Vehicle reliability - best make/models?

SEIOWA CLONE

Well-Known Member
Dec 19, 2018
6,793
6,987
113
63
parents previous 2013 Escape was horrible.. the thing would randomly lose all power and die on the side of the road on them.. even happened at Karl's as they were trading it in on an Equinox.

We purchase our Fusion new in 2013, the vehicle ate rear tires, the original tires lasted less 15,000 miles, the replacement set about 10,000. when it was all done, in 5 years we put four new sets of tires on it. I drive only highway miles, every time you would hit a bump in the road, you could feel the back end slide a little. Ford refused to do anything about it, they just said when put it on the machine, it tests out fine. I replied "take it out on the road, and go 55 mph and you can feel it, they refused to do it. Our local Ford dealer did sell me the last set of tires at cost. When I was getting them put on, the gal at the desk said to me "see that silver Fusion down there at the end of the bay, it has the same problem and Ford refuses to stand behind their product." I once spoke to a Goodyear dealer, he said that Ford knows all about the problem, that it needs a spacer put in the rear-end of the car, but they refuse to do it.
 
Last edited:

4EverACyclone

Active Member
Jun 18, 2011
143
162
43
Omaha, NE
Cycled through a few different ones over the years for work. I don’t get the longevity out of them, roughly 35-45k miles a year, but I abuse them in a short time frame and see how they react.

2016 Jeep Cherokee, no power but was pretty reliable. The window cracked every time a rock flew at it, so that sucked.

2014 Ford Fusion and coworkers have the 2019 models and really liked them. Currently, driving a 2019 Ford Escape. Honestly, don’t buy them. Ford has already put 2 motors in the damn thing in the span of 10 days. First time was a recall, second the dealer messed up the timing belt and blew the engine the first time I took it on the interstate 10 days after I got it. The recall effects all 2016-2019 model Fords. Engine block was cast incorrectly.
Wife has had 2001 Honda Civic, loved it! 2015 Honda Accord Sport, loved it. Now we have the 2019 Honda Pilot for the growing family and really like it. Parents have had 3 Honda Odyssey’s and keep going back for more. They’ve been really good up to 100,000 miles. Sister has 2013 Honda CRV and abuses it but it keeps on going.
Neighbor has a 2019 Honda Ridgeline and really likes it.

Long story short. Honda has been good to a lot of my family.
 

ClonesFTW

Well-Known Member
Nov 13, 2013
5,564
9,822
113
Waukee
“Traded in” a 2004 Toyota Highlander with 372,xxx on the clock, literally never had anything wrong with it besides standard maintenance. Own a BMW now and I’m at the shop every few months it seems- awful.
 

BryceC

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 23, 2006
26,405
19,538
113
Toyota would have to do a lot to lose the mantle for me. About 10 years ago I traded in a 98' Camry with 275k miles on it. I was just waiting for the thing to die - all I would do is make sure it was full of oil. For YEARS, and never had an issue with the thing beyond the fact that it was just old. My wife currently has a 10 year old Highlander and there just isn't anything wrong with it. Who knows how long we could keep the thing.
 

throwittoblythe

Well-Known Member
Aug 7, 2006
3,881
4,558
113
Minneapolis, MN
We had a 2005 Honda CRV. Wife got it used with 4500 miles. We drove it for nearly 12 years to about 110,000 miles. Never had anything to fix aside from oil changes, breaks, and tires. Fantastic vehicle. Just needed something bigger. We upgraded to a 2015 Mazda CX-9. We’ve already spent over $2000 fixing things in the three years we’ve owned it.
 

cymac2408

Well-Known Member
Jul 4, 2013
2,908
3,548
113
Urbandale IA
We really love our 2018 Toyota Camry, beats the hell out of our 2013 Ford Fusion. After that experience I will never purchase another Ford made car.

I can’t say the same. My wife’s 2010 Ford Edge hasn’t had any problems and has 105,000 miles. She still loves it. It has been our best vehicle purchas.
 

NDMARTIN2015

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2018
453
753
93
32
Des Moines
I sold my 2015 Chrysler 200 C before it dropped significantly in value and bought a 2004 4Runner SR5 with cash, love that vehicle. My wife has a 2011 Kia Sorento, I think that timeframe for Kia was pretty ******, they are better now. Her next car will be a Highlander.
 

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
21,473
5,798
113
50131
It really depends on the specific model. Yes, some car makers have a great reputation across the board but even they have problems with specific models. Google "gas dilution CRV". "Japanese" includes Nissan, Mitsubishi, etc. which I wouldn't put on the same level as Honda and Toyota. The Koreans have been killing it lately and I would choose most Kia/Hyundai models over anything that Nissan puts out.
What's tricky about reliability is that you usually have to give up some things to get that bulletproof reliability. A car like the Dodge Charger is pretty reliable, but a lot of this comes at the expense of a car that has changed very little in the last 10 years. Also don't confuse reliability with fit/finish. Just because you have one doesn't mean you have the other. A lot of Toyota/Lexus products are like this. The Sequoia and Tacoma are perfect examples of very reliable vehicles but their interiors are laughably bad compared to the competition because they are so dated. I don't care how rugged the Tacoma is, the last one I drove would be a terrible vehicle for 99% of my driving.

The good thing is that the worst models now are still pretty great overall. I agree with others that staying away from first year models is usually a good idea. So with all that said, there is no need to be loyal to one manufacturer. I've had 6+ Honda's with nearly zero problems but if I was looking for a new car, I would consider cars from most brands.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2020cy

Mr Janny

Welcome to the Office of Secret Intelligence
Staff member
Bookie
SuperFanatic
Mar 27, 2006
42,562
33,324
113
Why have I never heard of Genesis?
Genesis is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota. Their cars are designed by some ex-BMW folks, and that's sort of the market they're trying to compete in. The G70 shares the same guts as the Kia Stinger, but is lighter and has more finishes. They only offered 3 models, all sedans, until this year when they introduced their first SUV.
 

BryceC

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 23, 2006
26,405
19,538
113
The good thing is that the worst models now are still pretty great overall. I agree with others that staying away from first year models is usually a good idea. So with all that said, there is no need to be loyal to one manufacturer. I've had 6+ Honda's with nearly zero problems but if I was looking for a new car, I would consider cars from most brands.

We are a long way from K cars in the 80s.
 

Hoggins

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Sep 2, 2019
3,350
4,803
113
36
I’ve been driving my 2008 Ford Focus for 10 years now. 175k miles. Averages 32 mpg, but I can get 39.5 if I’m trying to save gas.

It’s got some rust, but for a commuter car, it’s been awesome for me.
 

Al_4_State

Moderator
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 27, 2006
32,140
28,112
113
39
Driftless Region
Visit site
Every Japanese vehicle I've been around has been reliable.

Had a great experience with our '11 Ford Escape. I've found Fords to be the most reliable domestic vehicle, and they often hit the right combo of reasonable price, good mileage, good reliable, and AWD.
 

dosry5

Well-Known Member
Nov 28, 2006
7,452
6,415
113
Johnston
I was going to get a used Taco for my last truck. A new one had a lower payment for anything with less than 75k miles. I ended up getting a new one. It’s 5 years old now with about 58k on the odometer and the trade in value is about $8000 less than I paid for it.
Payment? At CF we purchase vehicles with cash....