You need a new daily driver, your budget is $24,000...

[Archie F. Swin]

You can buy a new or used vehicle. What would you buy and why?

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by lewdog

So what do consumers look at when deciding on the reliability of car models?

They look at what they "know" which is anecdotal evidence based on what they personally or second hand (dad always drives chevys etc) have experience with.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by hometeam

They look at what they "know" which is anecdotal evidence based on what they personally or second hand (dad always drives chevys etc) have experience with.

I know, I'm asking you to tell me where I read about reliability since you are against Consumer Reports?

I'm the type that purchases a car to keep it 10+ years. Where can I read about reliability data to choose a car that will best hold up in a current car class I am looking at?

[Psyko Tek]

12 1970's dodge darts and plymouth valiants
half with slant 6's and half with various V8's

I love that body style

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I know, I'm asking you to tell me where I read about reliability since you are against Consumer Reports?

I'm the type that purchases a car to keep it 10+ years. Where can I read about reliability data to choose a car that will best hold up in a current car class I am looking at?

I don't know if there is any good aggregate that I can recommend for you. You need to research each model independently.

My take is this. Any car can be reliable if you take care of it, and some ARE inherently more reliable than others. (Honda D and B series motors, etc)

When I am car shopping, I only discount known POSes, and everything else is open to me.

Known POS - Chrysler (except straight 6 4.0 jeeps), BMW, VW, Mercedes, Audi, Jags, Minis, pre 2010/hyundais/kias. Other than that, every manufacturer has certain models/motors/trans that are known POS, like Ford 6.0 diesels, 1.6 and 1.8l Nissans, Nissan trucks and SUV's with the integrated cats in the headers, Chevy "quad 4" motors, any Chevy that is a rebranded Daewoo, on and on.

Just find a car you like, if its not a known POS, buy it and take care of it. Check out http://www.tradeinqualityindex.com/ too. Independent, and gleaned from used car dealers, not biased owners or manufcaturers.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by hometeam

I don't know if there is any good aggregate that I can recommend for you. You need to research each model independently.

My take is this. Any car can be reliable if you take care of it, and some ARE inherently more reliable than others. (Honda D and B series motors, etc)

When I am car shopping, I only discount known POSes, and everything else is open to me.

Known POS - Chrysler (except straight 6 4.0 jeeps), BMW, VW, Mercedes, Audi, Jags, Minis, pre 2010/hyundais/kias. Other than that, every manufacturer has certain models/motors/trans that are known POS, like Ford 6.0 diesels, 1.6 and 1.8l Nissans, Nissan trucks and SUV's with the integrated cats in the headers, Chevy "quad 4" motors, any Chevy that is a rebranded Daewoo, on and on.

Just find a car you like, if its not a known POS, buy it and take care of it. Check out http://www.tradeinqualityindex.com/ too. Independent, and gleaned from used car dealers, not biased owners or manufcaturers.

I pretty much agree with all I bolded based on reliability research I have done and experiences I have heard. There are plenty of companies that are touted as luxury or higher end models in a class of cars, that the common person thinks is a great car but really isn't very reliable (VW, Mercedes,Audi). Sounds like you're right on point.

Great info.

[hometeam]

And to be fair I could go on all day cherry picking cars/platforms from all kinds of manufacturers that suck or don't suck. Just get what you like, have a little bit of awareness about what you are buying, and take care of it.

[Kidd Lex]

Just bought a fully loaded 2012 hyu gen after only buying new cars the last 10 years. Very happy with my decision, I can't believe how much car I bought for 22 k and <40k miles.

[EdmontonChiefsFan]

Best car I ever owned.....2006 Honda Civic Coupe SI (standard trans)

I bought it as a demo with 6,000km on it and drove it until it had 350,000 km and then gave it away to a relative. In that time I replaced a headlight, did the breaks once, replaced an alternator and I think a timing belt/chain. I was in for under $2,000/year. Excellent gas mileage. When I started my construction business I hauled Oxy/Acetylene bottles, welding rods and you name it. I couldn't kill that car.

[TambaBerry]

I have an 07 Kia spectra 125k miles still runs great. So, shit on your analysis hometeam

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by TambaBerry

I have an 07 Kia spectra 125k miles still runs great. So, shit on your analysis hometeam

Anecdotal. Those year Kia Spectra/Hyundai Elantras have tons of transmission and a/c problems. Just because yours has been OK does not change the fact that they are more prone to failure.

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I pretty much agree with all I bolded based on reliability research I have done and experiences I have heard. There are plenty of companies that are touted as luxury or higher end models in a class of cars, that the common person thinks is a great car but really isn't very reliable (VW, Mercedes,Audi). Sounds like you're right on point.

Great info.

My experiences with Mercedes says different. But, there are always exceptions

[58-4ever]

2011 Infiniti G37XS with about 50K miles.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by lewdog

The list of the worst brands for reliability:

1. Mini

2. Lincoln

3. Ford

4. Cadillac

5. Dodge

6. Jeep

7. Nissan

8. Hyundai

9. Volkswagen

10.Ram

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...-cars/3304413/

So Ford takes a hit because of their infotainment system? Yeah, I guess you don't want that to break and yeah, I've heard that they have had problems with that. But my main focus when buying a vehicle is whether the engine and transmission are gonna last.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by hometeam

I mean.. I have only eaten, breathed, and slept used cars, for 10-12 hours per day 330 days out of the year, for 13 years.

What would I know~?

I could also tell you what a circlejerk Consumer Reports is, but its not worth the time.

I just looked at their list of best car values and the Buick Regal is top 5. Talk about a joke. I have a good friend that has had nothing but trouble with his (the same issues for which the CR worst list knocked Ford). And I believe I read somewhere that they have lots of issues. So now I'm starting to question Consumer Report's reliability.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I just looked at their list of best car values and the Buick Regal is top 5. Talk about a joke. I have a good friend that has had nothing but trouble with his (the same issues for which the CR worst list knocked Ford). And I believe I read somewhere that they have lots of issues. So now I'm starting to question Consumer Report's reliability.

The problem (as I see it) with those consumer services is that you can't be sure what is, and isn't, influencing them. Consumer Reports is primarily a hard-print magazine that is dependent on advertising.

"Hey, we hear you're working on your mid-sized sedan reliability report for next month's issue. We'd like to really ramp up our advertising for it...wink, wink." /Buick