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I'm looking for a used car and many people have told me that I need to get a Honda or Toyota. I have found a few other cars that are Ford and Mazda that are within my price range. But now I am nervous as to which one to actually choose.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Everyone claims that Honda and Toyota are the best cars made, and the reviews/reliability on them does bear that out. That also means they cost more. The quality of many other vehicles has improved, and the prices are less. I have a 1997 Ford Escort with 160,000 miles that's still going strong, and a 2007 Ranger with 65,000 and never a problem. I know people with early 2000s Mazda Proteges still running without any problems. Part of it is luck, most of it is how well the cars were maintained. If you can find a one-owner car with receipts from the regular servicing I would take it over a 2-3 owner Honda or Toyota.
Either the Honda or Toyota as long as you can get the maintenance records plus it would help if the vehicle was a (1) owner.
When you have decided make sure that you have the vehicle professionally inspected and pay this fee because used vehicles are sold "AS-IS" unless whoever is selling it sells you some type of warranty.
If you cant find the above type then look for a (CPO) certified pre-owned vehicle.
Everyone claims that Honda and Toyota are the best cars made, and the reviews/reliability on them does bear that out. That also means they cost more. The quality of many other vehicles has improved, and the prices are less. I have a 1997 Ford Escort with 160,000 miles that's still going strong, and a 2007 Ranger with 65,000 and never a problem. I know people with early 2000s Mazda Proteges still running without any problems. Part of it is luck, most of it is how well the cars were maintained. If you can find a one-owner car with receipts from the regular servicing I would take it over a 2-3 owner Honda or Toyota.
EVERYONE?
Just on this board we see many who disagree that Honda and Toyota are the best cars made.
I think the reviews and 20+ years of history shows that most Honda and Toyota vehicles are very reliable. There are a few that have trouble, but the quality is consistent.
That is why used ones are expensive. But there are many other good cars. I think you listed some good ones - though I am no fan of the Ranger. The Escort and Protege have much in common. Easy to service, and generally very solid and efficient vehicles.
Depending on the OP's budget and preferences, others to consider are Ford Fusions, Mazda6, almost any Subaru.
In the 90s, the most reliable cars were Japanese, and largely Toyota and Honda. After 2006 or so, I'd say that any non-European brand except Chrysler is about equally reliable, as the competition caught up to the Japanese and the Japanese slipped a bit.
It would help to know what your price and year range it and what you're looking for in a car, since then we could suggest different cars to look at.
I had a Toyota based vehicle and it was the most reliable, most maintenance-free vehicle I've ever had.
It was also the worst riding, most uncomfortable, had the cheapest interior, and had the worst paint & body integrity of any vehicle I've had.
There are tradeoffs for everything.
I second this, I had a new 2012 Camry that from love it turned into hate so much so (reliability was no issue, just the experience of driving it) that I had to sell at loss, just to get rid of it.
Most Japanese and Korean cars while reliable, they are also some of the most bland cars made, true appliances that you drive/use them out of need, not because you love the driving experience.
Both make great cars and both have their problems, especially with all the electronics now fitted to new cars. However, Toyota is slightly more reliable. Honda as a make still suffers from transmission woes above 100k miles and 10 years (both I4 and V6). Not every Honda, but a higher % of Hondas have transmission trouble then Toyotas. For those that buy new or young cars this wont matter.
My options are:
1998 Toyota Camry LE V6 @ 129,938 miles
1997 Honda Accord LX Sedan @ 128,195 miles
2000 Mazda Protege ES @ 166,000 miles
Out of these 3 - I'm leaning towards the Honda.
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