what is the most reliable car youve owned?

MrPants · 01-09-2004, 11:01 PM

i may be in the market for a purely reliable car, if i can swallow my pride. i dont think i can but just in case any first hand experience with highly reliable used cars? ive heard about honda but my honda experience was awful
any suggestions?

Eric Coffey · 01-10-2004, 01:02 AM

I have a `95 BMW 5-spd 318i (1.8L 4 cylinder) that I BEAT on a regular basis. It has 190k on the clock, and has given me VERY little grief considering the abuse it takes. You should be able to find them in the 6K-7K range with fairly low miles. Comfortable, decent handling, great HVAC, nice standard options, and mpg in the high 30's when commuting.

Halm · 01-10-2004, 05:14 AM

Bought a '87 Acura Integra new when living in D/FW. Car went through every member of the family including both kids learning to drive on it (5 speed I should add). The only things we did to it was the usual stuff: tune-ups, oil& filter, clutch, brakes and timing belts. It finally died in '99 at 200K miles when our younger child spent the money I had sent him for a new timing belt on his girl fiend!

BTW, had almost that much luck with a Legend coupe. 150K mile and just got tired of it.

BlueSkyJaunte · 01-10-2004, 05:22 AM

My wife got a '94 Corolla from my in-laws when she graduated from college. It had 70k on the clock. They had never even changed the oil when they gave her the car.

We sold it at 95k. Starter motor needed to be replaced at 90k (probably just needed some cleaning, though).

That's it.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

86 Jeep Cherokee never gave me any trouble until it finally gave up the ghost and fell apart all at once... but not until it had over 270,000 miles on it!

So far the 944 has given me no reliability issues, except for a drained battery once last summer.

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

My previous car was a Honda Accord. It was an excellent car. Incredibly reliable and well built. I would definitely buy one again.

Only had to change oil, brakes, and a mufler during the 100k I put on it. they have a high resale value too.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Wife's former '84 Toyota Corolla, gave away at 100K miles. Parents' current Toyota Prius, now with 60K miles. Neither of those cars ever needed anything besides (infrequent) scheduled service.

HarryD · 01-10-2004, 08:45 AM

Well my current beater (bought new) has 190,000 miles with no major repairs is a (gulp

) Ford Taurus. Prior to that I drove a Toyota Tercel for 135,000 miles (bought it with 5,000 miles) and sold it only because I needed four doors (the Taurus).

The quality of the Toyota seems better.

dd74 · 01-10-2004, 11:06 AM

By far my Porsche. Next would be my old '94 Explorer, but it blew a transmission, which cost as much as a Porsche trans. Ooof! Next, 1980 Honda Accord - a workhorse that died like a horse - as it just collapsed one day on the Hollywood Freeway.

Worst: Cadillac Cimarron. A hand-me-down. What a pile!

dporsche74 · 11:23 AM

My old w124 300E mercedes I sold it with 290K.. it still would cruise @ 140 if it needed to ... I only had to ever do normal maintance ,,oil. plugs,wires clutch , brakes etc.., it stood up to wear and tear like nothing else... .. and NEVER broke down were it had to be towed... it looked like a under 100k mile car when it sold... very very well built...