[macintologist]

So I've been browsing the internet for good used car models, ones that are easy on the wallet and highly reliable.

So far I've seen the 1990 Toyota Camry.

http://www.epinions.com/auto_Make-19...splay_~reviews

Everyone is pretty much giving it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Those of you who know a lot about cars, what are some other well known older models out there that have a reputation for 100% reliability?

[Railroader]

What's your price range?

[anonymac]

100% reliability? Are you joking? No car is 100% reliable. The older a car gets regardless of its make or model, the more likely it will break down. I suggest you buy a simple American car with a carburetor rather than some foreign piece of junk that is just throwing your money to the enemy.

[macintologist]

Originally Posted by anonymac 

100% reliability? Are you joking? No car is 100% reliable. The older a car gets regardless of its make or model, the more likely it will break down. I suggest you buy a simple American car with a carburetor rather than some foreign piece of junk that is just throwing your money to the enemy.

American cars

[imitchellg5]

Not a Volvo.

[Blue Flame]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Not a Volvo.

depends on the year. the 80's were dead reliable in my experience.

Toyota's a good bet - corollas are particularly economical and relatively cheap to fix. That goes for civics as well.

I'm partical to Volkswagen, but they are more maintenance and more expensive in every area, albeit fun.

[Spliffdaddy]

'92-ish Nissan Maxima

[Tuoder]

In my expirience, the qualities reliable and used are rarely both found in the same car. Statisiically speaking, Toyota, Honda, and their related makes are very good bets, however.

[chabig]

1990 Camry is a great car...very reliable and easy to get parts for (from junkyards) if you need them for cosmetic fixes.

[Sky Captain]

Anything with a Toyota or Honda badge.

[Goldfinger]

An older Mercedes. Say pre-1995.

[mdc]

I've always heard good things about older Mercedes, especially since you can put thousands of miles on the engines and they keep ticking.

[Goldfinger]

Yup, especially the diesels or the +3 litre petrol engines.

[zerostar]

1993-1995 Honda Civic Sedan, this was one the most reliable civics ever, you can snag one cheap and it will still look good to boot. I had one while in college, put 265K on it (from new) and later gave it to my cousin who just recently sold it with over 400K on it, only thing changed was the brake master cylinder ($80 DIY job if you are handy) besides that some boots and belts here and there, these civics had great transmissions and are used in a lot of home built buggies around here cause they are cheap and you can strap a lot on them and abuse them, This was one of my first new cars and I did NOT take care if it, always on redline and breaking hard but the trannie (AFAIK) is still going strong.

Good luck in your hunt!

p.s. I NOW take much better care of my cars, as I have to pay for everything myself now :-)

[TailsToo]

Civic is the way to go!

[Dakar²]

Originally Posted by anonymac 

some foreign piece of junk that is just throwing your money to the enemy.

MacNN I love you!

[MrForgetable]

Originally Posted by Goldfinger 

An older Mercedes. Say pre-1995.

I reckon pre-1990. Then they started going downhill after that.

[Spliffdaddy]

Mercedes has never really earned their reputation of reliability. If you owned one you'd know that. While the 5 cylinder (300 series) diesel models had reliable engines, the rest of the car isn't so great. The transmissions have issues, practically every car suffers from leaking heater control/mixer valves, the driveshafts used reinforced rubber disks instead of steel u-joints, the steering boxes wear prematurely,.....etc. Yeah, a lot of them will accumulate hundreds of thousands of miles, but those weren't troublefree miles. The diesels are clattery and smelly and underpowered - and the fuel mileage isn't all that great. The freakin oil changes are a pain in the ass because of the canister-type filters and the huge oil capacity.

That being said, I love my '93 e500. It ain't a diesel so it ain't clattery and underpowered. And I never drive it, so it's reliable.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy 

'92-ish Nissan Maxima

I agree, ballsy car too.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by anonymac 

100% reliability? Are you joking? No car is 100% reliable. The older a car gets regardless of its make or model, the more likely it will break down. I suggest you buy a simple American car with a carburetor rather than some foreign piece of junk that is just throwing your money to the enemy.

Carburetor?? Now I know this is a joke, electronic fuel injection and ignition are best things since sliced bread and porn.

[Spliffdaddy]

I can't say enough good things about the 2nd (3rd, technically) generation Nissan Maxima (89-94ish, i forget).

It was the only perfect-scoring car in Consumer Reports during those years.

The 3.0 V-6 is one of the best engines ever made...easily in the top 5 of all time. Silky smooth. You absolutely need the tachometer in order to know if it's idling or spinning at 6,000 RPM.

It's acceleration is scary-fast. Even the base-level GXE models had 160 HP and single overhead cams. Under 8 seconds to 60mph. Roomy interior, very good handling, and almost bulletproof in reliability.

I'd look for a 'SE' trim level. Those had 4 overhead cams, 180HP (under 7 seconds to 60mph), and almost always were outfitted with leather interiors and power sunroofs. Also, I'd look for a 5-speed manual transmission instead of the 4-speed automatic. There's nothing wrong with the automatic, but the engine is so wonderful it begs to be driven hard - and shifted manually.

I've owned several dozen cars, and most were more upmarket than my Maxima - but if I were allowed to have only one car for the rest of my life I'd be driving a 2nd generation Maxima SE.

[olePigeon]

84 Honda CRX with a $12,000 stereo system and a bolt on spoiler.

[Naaaaak]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

84 Honda CRX with a $12,000 stereo system and a bolt on spoiler.

There is a reason ricers don't upgrade; they don't have to. In their eyes they are top of the line. Or perhaps they've just invested so much into a slow car they can't part with it.

Before buying any used car http://carfax.com/

[vmarks]

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy 

I can't say enough good things about the 2nd (3rd, technically) generation Nissan Maxima (89-94ish, i forget).

It was the only perfect-scoring car in Consumer Reports during those years.

The 3.0 V-6 is one of the best engines ever made...easily in the top 5 of all time. Silky smooth. You absolutely need the tachometer in order to know if it's idling or spinning at 6,000 RPM.

It's acceleration is scary-fast. Even the base-level GXE models had 160 HP and single overhead cams. Under 8 seconds to 60mph. Roomy interior, very good handling, and almost bulletproof in reliability.

I'd look for a 'SE' trim level. Those had 4 overhead cams, 180HP (under 7 seconds to 60mph), and almost always were outfitted with leather interiors and power sunroofs. Also, I'd look for a 5-speed manual transmission instead of the 4-speed automatic. There's nothing wrong with the automatic, but the engine is so wonderful it begs to be driven hard - and shifted manually.

I've owned several dozen cars, and most were more upmarket than my Maxima - but if I were allowed to have only one car for the rest of my life I'd be driving a 2nd generation Maxima SE.

Look for the sticker in the rear quarter windows that says

"4DSC" - that means 4 door sports car. And they aren't kidding. The engine is the same one used in the 300Z sports car.

Although there's nothing wrong with a lesser powered car. You want reliability, and you can have it in a four cylinder anemic Honda just as well as the finest Maxima.

I owned a 1986 CRX Si until 220,000 miles. In that time I changed one clutch, a timing belt every 60k, and had one distributor fail.

[Spliffdaddy]

cool. I owned a 1985 CRX Si back in 1988 or so. The previous owner raced it in G-stock SCCA slalom course - and was easily destroying my '81 VW Scirocco. We were both cheating, so I couldn't complain. The tech inspection wasn't very comprehensive, since it consisted of merely *looking* for illegal aftermarket performance parts. The CRX had a few minor engine mods, a strut brace, and really good adjustable struts - along with BBS spiderweb alloy wheels. It was awesome-fast and cornered on 2 wheels. My Scirocco was heavily modified to the point where I wasn't sure if the engine would explode on my way to the slalom course. It wasn't long before the Scirocco met its doom during a 'shakedown' test on a backroad near my home. The engine came apart and instantly locked-up the transmission and driveline sending me into a ditch. The next day I bought the CRX from the guy I met at the races. I never raced the car because I used it as a daily driver. After about a year I sold it to my girlfriend for a lot less than what it was worth. Her new boyfriend wrecked it not long after that and almost killed both of them. I was sad. Because I really loved that little CRX.

But anyhow, buy a Maxima. And get the SE version. It's the only way to get the 4-wheel disc brakes, 5-speed manual, and the DOHC engine. Actually, the only difference between the 300ZX engine and the Maxima is the more restrictive exhaust system - The Maxima had, I think, 180-190hp and the 300ZX had 200hp. While 180hp sounds kinda lame compared to what's available today, you'll find that it feels more like 300hp. In fact, I wouldn't race a Maxima SE against my 348hp V-8 E500 . As an added benefit, your parents will think you bought a slow, practical 4-door sedan.

[sek929]

My best friend had a 94 SE, man that thing screwed around.