Just found out that my current car will die any day now due to a known defect. It’s out of warranty and I have no money to replace it right now.

I’ve been cursed with car problems my whole life, no matter how well I take care of them, I keep getting screwed.

All of the cars have been Fords because I always heard they were generally dependable and cheap to repair/upkeep, but so far they have all failed me.

What cars do y’all recommend? What cars do you have that just won’t give up the ghost no matter how old/beat up they get? If your life depended on your car lasting as long as possible, what car would you drive?

I want whatever car I get next to last me 10-20 years. I want to be that person posting a picture of the odometer hitting 300k miles. I also don’t care much about features, reliability is key.

  • Random_Character_A@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    +1 for Toyota Corolla

    I’ve got -06 model with 225000km (140000mi) on the meter. Outside basic maintenance the only problem it has had was that the ABS timing ring snapped. It cost about 80€ at the local shop to clean the spot and weld it whole again.

  • Ilovethebomb@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I’m currently driving a company owned Toyota corolla Fielder, with a cool quarter million KMs on the clock, 260-something thousand to be exact.

    Toyota have a legendary reputation for reliability, for good reason.

  • Travalaaaaaaanche!@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Don’t get a jeep! Ours developed a heart defect 2 weeks before we paid it off. Turns out, it’s a known issue that Jeep just doesn’t care about addressing because “loyal” owners will just replace it (meaning the whole engine), and often do.

    • QuarterSwede@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It’s not just Jeep, it’s any FCA/Stellantis vehicle with the 3.6L Pentastar engine. If you know it’ll develop a head gasket leak after 100K and replace it ($5K) before it does, you won’t have another problem with it. If you don’t, it’ll total the engine ($15K). Happened to me. I hope there’s a class action law suit honestly.

  • djmarcone@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Toyota or lexus are most reliable, Honda (Acura) is a close 2nd. After that it isn’t even close.

    Yes ford’s aren’t all bad, especially their international designs are not bad.

    After Toyota and Honda the reliable cars to buy are going to be specific models and specific years, you’re going to have to find the many youtube mechanic commentary videos “buy this not that” and do your research.

    It may be that rather than buying the most reliable vehicle you avoid buying one of the known worst vehicles. I’ve been there and now I own 2 Toyotas and a Honda.

    And it goes without saying, before you buy anything have it inspected by an impartial mechanic you trust.

    You will see that Toyotas cost a lot more than other cars. It’s because the cheaper cars end up costing thousands more in the long run because of the many repairs you’re going to have to do. Pay now or pay later.

  • Waldemar_Firehammer@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    Toyota and Honda are the most depends and reliable. There’s a reason they hold value the way they do. I have a Toyota Highlander and Honda Odyssey both over 250k miles, still running like champs.

  • callouscomic@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Honda, Toyota, Subaru. Specific models with high sales and as such high parts availability. I’d avoid new models or low sales. It’ll be harder to pick-n-pull parts. The prius claims to be low maintenance and I believe it based on experience. Most issues I’ve had with those brands have been fixable and not too soul crushing. Even the worst prius issue i ever had with a stuck coolant valve I was able to fix myself wigh youtube vids.

    Of course this comes with the caveat that you take care of your vehicle. Don’t drive like a moron being harsh on it, perform regular maintenance at proper intervals, do your fluid and filter checks and changes, don’t swing for only cheap products, use full synthetic oil when you can. Use higher quality oil, air, cabin, etc filters within reason. Follow the manual. Set maintenance reminders for yourself. Don’t add unnecessary performance mods. Don’t go to jiffy lube. Be skeptical of mechanics that will screw up your car. Check their work when you can, or do it all yourself. If your car allows it, use better fuels.

    Reliable doesn’t equal zero maintenance or zero cost.

    On that note. Michelin tires are worth it. Cheap tires are cheap and get replaced more. Tire performance under braking is perhaps the most important safety feature. I’ve never been disappointed by Michelin for performance, safety, or life. Worth every penny every time.

    By the way, if you want some fun, go to the car dealer area of your town on random days and check out their service departments. I laugh every time I see places like Hyundai packed in the waiting room.

    • twistedcarbon@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Subaru is great. I live in the land of eternal winter, and it’s unstoppable. Bought my Impreza diesel two years ago and put 50k kilometers on it with zero mechanical problems. Plenty of used parts out there for a 2011 as well.

  • theragu40@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Toyota Camry or Corolla. If you just need transportation that you can rely on to start every morning without requiring major repairs all the time, these are your best options. Honda Accord or civic if you just like Honda better

    If those are too boring buy something else from either Toyota or Honda.

    I have personally seen double digit numbers of these vehicles go north of 200k miles and multiple over 300k miles with little more than basic maintenance. Some of them were outright abused with maintenance not done, driven with no oil, in accidents, etc. They just keep on ticking. These are individual anecdotes that should be taken as such but I encourage you to read others’ accounts as well. My experience is not unique at all. I’m convinced you have to actively kill these cars. I live in the rust belt and I am quite sure that the bodies of our Toyotas will completely disintegrate before the engines give out. All I do is follow the maintenance plan in the manuals.

    This is not to say you don’t get small issues, or maintenance items. You still have to replace brakes, tires, etc. We had random minor issues with the interiors. But they always started and did their best to get us from point A to point B.

  • Treatyoself@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I drive a 2008 Honda Accord. I refuse to give it up because of how dependable it is. The best features of the this car is the electric heated seats and it’s dependability. knock on wood I’ve yet to encounter any major issues within its entire life span. I’m keeping her until she quits on me.

    In fact, instead of putting money towards a new car I’m going to invest in her body and interior. I can’t stand what new cars seem like these days.

  • legion@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Pickup owners shit on the Honda Ridgeline and call it “not a truck”, meanwhile their big manly Rams and F-250s live their lives in pure “mall crawler” mode.

    The Ridgeline just quietly outlasts all those trucks and does all the furniture hauling and jetski towing that a homeowner needs. And the in-bed trunk (with drain plug!) is a tailgating champ.

  • TenderfootGungi@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Honda and Toyota. But since we bought 1 Honda we now own 3. I buy the Honda oil filters in 10 packs. Our van has over 300,000 and still drives ok.

  • Iron Lynx@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    If your city plan allows for it, I swear by no car. Cars are expensive, and if you don’t need a car for your daily errands and your commute, it may be help to consider ditching it altogether and go by bike and bus/train. After all, you don’t need to worry about paying for & maintaining a car if you don’t have one and the responsibility for keeping your ride rolling is handled by the business. And a plain bicycle takes almost no maintenance and runs on whatever you had for breakfast.

    Of course, if you live in a place like Florida or Texas or Ontario outside of central Toronto, you’re fucked.

  • owatnext@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I would recommend pretty much any Japanese vehicle. Look closely at Honda or Toyota. I have had good experiences with Hondas, personally.

    I want to be that person posting a picture of the odometer hitting 300k miles.

    I am at ~280k in my Honda Insight, my dad is ~320k in his Accord, and my mom is at ~400k in her Odyssey. My husband is at ~186k in his Civic, but he doesn’t drive much.

  • ShadowCatEXE@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    German cars. Not because they’re great, but because I swear whilst being in the same physical location as them. I’ve owned a handful of VWs/Audis and they are rather annoying vehicles to work on. Though half of them I’ve owned lacked any major issues. Just expensive… Fairly expensive.

    Joking aside, Toyota is always a safe bet for reliability.