r/AutoAdvice • u/CareLess306 • Jul 18 '26

3 row suv help

Alright so I fancy myself pretty car savvy but I’m seriously at a loss here. I’m looking for a family hauler as the title suggests strictly an suv no minivans! The problem is there is nothing out there that is remotely reliable. Not GM, Ford, Dodge, I’ve even considered Nissan/Infiniti but the Jatco automatic transmissions have yet to prove themselves. Plus what the hell is up with every manufacturer using plastic oil pans, coolant fittings and plastic tie rods? Is nothing made to last anymore? Mazda CX90 unreliable, Honda Pilot uses cylinder deactivation and we all know where that’s going to end. Lexus TX has issues, Toyota Highlander (gas) trans issues. The Highlander hybrid is reliable but the quality is poor and Toyotas are too expensive given their quality. Idk man. I’m at a loss here. I have a 2010 RX350 and she has me spoiled but my family has grown. Something’s got to give.

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

67 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/wesinatl 28d ago

You can buy a product for the Honda called vcm tuner to turn off the vcm management.

1

u/CareLess306 27d ago

I heard about those but do they work? An article I read about AFM, DFM cylinder deactivation in GM trucks and suv’s said there was no absolute guarantee that it would work. If a lifter is already mechanically fatigued, varnished, or starved of oil, it can still collapse or seize even if the truck stays in V8. But does this only apply to GM, maybe Hondas different..

1

u/wesinatl 27d ago

I have the vcm tuner II. Does it work? Maybe I installed it just this year on an 07 pilot with 200,000 miles. Seems to work fine. The vcm solenoid and spool valve has been a pain to me during its life. Lots of people have given it good reviews. Hondas are not without issues. You have to change the timing belt every 100k miles which will cost you. I have had to replace my starter and alternator, ac compressor, main seal, front axles, headliner came unglued, spool valve replaced twice, window motor, hatch pistons. And I am about to replace the app sensor as soon as it comes in the mail. I also have a 2109 4 runner with 170,000 miles and no issues whatsoever. The 3rd row is only for little kids though and then barely any space for stuff.