My immediately previous bike was an '83 Honda Sabre V45, 570cc.  Was a great machine, always started and never leaked a drop of anything. The deal I made with my wife when I bought the Norton was that the Honda would go. No room for 2 bikes in the garage in winter with 2 cars. Hung in there for 2 years but finally had to keep my promise. Sold it in the spring of 2017 for a meager $1000.

It was a 600 lb bike and not nearly as nimble or fun to ride as the Norton which is the same size and weight as most 250s; around 400 lb. That said reliability and no leaks especially the no leak part are no part of my Commando - still I enjoy it all the same.

I wasn't aware that the slant 4 existed in'84.

My father owned a '61 Tempest wagon with the slant 4. A long time ago but I think I recall that the long flexible drive shaft they used failed and had to be replaced at an early life.

No muscle cars for me past or present. in '64 when I graduated HS I had friends who bought the cheapest 2 door sedan Mopar with the 413 ci engine. Others had a '40 Ford coup with an Olds engine and another had a '57 Vette.  Me, I had a '61 Austin Cambridge, similar to the Harry Potter car with a 1600 cc 4 cyl MG engine.

I was a gear head too but my bent was motorcycles: Bultaco and 2 BSAs. Now I ride a '74 Norton Commando 850. Owning an old Brit bike is for the love of them, British Engineering is an oxymoron.

We've had numerous Toyotas, and they were all very reliable. We've also owned numerous "America" cars/trucks, and all but one Jeep have been very reliable.

But, these days, no car is really "American" or imported. You can only discuss percentages. None are over 80% "American".

And the rust issue is purely because states continue to use oxidants (mostly salt) on the roads. I would argue that just plain sand would do the job at a lower cost to both vehicles and the environment.

How does your Highlander handle towing ? Does it have the bullet proof 4lL V6 that is now used in the new 4Runners?

Were starting to think Sequoia with a V8 but they get horrible mileage even when not towing and they are very pricey. The Sequoia is a Tundra with an SUV body.

Also considering the new 4Runner which does have the 4L and a claimed 5000 lb capacity. I have pulled my pod with a new Tacoma with the new Atkinson Cycle 3.5L V6 which is in the new Highlanders and I wasn't impressed -- it still worked harder that I thought it should based on it's engine specs.

Can't refute your experience with your F-15. That said I'd limit my dusk/dawn and nigh time driving before you get unlucky and have a deer crash through your windshield -- hope it never happens.

My last domestic was a '72 Dodge Charger, 318, 2 brl, 225 hp; it had rust thru at 88K miles above  both front fenders when I bought an '80 Honda Accord.

Since that I buy only Honda and Toyota.  I have NEVER replaced an alternator, power steering pump or starter not to mention rock solid drive trains. Earlier Japaneese vehicles did rot away long before they failed mechanically. My 2003 Camry 5 speed and 2004 Sienna both have around 210 K miles and little to no rust.

Were it not for the Japaneese GM would still be selling inline 6 cylinders getting 18 mpg on a good day. I owned a '64 Pontiac Tempest so I speak from experience.

So say what you want about buying American (most "imports" now are made by American workers) but the Japaneese did the former Big 3 a favor by pushing them to build better vehicles. They incidentally have been savy enough to avoid states where the UAW holds sway and workers don't call the shop steward if they are asked to turn on a light switch that they claim is the electricians job.  If the UAW ever gets into Toyota I will have bought my last Toyota. I'm not anti union and understand that the UAW had an important role at their beginning. I certainly support unions for underpaid and over worked hospitality industry workers; I'm sure there is also a long list of other workers who deserve better pay and benefits.

The root cause of the issue is a difference in cultural values. The Japaneese practice "Continuous Improvement" in all they do. American corporations only worry about how they can make things cheaper to improve the next quarter's balance sheet starting with fat cat CEO multi million dollar salaries.

Vann

Originally posted by rawellman Buy a domestic older truck as a near throw away, given the former Big 3's poor reliability record, and hope it doesn't break down for 6 months ?

You've been reading the wrong material. Many, many vehicles, both foreign and domestic easily go 100,000 miles/10 years these days. It's kind of the standard by which vehicles are measured these days.

That said, my brother-in-law is still driving the 1985 Nissan King cab that we gave to him over 10 years ago. It had around 200,000 miles on it when we gave it to him for $1. It could barely get out of its own way, but it was still running.

Hard choice, I guess I would wait as the 2019 should be out by early fall.

Capt Kidd,

14.7 mpg is very good, I would be happy too !  I typically buy only new Toyota vehicles and keep them until their dead.

My dilemma coming into focus now is that I really want a van for the extra room they have vs. SUV's.

Adding to the problem is that I want to see what the promised redesigned 2019 Toyota Sienna has to offer.

So what do I do ?

By a decent "tide me over" vehicle expecting to loose no more that $2K ? 

Buy a domestic older truck as a near throw away, given the former Big 3's poor reliability record, and hope it doesn't break down for 6 months ?

Damn Toyota for dragging their feet on the Sienna redesign.

I had the cruise set at 60 mph the whole way.  Going up hills I took it out of cruise and held the revs to around 3,ooo rpm.  Speed would down to maybe 45 some times but mostly was able to maintain 50 mph.

When I got to Chico, CA I had averaged 14.7 mph.  I was happy.

On the way up to Roseburg I didn't take it out of cruise and only managed to get 12.3 mpg.  I'm sure coming south it is more down hill but I think the biggest difference was not trying to maintain the 60 mph up hill.

Jim and Diane,

Good input thank you.  A temporary truck or explorer may be my solution until the 2019 Toyota Sienna is available supposedly early 2019. It likely will have 290 hp or greater.

Ron

Kup-Pod,

Thanks for your insightful reply.  You sound like us in that you buy vehicles for the long haul --  a vehicles worth starts to be measured at 100 K.

I hadn't thought of a Santa Fe but will look into it especially since it tows better than your previous Sienna.  I was not even considering six cyl vehicles but with your report and a stated 5000 lb towing capability I'm willing to change my mind.

Sincerly,

Ron

The Santa Fe has a 3.3l V-6 and has 5000lbs pulling capacity.  The "sport" driving mode is nice to have since it prevents it from shifting into 6th gear and keeps the revs up.  you can feel the pull on blustery days, but it handles the hills well.

Mind you, my son-in-law has an easier time pulling it with his Ram 1500!! but we still need the 7 seater SUV.

Thanks for your reply, the higher torque rating will be important. I appreciate that no vans are really built for towing even an RPod. I would really strongly consider the redesigned 2019 Sienna but rumors are that it won't be out until early 2019. Toyota does things right and won't take any vehicle to market that might risk their reliability reputation.

I may simply break down and buy $10-$15 K pickup to see how well I like it and buy time until the 2019 Sienna is available.  All the new generation vans have around 290 hp, since I have lived with 225 hp in my 2004 sienna, 290 would be an improvement plus the newer van have very advanced safety features.

I commend you on being able to tow with any of those three vehicles. They all have a tow rating in the neighborhood of 3500 lbs. Since the GVWR on the RP-177 is over 3700 lbs, I would call none of them exactly up for the task. That said, you've been OK with the Sienna, so I would go with the one that has the highest torque rating, and cross my fingers.

I would be happier if you were looking at something with a 4500 or 5000 lb tow rating.

Tow Vehicles ?

Anyone towing with a latest model Chrysler Pacifica or most recent Honda Odyssey  ?

I have been towing my 2013 R-177 with my 14 yo, 210 k miles Toyota Sienna but it's time to buy something new. I don't want a truck or an SUV, SUVs don't have the storage space a van does. My Sienna has 225 hp and works hard to pull the Pod and mileage is horrific, 9-10 mpg but I can live with that while towing because when not towing the Sienna gets 24 mpg on the highway.

Given my preference to avoid trucks and SUVs what suggestions does anyone have?

Ron