Last and best cars? What next for global warming

[lmckusic]

Here is my list for cars that have high quality sophisticated design and repair-ability.

Fifty years of experience here. Post your list from your experience.

And also... what is your idea for how we stop global warming? How much do we need to cut automobile emissions and how do we do it?

Top cars:
97 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder automatic. Easy access. Fault: A shop manual written by hacks who did not explain the EGR system well. $800 to find a pinched hose.

2004 Honda Civic. The whole engine is assembled without lockwashers. Every bolt is super tight. You need a set of long pattern metric combination wrenches. EGR system also not explained well. The egr valve aftermarket truth, remove intake manifold and clean out egr passageways manually.

1993 Dodge Caravan. The high point of Mitsubishi V6 development. It has roller cams. Great Chrysler automatic transmission (must change filter more often than required). The engine mount is a clumsy transition from Japanese to American engineering. Also ate up $600 on last smog certificate. Still driving daily at 292K miles.

Bottom cars:
1993 Isuzu Trooper Dohc V6 automatic. A great engine burdened with the GM automatic trans, GM electric windows (won't go up at the worst time.), GM electric door locks, GM plastic fasteners. GM plastic light sockets, GM check engine light, GM check transmission light. One of the hardest to change starters and alternators ever. Access to bolts all over the engine is inconsistent requiring many different sockets and extension bars. Simply no fun to work on even though it is rugged and nice. The low level don't care disorder of the design must have been either management interference or problems with GM's computer design software.

1992 Mercedes 190. Built like a truck. A blast to drive. Air conditioning system not repairable even with a shop manual. Developed cracked exhaust manifold which caused engine to burn a valve. Only internal engine failure for me in 50 years. Engine had non-visible torx bolts on the crankshaft pulley. The pulley bolts were a stunt to slow down independent repairs. The first and only car I had to pay $100 for a junkyard to tow away.
1965 Opel Station wagon. Beautifully worked out light weight tin can.


Wonderful but gone:
72 Toyota Corolla, fantastic 4 cylinder automatic trans car, displaced all other cars listed below for docile reliability and economy.
60 Studebaker Larks, I had several including one with 289 V8 and 4bbl. carburetor.
51 Studebaker 232 inch V8 automatic 4 door. Yes it went 100 mph.
72 VW Van suitcase motor with 2 carbs.
65 VW sedan.
53 Nash Metropolitan.