[franl]

What’s your take on all the new vehicles these days with their auto engine start/stop and cylinder deactivation tech? I can’t imagine these will make for dependable used vehicles. I believe Honda settled a class action suit related to their Variable Cylinder Management tech (https://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/23/honda-settles-class-acti...). Even current owners are still complaining of issues. It was enough to put me off from buying a V6 Honda.

[hedgehog]

Wait until the power train has been out for a while and look at reviews of vehicles that use it. Most cars have some problems but at least you'll know what you're signing up for. Some of the newer hybrid tech etc sounds complicated but mechanically isn't really that much more so than a regular automatic transmission. I look at all the Priuses running around doing taxi and delivery duty in my area for the last 15+ years, I figure if there were any major problems we would know.

[nimbius]

cylinder deactivation has been a settled technology for about a decade now. northstar engines did it...to varying degrees of belt-eating self destruction...its likely a great option for long-haul drivers that spent a good deal of time at one speed.

as for auto start-stop, it smacks of desperation. every one of these systems more than doubles the load on the starter motor without giving any concrete numbers for expected fuel or carbon savings. its also worth remembering starting a car includes a fueling requirement itself.

[iggldiggl]

One edition of the owner's manual for the Mitsubishi Mirage (Space Star in certain parts of the world) has CO² emissions figures as measured under both the old NEDC and the new WLTC standards. For the smaller 1000 ccm engine model in combination with manual transmission, start-stop saves a measly 1 g/km as measured per NEDC, and actually uses 1 g/km more if measured according to the WLTC.