If you are willing to drive 100K per year for next 10 years, then you will have a chance of having a million mile car; otherwise it is going to be tough. If you drive 15K on average, it will be very long time before reaching million miles and the rest of the car certainly will not make it there.
If you had to pick the most reliable car to buy...
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Originally Posted By: eljefino
The late 90s subarus are not doing well around here with engine trouble. Hope whatever it is, got fixed.
I agree on the corolla/fit/mazda 2.
the 2.5' NA's are prone to head gasket issues--the 2.2's aren't. The 2.5 came on a lot of cars, though. It seems every year the "year they fixed it" seems to expand by another year...I'm not sure if they've ever fixed it.
My pick would be a base model Accord, 2.4 MT. You can get any car to last forever if you're willing to replace enough parts, but I'd put the Accord right up there at to top to get you there with the least amount of hassle. There's a lot I like about Subaru, but the AWD adds a good bit of complexity/extra parts--and the head gasket thing seems to be a real issue.
The late 90s subarus are not doing well around here with engine trouble. Hope whatever it is, got fixed.
I agree on the corolla/fit/mazda 2.
the 2.5' NA's are prone to head gasket issues--the 2.2's aren't. The 2.5 came on a lot of cars, though. It seems every year the "year they fixed it" seems to expand by another year...I'm not sure if they've ever fixed it.
My pick would be a base model Accord, 2.4 MT. You can get any car to last forever if you're willing to replace enough parts, but I'd put the Accord right up there at to top to get you there with the least amount of hassle. There's a lot I like about Subaru, but the AWD adds a good bit of complexity/extra parts--and the head gasket thing seems to be a real issue.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you drive 15K on average, it will be very long time before reaching million miles and the rest of the car certainly will not make it there.
It depends on where you live. Cars really don't rust out here. I see quite a few 30+ year old cars on the road. I have a neighbor with an '82 K-Car without a spec of rust on it!?
If you drive 15K on average, it will be very long time before reaching million miles and the rest of the car certainly will not make it there.
It depends on where you live. Cars really don't rust out here. I see quite a few 30+ year old cars on the road. I have a neighbor with an '82 K-Car without a spec of rust on it!?
Agree about Accord 2.4/MT!
I have been trying to get my folks to look at one but my dad is die hard Nissan and he doesn't want to give up his 2K Maxima that still runs flawless. (body is getting rough)
I have been trying to get my folks to look at one but my dad is die hard Nissan and he doesn't want to give up his 2K Maxima that still runs flawless. (body is getting rough)
Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: eljefino
The late 90s subarus are not doing well around here with engine trouble. Hope whatever it is, got fixed.
I agree on the corolla/fit/mazda 2.
the 2.5' NA's are prone to head gasket issues--the 2.2's aren't. The 2.5 came on a lot of cars, though. It seems every year the "year they fixed it" seems to expand by another year...I'm not sure if they've ever fixed it.
My pick would be a base model Accord, 2.4 MT. You can get any car to last forever if you're willing to replace enough parts, but I'd put the Accord right up there at to top to get you there with the least amount of hassle. There's a lot I like about Subaru, but the AWD adds a good bit of complexity/extra parts--and the head gasket thing seems to be a real issue.
If a 1991 accord had the 2.4 i saw a good old used example for sale. They are pretty good cars, for sure.
The subies? Correct, 2.5 is a good engine you just need to get that done at some point. Then you can go in there and tune it as you want. Its one of those engines with a known issue, and when you bite the bullet and get it done right, the car is perfect again. My 96 Outback tells me so.
I vote Chevrolet Prizm. We all know why (its a Corolla.) That, or Honda Accord OR Toyota Camry.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
The late 90s subarus are not doing well around here with engine trouble. Hope whatever it is, got fixed.
I agree on the corolla/fit/mazda 2.
the 2.5' NA's are prone to head gasket issues--the 2.2's aren't. The 2.5 came on a lot of cars, though. It seems every year the "year they fixed it" seems to expand by another year...I'm not sure if they've ever fixed it.
My pick would be a base model Accord, 2.4 MT. You can get any car to last forever if you're willing to replace enough parts, but I'd put the Accord right up there at to top to get you there with the least amount of hassle. There's a lot I like about Subaru, but the AWD adds a good bit of complexity/extra parts--and the head gasket thing seems to be a real issue.
If a 1991 accord had the 2.4 i saw a good old used example for sale. They are pretty good cars, for sure.
The subies? Correct, 2.5 is a good engine you just need to get that done at some point. Then you can go in there and tune it as you want. Its one of those engines with a known issue, and when you bite the bullet and get it done right, the car is perfect again. My 96 Outback tells me so.
I vote Chevrolet Prizm. We all know why (its a Corolla.) That, or Honda Accord OR Toyota Camry.
20 years ago I would have said Lexus LS400 or T. Land Cruiser.
Today, I don't know. Maybe a 20 year old LS400 or Land Cruiser.
I think I would agree that my most reliable vehicles have been built in Japan. I don't know where the Tundra's were built, but they were at the top of my list as well. I think they were assembled here, but powertrain imported from Japan.
I think you cannot go wrong with a Corolla.
I would like to think that by now you should be able to buy any 'simple' car and have it be troublefree for many years.
Today, I don't know. Maybe a 20 year old LS400 or Land Cruiser.
I think I would agree that my most reliable vehicles have been built in Japan. I don't know where the Tundra's were built, but they were at the top of my list as well. I think they were assembled here, but powertrain imported from Japan.
I think you cannot go wrong with a Corolla.
I would like to think that by now you should be able to buy any 'simple' car and have it be troublefree for many years.
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Mercedes G wagon, but not the US version.
Nothing but rust kills G wagons, and well land mines.
Nothing but rust kills G wagons, and well land mines.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
I'd get a Marauder. Panther reliability, with some more "go" under the hood.
This^
But any Panther will do..All you have to do is look to see what the bulk police,taxi drivers and private service drivers are using..That should give you a good idea.
Recently there was a post on here on the top 10 cars that will not die.
I'd get a Marauder. Panther reliability, with some more "go" under the hood.
This^
But any Panther will do..All you have to do is look to see what the bulk police,taxi drivers and private service drivers are using..That should give you a good idea.
Recently there was a post on here on the top 10 cars that will not die.
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Mercedes G wagon, but not the US version.
Nothing but rust kills G wagons, and well land mines.
And Australian Outback
Mercedes G wagon, but not the US version.
Nothing but rust kills G wagons, and well land mines.
And Australian Outback
Ford Panther platform, can't beat them!
Do you need fuel economy? what about cost of ownership and interior/handling/price/etc?
If you need fuel economy I'd pick a 2-3 year old prius.
If interior and comfort, maybe TSX
If handling, maybe a vette.
If none of the above and only about miles and years, maybe a Ford Panther.
If you need fuel economy I'd pick a 2-3 year old prius.
If interior and comfort, maybe TSX
If handling, maybe a vette.
If none of the above and only about miles and years, maybe a Ford Panther.
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Originally Posted By: Mark_Walk
Any Japanese car that is actually built in Japan. Best / most reliable cars I've ever owned.
Acura Integra
Mazda 3 X3
Really, it depends on the individual car. How many trouble-free Mitsubishi Evo 8 and 9 cars are out there?
If I were to go back in time even further, I could show some even worse cars.
Mazda RX-7
Z31 Nissan 300ZX Turbo
Any Japanese car that is actually built in Japan. Best / most reliable cars I've ever owned.
Acura Integra
Mazda 3 X3
Really, it depends on the individual car. How many trouble-free Mitsubishi Evo 8 and 9 cars are out there?
If I were to go back in time even further, I could show some even worse cars.
Mazda RX-7
Z31 Nissan 300ZX Turbo
Originally Posted By: Y_K
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Mercedes G wagon, but not the US version.
Nothing but rust kills G wagons, and well land mines.
And Australian Outback
That's because they were overloaded and equipped with road tires. The military spec G's that were with them with proper off road wheels and tires did just fine. You can't run 18in wheels with performance road tires off road. They also should have towed trailers, to get some of the weight off the suspension. No vehicle can handle that kind of load over that terrain.
The G is the most capable vehicle you can buy, its main competition is the Toyota Land Cruiser, and Range Rover Defender. The Humvee is to large.
Besides if you really want to go to the ends of the earth, get a real truck, buy a Unimog. Perfect truck if you want to drive across say Russia, or in the remotest corners of the world.
Or this also German:
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Mercedes G wagon, but not the US version.
Nothing but rust kills G wagons, and well land mines.
And Australian Outback
That's because they were overloaded and equipped with road tires. The military spec G's that were with them with proper off road wheels and tires did just fine. You can't run 18in wheels with performance road tires off road. They also should have towed trailers, to get some of the weight off the suspension. No vehicle can handle that kind of load over that terrain.
The G is the most capable vehicle you can buy, its main competition is the Toyota Land Cruiser, and Range Rover Defender. The Humvee is to large.
Besides if you really want to go to the ends of the earth, get a real truck, buy a Unimog. Perfect truck if you want to drive across say Russia, or in the remotest corners of the world.
Or this also German:
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ls1mike
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I like that truck.
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
That's because they were overloaded and equipped with road tires.
Why would the rational Germans with their famous attention to detail do such a thing? Sabotage, no less. I think, you are a big fan, and willing to buy into their lame excuses. They are simply losing the legendary quality and advantage. There were over 800 other vehicles - simple vehicles, not the ones suffering from the burden of unnecessary engineering - that crossed completed that route that very year in Australia
As for crossing Siberia, you might also use Russian military trucks. And a Ford Expedition team on overland Moscow - Chukotka rally successfully completed a 32 day torture fest. On a poor quality petrol (gas) from unknown sources..
So, my beloved Germans can step aside and nervously take a rauhenpause while re-learning
That's because they were overloaded and equipped with road tires.
Why would the rational Germans with their famous attention to detail do such a thing? Sabotage, no less. I think, you are a big fan, and willing to buy into their lame excuses. They are simply losing the legendary quality and advantage. There were over 800 other vehicles - simple vehicles, not the ones suffering from the burden of unnecessary engineering - that crossed completed that route that very year in Australia
As for crossing Siberia, you might also use Russian military trucks. And a Ford Expedition team on overland Moscow - Chukotka rally successfully completed a 32 day torture fest. On a poor quality petrol (gas) from unknown sources..
So, my beloved Germans can step aside and nervously take a rauhenpause while re-learning
Toyota Corolla or Yaris. Fuel efficient and Toyota has a good track record for reliable small cars. And the Yaris is so spartan that there's not much gadgetry that will break.
If I picked something old it would be an Acura Legend.
If I picked something old it would be an Acura Legend.
Probably a Prius. Extremely reliable for the most part, strong internet groups for repair and maintenance help, used parts are plentiful if they are ever needed.
Notice a couple of folks said Prius. Would be worried with the battery packs on those - no?
Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
Notice a couple of folks said Prius. Would be worried with the battery packs on those - no?
That, plus the fact that the rest of the suspension and chassis is pretty light-duty. I think the Prius has carved out a great niche and is very good at what it does, don't get me wrong. Its just not supposed to be a "cockroach car" that can keep going and going and going and going forever. Toyota's best example of that is the old Hilux pickup or the real FJ40 Land Cruiser. The Prius is meant to give great short-term reliability / economy and then be replaced about the time the battery pack is getting done for, so the rest of the car is engineered commensurately.
Notice a couple of folks said Prius. Would be worried with the battery packs on those - no?
That, plus the fact that the rest of the suspension and chassis is pretty light-duty. I think the Prius has carved out a great niche and is very good at what it does, don't get me wrong. Its just not supposed to be a "cockroach car" that can keep going and going and going and going forever. Toyota's best example of that is the old Hilux pickup or the real FJ40 Land Cruiser. The Prius is meant to give great short-term reliability / economy and then be replaced about the time the battery pack is getting done for, so the rest of the car is engineered commensurately.
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