[pigmode]

Quote:

 
Here's my .02 on Toyota. 

 
Agreed. My first Toyota (3rd car) was a 73 Corolla 2 dr with the 1600 22R. With the last four of the trucks I've owned, my observation is Toyota has maintained the highest quality interiors in its class. Am on my 5th Toyota truck with my 07 mexican Prerunner, and its the first time I am looking at other makes for the next purchase. The Honda Civic Si coupe looks like a fun car, but we shall see.
 
 
 
 

 

[marvin]

Quote:

 Yes, the interiors are mostly hard plastic and give a cheap impression, especially when compared to Corollas/Civics of yesteryears.      

One of the more amusing things about the current generation of cars. So many improvements since the mid '90s, but interior plastics quality certainly ain't one of them. There isn't a single bit of soft touch plastic in my '09 WRX and it rattles like a bucket of bolts.
 

 

[Anaxilus]

Usually there is a TSB for rattles.  Ask your service writer if there is something they can do at no charge.

 

[h3rb]

I'd still get a toyota, supra, tacomas, 4runners, land cruisers. All timeless vehicles

 

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

I'd still get a toyota, supra, tacomas, 4runners, land cruisers. All timeless vehicles

Oh god, those Toyota I-6's.  2JZGTE!  Bolt on 600-650hp.  Block easily over engineered beyond 1k hp.  Poor transmission....>.<  
 
When we went to Jordan we were picked up by 3 pickups in the desert.  One Toyota, one Nissan and I forget the other.  I told my peeps to hurry asap into the Toyota.  Yeah we spent the better part of an hour watching the other two groups get out and push their rides around the desert every now and again.  Very entertaining.

 

[Uncle Erik]

For winter, all you really need is front wheel drive with a manual transmission. A 4x4 is unnecessary and can be dangerous. Except for Subaru AWD, most 4x4s have a high center of gravity. Very, very dangerous when things are slippery. The slight increase in traction comes at the risk of a rollover.

When I lived in the Northwest, the first sign of winter was an Explorer on its side. Out east, every winter was greeted by a lifted 4x4 full of high school students that overtuned and killed everyone. Then there were hand-wringing candlelight vigils for the dead, etc.

Meanwhile, I was bored stiff out there and took my '95 Escort 5 speed freakin' everywhere. I drove offroad over the old logging roads. FWD and being able to drop into low gear got me out of all sorts of trouble. A 4x4 is only useful if you're mud bogging, limited situations on ice or climbing over big rocks. Otherwise, FWD and a manual will get you through mostly anything. The lift kit people are compensating for small genitals. Nothing is more unsafe than a high center of gravity when things are slippery.

I agree with Anaxilux about Toyota quality. I'm sold on it. However, I still love old American iron. The straight six engines from GM and Ford are some of the best ever. We have a '66 Mustang convertible with a 200 straight six and a 4-speed. What a great car. I also lust after a '51-'54 Packard with a straight 8. Not the most efficient, but they'll last forever with routine maintenance. Also, they'll get more attention than a new $70k "luxury" car with hideoulsy buggy electronics.

 

[appophylite]

 
Quote:

...The lift kit people are compensating for small genitals...
 

I love that! It is a valid argument though. I've seen a lot of stock SUVs and Trucks up here in Alaska that are coated in the grime and mud of an obvious off-roading trip, whereas, more often than not, the lifted trucks and SUVs sit pretty, and shiny on the street and in the driveway.
 
 
Quote:

The straight six engines from GM and Ford are some of the best ever.

 
Don't forget the old Jeep I-6. That thing was a monster in my old Cherokee and one of the biggest things I dislike about my current JK is that I couldn't have the I-6 because it failed to pass emissions standards.
 

 

[soundboy]

Quote:

One of the more amusing things about the current generation of cars. So many improvements since the mid '90s, but interior plastics quality certainly ain't one of them. There isn't a single bit of soft touch plastic in my '09 WRX and it rattles like a bucket of bolts.
 

 
Oh really?  I had so much hope for the upcoming Impreza.

     Quote:

Usually there is a TSB for rattles.  Ask your service writer if there is something they can do at no charge.

The problem with some rattles is that they are often intermittent.  On my '09 Corolla S, there's a TSB and I actually brought in a copy of the TSB for the service advisor.  Nope....he claim his techs can't duplicate the rattles.  Another wasted trip to the dealer for me.
 

 

[Uncle Erik]

 


I love that! It is a valid argument though. I've seen a lot of stock SUVs and Trucks up here in Alaska that are coated in the grime and mud of an obvious off-roading trip, whereas, more often than not, the lifted trucks and SUVs sit pretty, and shiny on the street and in the driveway.
 
 
 
Don't forget the old Jeep I-6. That thing was a monster in my old Cherokee and one of the biggest things I dislike about my current JK is that I couldn't have the I-6 because it failed to pass emissions standards.
 

You're right - straight engines, generally, are quite good. I liked the straight six in my uncle's old Z car, too. But keeping the carbs in tune with each other was a bit of a project.

Yeah, the emissions stuff is a pain. I've got to register my car down here in Arizona so I can pull the smog stuff off it and put on a decent header and exhaust. No fart cans, either. I'm loathe to monkey with an engine (the engineers know better than I do) but a better exhaust won't affect that. (Yes, I know that isn't particularly green of me.)

 

[Anaxilus]

The inline 6 is an inherently balanced engine harmonically.  One reason the Supra and original Skylines were able to handle so much boost and power reliably.  A V12 is basically two inline 6's joined at the crank which is even more refined.  I cried the day emissions control forced V6's down our throats.  At least I can credit BMW for sticking to their guns.  Till the ECU shuts down your car and locks you inside like happened to the PM of Singapore I believe who had to be rescued by his secret service breaking the windows.  I've heard from some BMW techs that if your battery dies now you have to get towed in to reset the computers.  You can't just replace the battery or charge it yourself anymore.  

  But hey, nice engine.

 

[Uncle Erik]

IIRC, newer BMWs require a proprietary battery that has to be "introduced" to the car by a BMW tech.

No thanks.

If I can't put in a new battery myself, I ain't buying it. No way in hell I'm going to pay someone $60 or $80 an hour to replace a battery.

 

[marvin]

The death of the straight six has more to do with packaging than emissions control.
 
A transverse mounted V6 is a much more compact arrangement than a longitudinally mounted I6 and thus more practical for use in the FF configuration that dominates the market. Emissions just killed off most legacy straight sixes that weren't already dead from engine consolidation. BMW could stick with the straight six since the FR configuration doesn't as much benefit much from the packaging advantages of a V6. The availability of a V8 option in most of their models also prevents them from taking advantage of the space savings from a V6.
 
     Quote:

I cried the day emissions control forced V6's down our throats.  At least I can credit BMW for sticking to their guns.

 

[pigmode]

Checking in as another inline 6 fan. My first was a slant 6--you could fit a body in the engine compartment. Next was an 86 CJ-7. Reliable and torquey. Sure was nice when you could change your oil filter from above.

 

[appophylite]

Quote:

Checking in as another inline 6 fan. My first was a slant 6--you could fit a body in the engine compartment. Next was an 86 CJ-7. Reliable and torquey. Sure was nice when you could change your oil filter from above.

Definitely true for the Jeep Cherokee. There had to be about 6' of car in front of the driver!

 

[srozzman]

For a good compromise between reliability and fun, I recommend a Mazda 3.  I will admit, however, that I am slightly biased, as that's what I drive. 2.0L with about 140hp/tq, but a linear power curve.  Handles much better than other economy cars.  Even has a nice interior.  Weak points? Clear coat, engine mounts and horrible stock sound system.  However, I still love it.