I’ve read enough horror stories about lifters eating the cams on my specific engine that I was spurred into doing my first UOA:
This actually looks pretty good so I’m going to stick with redline.
I’m thinking alot of the people that had their camshafts ruined were probably extending their oil change intervals too long (>5000 miles) or were using oils that rapidly thin out and cause wear like the european mobile 1.
A different me in one of the multiverses out there has an all ‘tiny’ inventory that coincidently would be all Suzuki
Roadster: Suzuki Cappuccino
4x4/camping: Suzuki Samurai out of convenience but now with how old/common JDM can be had, Suzuki Jimny
When a 4 door is needed: 1st gen Suzuki Sidekick/Vitara JX 5-door.
Probably wouldn’t even break the bank too bad either. Caps are already being sold registered in Cali, Samurai’s can be had especially if your resourceful at fixing them. I’d imagine 1st gen Sidekicks go for cheap too, again probably needing some mechanical inclination and resources.
Could probably park the first two front to back in “one spot” in a two-car garage, and the 4 door in the next spot with some room to spare all-around.
I’d would’ve wanted, at least one Kei Truck, in a different timeline
In an alternate universe I would be short enough to fit inside a
Mazda Autozam AZ-1.
How did Doug get inside?
Will be ordering as it looks like I’m going back ‘in there’. The door is still difficult to open (feels like handle needs overtravel to open the latch) so I’ll be going in to try and bend this rod in one or both of the circled areas:
My theory is it got bent as the methhead super-meth-human’d the original door handle.
Honda Cars Bikes and Coffee schedule for the rest of 2025:
June 21 (Summer’s Here! – car and bike fun in the sun)
August 16 (Heritage & Museums – a showcase of SoCal car and bike museums and vintage models)
October 18 (Customization – highlighting accessories, modifications, and personalization)
December 13 (Clubs & Community – celebrating car and bike enthusiast groups and giving back to the community)
Something to watch out for Ionic 5 owners.
Dang supply chain + parts are backed up. Hyndai doesn’t have a explanation yet for why the issue is occurring or a proper fix
I wonder if they have contracts (like apple) that prevent the suppliers from selling the part to third parties.
The last Cars and Coffee I went to a guy who owned one said the process was a nightmare. But take that with a grain of salt.
I think that could have been before they turned 25 years old. I went to a meetup over 10 years ago and a guy had a cap, clearly had found some nuanced loop-hole and didn’t want to elaborate at all. I believe it gets much easier once the car is 25+ y/o.
In other news, I didn’t pass my BAR BUT the inspector was really cool, good guy. He caught me on my pully, so swapping that out to the OEM one (and keeping it that way afterwards, I don’t think the few extra PSI is worth the intake temps) and a rotted out barb cap I didn’t catch in my pre-run-through.
I couldn’t find my OEM pulley so have a used one on the way, re-inspect with him and get a certificate that I guess supersedes smog shops and can be presented if another smog shop complains about something like the HKS DLI, lack of part number on S/C, catch can, aftermarket vacuum lines (truck is 24 years old) etc.
BAR guy mentioned he gets a lot of cars from that smog shop I went to, so I guess that smog guy is super-smog-compliance zombie of the region or something.
Currently on the hunt for a new daily. My 2013 Spark is a ticking time bomb for the transmission to go.
Currently looking for an AWD (maybe 4x4 but probably over kill) with decent ground clearance. Not looking at overlanding but primarily looking for something to bring to Tahoe since I’m living closer by. The roads to my Grandparents cabin is rough to say the least and possibly thinking about a winter trip eventually.
Subaru seems to be the obvious choice (Crosstrek / Forester) leaning towards the Forester since I can be cheap and look for an older model year if well maintained. But I’m realizing how incredibly similar in size all these vehicles are. I hate driving anything larger than a sedan / hatchback but it feels like I’m looking for a golden egg.
Mazda 3 or Impreza with taller tires or suspension upgrades could be a choice as well.
Also don’t want to deal with sub 20mpg but I know most of these choices aren’t fantastic on gas, least older models.
Sub-20, is gonna be a thing
Once you mention AWD-4WD / ground clearance, the mpgs will tank [some]
Obviously, it isn’t gonna crater, akin to classic build SUVs
All the ones Imma mention, do make use of normally aspirated engines
… + Do look into some snow-friendly [AT or winter] tire sets
Largest build, while not feeling BIGG, would be the MDX [Gen2 particularly]
I’d say its sized closer, to that of a Honda Passport
Gen2 has Hondas Antithesis engine [3.7L]-- in turn, very stout and reliable*
*Refresh years had major bulletin, regarding low-tension piston rings [aka, oil eating]
Other manageable mid-sized builds, would include Lexus RX330 / RX350
5Speed is buttery s-m-o-o-t-h and the 3.3L, is venturing towards legendary
Yodas 3.5L + 6Speed combo, is generally competent pkg all-round
Think of these, akin to the matching era 'Yoda Camrys [similar footprint]
*Cannot mention its brother Highlander, since sizing got swole reel quick [3Row hype]
A bit newer revived name, being Hondas Passport [Think Pilot on a Diet]
Acuras RDX [Gen2], doesn’t exactly fit, in either mid or small
But feels a bit bigger than CR-V, despite its influence… So lets say, it’s in-between
Has a healthy drivetrain stack [basically sharing errything, from Pilot / Passport]
Smallest vehicles, to have some competence, includes Forestor / CR-V / RAV4 / CX5
RAV4 [Gen3] offered up great [pliable] interior room, with respect to sizing
The 2.5L i4 was very reliable, but pairing to the [dated] 4Sp, had it being a limp dog
V6 paired with 5Sp, was much more competent, with minimal mpg loss
RAV4 [Gen4] interior I found fuccing claustrophobic
Despite the body, being of a similar footprint… I hated being in it
Though the 6Sp was good- it was a fair bit lethargic… Did I mention, I hate it?
RAV4 [Gen5] brought size back favourably, along with comfortable power delivery
I remember reading a comparative review, where this got complaints over engine noise
… Mind you, all other vehicles were runty i4s, needing a turbo lung and DFI
Forestor is a generally competent pkg [Gen3, is last of geared transmissions]
I do have a soft spot, for them flat engines [looking past the painful servicing]
CR-V is another competent tidy build, that kept it sizing for good long while
Reliability is strong, particularly with any K-Block i4 [Gen5 being last hosting]
Mazdas CX5, is a bit of a hoot. Has gone through minimal drivetrain changes
—TLDR—
[Barely] Smidgen Larger*: Acura MDX
Midsize: Lexus RX330 / Lexus RX350 [Gen3] / Honda Passport
Inbetweener: Acura RDX
Small: Mazda CX5 / Honda CR-V / Toyota RAV4 / Subaru Forestor
Dude, thank you. My buddy mentioned the MDX so will definitely start browsing.
This is a great jumping point 
Can confirm parents have a rx 350/450h. If you don’t need a 3rd row, very reliable
I´m also kinda interested in a suv especially ones like the gen5 RAV4.
However 95% of the sold examples over here are automatics with cvt.
I have driven a Lexus UX250H for a day which was a nice ride.
The only thing that i did not liked about t is the cvt transmission.
What is it specifically you don’t like about the CVT transmission? If it’s the driving feeling of a CVT I can’t help you, but if you’re worried about reliability then hybrid CVTs like these are really good. They’re also a completely different animal compared to regular (gasoline only) CVT transmissions
Been a new owner, for a handful of months ['2009 Tech]
Haven’t had enough winter simulation, that I could speak about [plenty of wet driving]
Did get left holding bag- to some long term servicings req’d [but they’re done, for another while]
It’s a relatively tame interior – don’t get much exterior noise [in turn, dampens dat VTEC noise]
The audio setup, is absolutely b!tchin [ELS – plenty of oomph, while keeping up clarity]
Interior materials had been holding up good and leather upholstery has impressed me
It is a fairly forgiving ride and has been nimble enough
Fuel economy has felt good, for what it is [when compared, to my Cptn slow GX]
Common petty problem I’ve seen, is the wheels go through [noticeable] oxidation marring
Lower light fixtures, seem to not hold up great [major discolouring a/o damage easily]
I’ll look to replace mine, soon enough [same time I change out Fogs / DRLs]
Do need to setup the internal nav, at some point
[did retrieve a DVD and local service hub got me a contact number to assist]
Only times, I’ve been around a CVT RAV4, is being a Hybrid / PHEV
The UX series is strictly hybrid, so CVT/eCVT is the only option
Yeah pretty much the drive feeling.
It´s basically just one gear which feels strange.
The RAVY4 gen5 is also available with a 2.0 petrol with manual transmission.
However there are only a hand full of those sold.
Most versions sold are the Hybrid / PHEV models obviously.
But i prefer a manual of course.