If you can't give me a firm price then I can't give you a firm recommendation, but I do wish you the best.
Selecting a Potential "Forever" Vehicle
- Thread starter amateurbob
- Start date
I never really considered my 2015 Sienna AWD to be my forever car. Although it does all that I need, passenger seats for kids and grandkids, cargo mode (helping my daughter move next week so will remove all rear seating), and my favorite - camping mode. Also have a camping set-up I built that provides me with a bed, gear storage, curtains, etc. I've had the van out as far west as Montana, in a few months planning to make it out to Washington state. Specifically chose a Gen3 with 6-speed transmission and 2grfe for reliability. I bought it with 76k, now have 121k, still no significant issues. Had the dealer replace the spark plug last Fall. Last week I replaced rotors/calipers in anticipation of pulling a small popup camper. Has a 2" lift kit, +1 size Michelin Defenders, hitch, wired for a trailer with ebrakes. Other than routine fluid changes, no issues to report. Living here in NC the van is rust free, but has a few scratches here and there.
Cons - I'm not thrilled with the mpg, 24 to 25 cruising on the highway, 19-20 in town if I drive carefully. It feels like a heavy boat around town. Tires have 22k on them, might last 30k. While the seating arrangements are highly flexible, and the middle seats are easily removed and third row seats removable too, they are heavy and usually strain my back to pull them all out and put into storage. Same for re-installation.
Pros - It's super comfortable on road trips, reasonably quiet, reliable, lots of flexible space. You can mount an awning on the roof rack without too much trouble.
Funny thing is, I am 69 now and figure I need to find my forever car, thinking a Grand Highlander Hybrid, or Sienna Hybrid could be it. Both are suitable for small trailers, can be slept in, and get good mpg.
Not sure if I want, or can make my Sienna last another 10+ years.....
Cons - I'm not thrilled with the mpg, 24 to 25 cruising on the highway, 19-20 in town if I drive carefully. It feels like a heavy boat around town. Tires have 22k on them, might last 30k. While the seating arrangements are highly flexible, and the middle seats are easily removed and third row seats removable too, they are heavy and usually strain my back to pull them all out and put into storage. Same for re-installation.
Pros - It's super comfortable on road trips, reasonably quiet, reliable, lots of flexible space. You can mount an awning on the roof rack without too much trouble.
Funny thing is, I am 69 now and figure I need to find my forever car, thinking a Grand Highlander Hybrid, or Sienna Hybrid could be it. Both are suitable for small trailers, can be slept in, and get good mpg.
Not sure if I want, or can make my Sienna last another 10+ years.....
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CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Well, since I've driven all of my Mercedes E-Class for over 20 years before trading them away, I'll vote my next, and probably my last ever given my age, will be an Mercedes E-Class. However, the current one is only 18 years old and very comfortable, it'll be a couple of years yet.
My recommendation is a RAV4. They eat up the miles, simple 4cyl engine, get the ones with the good transmission, suspension is slightly beefed up compared to a Camry, comfortable and smooth. A lot of the recommendations are for a Mad Max post apocalypse world.
This is a good recommendation as well. A co-worker has a 2014 with 240k miles on it. I think he’s had to replace either an alternator or starter, and that’s it. If I didn’t need to tow 2500 lbs a few times a year, I’d pick a RAV4 over a 4Runner.
A 2-3 year old E53 is definitely tempting.
Here's to another 30 years.
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2023
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Had a good experience buying ‘11 GX 460 from Carmax…January ‘20
Shipped from Vegas with 95K miles…now 157K miles
Only repair has been radiator at 128K miles….no dreaded valley leak…yet
The wife’s ride…18-20 mpg on 88 eth free…when I drive it
Of course ya gotta beef it up a little
Shipped from Vegas with 95K miles…now 157K miles
Only repair has been radiator at 128K miles….no dreaded valley leak…yet
The wife’s ride…18-20 mpg on 88 eth free…when I drive it
Of course ya gotta beef it up a little
Thank you- and to you as well!Here's to another 30 years.
I'm just grateful we don't have to confine ourselves to only one vehicle, or one type of vehicle, forever.
Hey. I'm trying very hard to do just that.
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- Oct 19, 2025
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- 164
Me too!!!!Hey. I'm trying very hard to do just that.
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- Oct 19, 2025
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Hopefully one day you will be selling one of those well maintained "confinement" vehicles l am looking for and we both win!
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Which ones have the "good" transmissions?
Good question. I forget if it's the 6 speed or the 8 speed that is more durable.
It is the 6 speed that is more durable.
An EV.
If you can find a 2016 CR-V ( EX, or EXL ) with a clean Carfax showing regular oil changes, and 30 K miles or less, it would be a good choice. I say 30 K miles or less because that way you can change the CVT ( and rear-end fluid if its AWD ) before it has too many miles on it. The CVT's in them will last over 200 K miles if you change the fluid often.
They are very easy to get in and out of, the ride is vert soft because the longer shocks and more sidewall than the civic ( considered same platform ) absorb road bumps fairly well. The Touring is a higher trim level than the EX ( cloth seats ) and EXL ( leather seats and sub-woofer s8peaker under drivers seat, and automatic day / night center mirror ). The EX and EXL do not have automatic braking. Touring has it but also has biger rim tires so harsher ride.
I bought a 2016 CR-V EX Feb. 18, 2020 with 19, XXX miles and now have 46,XXX miles on it and its been kind to my bad back.
So far besides maintance, I had to replace the drivers door handle ( its a common problem where it does not go to sleep when the vehicle is locked, its fairly easy to replace. )
I changed the CVT fluid 3 X and rear end fluid once, drain and filled radiator, ( all with Honda fluids ). Flushed brake fluid with Bosh Extended Service Interval ( ESI ) - 16.
Changing the CVT fluid on these is easy to do. Its required if you want long life from it.
I had mine sprayed for rust protection by a local company that sells a package where they touch it up yearly for 6 more years.
The normaly asperated 2.4 L K24W - 9 is the latest and likley last version of that 2.4 liter that has been made for many years. Adjust the valves and put new NGK iridium spark-plugs in them every 100 K miles and change the PCV valve every 50 K miles or so, and regular oil and filter changes and its good for 250 K to 500 K miles.
Am Bob, it checks all your boxes.
They are very easy to get in and out of, the ride is vert soft because the longer shocks and more sidewall than the civic ( considered same platform ) absorb road bumps fairly well. The Touring is a higher trim level than the EX ( cloth seats ) and EXL ( leather seats and sub-woofer s8peaker under drivers seat, and automatic day / night center mirror ). The EX and EXL do not have automatic braking. Touring has it but also has biger rim tires so harsher ride.
I bought a 2016 CR-V EX Feb. 18, 2020 with 19, XXX miles and now have 46,XXX miles on it and its been kind to my bad back.
So far besides maintance, I had to replace the drivers door handle ( its a common problem where it does not go to sleep when the vehicle is locked, its fairly easy to replace. )
I changed the CVT fluid 3 X and rear end fluid once, drain and filled radiator, ( all with Honda fluids ). Flushed brake fluid with Bosh Extended Service Interval ( ESI ) - 16.
Changing the CVT fluid on these is easy to do. Its required if you want long life from it.
I had mine sprayed for rust protection by a local company that sells a package where they touch it up yearly for 6 more years.
The normaly asperated 2.4 L K24W - 9 is the latest and likley last version of that 2.4 liter that has been made for many years. Adjust the valves and put new NGK iridium spark-plugs in them every 100 K miles and change the PCV valve every 50 K miles or so, and regular oil and filter changes and its good for 250 K to 500 K miles.
Am Bob, it checks all your boxes.
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