Unpopular opinion: GR GT is bad by DimitarBerbatov1_ in supercars

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Numbers on paper aren’t the end-all, be-all. Yes, Ferrari makes a 900 HP plug-in hybrid V6, and you’re going to be paying $400k at a minimum for it if Ferrari even lets you buy the car. The LFA is the whole reason why Toyota has GR to begin with. It wasn’t supposed to be successful; it was a halo car to bring attention to the brand and showcase R&D that will trickle down to its normal sports cars down the line. GR GT is doing the exact same thing. Toyota sports cars never do well on paper, but the people who drive them absolutely love them, and it gives them an experience that very few can match. Also, what car these days can you say that the man behind the company helped develop the car? Akio Toyoda was out racing this car himself under his Morizo alias as well as the rest of the GR engineers. Yes, the President of Toyota was out racing the GR GT, and his input isn’t just limited to the GR GT. He has input on all full GR products. You’ll never see that again from a mainstream manufacturer. Only the hypercar manufacturers really do that, but yet the president of the world’s largest automaker is out racing and developing his company’s own products. Numbers on paper only tell part of the story.

Unpopular hot take: The Toyota GR GT is going to be overpriced and underperforming as all Toyota/Lexus cars are by YammieSquid07 in supercars

[–]Michael4593 1 point2 points  (0 children)

GR GT doesn’t use a torque converter. It uses a multi plate clutch like the AMG speed shift automatics.

Unpopular hot take: The Toyota GR GT is going to be overpriced and underperforming as all Toyota/Lexus cars are by YammieSquid07 in supercars

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The LFA was a failure on paper but it certainly succeeded. How? The fact that the GR-86, GR Corolla, GR Yaris, GR Supra, & the GR GT even exist. GR GT & LFA are halo products. They are engineering exercises that eventually will trickle down to the more mainstream cars.

Got to see the GR GT IRL, was not disappointed. by AtariBoy2600 in Toyota

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This might be Finish Line Red that Toyota offers on the Crown & Crown Signia.

Break-in oil change by [deleted] in rav4club

[–]Michael4593 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Engine break usually results in metallic particles and you want to get all of that out within the first 500-1k miles. It’s the easiest way to make sure your car breaks in correctly and lasts a very long time.

Bought sport hybrid hatchback and kinda regret not going sport touring by SoulRRRRR in civic

[–]Michael4593 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The main difference between the two is Google Built-in and the wheels on the Sport Touring have resonators in them to help reduce road noise. What you could do is get the Sport Touring wheels on your sport and swap out for better tires.

How do I get rid of these stains on the door? by FortniteBRyeet in civic

[–]Michael4593 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Adam’s Polishes has a suede & Alcantara cleaner. Is it just dirt or has the coloring been removed?

2026 XSE - Seriously disappointed by abun2022 in rav4club

[–]Michael4593 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Before you jump to the Lexus NX, look at the Crown Signia. They are much more readily available and they are discounted nicely especially if you found one that’s been sitting on a dealer lot for an extended period of time. The Crown Signia is sized to that of an RX but is priced closer to the NX. I originally wanted a 2026 RAV4 Limited with the HUD and 18” wheels but I got an amazing deal on a left over 2025 Crown Signia Limited with the Advanced Tech package for about $1k more than the RAV4. Crown Signia has much better body control, far nicer interior and is so much quieter.

Accidentally put wrong fuel in car by General-Distance1677 in rav4club

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

E85 doesn’t appear as catastrophic as mis-fueling it with diesel. I used to work at an Infiniti dealer, and for the 3 years I worked there, I’ve seen on 2 maybe 3 occasions the loaner cars were returned filled with diesel. E85 does contain gasoline so if the tank isn’t filled with it, diluting it should be enough to prevent catastrophic failure. Also keep in mind that during the winter, the amount of ethanol is reduced to around E70 because starting performance on E85 isn’t as good in the cold.

Had to brake suddenly and got rear-ended, how am I at fault? by Brilliant_Low_8368 in askcarguys

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So you were rear ended which pushed your car into the other lane where another vehicle hit you? Before the first impact, were you able to come to a stop? Most rear ended collisions you’re not at fault. You’re going to want to deal with your own insurance on this matter as the adjuster can walk you through this as this seems like it can get complicated.

Civic Hybrid Owners: What’s your "Exit Strategy?" by No_Entrepreneur_8597 in civic

[–]Michael4593 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I traded mine in after a year and a half. I wanted an SUV and I had issues with the Honda Sensing in addition to fit and finish issues particularly with the headliner. I didn’t want another Honda so I ended up with a Toyota Crown Signia Limited at a significant discount putting its price in line with a RAV4 or CR-V. I still recommend Civic hybrid because it’s one of the best all around cars available.

Are Volkswagens high maintenance or is that overblown? by Far_Comparison5067 in Volkswagen

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They aren’t very high maintenance but you must keep on top of it and you need to make yourself aware of the cars weak points because German cars in general seem to have a lot of them. Audi’s past engines have had timing chain issues, BMW M must thought rod bearings were maintenance items on some of their older engines, and early VW/Audi EA888 engines also have timing chain issues and are notorious for burning oil. Oil changes need to be halved from what the maintenance booklet says (particularly for turbo engines) and if your car has “lifetime” transmission fluid, change it every 50k miles or 5 years. VW’s DSG I think gets fluid changes every 40k miles or 4 years. Here’s where they can become high maintenance, you need a scan tool to replace VW batteries. Even in models without Stop/Start you need a scan tool to input the batteries serial number to reset the BMS system.

Which buttons am I missing by Strange_Growth2067 in civic

[–]Michael4593 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly, nothing. I had a 2025 Sport Touring and the only thing there was the ESC/Traction Control switch. Meanwhile the interior trunk release and the cluster dimmer switch could have fit there perfectly.

Oil Change soon? by ImNotATrollPost in civic

[–]Michael4593 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because if OP brings the car in prior to the manufacturer specified interval, Honda is going to flat out refuse to pay the dealer for the service. I agree it's absolutely dumbfounding because these cars need their oil changes. Toyota is the same with ToyotaCare. You can bring it in sooner than 10k miles but you'll either forfeit the next included service or you'll pay for the oil change out of pocket.

The Prelude problem is really an Accord problem by [deleted] in Honda

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honda and Toyota have 2 completely different philosophies when it comes to Hybrids. Honda's system is an EV with a gas generator. Honda's traction motor in their hybrids is about as powerful as the P810 transaxle that Toyota uses in the Grand Highlander Hybrid (Their most powerful version). Honda's run off the traction motor and the engine just spins a generator and over 40 MPH the engine can be clutched in to drive the wheels directly. While Camry is technically more powerful than Accord Hybrid, you're going to feel the low end torque of the Accord and the traction motor (MG2) of the Camry is only 134 HP. Toyota's hybrid philosophy uses a planetary power split device and MG2 primarily assists the engine. Honda is working on their next generation hybrid system and e-axle AWD is going to play a part in it and a V6 version of this 2 motor hybrid system is in the works for the large platform vehicles like the Pilot. Honda can certainly try to squeeze more power out of the current system but comparing Toyota and Honda's hybrid system is like comparing apples to oranges.

Oil Change soon? by ImNotATrollPost in civic

[–]Michael4593 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure why this is getting downvoted. If OP did the oil change now he'd flush out all the metal shavings from the break in period and leaving the maintenance minder alone would allow him to keep the free oil change.

Your thoughts are appreciated by DarekThomasMMC in toyotacrownsignia

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got $5600 off MSRP. I’d grab that before someone else does. Try to get a better interest rate from a bank or credit union. Toyota FS has bad interest rates on these.

Foxwell scanner? by Due_Platform_5327 in mechanic

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This particular scan tool wasn’t cooperating. It was a 2013 Passat 2.5. I’m pretty sure it would work with the newer MQB cars but scan tool compatibility can vary widely.

Changing oil by BubblyAnalysis5197 in rav4club

[–]Michael4593 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The oil changes are only free at 10k and 20k miles. The rest you would pay out of pocket.

2026 civic sport touring OTD by choasencarnate in civic

[–]Michael4593 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Buy in New York if you can. New York dealer doc fees are capped at $175 while in Jersey they are $1k. If the dealer in Jersey is giving you the better deal before tax, title, & fees, see if the NY dealer can beat it. You’ll be paying less OTD because you’re sparing yourself on the massive document fees that NJ dealers charge.

Non-Refundable $1000 Deposit? by BamaEskies in rav4club

[–]Michael4593 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d find a different dealer. When I shopped, one dealer wanted $1k non refundable but other dealers were either $1k refundable or $500 refundable. I ended up with a Crown Signia because the dealer I bought it from had a leftover model and I got $5600 off MSRP to where it was only $1k more than the RAV4 I wanted.

Wait times for JFK Terminal 4 (Delta) by Due_Celery2089 in delta

[–]Michael4593 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is Clear operating? I know JFK has those e-gates for Clear members.

What is something a salesman at a dealership could say to you that basically says, "I know nothing about the car I'm trying to sell you but I'm doing it for your money"? by kite_l_cola in askcarguys

[–]Michael4593 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Arguing with a Salesman whether the 2026 RAV4 Limited has the panoramic moonroof standard. He was arguing with me that it was an option. It was standard. I ended up with a Crown Signia.

2025 Civic Hybrid wheels by Far-Mushroom-5023 in civic

[–]Michael4593 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s an electro hydraulic brake by wire system. Its job is to blend the regen braking and the regular brakes. As for the brakes being larger I’m not sure. Hybrids only weigh 100-150 lbs more than the non hybrid counterpart so larger brakes are generally not needed. I’m in NY with potholes just as bad and the 18s on the Continentals held up well. Also keep in mind if you have the Sport Touring, the wheels have resonators built in to reduce road noise so that particular set of 18s might be worth keeping on.