Which Used Car has low maintenance cost?

[Revolution 11]

My brother is looking for a used car, 3-10 years old, mid or full-size sedan, which has a high level of reliability and is relatively hassle-free, both in operation and repair. He plans to use the car until it breaks, at least 5 years if the car can handle it. What models and years do you recommend?

This will be a private-party purchase in the LA or San Diego area. Price point is up to $14K.

 

[pauldun170]

My brother is looking for a used car, 3-10 years old, mid or full-size sedan, which has a high level of reliability and is relatively hassle-free, both in operation and repair. He plans to use the car until it breaks, at least 5 years if the car can handle it. What models and years do you recommend?

This will be a private-party purchase in the LA or San Diego area. Price point is up to $14K.

Toyota Corolla or Camry.
Sell it 25 years from now with 500K+ miles on the odometer.

So hassle free he won't even know he is actually driving anything. He enters car at point A. Magically appears at point B a little bit later.

 

[Leymenaide]

Toyota Corolla or Camry.
Sell it 25 years from now with 500K+ miles on the odometer.

So hassle free he won't even know he is actually driving anything. He enters car at point A. Magically appears at point B a little bit later.

Add Honda accord

 

[mvbighead]

Camry for sure. i have a coworker that has had one for the 10 or so years I've known him. He still drives it back and forth to work, every day. My guess is hes had it much longer than that. Appears to be a 1990ish model.

 

[pauldun170]

Add Honda accord

Only reason why I left the Accord of the list because I thought the Accord requires transmission scheduled service (flushes) while the Camry\Corolla were sealed units.

 

[pauldun170]

Camry for sure. i have a coworker that has had one for the 10 or so years I've known him. He still drives it back and forth to work, every day. My guess is hes had it much longer than that. Appears to be a 1990ish model.

I hate to say it.
I REALLY hate to say it...
My 2002 Camry (purchased in 2008) is the most hassle free car I've ever owned. Only repair I've had to do so far is a to repair a leaky connector on the original, stock exhaust last year.
I'm still on the original factory rotors and drums.

Otherwise add gas, change oil and coolant every once in awhile.

 

[Revolution 11]

Hmm, he is already looking at Accords and Camrys. But are there other brands to consider besides the regular Toyota/Honda choices?

For a 2008 or earlier model, not currently.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Fuel economy isnt as good, but Subaru Forester 1st gen or 2nd gen should be decently reliable and cheap to keep running. I got an ok with 30K miles over 3 years ago for 16K. I'd expect to pay 10K or less for a 2008 these days, with plenty of life left...

 

[thedarkwolf]

Fuel economy isnt as good, but Subaru Forester 1st gen or 2nd gen should be decently reliable and cheap to keep running. I got an ok with 30K miles over 3 years ago for 16K. I'd expect to pay 10K or less for a 2008 these days, with plenty of life left...

That depends on when they finally fixed the headgasket issues on the 2.5l.

Pontiac Vibe. Basically a toyota corrola wagon with closer to Pontiac resale value. Like most toyotas it is a soul crushing bore to drive but it will last forever.

 

[desy]

buick
impala, if he can stand the strictly utilitarian functionality

 

[jagec]

buick
impala, if he can stand the strictly utilitarian functionality

As long as we're getting into American cars, I'll submit the Ford Focus and Crown Vic.

 

[desy]

He did say mid to full size.
I didn't say the crown vic just cause the powertrain is so old, but yep super cheap and super reliable

 

[crashtech]

Mazda 6 and certain years of Ford Fusion could be added, the Fusion was based on the Mazda for a while. But Toyota and then Honda are #1 and 2, respectively. We have an '09 Accord and everything is still original except the fluids, belt, and brake pads after 120,000, so we are happy.

 

[infoiltrator]

How many miles a year, type of driving, how much personal maintenance?
Does he have a trusted local mechanic or dealer?
Acura, Infinity, Maxima can be fine or overpriced depending.
Camry, Impala, Ford Focus. Should be good.
Pick up trucks are in their own world, can be bad or excellent.

 

[hanoverphist]

That depends on when they finally fixed the headgasket issues on the 2.5l.

.

i think that HG issue was all done with by MY2000. i have a 96 phase 1 2.5l in my GT legacy, oem gaskets and no issues so far. i bet once it gets over 170k it will start to show itself tho. im at about 158k now

 

[Torn Mind]

I heard the Ford Crown Victorias have rather cheap parts, but it is not nice on fuel. And while rare, the spark plugs can explode on you.

If you look at an Accord from the early 2000s, do your due diligence to make sure the tranny isn't failing, because it was quite a prevalent issue back then. Carcomplaints.com's data has a few caveats you need to consider(more popular cars will receive more complaints), but it is of a high enough number to indicate it wasn't just luck.

If you get a V6 Toyota like those, you want to ask if a tune-up has been done; you probably should ask on every vehicle you are considering. Yes, you can DIY, but you need to set aside time for the disassembly. My mom bought me a Camry station wagon from 1996, and while it runs, the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and both cover gaskets need replacing.

Now, a 4-banger Corolla Matrx/Vibe is indeed pretty easy to do routine maintenance by yourself, but the ride ain't fun and make sure you are comfortable with the seats.

GM vehicles powered by the 3.8L V6(certain Buicks) will have a bulletproof engine but they are not immune to the other GM nonsense that can crop up on their vehicles.

Old Camrys have ice colde AC while the Vibe/Matrix's AC is never ice cold unless the temps are 85 or below.

 

[Torn Mind]

buick
impala, if he can stand the strictly utilitarian functionality

From what I can garner, recent Impalas are vulnerable to rusting as the years go b.

 

[Scarpozzi]

My 2003 Buick Regal is great, but at 142k miles, the transmission has been shifting rough from time to time. I'll probably stick with it a little longer, but I am looking for a replacement if I can bring myself to take on a car payment.

 

[iwajabitw]

I'll second the Crown Vic. The 4.6 engines are solid, does not have the plug break issues the 5.3 3valves have. Also that motor is in the Mustangs and F150's up until 2011, I think, so there is a lot of information out there about maintenance and repairs.

 

[Orlean]

Can't go wrong with Toyota products. To meet your 10 year time frame, my recommendation is a 2004-2005 Lexus IS300.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Toyota Camry.

 

[WiseUp216]

Mazda 3

I've put on a ton of miles in 5 years, highway and city, with front struts being the only service beyond oils changes and a set of tires. The struts are more of a Cleveland street problem then a Mazda deficiency.

Edit: Derp, sounds like you're looking for a bigger car.

 

[jae]

I'm in the same boat, looking to buy something used around Dec or Jan.From my research I've found Camry/Corolla, Maxima, Galant, Sonata.

Me personally I'm leaning towards the Galant because of the price. Would really prefer a Camry, but those hold their value too well. Haven't really looked into Kias or Saturns, FWIW.

 

[Revolution 11]

Well, he likes the 2013/2014 Kia Forte that he rented, very nimble for city driving. Keep in mind he is coming from a 1999 Avalon. The only reason he is not looking at compacts is because he plans to use the car for 5+ years.

How are the Nissan, Mazda, and Hyundai equivalents of the Camry/Accord? Worth a look?

 

[crashtech]

The Nissan Altima and Mazda 6 are both solid midsize cars. Hyundai has coma a long way, but I don't know in which years they began to shed their rep for unreliability. I know the latest models are very well regarded.