Most reliable vehicles from model year 2000 onward?

Honda Civics have a very high theft rate, but if you have the plain-Jane DX with no options or decked out modifications, you should be pretty safe. They are probably one of THE best cars out there. But then you'll know that if you research the used prices on them. A Civic will last forever if you take care of it as you should with any car.

 

Actually in my experience it is the plain-Jane DX that gets ripped.

 

I drive a pretty much bare bones Toyota Corolla, a 2004. I've heard that they can get ripped off, as much as I guess any other car depending on where you park at night. There's a lot of people who drive those Corollas, so they blend in nicely. MPG is around 35 or so, and the reliability is to hell and back IME. All you really need is the oil change every 3000 miles and services every 10,000 miles. I haven't had a problem yet, although I only have about 25K on the car.....*knock on wood*


AuG

 

There have been so many reliable vehicles made since 2000, it would really be a matter of taste. What you should be concerned about in a used vehicle is condition, previous owners, mileage, etc.

 

I've got a 2001 Mazda Tribute. It's great. No problems so far, just regular service, brakes etc.

Not sure of the mileage (kilometerage?), but it's perfect for my needs. Decent space in the back when needed too.

 

well use common car sense

a volvo or good japanese ca will keep working

a citroen will break down(well not really, but still)

even though you probably can't get citroens over the pond, they sure look nice

 

I believe recent evidence seems to indicate that the Euro cars, including Volvos, have plummetted in reliability. I'd go Toyota or Honda if you're looking for pure reliability. Look up the JD Powers ratings.

Here is a list of Consumer Reports "Good Bets" in used cars that have shown better than average reliability:

Acura Integra
Acura MDX
Acura RL
Acura RSX
Acura TL
Buick Regal
Chevrolet/Geo Prizm
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Ford Crown Victoria
Ford Escort, ZX2
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Honda CR-V
Honda Odyssey
Honda Prelude
Honda S2000
Infiniti G20
Infiniti I30, I35
Infiniti Q45

Infiniti QX4
Lexus ES300, ES330
Lexus GS300/ GS400,
GS430
Lexus IS300
Lexus LS400, LS430
Lexus RX300, RX330
Lincoln Town Car
Mazda 626
Mazda Millenia
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda Protegé
Mercury Grand Marquis
Mercury Tracer
Mitsubishi Galant
Nissan Altima
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Pathfinder

Subaru Forester
Subaru Impreza
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Avalon
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry Solara
Toyota Celica
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Echo
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Prius
Toyota RAV4
Toyota Sequoia
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Tundra

Here are their "Bad Bets" that have shown worse-than-average reliability from 1997 to 2004:

Audi A6
BMW 7 Series
Chevrolet Astro
Chevrolet Blazer
Chevrolet Express1500
Chevrolet S-10 (4WD)
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
Chrysler Town & Country (AWD)
Dodge Dakota (4WD)
Dodge Grand Caravan (AWD)
Ford Windstar
GMC Envoy
GMC Jimmy
GMC Safari
GMC Savana 1500
GMC Sonoma (4WD)
Jaguar S-Type
Jaguar X-Type
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Land Rover Discovery
Lincoln Navigator
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (V6)
Mercedes-Benz CLK
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Oldsmobile Bravada
Oldsmobile Cutlass
Plymouth Neon
Pontiac Aztek
Saturn Vue
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen
New Beetle
Volvo S80



brad cook

 

My main complaint with Volvo and Saab is that with the
weak US Dollar exchange rate, parts have gotten very
expensive. So brakes and stuff have hurt.

Reliability has been ok, but I have 156K miles on my 98
V70, so stuff is starting to wear out.

Next time around it will be a Toyota or Honda, the reliability
numbers are very good. How refreshing! Build a reliable car
with good value for a reasonable cost. That is truly a novel
concept, eh?

 

Consumer Reports lists the Lexus RX300 as a "Good Bet".

Well, I have had MANY problems with my '00 and can direct any of you to numerous websites stating the same. In the same breath I can talk about MANY problems I had with my '95 ES300 as well.

The 2 BIGGIES that top the list are rear main seal leaks (VERY expensive fix, and quite common), and transmission problems (even MORE expensive). I had both.

I have no idea about the other cars listed, just thought I'd share my $.02. Actually, the Acura TL and CL series also had alot of transmission problems in that era. Honda acknowledged the problem and extended the transmission warranty to 100k miles. Toyota (who had MORE issues that Honda) still refuses to admit there is a transmission problem.

Just my .02 but I'll NEVER buy another Lexus/Toyota product. Ever.

 

Was that for Automatic trannies only?
Or standard shift as well?

Just curious.

I am due pretty soon too for a car.

 

Toyota and Honda have had several issues that they have not dealt with well:

Toyota had issues with the Camry engine and Oil sludge build up. Never really acknolwedged the problem AFAIK.

Honda had / is having problems with the CR-V catching fire after the first oil change (brand new cars). They also have been a little dodgy about it, blaming the service people.

As far as ratings go, they can be quite useful, just don't rely on them exclusively with out checking other resources. For example, almost every model has some type of internet forum for people who just 'love their cars'. Find the group for the model you are interested in. Read there for a few days.

I did that when I wanted a Ford Escape. I actually joined a forum of people who "LOVED" Escapes, but after hanging there a bit, realized I didn't have a good feeling about the Escape based on what I was reading.

Also, be careful of "Ego" brands like Lexus and Acura. Although they can be great cars, remember that anyone who spent Ego money to buy an Acura for $8000 more than an Accord is unlikely to tell you it wasn't worth it. Too much emotion in that purchase.

 

As far as I know it's just the autos. Very few of them shipped with a stick.

There's a great Lexus forum I used to be a part of that had links to a whole bunch of information and stats on the ongoing problems. I could track it down if you'd like.

 

I forgot all about the sludge issue, probably 'cause that's one problem I escaped without.

You are right, they never *truly* acknowledged that as a problem either.

 

Ego cars? That's harsh dude!


BUT, with that being said, I'll tell you straight up it wasn't worth it! Outside of the "ooh factor" Lexus' SUCK, IMO.

 

Yes, but JD Powers surveys during the first year of ownership. That's when it's hard to get an objective opinion about the more luxe (read: expensive) makes.

Sorry to be harsh, not the intent. I don't know what else to call it. There are Accords and Camry's that can be fitted out as well as any Acura or Lexus, but people pay extra for the that little sumthin-sumthin....

 

No biggie.... It's just that I owned TWO of those "ego cars"!

 

Some of them are "ego" cars but some of them are unique and have no match under the lesser badge. One good example is the Infiniti FX45. Yeah, there's the Nissan Murano, which is sorta similar but has a different body style and you cannot get a Murano with a 320hp V-8 that will do 0-60 in 6.5. On the other hand you've got the BIG Infiniti SUV which looks EXACTLY like the Nissan Armada. I think that's truly what you mean by "ego-car." There is at least one similar comparison with Lexus/Toyota in the RX300 series. I don't think there is truly a comparable Toyota model to that is there?

brad cook