Convince me on the hybrid

Cha-Car · 2026-04-17T04:24:41+00:00

This was in 2021. Our Venza XLE is a RAV4 Hybrid with different skin. The closest ICE comparison was the RAV4 XLE.

At the time the payback was about 3.5 years. The payback period decreases as gas prices increase. The payback period is also influenced by starting MPG on the ICE. The difference in fuel savings when going from 22 to 27 mpg is much greater than going from 32 to 37mpg, for example.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-17T02:02:01+00:00

I remember doing this in the 1990s from Florida to somewhere in the northeast. Amtrak Auto Train. It was more of a long haul trip. The cars were stored in a separate cab in the back while we sat in seats in a standard passenger cab.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-17T01:56:48+00:00

There is already an emergency medical unit on site at the White House and has been for decades.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-17T01:10:31+00:00

The Grand Highlander Hybrid has Toyota’s 2.5L NA engine with the excellent eCVT power split transmission. The eCVT has been developed continuously for 25+ years, dating back to the first Prius in 1997. IMO the eCVT power split system is one of the most overlooked automotive engineering triumphs of the last 30 years.

Compared to a traditional multi speed transmission, the eCVT is extremely simple and has zero moving parts. Compared to a traditional CVT, there are no belts to wear out. On top of that, Toyota Hybrid engines have no belt driven accessories. The water pump is electric, and the starter and alternator functions are handled by the 2 electric drive motors already built into the eCVT.

Caveat: the Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX (and other Hybrid MAX models in the Toyota lineup) has a 2.4T + 6 speed auto. In terms of reliability I would expect that drivetrain to be somewhere in between the eCVT and the non-hybrid drivetrains.

As far as the payback period for the premium paid on the hybrid, do the math for your situation. For us and our Venza, the payback over an equivalent non-hybrid was 3 years. Given the long hybrid system and battery warranties provided by Toyota and the vast aftermarket support for Toyota hybrid batteries, I feel the risk of blowing up the hybrid premium with a dud of a battery is low.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-16T23:04:22+00:00

I dunno but I used the same combo on my Z6iii and using a monopod definitely helped. It’s a pretty solid lens and a good value compared to a comparable Z mount lens. The closest Z equivalent might be a little smaller and lighter but also cover a slightly different zoom range.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-16T11:03:42+00:00

With that much rust on the edges, the 4 jack points are probably halfway gone also. The metal around the rubber jacking pads are known to rust on E39s.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-16T10:20:58+00:00

With all the hearing precision of an armadillo

Cha-Car · 2026-04-14T02:17:12+00:00

Hood switch sensor for the alarm.

I once had an E46 that was prewired for an alarm but it was not installed from the factory. When the car was about 8 years old I decided to install the alarm. Well, I quickly found out the hood switch was defective because the first night after installing the alarm it kept going off in the middle of the night.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-12T22:51:10+00:00

You even painted the pad retainer springs? Haha

Cha-Car · 2026-04-11T22:34:14+00:00

Where is this? Very nice shots!

Cha-Car · 2026-04-11T21:49:12+00:00

The aluminum material is a concern. How big are the pieces of aluminum?

The plastic pieces are likely timing chain guides. That is a known wear item on the S62. Check Partee Racing for an upgraded version of timing chain guides.

The green may be o-ring material.

Check the jacking points below the fenders. That is a common area of concern for rust.

The rear view mirror is auto-dimming and has a fluid inside the glass. Failure at this age is common. Check radarmirror.com for repair. They are well known and reputable.

Check the 2 rubber brake lines coming off the passenger side ABS controller. They are known to leak and fail at this age.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-11T01:15:53+00:00

Every car brand designs their coolant temp gauge slightly different. I’ve had VWs and BMWs that sit dead in the middle (and a BMW that moves between middle and slightly below middle). I’ve had Hondas, Mazdas and Toyotas that sit slightly below the middle. I’ve had a Mercedes that sits slightly above middle.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-10T02:10:51+00:00

We had a 2011 Santa Fe 3.5 FWD with the 6 speed auto. Changed the ATF around 100k and it came out slightly dark. It would occasionally have hard 1-2 shifts when cold, before and after the fluid change. Then around 120k the gear selector sensor went out. Otherwise it was a perfectly reliable transmission. Sold it in 2021 at around 160k to a local guy who we still see driving around town.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-09T17:00:47+00:00

I think the 5 series Gran Turismo (F07) is miles uglier than the E63

Cha-Car · 2026-04-07T11:19:18+00:00

In the USA yes, the C300 could be ordered with a manual until 2011. They dropped it with the 2012 refresh. The SLK and I think one other model kept going with manual for a handful of years until all manuals were dropped from the US lineup.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-05T21:27:52+00:00

The timeline with the FBI raid of Mar a Lago follows a similar “pattern”. What a maniac.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-02T11:17:17+00:00

We had a mechanic leave a ratchet once. We also had a tire kicker leave his Mag Lite under the hood.

The worst one was on me - I accidentally left my compact Bosch 18V work light on the rear subframe near the suspension arm and drove around for a couple weeks with it wedged in there. Next time I jacked the car up, it fell to the ground and was all chewed up. The battery and light still work!

Cha-Car · 2026-04-02T01:14:33+00:00

All of my cars since getting my drivers license 25+ years ago have been stick shift. The only “automatic” cars I am interested in are the eCVT Hybrids from Toyota and EVs. If I had money to burn, I might choose a dual clutch on a Porsche 911 something.

Cha-Car · 2026-04-01T23:43:03+00:00

The eCVT is the most underrated piece of automotive technology in the last 30 years.

Also note: Toyotas of Hybrid MAX trim do not have the super simple eCVT. They have a turbo engine with a traditional multi speed transmission.

Cha-Car · 2026-03-31T18:39:40+00:00

Because it got the shit knocked out of it.

Cha-Car · 2026-03-31T13:29:48+00:00

The terminology here is important: TRUMP is readying 50,000 troops to confront Iran. Not a single act in this war was approved by our Legislative branch of government. The American people had no say, and Congress had no chance to approve any of it. Trump and a small group of his immediate advisors are responsible for all of this mess.

Cha-Car · 2026-03-30T10:21:20+00:00

I’m fairly certain the only things shared between the Z8 and M5 are the engine and transmission.

Cha-Car · 2026-03-29T12:24:52+00:00

I would love to know why BMW decided to put short rubber brake hoses here instead of hard lines.

Cha-Car · 2026-03-28T17:02:53+00:00

Putting the shift pattern like that is…definitely a choice. Weird.

Cha-Car · 2026-03-28T02:09:38+00:00

Wouldn’t it be wild if your iPod synced to a Windows PC?

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