what's been your most reliable car?

[CraigRT]

Statements like this regarding any brand of vehicle reeks with ignorance, IMO.

LOL horse shit... You own a brand more than once and have problems more than once and say its still ignorant. I totally 100% understand where he is coming from.

 

[mrblotto]

Still rockin' the '97 Celica. Up to 320K now.
-original EGR valve replaced
-Distributor replaced (2nd one so far)
-Original Alternator replaced
-uses about 1 qt of oil per month, but it could be worse lol

other than that, still going strong!

Edit: just got replacement hatchback lifts today. I had opened the hatchback the other day to put something in, and danged if it didn't come down and smack me on the head......ouch! Had a big ole' goose egg for a couple days after that.

I'll replace them when it gets a wee bit warmer out. In the meantime, I'll be careful..............

 

[Beer4Me]

nevermind.

 

[tortillasoup]

Statements like this regarding any brand of vehicle reeks with ignorance, IMO.

I would normally agree with you but it IS a volkswagen, not the cheapest, most reliable vehicles around.

-uses about 1 qt of oil per month, but it could be worse lol
.

I recommend the Castrol Syntec 5w-30 "european formula" that specifically can be found from autozone, also known as "made in germany" formula. This specific formula for motor oil is really good for those who drive cars that burn lots of oil. It's actually more economical to use this synthetic oil than to go with a cheaper oil and frequently top off your oil. You also want to reduce the amount of oil you burn because you're actually clogging up/poisoning your catalytic converter which you'll eventually have to clean or replace.

I buy the synthetic oil when ever it is on sale because for $35 + free oil filter, it's a great value! One of the few true synthetic PAO oils you can get! Most synthetics are just Group III+ (Highly refined conventional) while this formula is a true Group IV PAO type.

 

[skyking]

probably the '98 camry. 36K to 200K. 1 alternator. No axles, bearings, etc.
'86 626 140K to 350K alternator and water pumps, two heater cores, distributor.

 

[ultimatebob]

A 2008 Mini Cooper, oddly enough. I've put 115,000 miles on it with practically no problems.

My Wife's 2009 Ford Escape has 170,000 miles and has had very few problems as well.

 

[NoCreativity]

Surprisingly a 98 dodge neon. Put 130K rough miles on it with nothing but routine maintenance. However, the AC went out right before I got rid of it though I"m pretty sure that was a problem of my own making.

 

[Drako]

1990 Ford Escort Sedan. 145K miles and no issues other than regular maintenance. It got totaled one day driving to work - got rear ended on the highway.

Ended up buying a 2000 Ford Ranger because I was doing a lot of work on my house at that time. That's probably the most useful vehicle I've ever had.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My Toyota Camry Hybrid has piled on the miles since I bought it new almost 3 years ago. I have 56,000 miles on it and haven't had a single problem with it. All I've done is oil changes, 1 set of tires and 2 sets of wiper blades.

 

[tweakmonkey]

I'd hope a 56k mile Toyota wouldn't have problems...

 

[tcG]

Most reliable (also my first only, so doesn't mean much): 1997 Nissan 240SX bought at 119k, currently has 149k

Other than consumables, replaced:

-alternator
-plugs, wires, distributor cap
-EVAP canister
-various odds and ends in suspension/chassis
-power steering leaks

 

[thomsbrain]

300K is right around the corner for my current Accord. Currently have no reason to expect anything less than 400 out of it. Ridiculously solid (minus a dead CD changer and the original faulty-design transmission that was replaced under warranty more than 200K ago). Even the leather seats are in great shape. No rust. All original cooling, axles, bearings.

 

[exar333]

2011 Subaru WRX.

The only issue I had in 4 years of ownership was clips/plastic fasteners in wheelwell would break/fall out in cold weather. These wouldn't cause issues, other than then this getting a bit loose. They were replaced a few times after winter in oil changes, but nothing serious.

Fantastic car.

Current car (2016 Macan) has been fantastic as well. No issues in first 6 months either...

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd hope a 56k mile Toyota wouldn't have problems...

You would hope a 56k Jeep wouldn't have any problems too but that would be too much to ask.

Look, the question was asked and that is my answer. Suck it.

 

[MongGrel]

Still have a 96 4.0 Jeep Cherokee, we used to have two and sold the one the wife drove over 200K on.

She's driving the crap out of the 06 Mazda 3 atm I guess.

I used to only own cars for three years tops, but that has changed over time.

I haven't been very happy with the wife for a long time now, but after 20 years is hard to trade her in after the first two wives and she's pretty dedicated.

 

[Bull Dog]

Well since this thread has been resurrected, I would have to say my Dad's 2001 Honda Civic Ex

He bought it with ~13,000 miles on it in 2003 it was still running strong in 2014 with ~369,000 miles on the clock. Then it got hit in the left rear quarter and was totaled. RIP

 

[boomhower]

Mine is a odd ball. A 2001 Suburban. Other than routine maintanance haven't had to do a thing it. I'm sure now it will fall apart.

 

[Z15CAM]

Still have a 1984 Volvo 240 GL.

It's car you can fix yourself but mind you; you gotta keep her clean to prevent cancerous rust.

 

[iamwiz82]

I've never owned an unreliable car. I have had cars that have left me stranded but it was always my own fault.

That being said, I haven't kept many cars very long.

 

[Ns1]

zero problems with a 5 year old prius so far. 110k miles.

 

[SearchMaster]

I had an '00 Maxima from 30K to 220K. I had to replace the front brake calipers early on because the factory set caused a lot of shuddering for whatever reason, but aside from an O2 sensor and a rad fan, I can't remember having to do much else to it (aside from fluid changes, etc.). It did throw O2 CELs the last 40K of its life or so but it ran fine and two different mechanics said the codes were a false alert and there were no issues.

I still have a '98 Accord that I got at 170K and with 260K, it's still great. A coolant hose, ignition switch (known issue with this gen), and the general replaceables (brake pads and rotors and fluid changes) are all it has required. I'll have to have the timing belt swapped again because the guy who just did it is apparently incompetent and refuses to fix it (he's a friend of my wife's so....). It runs like shit now but we very rarely drive it (it's basically a 4th vehicle).

 

[Evilviking]

96 accord my wife and I keep as a spare. Was her first car. 186k. Zero issues minus regular maintenance. Interior looks fairly good. Outside.... yea no so much. Beater for sure.

 

[Herr Kutz]

08 versa SL HB bought used in 2011 (previous rental) @ 49k miles. Up to 161k now.

- Pulled driver side door handle off, fixed it with a 50 cent cotter pin and a drill
- Replaced windshield once
- Replaced tires once (had a blow out on original set)
- Earl changes & tire rotations
- 2 accidents (not my fault) - 1) rear hatch and bumper replaced 2) have check but probably won't use to fix (minor front end body damage)
- Multi disc CD changer stopped working (radio, aux functionality still works)
- Replaced one low beam front headlight bulb twice (I think the guy who replaced it the first time didn't use gloves so it was f'ed from the start)
- Replaced rear interior light bulb twice (I didn't use gloves when I replaced it the first time so it was f'ed from the start)
- Throws code P1421 a few times a year and I clear it with OBDII device ($20) and dash command (~$5)
- Several sets of wiper blades
- a few cabin air filters
- a few engine air filters
- 1 battery

 

[natto fire]

You would hope a 56k Jeep wouldn't have any problems too but that would be too much to ask.

Look, the question was asked and that is my answer. Suck it.

There was already a post in this thread about a '92 Cherokee treating the poster very well, and my experience with my '92 Cherokee was the exact same. It had 187K on it when I sold it. I took it off road all the time between 160K and that 187K, and it did very well considering the abuse I gave it. My sister's '96 V6 Camry had all sorts of engine and transmission troubles.

Not sure who's anecdotal evidence weighs more here. I think it is pretty common knowledge that the AMC designed I6 in the older Jeeps were absolutely bulletproof. Dana axles, ZF transmissions, and NP transfer cases rounded out the package of a very solid powertrain. Unfortunately, Chrysler kept cost cutting the Jeep brand and started slapping their less than stellar parts on them.

Toyota has had the sludge issue, Honda couldn't make a V6 automatic tranny to save their life through the late '90s to early 2000's, Nissan has had numerous body rust issues. It is all relative, and I think this 5 year old thread was just made to get some input from people's personal experience.

That said, I have mainly went from one high mileage vehicle to the next. Amazing how much more reliable they are now. I remember my first car with a 5 digit odometer, an '81 Ford Ranger. It had rolled over, but it speaks volumes of what they were expecting and wanting from vehicles at the time.

 

[DaTT]

The most reliable car I have owned is my current one, 2005 Mustang GT. Bought it new, and it has only been in the shop twice for repair. Once was tie rods and stabilizer end links (2 years ago), and the other was ball joints (6 months ago).

It is my daily driver, all year round. 175K KM's (108k miles)