She's Dead Jim

[golftango]

I smash my accelerator pedal right to the floor..........hahahahahahaha ha!

I was actually pondering my CVT this very morning on my banzai-run to work, thinking how maybe the way I "use" my cars is literally what makes them last: "Use it or lose it".

There's probably some truth there. If you drive it like you stole it, but are religious with maintaining it and using proper fluids, i.e. synthetic oil, you'll have lower carbon buildup, etc.

[WESHOOT2]

religious with maintaining it

This is so utterly not me
I do service it occasionally at my local Suzuki dealership, but my intervals are perhaps longer and my choices more limited
than suggested.


I would like to restate that my last Kizashi went 164,370 miles with minimal (at best ) maintenance.
This current one is being treated identically.
Oh, except driven much harder.
107 days, 13,941 Tim-miles.



32,867

[KuroNekko]

Kuro, in light of avoiding 'new and unproven' which I agree goes against reliability and longevity concerns, I was wondering what your thoughts are on Toyota's 'new' (old) Atkinson V6 engine strategy? Toyota had been the pillar of Japanese reliability seemingly forever.

I don't think the Atkinson cycle engines from Toyota will present a problem. They've been using Atkinson cycle engines for a while now with the Prius and more cars have them, especially hybrids. They range from most Toyota/Lexus hybrids to even the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Atkinson cycle allows for better fuel efficiency hence it's why it's employed in hybrids. The reason why I'm confident that Toyota Atkinson cycle engines will be reliable is that they've already proved themselves in hybrid variants. The Prius is among the most reliable cars one can buy and even the Ford Fusion Hybrid has stellar reliability.

From my understanding, it's not Atkinson cycle engines that are questionable but their supercharged variants with Miller cycle engines. Based on my reading, a Miller cycle is essentially a supercharged Atkinson cycle engine that makes up for the power output deficiency that traditional Atkinson cycle engines have compared to Otto cycle engines. Mazda used some Miller cycle engines in the past with the Millenia but these had some reliability issues.

However, Atkinson cycle engines seem to do best when paired with hybrid systems that can counteract the power deficiency of Atkinson cycle engines at certain points in the powerband. As for using them in conventional ICE like the new V6, it sounds like Toyota is employing a technique of utilizing both direct and multiport fuel injection while also allowing the engine to utilize an Otto cycle. Only time can tell how reliable this system is but Toyota is famous for being very conservative about employing new technologies that aren't reliable. If they are using these new Atkinson cycle V6s in reliability stalwarts like the Tacoma, I'm quite confident Toyota has rigorously tested these.

Here's some more info on the Atkinson V6 that will be in the new 2016 Tacoma. Rumor is that this new V6 will be more fuel efficient than the 4 banger while offering over 100 more HP.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/01/ho ... cycle.html

[LPSISRL]

Thanks for the link. I just leaned about Otto and Atkinson. Then I spent another hour in the comments.

[Ronzuki]

I smash my accelerator pedal right to the floor..........hahahahahahaha ha!

I was actually pondering my CVT this very morning on my banzai-run to work, thinking how maybe the way I "use" my cars is literally what makes them last: "Use it or lose it".

That exact thought pops into my head every time I read a negative post regarding the CVTs...."SHOOT drives his like he stole it, therefore it must like it"

[WESHOOT2]

The owners driving these new BMWs, Audis, etc. don't actually own them but essentially rent them with a lease.
It's also why I personally believe Euro brands have little incentive to improve their poor reliability and high cost of ownership. They know the majority of their owners lease them and get new ones by the time the warranty runs out. It's also why these cars tank fast in resale value on the used market. They essentially only hold strong value when new and in ten years, see some insane value depreciation percentages compared to simple Japanese cars like the Honda Civic. They know that reliability and longevity aren't selling points to leasers, but power, technology, and luxury are. Hence, the European luxury brands cater to that.

This, IMNSHO, is the most concise description of Euro cars I've read.



(In fact, while once applying for a Service Advisor job at an Audi dealer, the manager told me "real Audi owners don't keep their cars past their warranty".)