The Most Reliable Cars of the Past Few Decades
Some drivers think that, when the time comes to purchase a new vehicle, buying something brand new in the latest model year is the best option to guarantee the best value and reliability in your purchase. The reality is, there are plenty of makes and models that have been around for years- or even decades- that promise to outlast the majority of new cars on the road. The smart consumer knows that they can not only save thousands by purchasing a used vehicle, but the right choice could leave them with a car that will readily take them over 200,000 miles; that’s a long time driving without car payments!
The New Kids on the Block
Let’s start this article with some of the newer options in reliable vehicles. For the driver that wants something that will last but doesn’t want to give up the latest tech from the past few years, the Nissan Leaf is an electric option that promises more reliability than a Tesla. Consumer Reports gave the first generation Leaf the top rating between 2011 and 2016- the first five years of the vehicle’s production!
Maybe you don’t want something electric, but still want to be behind the wheel of something from the late 2000’s or 2010’s. Luckily, you have options. First up is the Toyota Venza. Although they stopped production in 2015, while the Venza was being produced every model year received a perfect reliability rating. Considering it was on the market for seven years, this is no small accomplishment. This is a perfect option for the driver looking for something a little bigger than a sedan that will last them years with little to no mechanical issues.
Lexus is known for making reliable luxury vehicles. A prime example is the Lexus ES. Since 2008 this car has never scored below perfect reliability ratings. Owners and mechanics alike have yet to find any problems with the engine, transmission, fuel delivery systems or electronics in the past 11 model years!
It’s unfortunate that, besides Lexus, luxury cars rarely are as reliable as you would expect for the price tag associated with them. Luckily, that isn’t the case with the Acura TSX. The TSX received the highest possible reliability rating every year between 2009 and 2014. Considering they are built by Honda, a top competitor in reliable vehicles, don’t be surprised if you find some of these on the roads with over 200,000 miles on them.
Speaking of vehicles assembled under Honda’s supervision, they have their own models that are known to last seemingly forever on the road. The Honda Accord has been a popular model over the years for its affordability and reliability. For seven years, the Accord has received the highest reliability ratings. Drivers and mechanics both particularly have loved the car ever since 2014, and no real problems have risen with the model yet.
If you really want a Honda that’s built to last, check out the CR-V. A study performed by iSeeCars.com in 2016 found that about 25% of CR-V owners kept their car for at least 10 years. Considering some cars on the market seem to fall apart after just a few years or require major mechanical work, this truly is an amazing feat. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, however, since the CR-V got the highest possible reliability rating for six out of the past eight years, and the other two years it still scored well above the average.
The Old Faithfuls
Now that we’ve checked out some of the newer models that will keep you on the road for years to come, let’s take a look at some of the older cars you might find in a yard somewhere- maybe even your own backyard. You might be to find some of these cars from the 80’s and 90’s and 2000’s commonly takes their drivers over 200,000 miles- and some even reach nearly 500,000 or even 800,000 miles!
Starting on the nicer end of the spectrum we have the BMW E30. The E30 is a name that comes up a lot when talking about reliable vehicles that lean more towards luxury. The E30 is loved not only for its general mechanical reliability, but it also boasts roughly 25-30mpg in fuel economy and comes with an affordable price tag. E30 owners love the driving experience in their German machines. If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable BMW, the E30 is definitely a solid option. If you want to make sure you’re getting the most reliable year, check out the 1981- 1984 model years.
Moving more towards your average daily drivers, we first have the Nissan Maxima. Any model between 1994- 1999 is a great option, but the 1994 is probably the best year you can get. Built to compete with the Camry, the Maxima is known for its reliability and driving performance. It’s common for Maxima owners to report 250,000 miles or so before they need to have any mechanical work done, and it’s not uncommon for these cars to be running strong around the 400,000-mile mark!
If you want something a little smaller than the Maxima, consider a Honda Civic. It should be no surprise the Civic is recognized as a reliable car, just think about how often you see them on the road! Some of us probably even have friends that are driving a Civic that they got as their first car! The most reliable models are the 1992- 1995 years, although virtually any model is a good choice. They boast a competitive fuel economy and mechanical issues are usually few and far between. If you do run into an issue, the popularity of this car usually makes replacement parts affordable and readily available. That’s great news for the hands- on driver that wants to keep the same car for years to come.
Volkswagen is commonly cited as a producer of reliable cars that provide drivers with a great bang for their buck. One of the models that stands out is the Jetta, particularly the second and third generation; model years 1983 to 1999. These years boasted incredible fuel economy and spacious interiors. The third generation Jetta also had an improved driving performance because of its 1.9-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection engine.
For the driver that needs a little more cargo room, it would be wrong not to include the Toyota 4Runner on a list of reliable cars. Nothing really compares to the 4Runner, which scored perfect Consumer Reports reliability ratings for 13 years straight. As long as you avoid the 3-liter V6 engine and stick with the N180 series, you’ll find yourself with a car that will last you years to come and get you through nearly any situation you find yourself in. The third generation received a revamped design and improved engineering, gearing itself more towards a luxury SUV than earlier generations.
The Working Machines
It should be no surprise that the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Marquis would make this list. From 1998 to 2011, these beasts were known as some of the most durable cars on the road. Equipped with a body-on-frame construction, solid rear axle, and a powerful V8 engine, it’s no wonder why police and transportation services alike have turned to these machines for decades. It’s not uncommon for these cars to drive 300,000 to 500,000 miles. Rumors even claim that they are passed from police to taxi to other services, and by the end of their lifetimes sometimes reach nearly a million miles!
Have you ever noticed how many transportation services rely on Ford E-Series for their transportation and infrastructure needs? Next time you’re in one shuttling across an airport or a repairman pulls up in an E-Series, try to take a peek at the odometer. These durable machines are known to run strong seemingly forever, and commonly have over 500,000 miles on them! Although they were replaced by the slightly less impressive Transit, you can still find plenty of them available today. If you need a spacious van that will keep your work running smoothly for decades, this should definitely be near the top of your list.
It would make sense that automotive service companies and part suppliers would want to use a vehicle they know is built right and is built to last. Most automotive companies trust the Ford Ranger to fill this position. It almost seems like the Ford Ranger is the official vehicle for automotive parts delivery, and there’s a good reason for that. It’s common to see these trucks running well past the 700,000-mile point- something very few vehicles are able to accomplish. Drivers love them for their low price point, and their simple, durable construction is built to last. When it was first released it came with a variety of engine options, making It more attractive to drivers who want to be sure they have the right car for their needs. It’s similarities to the Ford Escort and F-Series help give it a familiar feel and comfortable handling for virtually any driver. If you’re driving the same thing your mechanic drives, it’s safe to say you most likely won’t need to replace or repair it anytime in the near future.
Conclusion
While we have covered a lot of reliable vehicles in this article so far, this certainly isn’t an extensive list. Some more honorable mentions are the Toyota Sequoia, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, Subaru Legacy and Outback, or the Volvo 850. The Toyota Tacoma, Corolla and Camry are also great options. Realistically, with the right care and driving habits, you can make almost any car last you for years to come. Just remember that you don’t need the latest model to have a reliable vehicle.
If you have an old driver at home you plan on keeping around for a little while longer, Holbrook Auto Parts is the best option for parts and service in the Detroit area. We carry new OEM parts as well as tested pre-owned parts from excellent condition and low mileage vehicles. Stop by one of our locations today for the best prices on your automotive needs!
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