That ‘65 has “flow through A/C” - it is ventilated in all the normally unventilated places. A bit like the ‘46 PowerWagon I drove as a tow truck early in my carreer - the heater worked fine in the summer, and the AC worked fantastic in the winter

They even sound good standing still - so you’ve still got SOMETHING when the DuoSelect dies - - - 

Likely the “house car” at the third or 4th residence of some rich dude who only spends a month or so a year at that residence - and possible gets even less miles as “the wife’s car”.

Today’s automatics can out-shift all but the very best drivers with a manual in almost every driving discipline. Hypermiling is one of the outliers where a standard trans not only outshines but out dazzles any automatic - but NOBODY hypermiles a 911!!!! A responsive automatic with paddle shifters is the “next best” to…

Or a Texan when the season’s first ice storm hits

When my American cars reach 240,000km I start thinking of them as “high mileage”. Until then they are just “experienced” - like my 376000km Ranger 4.0. Now, lets be clear - I am NOT a BMW (or any other German car) fan - but I think I’d call this a marginal NP today - take care of it and 5 years from now you’ll be “in…

Not everyone SHOULD have a brand new car in the driveway. Even if their credit would allow it at a somewhat reasonable rate. And as for the “inhouse financing” used car lot load sharks???? Bury them...

It is AN INSANELY HARD JOB TO DO RIGHT - To the point there are VERY FEW shops that will attempt a Northstar rebuild. Good reason they called them the “Deathstar” at the local Caddy dealership.

It is AN INSANELY HARD JOB TO DO RIGHT - To the point there are VERY FEW shops that will attempt a Northstar rebuild. Good reason they called them the “Deathstar” at the local Caddy dealership.

They are fine for the drifters who smoke a set off in about 2 hours flat.

Many would dissagree. They were MUCH more reliable than late 80's early ‘90s Chrysler 3 speed automatics (fwd). Never had a problem with my 02 Taurus 24 valve trans

I bought my reasonably well maintained 1981 Tercel with 310,000km? on the clock somewhere around 1995 and drove it for 5 years with NO issues. (I had serviced it for the original owner from new)I sold it and met the buyer 6 years later - 495000 on the clock - and other than fiberglassing the rear fenders (several…

No. It needed “a lada parts”. If after the third rebuild of a Niva under warranty you bought non-russian bearings the 4th time round, you ended up with a durable /reliable vehicle.

I used to say my Mini (1961 850) was the most reliable car I ever owned - I could rely on it to break down at the most in-opportune time. It was 8 years old with 196,000 miles on it when I paid $60 or $65 dollars for it.  I learned the automotive mechanics trade on that car - - - -

Because they don’t have many problems, but when they do!!!!!!!!!!!

I know some people who it doesn’t matter WHAT they drive it is trouble - - -

1961 Mini 850 - fit every single category in one way or another (bought it for $65 with 196000 miles)

“There is no such thing as a cheap German car”. “If you can’t afford a new one, you can’t afford a used one”. or the converse - “If you can afford a used one you can afford a new one”  and  “Pay me now or pay me later”

The old “Pay me now or pay me later” syndrome. If you replace the unreliable parts before they fail, the car will run forever - and with German cars that ends up being most of the car on a scheduled basis. The difference with French and Italian cars (and high-end British) is the manufacturers don’t tell you what the…

Mazdas DO seem to rust more than other cars - whether Japanese or not.