Driving three Kia's right now- Sedona Soul and Forte just bought a used Hyundai elantra for the kids. Never a problem with any of them all over 100,000
Vehicle reliability - best make/models?
- Thread starter simply1
- Start date
I hate to bash on American cars, because my family has always been USA, when it comes to vehicles. Every American car i have owned since i started buying my own cars 30 years ago, has always had to go back in for quality control issues. Nothing major mind you, but stuff that, imo, shouldn't happen on a brand new car. A couple F-150s, a 2012 Mustang, Pontiac Grand Prix and Chrysler Minivan.
My wife traded in the minivan on a Toyota Highlander in 2005 and has bought 2 more since. I bought a New Toyota Tundra in April of 2019 and none of those have had anything done to them but regular service.
I do believe that most cars made today will run, look nice and still drive nice for a lot longer than those made in the 80s and early 90s. But, I do still find a huge difference between the quality control at the factory between Toyota and the other American brands I mentioned. It really is night and day.
My wife traded in the minivan on a Toyota Highlander in 2005 and has bought 2 more since. I bought a New Toyota Tundra in April of 2019 and none of those have had anything done to them but regular service.
I do believe that most cars made today will run, look nice and still drive nice for a lot longer than those made in the 80s and early 90s. But, I do still find a huge difference between the quality control at the factory between Toyota and the other American brands I mentioned. It really is night and day.
I've had 3 Japanese cars in my lifetime, the only major issue was a blown transmission. My Infiniti was a total disaster, so glad we got rid of that.
Touble vehicles I've had:
Had a 04 CRV purchased new and well cared for, A/C went out early but not under warranty which was very expensive. 09 Toyoata Matrix burned over a quart of oil every 1000 miles at just over 100,000. 04 Town and Country: too many things to list but they were all cheap and easy to fix. For example replaced the alternator twice, but I think that was only about $100.
Good:
13 Sonata began consuming oil at just about 100,000 miles. Hyundai replaced the short block at 120,000 miles under their class action settlement. They had engine manufacturing issues when they first opened their Alabama plant. Also extended the drivetrain warranty forever. Everything else on the car has been very good. 140K on it currently.
07 Honda Pilot - 170K with few problems. Transmission may be starting to slip but I've towed cars with it a few times so probably my fault.
92 Firebird 205K. Transmission rebuild once, but that is it. Bought it at 150K 5 years ago.
15 Ford Focus. No problems at 60K. Gets 42mpg on highway.
Asian builds will likely be a little more reliable, but far more expensive to repair. American can also be reliable if cared for and are almost always cheap and easy to repair. I only have a negative view of Chrysler. European generally will be refined but less reliable and the most expensive to repair.
I drove a 08 Focus for 11 years. Only repair was the anti sway links which cost $25 each at Autozone. Probably the cheapest total cost to own car I’ve had. The worst - BMW 335Ic.
If you are looking at sedans or SUVs Hyundai is pretty great.
My three kids and myself have owned nine Hyundai models over the last ten years. And I can report that only once we had a problem and that was due to bad fuel. I currently drive a 2015 Sonata and can't see a reason to change. About 650K miles total with the 2010 Sonata I sold to my son (which he then sold to his father-in-law) has around 200K on it. Afforadble, economical, and they were trend setters.
If your first car was a 1968 MGB then every subsequent car, regardless of make or model, will be considered reliable. 
I would say Toyota hands down. My families last 4 vehicles have been Toyotas. Currently own 3. I have a 2007 FJ Cruiser with over 400K miles on it and it is still going strong. I am not gentle on it either. I do a lot of off-roading out here in the desert in AZ. I do keep up with regular maintenance on it though. I also have a 2015 4Runner (80K) and a 2017 Lexus GX460 (40K). My wifes car prior to the Lexus was a Highlander, we sold it with 250K miles on it.
Unless you buy a Jeep Wrangler. I think Jeep has intentionally left that vehicle a verifiable lemon. Owners like to swap stories about their breakdowns.
Buy asian vehicles the year before they completely redo or refresh the line. Thank me later.
Also, being easy on your vehicle should get 150k miles without breaking a sweat
Also, being easy on your vehicle should get 150k miles without breaking a sweat
It's always interesting to see subprime borrowers disproportionately buy american car brands vs imports. Also seems like american car makers know this and make a quality of car that reflects this
I didn't intend to get into that discussion, merely pointing out my past history with cars.
In all fairness though, my Fords were assembled in the USA, my Tundra was assembled in Texas.
look at the Palisade/Telluride. there is a reason they are winning the comparisons head to head.
the GV80 was supposed to be in production already this year as well but Covid has delayed that. the G90 sedans I have seen in person have been majorly impressive. gave one a good look over while our Palisade was getting serviced. they do have a ways to go as far a customer interaction and the premium "brand experience" still though.
I've owned two Honda's and a Subaru.
The first new car I ever bought was an 1986 Honda Accord Hatchback. I loved that car and took good care of it and drove for over 180k miles. It did rust though. I gave my folks that car and bought their two year old 1999 Honda in 2001. I still have that car and it has 240k+ miles on it. I've has some larger $ repairs that are just items that have worn out.
Last Dec I bought a 2020 Subaru Forester - only <4k miles on it now due to not alot of driving in a pandemic world. I LOVE this vehicle. Good gas mileage, good get up and go, and tons of safety features. I'll keep this maintained to keep it for a long while. Oil changes are pricey ($100 what the tell me) but I bought the service warranty so my first three years of oil changes are free. And oil changes are suggested for every six months. I'd rented alot of cars and test drove a few others before buying my Forester. I wanted an SUV so that it's not so dang hard to get in and out of a sedan (age is catching up). From what I know now, I'd buy another Forester if I needed a new car.
The first new car I ever bought was an 1986 Honda Accord Hatchback. I loved that car and took good care of it and drove for over 180k miles. It did rust though. I gave my folks that car and bought their two year old 1999 Honda in 2001. I still have that car and it has 240k+ miles on it. I've has some larger $ repairs that are just items that have worn out.
Last Dec I bought a 2020 Subaru Forester - only <4k miles on it now due to not alot of driving in a pandemic world. I LOVE this vehicle. Good gas mileage, good get up and go, and tons of safety features. I'll keep this maintained to keep it for a long while. Oil changes are pricey ($100 what the tell me) but I bought the service warranty so my first three years of oil changes are free. And oil changes are suggested for every six months. I'd rented alot of cars and test drove a few others before buying my Forester. I wanted an SUV so that it's not so dang hard to get in and out of a sedan (age is catching up). From what I know now, I'd buy another Forester if I needed a new car.
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I was making a broader point that, in a world of integrated supply chains that stretch across the planet and certainly across continents, the idea of an "American" or "Japanese" car at this point is pretty suspect.
I think I'm sold on a plug in hybrid (PHEV). Anyone else have experiences with any? Seems like the 2020 and 2021 models have a lot to choose from.
