Vehicle reliability - best make/models?
- Thread starter simply1
- Start date
Get a consumer reports account and make a decision based on trends. I just bought a car that never would of considered as they've improved their reliability. I used to be a big believer in Japanese Cars, however, some of the models have fallen as far as reliability.
If your going get anything used, Toyota and Lexus is the way to go. My friend has three 2005 Camrys, two of them just sit in the garage waiting for the current one to break down. He'll never get any other car. Lexus's always keep choochin', very reliable.
Nowadays, Lexus's are a bit expensive. I'm not a fan of anything American or BMW. If you want reliability, JAPANESE.
Nowadays, Lexus's are a bit expensive. I'm not a fan of anything American or BMW. If you want reliability, JAPANESE.
- Mar 27, 2006
- 40,829
- 28,324
- 113
The G80 is no slouch, but it's a bit bigger, and geared more around comfort. The G70 3.3t is the most sporty vehicle in their line. You should definitely test drive. They are very nice cars.
We got a brand new 2018 Camry when we rented a car to drive down to the Liberty Bowl. Fantastic vehicle and would love to own one.
A lot of this.
Compared to now, the 'tough' cars from back in the day were basically soda cans on wheels for safety.
Horsepower
2020 Toyota Camry = 203 to 301 depending on the engine and options
1965 Ford Mustang = 120 to 271 depending again on the engine/options
2020 Ford Mustang = 310 to 480 depending on options
Yeah, I know the '65 Mustang was likely lighter, but...
A higher-end Toyota Camry nowadays has more horsepower than did a classic pony car.
You think that's nuts compare a modern mini-van to a Ferrari from the late 70's or early 80's. The minivan my wife got rid of a couple years ago had more power than the Ferrari Magnum PI drove around.
Toyota would have to fall pretty far for us to buy anything else. We have a Corolla at 125k with no issues, have a newer Rav 4 so too early to make much of a judgement on that one. My dad's Toyota truck was getting close to 300k before a deer finally did it in, now they're pretty close to 300k on the highlander they have.
I've had a couple Chevy vehicles too, both had mechanical and electrical issues around 100k.
I've had a couple Chevy vehicles too, both had mechanical and electrical issues around 100k.
For reliability and quality it is hard to beat the Honda line up. We have owned a Pilot, Accord and two CRV's. Besides some brake pads and tires, they have treated us very well. There is a reason Honda's are usually at the top of the Consumer Reports every year. The Accord, CRV, Ridgeline, Pilot have generally been rated in the top 2 or 3 of each of their classes for many, many years.
We made a switch to two 2002 Toyota Highlanders (Limiteds) back in 2003 & 2004. Sold on in 2018 with 175k on it. We still have the other with 145k. In 2018 we bought a 2018 Highlander XLE. No regrets what-so-ever. Kind of looking at the Kia Telluride - just not sure of long term quality yet
Until she got that dog you guys were pretty much in synch with each other.
At least she let me pick out his adult collar --
Over the last 5 year or so I’ve driven a 2016 and 2017 Ram 1500, 2018 Silverado, 2019 F150, 2019 F250 diesel, 2020 F250 gas, 2015 traverse (wife) and a 2015 Lacrosse. All of the trucks are your mid to upper package level crew cabs.
As far as the domestic manufacturers go, I’d go with Ford up top with the Chevy and dodge tied below.
Ford - Feels the most solid. Best combo of power, features and comfort. I only put about 10-15k or so on the Ford’s listed above so no experience on longevity.
Dodge - Tons of repairs and issues with the fleet but power was great and had the best comfort. I put around 100k between a couple different trucks.
Chevy - I put around 90k on the Silverado and the seats were gaaaarbage. Crazy uncomfortable for a 50k dollar truck. I’m not a huge fan of my wife’s traverse either. She loves it but I really don’t like driving it. My Buick LaCrosse is great for what it is. I’d expect better gas mileage. The Buick and the Traverse each have around 60k. The traverse had to get the power steering system completely replaced under warranty but no other issues with either one.
If you drive a lot of gravel, get one that has a real gas cap. The fleet company shelled out around 800 bucks a pop both times I had to get it fixed. The dust builds up in the filler neck if it just has a flap.
As far as the domestic manufacturers go, I’d go with Ford up top with the Chevy and dodge tied below.
Ford - Feels the most solid. Best combo of power, features and comfort. I only put about 10-15k or so on the Ford’s listed above so no experience on longevity.
Dodge - Tons of repairs and issues with the fleet but power was great and had the best comfort. I put around 100k between a couple different trucks.
Chevy - I put around 90k on the Silverado and the seats were gaaaarbage. Crazy uncomfortable for a 50k dollar truck. I’m not a huge fan of my wife’s traverse either. She loves it but I really don’t like driving it. My Buick LaCrosse is great for what it is. I’d expect better gas mileage. The Buick and the Traverse each have around 60k. The traverse had to get the power steering system completely replaced under warranty but no other issues with either one.
If you drive a lot of gravel, get one that has a real gas cap. The fleet company shelled out around 800 bucks a pop both times I had to get it fixed. The dust builds up in the filler neck if it just has a flap.
Last edited:
Toyota then Honda would be my 1-2 in that order. I looked for months and months at all dealerships within 4 hours of DSM when I was looking for a used 4Runner. The resale value was just stupid so I ended up buying new. 5 years in and I love the damn thing. I owned a GMC that wasn't horrible but really started to break down around 100k. My Jeep Grand Cherokee, don't even get me started on that POS. I plan on driving my runner till the wheels fall off. We are looking at options for the lady soon as well and would like to go with a CRV/Rav4 route.
Toyota > Subaru > Honda in my mind right now. I have a 2011 Pilot that has $15K in repairs in 10 years.
My parents bought a Subaru Outback a few years ago. Their neighbors had one, and my dad asked the guy (who has always worked on his own cars) to tell him anything he did NOT like with it. He said there was nothing he didn't like about the car.
Daughter just bought a used one, but has only had it for a couple months, so...
Daughter just bought a used one, but has only had it for a couple months, so...
My wife has a 2018 Tiguan and I have to say that the fit/finish is excellent. I was a little worried when we bought it but it's been very good. Of course we only have 40k miles on it so who knows what the future holds. My only beef with the vehicle is that it's a little underpowered for my taste.