Most reliable cars?
Discussion
k-ink said:
I would personally vote for Lexus.
I am interested in people's views of the older and simpler E36 3 series, including the M3 variant.
I researched the E36 before buying mine 18 months ago. They have some weak areas including the cooling system (stats, stat housings, water pump, rad/exp tank), suspension (front balljoints and wishbone bushes, rear trailing arm bushes, springs can break). Abs wheel sensors tend to fail. Wheelarches can rust. Overall though the parts are pretty cheap and the cars quite simple and DIY friendly compared to moderns.I am interested in people's views of the older and simpler E36 3 series, including the M3 variant.
The earlier cars are simpler than the facelift models, many of which had climate control, traction control, multiple oxygen sensors, airbags, cats, etc.
The sixes have camchains but the M52 2.5/2.8 motor in the later 323/328 can suffer bore wear due to the nikasil cylinder linings.
I agree with the general consensus that if you want something reliable go for something Japanese. My wife and I have owned a newish Toyota for 2 years and a newish Honda for a year and absolutely nothing has gone wrong. They are not exciting cars to own though, so I don't necessarily suggest that is what you should do. 
To be honest, I haven't had a car leave me stranded by the side of a road (other than punctures) for about 14 years when the clutch cable snapped on my Peugeot 205. Faults with modern cars tend to be niggly and often electrical in my experience and in the last 15 years I have owned Vauxhall, Peugeot, Mazda. BMW, VW, Subaru, Fiat, Mercedes, Jeep, Chrysler, Toyota and Honda and only had one major breakdown (the clutch cable in the Peugeot).
I'm assuming you're going to get something fairly new rather than a 100k+ 15+ year old Japanese/German/Swedish POS like many are suggesting?
Someone made a good point in that parts for Japanese cars can be expensive in some cases. This is true but you tend to need less of them. I drove a new Mazda 3 the other day and was very impressed. Looked good, great drive and an attractive well-built interior. Hopefully they have sorted out the rust issue now, so I would wholeheartedly recommend a recent Mazda 3/6. Subarus are a bit more interesting than a Toyota/Honda but some parts (like the alternator was on mine) can be very expensive.
I would generally favour petrol over diesel if keeping long-term. As has already been mentioned, I wouldn't rule out Kia/Hyundai. They are leagues ahead of where they were 10 years ago in terms of quality and recent experiences of the Kia Ce'eed, Optima and Sorento have impressed me. You can still get something with a decent chunk of warranty left on it too for 13k. For some reason, Skodas seem to be more reliable than their VAG stablemates from what I understand if you go down the VAG route.
I also don't think that you would go too far wrong with a modern Ford or Vauxhall. Better built, more reliable, cheap parts and decent to drive (especially Fords). I have heard a few negative things about the petrol Ecoboost engines reliability-wise though, so best to avoid those?
Personally, I probably wouldn't buy French but that's probably just me being prejudiced. Apparently, Renaults are pretty decent now and a Clio that I drove recently seemed pretty decent. I don't like them but my dad has had 5 Citroens over the last 20 years and not had any major problems with them in that time and he is quite a high mileage user. He also had a couple of VWs, which were OK but had a couple of minor electrical issues. I wouldn't not buy a German car if that is what you like but keep it petrol and fairly simple i.e. not too many gadgets.
To be honest, I haven't had a car leave me stranded by the side of a road (other than punctures) for about 14 years when the clutch cable snapped on my Peugeot 205. Faults with modern cars tend to be niggly and often electrical in my experience and in the last 15 years I have owned Vauxhall, Peugeot, Mazda. BMW, VW, Subaru, Fiat, Mercedes, Jeep, Chrysler, Toyota and Honda and only had one major breakdown (the clutch cable in the Peugeot).
I'm assuming you're going to get something fairly new rather than a 100k+ 15+ year old Japanese/German/Swedish POS like many are suggesting?
Someone made a good point in that parts for Japanese cars can be expensive in some cases. This is true but you tend to need less of them. I drove a new Mazda 3 the other day and was very impressed. Looked good, great drive and an attractive well-built interior. Hopefully they have sorted out the rust issue now, so I would wholeheartedly recommend a recent Mazda 3/6. Subarus are a bit more interesting than a Toyota/Honda but some parts (like the alternator was on mine) can be very expensive.
I would generally favour petrol over diesel if keeping long-term. As has already been mentioned, I wouldn't rule out Kia/Hyundai. They are leagues ahead of where they were 10 years ago in terms of quality and recent experiences of the Kia Ce'eed, Optima and Sorento have impressed me. You can still get something with a decent chunk of warranty left on it too for 13k. For some reason, Skodas seem to be more reliable than their VAG stablemates from what I understand if you go down the VAG route.
I also don't think that you would go too far wrong with a modern Ford or Vauxhall. Better built, more reliable, cheap parts and decent to drive (especially Fords). I have heard a few negative things about the petrol Ecoboost engines reliability-wise though, so best to avoid those?
Personally, I probably wouldn't buy French but that's probably just me being prejudiced. Apparently, Renaults are pretty decent now and a Clio that I drove recently seemed pretty decent. I don't like them but my dad has had 5 Citroens over the last 20 years and not had any major problems with them in that time and he is quite a high mileage user. He also had a couple of VWs, which were OK but had a couple of minor electrical issues. I wouldn't not buy a German car if that is what you like but keep it petrol and fairly simple i.e. not too many gadgets.
After reading this thread, I've gone out and bought one of the recommendations! To be fair, we've owned a RAV4 of this generation in the past, but here she is.
2004 2.0 VVTi (147 HP) XT4. 99,500 miles with full history, 3 keys, paperwork etc.
£1,850 from an eBay auction. I'm feeling quite happy with the purchase. I hope it evens out our Peugeot-Alfa household a little (reliability-wise).
2004 2.0 VVTi (147 HP) XT4. 99,500 miles with full history, 3 keys, paperwork etc.
£1,850 from an eBay auction. I'm feeling quite happy with the purchase. I hope it evens out our Peugeot-Alfa household a little (reliability-wise).
DukeDickson said:
Baddie said:
Volvo XC90, family owned from nearly new, and the worst car I've had (aside from old BMW M5's). Electrical issues cost a fortune, the angle gear went, and it sprang a major oil leak at 75k miles before I got rid.
Currently have a Ford Mondeo mkIV 2.5t. Bought it for 7k, 46000 miles. I'm aware of cracking liners and potential electrical issues, but it's big, comfy, safe and absolutely beautiful to drive. Recently had a major service, MOT and replacement of broken spring (warranty) for £264. It will now cost me £13 per month to service for 3 years with Ford. It's an awful lot of car for the money, and for much less than the OP's budget he could swap a Mondy every 4 years or so if there were any problems.
Which of course has a Volvo engine, albeit slightly sullied by some Ford cheapness Currently have a Ford Mondeo mkIV 2.5t. Bought it for 7k, 46000 miles. I'm aware of cracking liners and potential electrical issues, but it's big, comfy, safe and absolutely beautiful to drive. Recently had a major service, MOT and replacement of broken spring (warranty) for £264. It will now cost me £13 per month to service for 3 years with Ford. It's an awful lot of car for the money, and for much less than the OP's budget he could swap a Mondy every 4 years or so if there were any problems.
.Keep an eye out for the oil diaphragm, but generally speaking, is a tough old bit of iron. It isn't even the best example of the breed, but the 5 is definitely a stayer!
I wasn't having a dig at Volvo, my dad had an 850 T5, which is one of the reasons I bought this Ford, but the XC90 has really put me off Volvo's based on the experience of a car I knew almost from new, and with only 75k miles on. The electrical issues, though £££ are part of modern cars. The mechanical ones are less forgivable, especially the oil leak. It was fairly major.
Baddie said:
DukeDickson said:
Baddie said:
Volvo XC90, family owned from nearly new, and the worst car I've had (aside from old BMW M5's). Electrical issues cost a fortune, the angle gear went, and it sprang a major oil leak at 75k miles before I got rid.
Currently have a Ford Mondeo mkIV 2.5t. Bought it for 7k, 46000 miles. I'm aware of cracking liners and potential electrical issues, but it's big, comfy, safe and absolutely beautiful to drive. Recently had a major service, MOT and replacement of broken spring (warranty) for £264. It will now cost me £13 per month to service for 3 years with Ford. It's an awful lot of car for the money, and for much less than the OP's budget he could swap a Mondy every 4 years or so if there were any problems.
Which of course has a Volvo engine, albeit slightly sullied by some Ford cheapness Currently have a Ford Mondeo mkIV 2.5t. Bought it for 7k, 46000 miles. I'm aware of cracking liners and potential electrical issues, but it's big, comfy, safe and absolutely beautiful to drive. Recently had a major service, MOT and replacement of broken spring (warranty) for £264. It will now cost me £13 per month to service for 3 years with Ford. It's an awful lot of car for the money, and for much less than the OP's budget he could swap a Mondy every 4 years or so if there were any problems.
.Keep an eye out for the oil diaphragm, but generally speaking, is a tough old bit of iron. It isn't even the best example of the breed, but the 5 is definitely a stayer!
I wasn't having a dig at Volvo, my dad had an 850 T5, which is one of the reasons I bought this Ford, but the XC90 has really put me off Volvo's based on the experience of a car I knew almost from new, and with only 75k miles on. The electrical issues, though £££ are part of modern cars. The mechanical ones are less forgivable, especially the oil leak. It was fairly major.
Dying breed, but really is nails hard. Couple of months away from 300 clicks
Most reliable: Toyota Avensis, Honda CRV, Saab 95 (All did over 70K with nothing more than routine servicing)
Least reliable: Volvo S40, BMW 3 series (Regular garage attender - got to know all the mechanics by name - and the names of most of their families!) Neither did more than 50K but both had at last 6 A4 pages of faults in that mileage. All the above were bought new.
Least reliable: Volvo S40, BMW 3 series (Regular garage attender - got to know all the mechanics by name - and the names of most of their families!) Neither did more than 50K but both had at last 6 A4 pages of faults in that mileage. All the above were bought new.
Rissole said:
Thinking of buying a used car and I just wondered what is considered reliable in today's used marketplace?
What I mean by that is a car that is relatively cheap to service, does not breakdown, can do in excess of 200k miles and when required, accommodate a family of four. I'm soon to leave a company car (BMW 320d 2012 F30) and want to purchase a used car outright rather than going down the PCP/leasing route.
LEXUSWhat I mean by that is a car that is relatively cheap to service, does not breakdown, can do in excess of 200k miles and when required, accommodate a family of four. I'm soon to leave a company car (BMW 320d 2012 F30) and want to purchase a used car outright rather than going down the PCP/leasing route.
LEXUS
LEXUS
I had a IS250 for 2 years and it was a beauty to drive every day, I just sold it this morning to a chap who went straight to a bank to pay for it.
I just felt like a change after 2 years and took the plunge on a CL55.
I think Lexus snubbery in the UK is astonishing for what is probably the most reliable and very well appointed car you can get, build quality and ride are top drawer.
The absolutely rotten IS220D did Lexus no favours whatsoever and they stopped making diesels thank god. But it hasn't stopped silly people buying them thinking they are getting IS250 looks and Lexus quality, ...in a D4D engine, erm nope.
All for the sake of some cheap tax.
MJ85 said:
Aaaaand after a clean back at home. Chuffed with it.
That's superb for £1850!
Sticking with the same brand, I'm currently driving a 2007 Auris 1.4D4D. Whilst its not in any way exciting, its been in the family for several years now with very little going wrong. Currently on 152k miles.
M1C said:
That's superb for £1850!
Sticking with the same brand, I'm currently driving a 2007 Auris 1.4D4D. Whilst its not in any way exciting, its been in the family for several years now with very little going wrong. Currently on 152k miles.
I can imagine that ticks the economical and reliable boxes. Honest John good/bad sections doesn't even mention the 1.4 diesel, which can only be a good thing.Sticking with the same brand, I'm currently driving a 2007 Auris 1.4D4D. Whilst its not in any way exciting, its been in the family for several years now with very little going wrong. Currently on 152k miles.
Digby said:
MJ85 said:
Aaaaand after a clean back at home. Chuffed with it.
You'll regret it!I just found out my friend who purchased one new ten years ago has just had to have a new battery.
How can he ever trust it again?!
It's a disgrace
Lowtimer said:
TristPerrin said:
N16 Nissan Almera.
Yes they're the motoring equivalent of watching paint dry and yes they're only driven by pentioners.
My father has neglected 2 (and by neglected I mean not even an oil change) over th course of about 12 years and they've nver missed a beat. The only reason the first one went is because someone drive into it and smashed the front end in.
Not quite true that they are only driven by pensioners but given that I know two much younger long term female owners who have found them utterly dependable for years and years and years, they are certainly dependable machines. They will rust in the end but so will everything, and anyway that's a separate subject. For what they fetch, a tidy one with some sort of recent service history is a very low risk buy for unglamorous transport that no-one will notice. Yes they're the motoring equivalent of watching paint dry and yes they're only driven by pentioners.
My father has neglected 2 (and by neglected I mean not even an oil change) over th course of about 12 years and they've nver missed a beat. The only reason the first one went is because someone drive into it and smashed the front end in.
Following the Japanese theme my Honda HR-V has a failed headgasket and problems with the gearbox.
Maybe I just bought a couple of duds?
The most reliable car I've had was a mk1 Mondeo 2.0 petrol. I did 250k miles and it NEVER missed a beat. Rust killed it in the end, but it never let me down once, not a stutter. The greatest car ever made!
I don't really rate Almeras, I've seen stacks of them with stretched timing chains a lot of them at low mileage.
I'd agree about the Mondeo. They mainly get a bad rep due to the diesels, will go through their fair share of consumables and yes rust kills them eventually but any petrol Zetec engine from the introduction in the 90's onwards takes some beating in the reliability department IMO. Gearboxes never seem to go either which can be a weak point in quite a few Hondas for example.
Such a nice engine as well compared to the dross it replaced across most of the Ford range at the time.
I'd agree about the Mondeo. They mainly get a bad rep due to the diesels, will go through their fair share of consumables and yes rust kills them eventually but any petrol Zetec engine from the introduction in the 90's onwards takes some beating in the reliability department IMO. Gearboxes never seem to go either which can be a weak point in quite a few Hondas for example.
Such a nice engine as well compared to the dross it replaced across most of the Ford range at the time.
BrownBottle said:
I don't really rate Almeras, I've seen stacks of them with stretched timing chains a lot of them at low mileage.
I'd agree about the Mondeo. They mainly get a bad rep due to the diesels, will go through their fair share of consumables and yes rust kills them eventually but any petrol Zetec engine from the introduction in the 90's onwards takes some beating in the reliability department IMO. Gearboxes never seem to go either which can be a weak point in quite a few Hondas for example.
Such a nice engine as well compared to the dross it replaced across most of the Ford range at the time.
have to stick up for the Mondeo here, I'd agree about the Mondeo. They mainly get a bad rep due to the diesels, will go through their fair share of consumables and yes rust kills them eventually but any petrol Zetec engine from the introduction in the 90's onwards takes some beating in the reliability department IMO. Gearboxes never seem to go either which can be a weak point in quite a few Hondas for example.
Such a nice engine as well compared to the dross it replaced across most of the Ford range at the time.
2l TDCI mk4 with north of 300k on it now, only ever let me down once due to a faulty alternator,
still on original clutch/flywheel turbo and injectors. utterly abused yet utterly dependable
To be fair the Mk4 seems fine in 2.0 diesel guise, they're fitted with a PSA (Peugeot) engine that is very reliable. Only common fault I can think of is the turbo vanes getting clogged and seizing up but I doubt with the abuse and mileage yours has done it would ever be an issue, it's mainly due to lower miles and not getting caned enough.
The MK3 had a Ford Duratorq (Puma) engine and even though the unit itself was strong it had an unfortunate and very common fault with the high pressure fuel pump failing taking out the injectors and contaminating the entire fuel system with metal shavings. It put a lot of them off the road and tarnished the reputation of the diesel engine.
The MK3 had a Ford Duratorq (Puma) engine and even though the unit itself was strong it had an unfortunate and very common fault with the high pressure fuel pump failing taking out the injectors and contaminating the entire fuel system with metal shavings. It put a lot of them off the road and tarnished the reputation of the diesel engine.
uk_vette said:
Generally,
1st = Toyota
2nd = Honda
Bad eggs and lemons excused.
Lexus are top dogs, (again).1st = Toyota
2nd = Honda
Bad eggs and lemons excused.
Doesn't seem like people in the UK have heard of Lexus.
After owning a Honda Accord and the IS250 I can pretty much say with certainty the Lexus is quite a big step up in terms of comfort and build, not to mention gadgets.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20160224/OEM/16022...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff