Subarus are still reporting engines issues, such as oil leaks and PCV problems. their CVT gets good marks, but , a CVT is still just a friction drive device. Toyota has one that uses a
planetary gear setup instead, but it's not very efficient . in a few more years manuals will be gone, except maybe in a handfull of performance cars. complexity will rule the day

 

Only if it's malfunctioning and letting the belt slip, meaning it's actively shredding its drive "belt". While they share general operating principals, automotive CVT belts are nothing like the reinforced rubber CVT belts found on scooters and the like. Rather than transferring power with tension like a rubber belt CVT, automotive belts use a stack of metal plates (the belt segments) to push power from the drive pulley to the driven pulley. The steel bands of the "belt" just keep the segments in contact with the pulleys and the stack in order. Yes, the segments still rely on static friction to carry power between the segments and pulleys. The difference between static and dynamic friction is the same as a tire rolling down the road (static) vs. a tire skidding down the road (dynamic). In that respect, all cars use friction drive. Another example is a manual transmission's clutch when fully engaged (static) vs. being feathered (dynamic). Top-fuel dragsters use friction drive - a one speed transmission and a giant clutch. They can get away with that because the clutch only gets used for 3 seconds between rebuilds.

Realistically, I forsee eCVTs replacing mechanical CVTs. eCVTs enable battery-only operation for short trips. No wear parts except a direct-drive cruising gear clutch. Additional clutch-operated gears can be added to further boost acceleration/reduce the size of the drive motor - I think Toyota has been doing this, as it's somewhat similar to their Synergy Drive tech.

 

That's a tough one. I had two Civics last for 17 years, so...

Depending on the reliability ratings at the time, I might get a CR-V - or else a Toyota.

EDITED: I meant to type "HR-V."

 

"ICE" is no longer a good term for the traditional engine, in. my opinion.

 

Check the ratings for the Chinese electrics.

 

We could be consistent with electric vehicle’s nomenclature “EV” and call gas vehicles “GV”.

 

ICE = Internal Combustion Engine, meaning it includes or describes both gas/petrol and diesel. What's wrong with an acronym that works well and has been in use for decades?

 

GV - Gravity Vehicle. Excellent for going downhill.

 

You’ve given me something to think about. Internal combustion seemed inherent, but there are steam engines which are external combustion engines, ECE.

 

Arguably also jet engines. At no point is the combustion space closed off from ambient atmosphere. There's always open gaps between the compressor and turbine blades, all the way through the engine.

For most automotive discussions, simply "combustion engines" is an adequate distinction. "Conventional engine" is too floppy a term - conventions change.

 

i got 12 years out of my '90 hatchback and 16 years out of my '02 SI . i'm sure a Toyota will certainly match that, but the Honda is the nicer driver, and there won't be any more small hatchbacks

 

I saw a blip online yesterday about Toyota going 100% hybrid. I find that unlikely.

toyota going 100% hybrid - Google Search

 

I have a 19 year old 07 Accord V6 with 336000 miles. Older Hondas last if you take care of it. I don't see why the 3rd gen Fit is 'getting long in the tooth", it' just over 10 years old for a 2015.

 

Why not simply piston engine? Oh yes, steam engines are piston engines as well, but when speakin about cars or trucks, there should be no risk of misunderstanding.

 

What about Wankel rotary engines?

 

I bought mine in the summer of 2014. They were very hard to get back then. I had to drive from NY to Maine to get it, and the dealer cheated me on the trade-in when I got there. His "definite" value dropped almost $1,000.

 

That's a scummy car dealer playing mind-games. He knew he had the car you wanted, which you were having a hard time finding, and that you had driven several hours to get there without a deal in writing. He went in big on the sunk-cost game, betting he could milk you for an extra grand. Your options were to pay the scum bag or walk away.

 

I has a rotary piston.

 

How 'bout "Bucket Engine"?

 

Yes. After he gave me the trade-in value, I asked him of this was definite, or if it would change after I got there. "Oh, no. This is a firm price. I confirmed it with our used car department." As you said, I had little choice.

My son found a Fit an hour away a week later. Unfortunately, that had whatever problem was common with the 2015 Fit, and we wasted money trying to repair it. Fortunately, a car ran into it, and it was totaled. He bought a 2019. That was totaled when a deer ran into it. He bought a 2020 which he still has, 105,000 miles on it.