What is the best and MOST RELIABLE auto you have owned?
06-25-16, 09:09 PM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
What is the best and MOST RELIABLE auto you have owned?
Since we had one for the worse, we need one for the best.
I give Geo Metro's a very high mark for reliability, Next is the older early 90's Subaru's.
I like the old LS400's but they don't come close to the above cars for reliability.
Just too many of the normal LS problems crop up, like the front suspension stuff, power steering,
oil leaks, (yeah Subaru is in on the leaks too), moon roof leaks, trunk leaks and other normal early LS problems.
Of the older cars, the late 50's GM's were pretty good, especially the trucks and those have most of the problematic newer cars nowadays beat.
I give Geo Metro's a very high mark for reliability, Next is the older early 90's Subaru's.
I like the old LS400's but they don't come close to the above cars for reliability.
Just too many of the normal LS problems crop up, like the front suspension stuff, power steering,
oil leaks, (yeah Subaru is in on the leaks too), moon roof leaks, trunk leaks and other normal early LS problems.
Of the older cars, the late 50's GM's were pretty good, especially the trucks and those have most of the problematic newer cars nowadays beat.
06-25-16, 09:17 PM
#2
My 1989 Nissan was the most reliable car I ever had. After 4 years and 60000+ miles there were no repairs. Also no recalls nor any required Service Bulletins. Unfortunately, after that, Nissan kind of lost their way.
06-25-16, 10:11 PM
#3
1991 Cadillac Brougham- came stock with the L05 "Chevy" 350, TBI injection. Cadillacs with Chevy engines, that's the only way you want to buy one, unless we're talking pre 1980 Cadillac big block. Cadillac specific motors with the exception of the 4.9 V8 sucked for the better part of 25 years.
Anyways bought it in 2007, sold in 2010. Ran the odometer from 100k to 135k. Car was rock solid reliable the whole time I owned it, ran like a new car. I did have to put front brakes on it(new rotors and pads), new headliner(classic old 80's car problem), new power seat motor, new fan blower motor, new tires(hard to find whitewalls anymore) and the power antenna quit working. Parts for this car were dirt cheap though, I think the most expensive thing was the tires at $400-450. But overall, I spent about $1200 on oil changes and repairs for that 3 year/ 35,000 mile period. The car did need a new vinyl top by the time I sold it, it wasn't bad, but on its way out.
Anyways bought it in 2007, sold in 2010. Ran the odometer from 100k to 135k. Car was rock solid reliable the whole time I owned it, ran like a new car. I did have to put front brakes on it(new rotors and pads), new headliner(classic old 80's car problem), new power seat motor, new fan blower motor, new tires(hard to find whitewalls anymore) and the power antenna quit working. Parts for this car were dirt cheap though, I think the most expensive thing was the tires at $400-450. But overall, I spent about $1200 on oil changes and repairs for that 3 year/ 35,000 mile period. The car did need a new vinyl top by the time I sold it, it wasn't bad, but on its way out.
06-25-16, 10:39 PM
#4
Lexus Champion
Probably my 2007 4Runner V8. 65k miles with nothing but oil changes, filters, and one license plate light bulb.
06-26-16, 04:23 AM
#6
Super Moderator
2000 BMW 323i. Cost me a grand total of $5500 over 12 years and 125k miles, including fluid changes, filters, brakes, tires, batteries, wipers, etc, as well as putting in a sport suspension at around 85k. Three total repairs over its lifetime:
Window regulator (under warranty, common at the time)
Final Stage Resistor for the blower motor (also common at the time)
Camshaft position sensor
So in terms of repairs only, I was out of pocket about $100 over twelve years.
Window regulator (under warranty, common at the time)
Final Stage Resistor for the blower motor (also common at the time)
Camshaft position sensor
So in terms of repairs only, I was out of pocket about $100 over twelve years.
06-26-16, 05:29 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Depends on how you define BEST.
The most reliable cars I ever owned were the 2001 Lexus IS300 and 2012 Buick Verano.
The most useful and versatile car was, without question, the 2006 Subaru Outback. It could carry things and go through almost anything the elements could throw at it.
The most enjoyable to drive (and this goes back a long way) was the (used) big 1965 Buick I had when I was in college, with the Verano a close second. That big Buick provided comfort like nothing else I ever owned.
The most reliable cars I ever owned were the 2001 Lexus IS300 and 2012 Buick Verano.
The most useful and versatile car was, without question, the 2006 Subaru Outback. It could carry things and go through almost anything the elements could throw at it.
The most enjoyable to drive (and this goes back a long way) was the (used) big 1965 Buick I had when I was in college, with the Verano a close second. That big Buick provided comfort like nothing else I ever owned.
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06-26-16, 11:10 AM
#9
Pole Position
Out of 14 vehicles that I have owned in my life, my 2001 Tacoma has not cost me one penny over maintenance over its 137,000 miles so far. Fiercely reliable is this truck! I still own it-it's tucked away in my gal's garage hybernating
Here she is, parked in front of my 4RX
I must also put my second most reliable car here; my 1986 Camaro Sport Coupe.
It had the 2.8 v6 and a 5 speed manual. Not quick but looked great and actually was a nice cruiser. The only cost above maintainance was two new clutches. I sold it to obtain that horrific Jimmy in the other thread-bad move.
Here it was in '87 at the Marin Headlands just north of the Golden Gate Bridge
Here she is, parked in front of my 4RX
I must also put my second most reliable car here; my 1986 Camaro Sport Coupe.
It had the 2.8 v6 and a 5 speed manual. Not quick but looked great and actually was a nice cruiser. The only cost above maintainance was two new clutches. I sold it to obtain that horrific Jimmy in the other thread-bad move.
Here it was in '87 at the Marin Headlands just north of the Golden Gate Bridge
06-26-16, 12:42 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
"Best" and "Most reliable" are different measures.
When it comes to all around most enjoyable car I've ever owned? Probably my 2013 GS.
Most reliable? It would be a tough call between the 98 LS400 and the 03 ES300. 04 LS430 was also very reliable but never had as many miles as those did. Not that my other cars have been unreliable , I just never had them out of warranty.
When it comes to all around most enjoyable car I've ever owned? Probably my 2013 GS.
Most reliable? It would be a tough call between the 98 LS400 and the 03 ES300. 04 LS430 was also very reliable but never had as many miles as those did. Not that my other cars have been unreliable , I just never had them out of warranty.
06-26-16, 06:40 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
Most reliable ever was a '79 Honda Accord Hatchback w/ 5-Speed MT. Ran the wheels off of it, commuting back and forth from Tampa to Orlando, Tampa to Tallahassee on weekends. Took it on a trip from FL to NC with my parents and it was comfortable enough for the three of us.
It was involved in a major flood about 6 months after I got it where water was up to the headlights and poured inside the car when I opened the door. It had to be towed back to our house. When the sun came out I took the carpets out (they were clipped in) and hung them on the fence until they dried, then took the car to the car wash. I drove it until '92 with absolutely no issues (well, maybe a musty smell ) when I traded it for a Datsun 200SX.
It was involved in a major flood about 6 months after I got it where water was up to the headlights and poured inside the car when I opened the door. It had to be towed back to our house. When the sun came out I took the carpets out (they were clipped in) and hung them on the fence until they dried, then took the car to the car wash. I drove it until '92 with absolutely no issues (well, maybe a musty smell
) when I traded it for a Datsun 200SX.
06-26-16, 06:41 PM
#13
Lexus Champion
Most reliable ever was a '79 Honda Accord Hatchback w/ 5-Speed MT. Ran the wheels off of it, commuting back and forth from Tampa to Orlando, Tampa to Tallahassee on weekends. Took it on a trip from FL to NC with my parents and it was comfortable enough for the three of us.
It was involved in a major flood about 6 months after I got it where water was up to the headlights and poured inside the car when I opened the door. It had to be towed back to our house. When the sun came out I took the carpets out (they were clipped in) and hung them on the fence until they dried, then took the car to the car wash. I drove it for another 3 years with absolutely no issues (well, maybe a musty smell ) when I traded it for an '82 Datsun 200SX.
It was involved in a major flood about 6 months after I got it where water was up to the headlights and poured inside the car when I opened the door. It had to be towed back to our house. When the sun came out I took the carpets out (they were clipped in) and hung them on the fence until they dried, then took the car to the car wash. I drove it for another 3 years with absolutely no issues (well, maybe a musty smell
) when I traded it for an '82 Datsun 200SX.
06-26-16, 10:04 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
My parents have an '03 Sequoia that just won't die. With over 280,000 miles, we've taken it on numerous cross-country road trips including FL to Cali, Maine, Canada, on numerous trips. The car is not even maintained properly but keeps humming along without skipping a beat. Clear coat-less paint, torn leather and all.