I don’t see where the 4Runner is mentioned in the article. I’m curious, in the case of the differential failure, what was the maintenance regimen like? Was it the rear diff? Was the fluid in it changed at least once?

We’ll chalk it up to willful ignorance then.

Sorry but the entire third world disagrees with you. I can promise you the streets in Biysk Russia (Siberia, -30 for weeks on end in the winter) where they fill potholes with bricks (yes you read that right) are worse than in a very mild climate in a southern state in the US.

To specifically call out Toyotas for…

What exactly seems more robust? My new beater ‘96 ES300 with 204k miles of midwestern roads under its wheels has all original suspension with tight balljoints/tie rod ends/control arm bushings, the struts still hold a charge (although honestly it will need some fresh struts front and back to be 100%). I’ve NEVER…

“Interestingly, the newscaster uses the term Great Patriotic War, not WW2 to describe the time.”

“Velikaya Otechestvenaya Voina” (Great Patriotic war) Is the standard way that it’s referred to in Russia, nothing unusual or interesting per se.

For all the fawning the 4.0L gets, it really strikes me as having a rather mixed reputation. I knew a few guys that racked up over 200k miles on their beaten and neglected WJs. I also have a coworker with 115k miles on a Cherokee Sport that eats coolant (known head casting issue). I also hear a lot about older 4.0L…

Again, the appeal is the durability, availability of spares, and affordability. Sure a used Civic or something might drive better, but it will have a more fragile suspension, less ground clearance, and the local repair shop won’t have spares in stock and/or won’t be as familiar with how to work on it. Same exact…

“The Sentra of that era wasn’t even a good car of its time.”

How so? The sequential fuel inejcted twin-cam GA16DE had great power for the class, the 4spd auto allowed for relaxed highway cruising (a revelation in the econobox class at the time), and it had independent suspension all around. With a bit of suspension…

Let’s see, they have a ton of interior/cargo room (more cargo height than a wagon that you will inevitably try to bring up), fuel economy that matches midsize sedans from not that long ago, they ride/handle closer to sedans than true SUVs., and generally have that extra bit of clearance and some flavor of AWD system…

So you make fun of a compact CUV and suggest in its stead.... a subcompact CUV? Wow, great job.

I can guarantee you that the CRV is a nicer car to spend time in in terms of comfort (ride, NVH), has a stronger engine, and has more utility. Unless it’s a matter of finances or a need for something shorter for easier…

Hey weren’t you the guy giving someone a hard time about a thirsty old Range Rover just a few days ago? The truth comes out, you’re from a wealthy New England enclave and grew up shuttled about in a LR Discovery.

The ironing is delicious.

Hah! I imagined the chin-strap before I ever saw it.

“they are way more reliable than any other luxury car from the same vintage.”

Let me just point you to the 1st gen LS400.

W140s have a whole litany of issues, especially at this age. Coolant leaks from heater cores and the coolant lines running to them, the usual chain wear and headgaskets on the lower end I6 models,…

A clean, stock 98-00 100 series Land Cruiser with some Martha’s Vineyard stickers on the back.

“They are very reliable cars, relatively cheap to run and maintain”

That depends highly on one’s definition of “reliable” and “cheap to run and maintain.”

They’re overbuilt to all hell in terms of individual component quality, but the problem is that there is just so many of said components, crammed in next to one…

Still, the guy says he bought it for $3k and wrenches on it himself. Even with the mid-teens mpg and inevitable parts that need to be replaced, I can almost guarantee you his total running costs once depreciation is included are lower than the GTI it looks like you drive. At $3k, his RR has basically hit rock bottom…

I promise you your VW is depreciating much quicker than my old 4Runner goes through gas (20mpg). Some people just miss the big picture in terms of cost of ownership.

Having ridden in a few Volgas on my visits to relatives in Siberia, most recently an early 2000s 3110 model, the GAZ engineers sure do know how to build a suspension. It’s just that they have vastly different priorities than we do here in the US. Over there it’s all about ride comfort and long travel suspension to…

“I live in a small house with formica countertops and white appliances, one bathroom”

You realize that some of us live in houses like that and are a 25 minute+ drive from work anyways? Not complaining at all, 1100sq ft is all the house I need for now anyways. In the same vein as you I have all my vehicles paid off (a…

Okay, I think I have a solution: why don’t we have two separate sets of gas pumps with different prices. One for “historically marginalized groups,” and one for “white privileged asssholes”

Wait, that sounds kind of familiar...