Smart Engine...

[jetpack54]

Two weeks ago, I replaced the serpentine belt on my 1999 Toyota Corolla w/ 256,000 miles on it- didn't even have to unscrew any bolt/s- one hand on the ratchet to give it a slack and the other to remove and reinstall a new one- this is a 1999 tech and somehow Toyota designers and engineers came up with this spring loaded tensioner for grease monkeys like me!

 

[jetpack54]

Manual transmission for me on my first one whenever it becomes available. I've been reading on the CVT and there seems to be more positive reviews than negative- is it because it's technology as evolved and that refinements was made? I'm reading on this new Mitsubishi Mirage w/ a 1.2L 12 valve 3 cylinder engine and their CVT tech. seems to be a good match for their little engine.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Manual transmission for me on my first one whenever it becomes available. I've been reading on the CVT and there seems to be more positive reviews than negative- is it because it's technology as evolved and that refinements was made?

As with picking the right size engine for the vehicle, it's about picking the right transmission for the vehicle, I think. CVT's in a vehicle that's too big will mean many transmission repairs. Size it right (and build it right) and it will last a long time. The CVT in the first generation Honda Insight (1975 lb, 1 liter 3 cylinder) is highly reliable, good for 200k-300k miles. And that CVT was designed nearly 20 years ago.