re: Buying a Used Car. Suggestions on which cars to buy/stay away from needed!!!

The rav4s after 2000 are prone to trans issues. Newer body style went back to an aisin trans.

Honda automatics require you keep the fluid perfect to last if you abuse a little.

Avoid the 3.0 taco. The 2.7 is probably the most reliable mptor ever except for a plymouth motor in the 60s whos name eludes me atm.

No murano. Excellent power, but too many in the junk yard with blown motors.


For american brands.... the 5.0 explorer defines reliable...but fords have weak suspension components.

The GM offerings....eh the 4.3 blazer was the last reliabke small item they made.

From jeep...if it isnt the 4.0 or the small diesel...back away. Even then go in knowing you will be spending coin.




The newer japanese stuff made elsewhere is not as reliablr...or abusable i should say.

My wife and I ditched the new vehicles we had last year for cheap small suvs with 4x4...and then suzuki left the US market...which doesnt matter really...because nothing ever breaks...and maintenance items like belts and hoses are easily had.

Whats your required fuel mileage, level of comfort, and level of reliability... thatll tell me a lot.



To me. The ability to go anywhere cheaply and reliably trumps everything else.






If you can stand the styling...the original scion xb in an auto is probably the most reliable small car of the last 15 years...and you can fit a ridiculous amount of stuff in the toaster.

A deer retired mine at 240k...it ran as new.