Best high milage, older cars outside Honda/Toyota? Is it worth it? ($3-3500)

Posted by geekydreams@reddit | Autos | View on Reddit | 37 comments

Looking for an idea of the best reliability car for high mileage . I know Toyota, Honda, but what about outside this? Is it worth the little lower price to go with a company other than these 2? I'm seeing older Honda Civic and Corollas with 200k miles for like $3-3500 and not sure if that's a decent price but that's about what we want to pay .

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MrClavicus@reddit

What is this rambling bull shit

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wizard3232@reddit

If u can find scion, they are toyota and usually cheaper

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geekydreams@reddit (OP)

Yea I'm seeing quite a few of them on marketplace. How does the engine and transmission differ from Corollas?

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wizard3232@reddit

I've had 2 scions.... loved em both.... solid cars.... all toyota parts as far as I know

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run_uz@reddit

2nd gen Lexus GS

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introspecc@reddit

any Lexus except the 250, their dual injection is awful. the 330 has a sticky brake pedal sometimes and I personally wouldn't risk it.

I got myself a 95 sc400 this fall and I couldn't be happier :)

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run_uz@reddit

Right there with you, I daily a 99 GS400 with 427k mi on it

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Hrmerder@reddit

Ford f-150 pre 2005 (or 2005 but not the 5.4L)

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xftwitch@reddit

Mazda can be good.

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stevens_hats@reddit

Mazda is great for mechanical reliability in general, but not great for rust.

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geekydreams@reddit (OP)

Which Mazdas though?

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junkybutt@reddit

Mazda 3 first Gen

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geekydreams@reddit (OP)

What years would be First generation?

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junkybutt@reddit

2004-2009

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Independent-Crab-914@reddit

These are cheap and run well forever

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ownyourhorizon@reddit

all of my toyota 4x4's have had massive rust issues. Just sayin

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NoBank3484@reddit

Yes, an older Mazda 3 is a good choice for the price range.

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JoatmonJeff@reddit

Volvo sedans and wagons from 1998-2012, particularly the S60/V70 from 2002-2009.

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expertninja@reddit

Look for cheap Mitsubishis and Nissans with maintenance records.

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mynameisranger1@reddit

Nissan has the CVT. It has a reputation for suicide around 100k miles.

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Independent-Crab-914@reddit

Buicks with the 3800

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series-hybrid@reddit

I keep seeing Buicks and Mazda being located high on various indexes of reliability charts.

Not the Wankel rotary, but any of the piston Mazda's.

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Rapom613@reddit

Assuming us, Look at a ford ranger. Very difficult to kill.

Ford fusion. You should be able to get a higher mileage one in budget. The 2.5 is easily as reliable as a Camry

MK4 VW Jetta/golf. The 2.0, diesel, and VR6 are super reliable, cheap to repair too. The auto is a little weak in the diesel

Ironically, LR3 land rovers are super reliable. Both engines are great, and for whatever reason the air suspension seems much better on LR3 than other rovers. I daily drive a 2008 Range Rover with 190k on it

Buick 3800s are great. Auto is a bit weak and they tend to rust, but it’s easy to find a nice one for that price point

Pre CVT Nissans. I’d be partial to a 4th gen maxima, the VQ engine is one of the best Japanese 6s ever built, they handle well and are very comfortable. Older Sentras are great too

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Ran4@reddit

The French actually have some good weak diesel engines. Anything else is horrid.

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QuickCharisma15@reddit

Chevrolet Silverado from 1999-2007

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3DayStubble@reddit

You ain’t getting that in decent shape for $3500

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geekydreams@reddit (OP)

Decent shape how ? I know lots of Hondas and corollas running over 200k miles but just not sure what they are worth

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3DayStubble@reddit

We’re talking about a 99 to 07 Silverado

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geekydreams@reddit (OP)

Oh ok.

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GravyNeck@reddit

I don't really have any rec for specific models but i would suggest looking at lexus and acura as well. Once they get higher in mileage there isnt much of a price difference, and luxury cars are often treated better. Maintenance costs are the same and features are better for what you are paying

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I_am_the_cheese@reddit

This is a long shot, but a Pontiac Vibe is just a Toyota Matrix wearing Pontiac clothes. Same car.

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geekydreams@reddit (OP)

Toyota owns Potomac? What is it, the same engine and transmission then?

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RaisinTheRedline@reddit

It was a partnership, they call it "badge engineering". GM needed a car in that segment and didnt want to invest the money to do the development and tool up their own facilities to make one, so they paid Toyota to make one for them.

Its the same drivetrain and suspension and architecture and pretty much everything, just different bodywork and lighting and what not.

These cars run for freakin ever. I sold my Vibe GT at 218k miles and it still ran like a top and I regularly ran it up to its 8300rpm redline. Super practical/usable interior with tons of space too.

The odometer actually stops counting miles in them at 299,999 miles, and its not hard to find people who have reached that threshold.

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Some of the most reliable and comfortable cars you can get for the money

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Gas_Grass_Ass_Class@reddit

Crown Vic/Grand Marquis