best engine, auto trans?

[BrocLuno]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
He's talking about vehicles with an engine & automatic transmission in something you can buy brand new or late model used today, not a dinosaur from 1977.


Some of those dinosaurs go back a lot further than 1977.

Really? I could go on for hours on what make & model had what engine in what odd or popular car from any Plymouth, Hudson, Pontiac................................... .


Hudson Twin H Power with Hydramatic (1953) was bullet proof (circa 1968). We beat on that thing mercilessly as teenagers. Could not kill it. An illegal U turn by a pre-cell-phone distracted lady in a Comet tore the whole drivers side up. Could still open the doors and all, was just not worth fixing. Those drop/perimeter framed Hudsons were extremely reliable

Have a friend with a 1957 T-Bird that she has had since new. That's a pretty reliable example. A few minor things here and there. Going on 250K (weekend car/vacation car/girls night out car)

Point being there are a lot of older cars and trucks that are extremely reliable. And if one can be found in good shape (restored, or a garage queen), then it should be considered.

I would say that any ECM controlled system will be susceptible to water damage, rust & crevice corrosion killing important signals, possible heat damage, aging capacitors, etc. Mechanically, it make be fine, but if you can't get it to run or shift, what's the point ...

I have a 1988 Big Bronco with a 302 (5.0L) and an AOD auto (pre-computer controlled). It's at 218K on the original running gear and doing fine. Still towing the boat, camping, etc. The latter EAOD's are not quite as reliable. But the 302/AOD in truck build is very reliable, if they have been maintained and have not been abused

 

[Tomioka]

6.0L LS - 4/6L80E.

 

[dparm]

To be frank, most modern automotive engines are very reliable. The old meme of "Japanese stuff lasts longer" is starting to die out. This is why you see everyone offering 60k-100k warranties, even the domestics.

Nowadays, it's the rest of the car that may not survive as well. I have been in some Ubers/Lyfts where the interior was barely holding together at 60k, but the car still ran like a top.

 

[4WD]

Most reliable in my family was BiL's 5.3L/4L60e GM ...

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
He's talking about vehicles with an engine & automatic transmission in something you can buy brand new or late model used today, not a dinosaur from 1977.


Some of those dinosaurs go back a lot further than 1977.

Really? I could go on for hours on what make & model had what engine in what odd or popular car from any Plymouth, Hudson, Pontiac................................... .


Glad to hear it, and so can a lot of us older folks. I was bringing out a point that's all.

 

[NHGUY]

Chrysler 2.2/2.5 non turbo and its A413 mate.Simple,cheap,goof proof.1981-1995.

 

[BrocLuno]

Volvo 2xx series with turbo 4-cylinder and manual 5-speed. 287K before it would not pass a smog. Was not worth $1,100 to me for a new CAT system (needed new sunroof and other stuff ...). Donated to Purple Heart Society. With a new CAT, it prolly would have gone another 100K. Bosch mechanical fuel injection

 

[Ram02]

My old Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 3800S/C and 4T65HD hydramatic tranny

 

[jstert]

hi all, thanks for replies. im looking for ideas on strong, reliable engines that can be found in new or used vehicles commonly for sale at a carmax or new car dealership. or if most modern engines/trannies are very good, which ones are dogs?

as i noted i have read that my vw 2.5 and toyota 1.5 are well regarded, toyota 2.5 and 1.8, jeep pentastar 3.6 are considered likewise i think. thanks!

 

[SilverFusion2010]

Originally Posted By: jstert
hi im wondering what are some of the best engineered/reliable engines and auto transmissions available in new and late model used sedans, suv and trucks. i enjoy reading threads of individual vehicles and think that my next vehicle purchase should focus on an inside out evaluation, i.e. not start with how it feels and looks. so, having well informed bitgoers' favorite, quick and dirty list of the great engines and trannies would be helpful.

i think that i stumbled into two decent non turbo gasoline engines with my cars: vw 5cyl 2.5 and toyota 4cyl 1.5.

thanks from a non-engineer!


I'm in love with ford ecoboost engines. High power density, overbuilt to last, gobs of torque and good mpg if you decide to keep your foot out of it.

 

[fdcg27]

Plenty of good engines out there.
Really good autoboxes are not as common, but most will last well past 150K.
In terms of "the best", a large fleet database would provide some guidance, but only if you have access to one and only if your interests extend to the cheap models that fleets buy.

 

[BrianF]

I like my 6.7 Cummins coupled with the AS69RC. Relatively smooth, got some power and pretty solid.

 

[CR94]

Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
... Yeah but we are happy in the 70's.
That engine (Ford 300 in³ I-6), and the shorter-stroke 240 in³ version first appeared in 1965 models, as I recall. We had the latter in a '66 F-100.

 

[MCompact]

N55, B58, Coyote 5.0, 6.4 Hemi
ZF 8HP45

 

[Olas]

3G is my favourite engine, Megatron is probably the best ever produced.

The automatic part of the question is moot, null and void.

 

[jongies3]

Not factual and based on speculation, but, I knew a guy with a 2003 Tacoma PreRunner double cab with the 3.4 V6/auto combo who went 627k on it before trading in on a new one. Car still ran great and he only did fluid changes, tires, timing belts, and the general wear and tear items. Engine block, transmission and rear end were all original. 90% of those miles were highway as he's a traveling salesman, but still impressive nonetheless and gave me lots of faith in my 2004 which feels and drives strong as ever.

I service a gal's 1997 4Runner with the 2.7 four cylinder and 5 speed manual that ticked over 400k about a year ago and the car's been hammered and beat on it's whole life, she still drives it all over this massive state with complete confidence and it never seems to let her down.

 

[Silverado12]

Chevy LS engine and Chrysler/Mercedes NAG1 tranny.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Silverado12
Chevy LS engine and Chrysler/Mercedes NAG1 tranny.


That NAG1 is sweet isn't it?

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: dparm
To be frank, most modern automotive engines are very reliable. The old meme of "Japanese stuff lasts longer" is starting to die out. This is why you see everyone offering 60k-100k warranties, even the domestics.

Nowadays, it's the rest of the car that may not survive as well. I have been in some Ubers/Lyfts where the interior was barely holding together at 60k, but the car still ran like a top.


This.

I'd be more worried about electronic stuff.

 

[MinamiKotaro]

Originally Posted By: SilverFusion2010
I'm in love with ford ecoboost engines. High power density, overbuilt to last, gobs of torque and good mpg if you decide to keep your foot out of it.


The transmission programming on my rental was abominable. I just left it in tow/haul mode, otherwise it extreme short-shifted on acceleration, leading to lugging, then refused to downshift, leading to more lugging. (Just like my 91 Escort, now that I think of it ... I always shifted that sucker manually.)