Are Japanese cars really more reliable? Latest Consumer Reports info

I run that stretch on all my trips to Mass.

No problem in my little '92 Corolla Wagon loaded to the gills...

You are free to believe what ever you chose. ;)

mike

From Florida one would do better taking I-95, and not need to run in second and third gear half the time. Think of all the gas you will save ;)

mike

I think VVTi made a huge difference in performance. I couldn't believe how lively the 3.0L VVTi Sienna was when I test-drove it (compared to larger engines from the competitors!). The only VVTi 4 I've driven is my b-i-l's Camry and I thought it was pretty good. Not quite as zippy as the 3.0L V6 but good enough, for sure, and I'll take the fuel economy, thanks.

You think you're the only guy in America who drives a car up hill near trucks? The only way a big rig will pass a car up hill is if it accelerated to 90 before it hit that hill (usually going down the preceding hill). And as soon as the road bends up, the trucker will start slowing.

I've driven through PA many times. Trucks would not even pass my VW EuroVan going uphill and I could maintain 5th gear and that vehicle was most definitely a slug, at approximately 40lbs/hp before passengers and luggage and the aerodynamics of a block of wood.

I currently drive a 99 6 cyl Camry. However, before my next purcase I will give both the 4 and the 6 test drives.

Most of what you wrote is in line with my thoughts, or at least in the same territory, so I clipped it. I did find your comments on the Fit interesting.

I used to autocross cars in my youth. I had a 1972 Ford Pinto. On most tight courses I often beat the time of STOCK Corvettes, Mustangs, Challengers, Camaros, Jaguars, Datsun 240Z's, etc. I never confused autocross courses with real world driving or on track racing. Let me pick the course / rules and I can beat a Ferrari with a farm tractor.

I beg to differ. If you think a Honda Fit is exciting, I think you need to get out more. Don't get me wrong, it is not a bad car (actually it is a really good car), and if I was autocrossing these days, I think it might be the car to have. I remember when I was active, the original Mini Coopers were hard to beat. Even Fiat 128 were good. But I never wanted either of those as an every day car. I did have an Austin-Healey Sprite as an autocross car - it was fine for that, but for everyday driving the Pinto was much better, and depending on the course, about as good an autocross car.

Ed

You must have been 'drafting' behind a Freightliner LOL

mike

Then you are obviously driving much less of a climb than I am talking about. Which just makes you all the more full of crap. There are not many Mt passes out west where Semis can do the speed limit over.