What is THE most reliable used car you can buy?

[scottmandue]

Call em crazy but I come here to read the funny threads, the picture threads, and of course the car threads.

Reading the car threads seem like no brand is immune to someone somewhere having a bad experience.

So in your opinion what is THE most reliable/low maintenance used car on the planet?

I expect Honda and Toyota will get a lot of votes... curious to see if any other auto makers get mentioned.

[BeyGon]

911

[98cobra]

1986 Toyota Pick-up with 2wd

[911SauCy]

Small Honda or Toyota passenger cars...

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

911

I, unfortunately, couldn't disagree more with this...and I LOVE, my 911.

I've been kicking around the idea of posting a thread on how much my '78 911sc has cost me in the last few years of ownership to see if other people reading these "I put gas in it and some oil and drive forever without problems" comments with a dumb stare and a little drool...

As a 2 owner car, with all the "right" things done, and impeccable documentation/care...I can't imagine how much out of pocket a bad example would be to maintain.

Aside from costs, I'd never called AAA either, TODAY was trip #4 on the flatbed

[krystar]

isn't it pretty well documented? 1988 toyota hilux diesel.

mercedes w123 diesel.
Million-Mile Club: The World's Longest-Lived Cars

[strupgolf]

I would go for a Buick from about 2002 to 2008. The 3800 engine is a great engine and the ride rivals that of a Cadillac. I have one and it has been the best used car I bought in the last 10 years.

[Hydrocket]

The original Lexus LS400 is widely regarded as one of the most reliable cars ever made.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

911

I use the 911 to get parts for the Corolla

[enzo1]

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

I, unfortunately, couldn't disagree more with this...and I LOVE, my 911.

I have this kooky idea... not very cost effective with the price of old non-running 911's

But if you could find an old 911 without and engine and bolt an VW flat four into there, how reliable would that be?

[manbridge 74]

No ones mentioned year of make which is quite important. I like OBD1 Toyota cars from about 1990 to 94. You get the perfect intersection of technology with reliability plus ease of service and low parts cost.

Also, unlike Honda, the inline fours of this period were non-interference. Heck, pisss in the crankcase and they'll shrug it off. Rust prevention was better after 89 also.

[Seahawk]

All of them.

It is almost a statistical anomaly to have any major mechanical problems with a car in the last 10 years given proper maintenance.

Think about it: I gave my son my 1999 Tacoma, a car he grew up in. The a/c works, no replacement of any component other than wear items, routine maintenance.

That story is repeated over and over with most brands. 100K used to be a milestone. It really isn't now. Interiors, and paint, wear out before most mechanicals these days. All this happens with very little hands on issues...remember "vapor lock"? Car work now better than ever.

[regency]

Makes me think of my MG MGB I bought new in 1977.............Lesson learned.

1973 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine
1970 FJ40

Steve

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I have this kooky idea... not very cost effective with the price of old non-running 911's

But if you could find an old 911 without and engine and bolt an VW flat four into there, how reliable would that be?

Did'nt they call that the 912?

[Rick V]

Mazda Miata, first or second generation. I work on cars for a living and you just can't kill one, trust me I have customers that have tried.

[jhynesrockmtn]

May daughter is driving my Dad's old 98 Camry, 160k or so on the clock. Normal maintenance. AC still cold. Did go through some suspension stuff last year to freshen up the handling a bit but it keeps a lickin and ......

[porwolf]

Most reliable used car? I still drive my '82 Landcruiser FJ60. But I did buy it new. And reliability? How is that: About 600,000 miles. It could be more, I don't know, the odometer stopped at 161,000 in 9191. Still runs strong. Engine and transmission have never been touched. Only the transfer case once sprung a leak in the case, replaced it with a used one about 15 years ago, no problems since. It even still passes California smog. One major drawback though: MPG is 10 in the city, 14 on the highway. Because of that I just don't drive it much anymore.

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

All of them.

It is almost a statistical anomaly to have any major mechanical problems with a car in the last 10 years given proper maintenance.

Think about it: I gave my son my 1999 Tacoma, a car he grew up in. The a/c works, no replacement of any component other than wear items, routine maintenance.

That story is repeated over and over with most brands. 100K used to be a milestone. It really isn't now. Interiors, and paint, wear out before most mechanicals these days. All this happens with very little hands on issues...remember "vapor lock"? Car work now better than ever.

My 99toyota prerunner just turned 300,000 and still get 20 mpg. Never any problems and has never left me stranded on the side of the road. Best vehicle I have ever owned!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Rick V

Mazda Miata, first or second generation. I work on cars for a living and you just can't kill one, trust me I have customers that have tried.

***cough... read my sig... cough*** sold my 944 and bought a 1996 Miata.

The car is tiny... but that is part of the fun of it.

Gotta ask, I dropped a new radiator and installed new hoses... but for the life of me I can't figure out how to get to the heater hose on the back of the block (yes, I just posted this question to miata.net too).