Used car reliability?

[y4m]

We need to buy my ILs a $10k-ish used car that we hope will last them a good long time and be reliable and cheap to maintain.

Hondas and Toyotas are the way I've always personally done this, but that info is really about a decade old at this point, and maybe out of date.

Are there other brands we should also be looking at? Kia? Hyundai?

[Deleted]

I would not recommend Kia or Hyundai. If you're looking at foreign cars, Japanese cars (Toyota, Honda, Subaru) are built to last whereas Korean cars (Kia and Hyundai) are built inexpensively and really do not hold up well.

If you're looking at American cars, I also wouldn't go past 5 years old on a Ford. Early 2000s Fords were not built well either, but they were redesigned after the buyout and the new Fords are quite nice.

[Deleted]

Also when you find one you think you like, Google the make, model, and year of that car to read reviews, recall info, maintenance reports, etc. to get a picture of the average "health" of that used car.

Make sure to also get a Carfax report on the exact car you're considering too!

[y4m]

This question prompted by the fact that SIL just suggested that we are being too harsh about our requirements and we should let her fiancé help them choose and negotiate. But his current suggestions are mitsubishis...which, doesn't sound right to me.

[Deleted]

I would look at Consumer Reports reliability ratings. Their ratings have been spot on for all my vehicles over the years. The subscription price is pretty low and totally worth it. You may be able to Google and find a username and password for a library or school, who think posting them on their homepage is a good idea. I think CR's ratings go back 10 years.

I haven't bought a car for a few years, but last time I checked, Kia and Hyundai have come leaps and bounds and were excelling above domestics brands. Honda was good as usual. Toyota was slipping a bit. Nissan was pretty good. I can't remember the rest. I really don't care much for "domestic" vehicles. You can find a model with a good rating, but no domestic brands have across-the-board good ratings on all models.

[wesleycrusher4ever]

I've always purchased used Nissans and they have been very reliable.

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2016 6:26:05 GMT -5 y4m said:

This question prompted by the fact that SIL just suggested that we are being too harsh about our requirements and we should let her fiancé help them choose and negotiate. But his current suggestions are mitsubishis...which, doesn't sound right to me.

I wish you could see the look on my face when I read this.

You are already being very generous, so I hesitate to even suggest this. But if you are able to up your budget $5-6k, you could buy them a new base model Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit, both of which are reliable, get great gas mileage, and cheap to maintain. Small car = smaller, less expensive parts like tires, timing belt, etc.

This was over a decade ago, but I know my parents found when they were searching for a car for me, at least for Toyota and Honda, a low miles used vehicle was often not much savings over a new one. So they got a base model new Corolla (I mean BASE model - it had crank windows) at a really low interest rate (like 0.9 percent). It was under warranty for quite a while, and there was no worry about hidden problems. I had that car for 11 years and could have kept it longer if some life circumstances hadn't pushed us to get a different car.

[lys]

Look at mileage as well as year of the vehicle --- as well as how many owners the vehicle had. Also make sure you have a good mechanic inspect the car before buying.
DH just sold his Subaru (which he purchased new in 2003) - I am still driving my 2008 Toyota Corolla (purchased in 2010 with under 10K miles) and plan to continue driving it for a long time yet. Neither vehicle has needed anything other than routine maintenance and normal wear & tear replacement parts.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Sept 2, 2016 6:26:05 GMT -5 y4m said:

This question prompted by the fact that SIL just suggested that we are being too harsh about our requirements and we should let her fiancé help them choose and negotiate. But his current suggestions are mitsubishis...which, doesn't sound right to me.

Lol. Did you tell her that if they want to help they can pitch in some cold, hard cash?

I'd probably stick to a Honda, Toyota or Subaru (haven't had personal experience with the Subaru but I hear good things) if you can find one that's not under recall.

[icedcoffee]

You cannot go wrong with a Honda. I like @angryharpy suggestion to get a new base model Fit. Used Honda's are kind of pricey and a new Fit should last them a LONG time and they are relatively inexpensive. See if you can get a good deal on a 2016 as they are bringing in the 2017's.

[cjeanette]

I wouldn't attempt anything but a Honda or an Acura personally.

[iheartbanjos]

Toyota Camry is a car that we are considering if we end up getter my an Au pair.

[bexporter]

Hyundai is a great option, especially if they'd be willing to do the Elantra (smaller sedan model).

We both a 2009 and a 2010 Sonata in 2011, and they're both going great with just regular maintenance. We have no plans to get rid of either one any time soon. I think we paid closer to $15k per car, but the Elantras would be less (or a slightly older model - ours were still pretty new when we bought them).

[drloretta]

I would stay away from Hyundai. We had problems with our Subaru after 100K miles, but apparently we got the lemon of the bunch, everyone else had good experiences.

I agree that looking into a lower priced new car may be the way to go. I'm driving a 7yo Fit that we bought for $15K and it's just now broken in, LOL. We were looking into a used Ridgeline, but a base model was about the same price as a used one with a few options.

wesleycrusher4ever mentioned Nissans, and I've had friends who couldn't get rid of theirs because they just.wouldn't.die. Great reliability. You can get a Versa base model for $12K.

[elcjet]

Another vote for Honda, Toyota, and Subaru.....in Colorado, I swear people drive Subarus until somebody hits them and the insurance "totals" them.

[y4m]

They apparently like the Kia Soul, which is a Consumer Reports used best buy for the 2010-2014ish models we would be looking at.

We told SIL that she was welcome to have her fiancé choose and negotiate a car as long as she also commits that whenever this car starts causing problems (major maintenance or replacement), that it will be her turn to step up and help. That backed her off decently quickly, because I think it finally helped her realize that we are super conservative with this because we know it's a long term decision FOR US.

A bright spot: because of the moves we made with their house and budget a year or so ago, the ILs actually have like $3800 in a car fund to add to the budget here!

[ijack]

I currently drive a 2006 toyota prius and we have a 2006 dodge caravan that our nannies drive. The difference in a 10 year old toyota vs a dodge is amazing. I would also recommend a toyota, nissan, or honda.

[tealblue]

I am pro Nissan as well. We recently sold our 2003 Altima and still got several thousand for it. I drove it for nearly 10 years (used) and had 0 problems with it. I would have loved to keep it but wanted an suv.

Edit: if you have a reliable mechanic, bring the car to him as well. DH doesn't charge anything to look it over, but even if it's $100, it's money well spent.

[niq]

Sept 2, 2016 6:26:05 GMT -5 y4m said:

This question prompted by the fact that SIL just suggested that we are being too harsh about our requirements and we should let her fiancé help them choose and negotiate. But his current suggestions are mitsubishis...which, doesn't sound right to me.

Yeah I ... do not remember a time when Mitsubishis scored high on reliability.

What's the state of their finances generally at this point? Never mind, just saw the "ILs have some money to pitch in this time!" post

[ESF]

I just want to say that your dedication as daughter in law is truly amazing.

[womet]

We have been happy with our Kia and haven't had to put much $$ into it other than routine maintenance. H drives a Sorento.

Kudos to your ILs (and the y4m's) for the savings towards the car. That's a great step!

[Deleted]

We're happy with our Mitsubishi (6 years old) and my sister kept hers for 12 years with no major problems until insurance totalled it. They do (did?) have a 10 year power train warranty. The Outlander is really popular in my area.

Our second car is a civic, would definitely buy another one and will probably take a closer look at the Honda SUV when our Mitsubishi is done in 5-7 years.

However we also don't buy used, so not sure what I'd do in that case except the car fax report on the specific vehicle for sure.

[Lilac]

Random anecdote: We purchased a 2005 Prius 3 years ago with 105k miles for just over $7,000. DH needed a cheap commuter car since his new job was 60 miles away and his pickup truck gets about 18 miles/gallon... The Prius now has over 180k miles and no real issues to date. We're pretty happy with our purchase.

We are Toyota and Subaru fans in general. Right out of college, I had a Dodge and it had multiple severe issues before it hit 100k miles.

[sunnysally]

I don't understand the Hyundai hate I see in these posts. I have a 2005 that I bought when it was a year old and my husband has a 2007 that he also bought used, and we are still driving both and have not done any upkeep on them other than the recommended maintenance.

[martini]

I really love my hyundai sonata. It's a 2011 with 95000 miles on it.

You are a great daughter in law. Good luck deciding!

[alleinesein]

Sept 3, 2016 18:02:51 GMT -5 sunnysally said:

I don't understand the Hyundai hate I see in these posts. I have a 2005 that I bought when it was a year old and my husband has a 2007 that he also bought used, and we are still driving both and have not done any upkeep on them other than the recommended maintenance.

We have a 2003 Santa Fe and I hate it with a passion.  My biggest issue is that the seat does not go back far enough so my knees are constantly hitting the steering wheel when I drive.  In terms of maintenance we have had no issues but it has less than 50K miles on it and up until a few months ago we very rarely used it.  It just isn't a comfortable vehicle to drive and I don't like how it drives (acceleration, road feel, etc).  It is not a car that we would have bought; we only have it because my grandfather stopped driving and gave us the car.  We will keep it until he dies because it has a lift on the back for his scooter.

[awick14]

alleinesein- I have a 2009 Santa Fe and I love it, I'm short though and I have no issue with the seat being far enough back. Dh also has never mentioned that problem to me. It runs great and I love how it handles on the highway. I would buy another one if something happened to this kne

[crazycakes]

Sept 2, 2016 10:33:09 GMT -5 y4m said:

They apparently like the Kia Soul, which is a Consumer Reports used best buy for the 2010-2014ish models we would be looking at.

I have been very happy with my 2012 Kia Soul. No issues. I bought new because cost was Not much more than a used one, and I was able to get 0.9% financing. They also threw in a 5 year maintenance plan, so all oil changes, checks, other maintenance has been "free". It's also quite roomy on the inside, even though they look tiny. Really great and affordable choice. I love it!

[tevagirl]

I love Hondas, that would be my personal preference. I also had a used Kia that served me well and I wish that I hadn't let XH talk me into getting rid of it.

I currently drive an olsmobile that's got over 200,000 miles on it and is 15 years old. While I have had to do a few repairs most of them have not been major.

[redredwine]

When I was looking for a used car, I found this site invaluable. Keep in mind they're also based on how many cars are sold vs. % of the cars sold, so something like a Toyota Camry has a TON of complaints in comparison to Volvo because there are SO many more Camry's on the road.

www.carcomplaints.com/

I still am in the Toyota or Honda camp for reliability.