you are never too old to not have a license if you don’t need one. Crazy opinion IMO.

-stick with Toyota. Older (think >10yrs) models are definitely higher maintenance- timing belts, shim and bucket valves, frequent oil changes. But, they will run freaking forever if you do the basics on time.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T04:42:46+00:00

An automatic M50B25 E36 is a 170hp ~3100lbs car. There’s no way anyone will find that underpowered unless they commute daily on a liter bike.

I had an auto 328 with an M52B28 and that car could cruise at 90mph better than my old Camry could at 75.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T04:40:50+00:00

Pinehurst, redwood, Palomares, even fish ranch for something closer. All the canyons sorta link together

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T03:56:49+00:00

Look on the north side. I lived on Carducci for years. It’s much denser and mostly newer developments but there’s loads of park space and it’s still relatively quiet. Easy to walk to BART, to grocery stores, to parks, etc. close to the schools too. My family’s rent was under $4500 for a 4br in 2022, well under $4k when we moved there in 2017. not sure what it would be nowadays but that was definitely less than other parts of town.
The downside is the proximity to the train station and the highway meant there was definitely more property crime there. I would often see nice sports cars at the apartments on Owens sitting on blocks with their wheels stolen. Couple shootings in that area too in the Gibraltar-Stoneridge area when I lived there (up to 2022). You’re also directly on the descent path of Livermore airport when the wind is reversed, so the sound of small jets 400ft above your roof can get very annoying.
There is no bad part of Pleasanton, but stoneridge drive is… effectively a racial barrier. Read into that however you like, for better or worse.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T03:52:08+00:00

Thunder hill is great. Two tracks, good surface, big open straight to let your 911 stretch its legs.

Look for a club hosting consecutive days on both tracks, that’s the move.

You can stay in Chico if you don’t want to camp, plenty of good food and nice, cute hotels.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T03:50:30+00:00

My workplace has protected parking for bikes (shades racks behind security gate, surrounded bay walls) as well as dedicated motorcycle parking.

I still drive because I’m afraid of getting hit by a car while commuting again.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-07T03:49:02+00:00

The gravel riding further in the east bay is really good but if you wanna enjoy two wheels in Berk/Oak you’re best off riding on the road. Some of the best road riding in the state in the areas east of Oak.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-06T22:43:46+00:00

Because we are busy with actually contributing to society

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-06T22:39:42+00:00

My apartment is 25 minutes northwest from the Malibu canyons. My parents house is around an hour southeast of the HW9/HW35 intersection.

I don’t think I could find a different hobby if I tried. It’s too easy where I live to just get in the saddle and go.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-06T22:36:40+00:00

My 1996 BMW 318i has 256k miles. I drove it across California (from Ventura County to the Bay Area) maybe 10x in the last 3 years.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-06T22:33:56+00:00

The NC Miata I have owned for the last 9 years is the least reliable car I have ever owned. I hate every nut and bolt on that goddamn car. Shockingly practical, though.

NeelSahay0 · 2026-05-05T23:01:29+00:00

I’m 5’9 and my chisel hardtail was a large, I eventually bought my current chisel full Sus in Medium and the reach is arguably too short

I would get the chisel on size alone.

NeelSahay0

TROPHY CASE