Most reliable used cars

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Mar 2011, 18:56

I ran across this article on MSN and was surprised at a few of the vehicles at the tops of their classes in reliability.

Take a look for yourself! There are BMW's, Mercs (usually two of the most UN-reliable car companies), and lots of Fords and GM products in there at the tops of their respective classes (Chryslers are still a joke in my opinion).

Years ago, this would have been pretty much Honda, Toyota, Honda, Toyota...but the "Americans" are really coming up!

I say "Americans" because almost no car anymore is made completely of American or foreign parts.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/listarti ... id=1182740

Post by **matthew1** » 25 Mar 2011, 09:55

Interesting list, Justin. A sample:

Midsize Premium Car
Acura RL
 PP100: 85

Entry Premium Crossover/SUV
BMW X3
 PP100: 132

Large Car
Buick Lucerne
PP100: 88

Subcompact Car
Honda Fit Sport 5-Spd AT
 PP100: 133

Midsize Sporty Car
Ford Mustang GT
PP100: 108

I think I'd enjoy a Honda Fit. Also, a Acura TSX first generation (2004-2008) would be nice to explore. Four cylinders, 205hp, 6-sp manual. The current generation they put a 6-cyl in, but the bigger engine increased the car's weight by 150 lbs or so, throwing off its handling and killing economy.

Post by **jblackburn** » 25 Mar 2011, 11:48

The TSX's are a blast. They don't have anything near the punch of a TL (my favorite Acura) off the line, but like any 4-cylinder Honda motor they absolutely love to rev.

I'm actually very seriously looking at the 2012 Civic SI with that same 2.4L engine in a little coupe - finally, a Civic with some torque behind it! The reliability/awesome gas mileage would just be nice extras

After owning the Volvo, it is hard for me to go back to driving around in non-turbo cars; I just expect them to have more to give when I put my foot down.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 26 Mar 2011, 09:33

jblackburn wrote:I'm actually very seriously looking at the 2012 Civic SI with that same 2.4L engine in a little coupe - finally, a Civic with some torque behind it! The reliability/awesome gas mileage would just be nice extras After owning the Volvo, it is hard for me to go back to driving around in non-turbo cars; I just expect them to have more to give when I put my foot down.

Man, do I know what you mean. I traded my SR in for a more fuel efficient Subaru legacy without a turbo and I am totally regretting it. Don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic car and I am loving the 28 MPG I am averaging. It just does not have the punch I am used to. So, to get my turbo fix, I am going to pick up a 93 940 Turbo Wagon as a spare car. Going to build it up for track use or for when I want to drive something more fun.

Post by **billofdurham** » 26 Mar 2011, 13:42

Here you all are talking about cars with lots of power, turbos and all sorts of goodies. Our government is trying to persuade us to go the other route and are wanting us to use electric cars like this.

They are urging all local authorities, supermarkets and anyone else who will listen to install re-charging points. A recent road test from London to Edinburgh, 400 miles, took FOUR days because the maximum range on a level road, with no lights, no heater nor radio is 109 miles. Start putting in uphill stretches, traffic congestion (because you can't use the radio to get the latest traffic news) and heating and that can drop to 60 miles. Cost £30,990 or $49,711.

I do know someone who bought one and we had a 'discussion' about its merits. He kept banging on about saving the planet by not using fossil fuels until I pointed out that most of the UK's electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. He went into a corner to sulk.

Keep posting things like this to let me know that not all of the world has gone mad.

Bill.

Post by **precopster** » 26 Mar 2011, 16:40

Personally I prefer the http://www.carsurvey.org car review forum; real people giving real life instances of ownership, but then anything can be rigged.

What impresses me about the info on http://www.carsuvey.org site about VOLVOS is that the accounts are very typical of the reporting we find here at MVS.

MatDesign84 · Post by **MatDesign84** » 17 Apr 2011, 20:20

In short, my opinion. Volvo makes a great car, ive bought two cars in my life a volvo 850 and a volvo 850 turbo. I would like to own a Subaru WRX someday and a 850 r wagon. The Prius battery manufacturing process kills the earth and as "Top Gear" put it, a brand new M3 BMW will get better gas mileage than a Prius if driven conservatively. I will never own a hybrid unless its a REAL environmentally conscious hybrid, like the Fisker Karma and I cant ever see affording one.

Post by **jblackburn** » 18 Apr 2011, 09:19

Another interesting article about used cars:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42597390/ns/business-autos/

Basically, the price for some economical used cars (Accord, Civic, Sonata, Sentra) is going UP over time because of gas prices.

The same happened to me - I bought my old 1988 Honda Accord in 2004 for $950. I sold it in early 2008 for $1300 when gas was around $3 a gallon for what I think was the first time then. Though there was much, much more work than that price difference along the way with that car. I do miss getting 35 mpg and over 400 miles on a tank of 12 gallons though.

MatDesign84 · Post by **MatDesign84** » 18 Apr 2011, 10:37

jblackburn wrote:Another interesting article about used cars:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42597390/ns/business-autos/

The same happened to me - I bought my old 1988 Honda Accord in 2004 for $950. I sold it in early 2008 for $1300 when gas was around $3 a gallon for what I think was the first time then. Though there was much, much more work than that price difference along the way with that car. I do miss getting 35 mpg and over 400 miles on a tank of 12 gallons though.

My dad just sold his 88 Civic which got 45mpg for an 01 V70 "Gold Edition". I asked him if it was a good idea considering gas prices. He said yes, that he traded MPG for versatility. He too has the Volvo fever.