> Scientific guide to the most durable used cars + > Monte Carlo<
#1
11-12-2014, 06:53 AM
> Scientific guide to the most durable used cars + > Monte Carlo<
Motoramic
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A car dealer's scientific guide to the most durable used cars
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By Steven Lang November 10, 2014 4:48 PM Motoramic
Longest-lasting used cars 
Everybody wants to own a keeper. (Like a Chevrolet Monte Carlo : )
A car that provides so much personal satisfaction that the years and miles can just fly by, while the enduring qualities of that daily driver remain picture perfect.
The hard part for most folks comes down to hype.
To sell more cars, manufacturers continue to promote short-term quality studies that have little or nothing to do with the long-term ownership experience. For example, J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study only covers the first 90 days of ownership, while its long-term survey tracks three-year-old vehicles over a short 12 month span.
A car that provides so much personal satisfaction that the years and miles can just fly by, while the enduring qualities of that daily driver remain picture perfect.
The hard part for most folks comes down to hype.
To sell more cars, manufacturers continue to promote short-term quality studies that have little or nothing to do with the long-term ownership experience. For example, J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study only covers the first 90 days of ownership, while its long-term survey tracks three-year-old vehicles over a short 12 month span.
In a market where the average car and truck is now over 11 years old, a long-term reliability study requires a much longer view of car ownership. For those of us who are looking to find a good used car, or even feel concerned about how a new car will hold up, we should be able to know the longevity of a vehicle for the entire life cycle instead of just a random early point in time.
This is why Nick Lariviere and myself have developed the Long-Term Quality Index. With over 550,000 data samples from all over the country, we have been able to look specifically at measuring the three key ingredients that tell you how well a given model has performed in today's marketplace; mileage, age and condition.
To make this study fair and impartial, we have also taken two unique steps that represent a first for long-term reliability studies in the auto industry. The first is removing owner bias. Certain people will always recommend a car simply because that's what they bought in the past and if something bad happens, they won’t tell you about it. Others are just oblivious to the thumping of a bad transmission, or the knocking of a bad motor. That is why we only have mechanics and skilled professionals appraise the vehicle’s condition.
To make this study fair and impartial, we have also taken two unique steps that represent a first for long-term reliability studies in the auto industry. The first is removing owner bias. Certain people will always recommend a car simply because that's what they bought in the past and if something bad happens, they won’t tell you about it. Others are just oblivious to the thumping of a bad transmission, or the knocking of a bad motor. That is why we only have mechanics and skilled professionals appraise the vehicle’s condition.
Second, we focus exclusively on condition and longevity. Cars that are either 18 years or older, or have 180,000 or more miles, have endured well past the average life-span of the average vehicle.
In our study, we're finding that only a chosen few can routinely achieve these two levels of longevity without a major mechanical defect. It's this level of engineering excellence that we want to highlight in our study.
In our study, we're finding that only a chosen few can routinely achieve these two levels of longevity without a major mechanical defect. It's this level of engineering excellence that we want to highlight in our study.
So what have we found so far? Some of what you might expect, but a lot of surprises.
Rennett Stowe via TwitterThe Over-300,000 Club Is Still Pretty Exclusive: Five types of vehicles make up more than 60% of the cars and trucks with at least 300,000 miles. They are:
- GM full-sized trucks and SUVs
- Ford full-sized trucks and SUVs
- Ford rear-wheel-drive V-8 cars
- Honda four-cylinder cars
- Toyota everything (except Celica and RAV4)
By our calculations, these models are about 2.5 times more likely to hit 300,000 miles than any other vehicle.
One Nissan model is greater than all of Volkswagen:
We're not talking about a mid-sized Altima, or the Sentra compact which has become the official taxi south of the border. The biggest surprise so far in the study has been the Nissan Maxima. Older models (2002 and earlier) with the 3-liter engine and four-speed automatic offer exceptional long-term reliability.
In the long-term reliability study, 1,038 Maximas out of 4,825 have gone over 180,000 miles (21%), versus only 785 Volkswagens out of 14,518 (5.4%)
We're not talking about a mid-sized Altima, or the Sentra compact which has become the official taxi south of the border. The biggest surprise so far in the study has been the Nissan Maxima. Older models (2002 and earlier) with the 3-liter engine and four-speed automatic offer exceptional long-term reliability.
In the long-term reliability study, 1,038 Maximas out of 4,825 have gone over 180,000 miles (21%), versus only 785 Volkswagens out of 14,518 (5.4%)
Cadillac has VW levels of long-term reliability:
Both brands have abysmal long-term reliability with Cadillac scoring the same 5.4% as Volkswagen, which is less than half of the industry average. Head gasket issues for most years of the Northstar V-8 along with high maintenance costs make older Cadillacs a nadir when it comes to finding a long-term keeper.
How bad does it get for Cadillac? Well, here's a shocker for you.
Cadillac Cars = Older Kias: If you removed the Cadillac Escalade, which is nothing more than a full-sized primped-up version of the less expensive Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, the Cadillac brand becomes a true bottom dweller. Kias that were made before Hyundai's takeover of that brand show similar levels of long-term failure.
Both brands have abysmal long-term reliability with Cadillac scoring the same 5.4% as Volkswagen, which is less than half of the industry average. Head gasket issues for most years of the Northstar V-8 along with high maintenance costs make older Cadillacs a nadir when it comes to finding a long-term keeper.
How bad does it get for Cadillac? Well, here's a shocker for you.
Cadillac Cars = Older Kias: If you removed the Cadillac Escalade, which is nothing more than a full-sized primped-up version of the less expensive Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, the Cadillac brand becomes a true bottom dweller. Kias that were made before Hyundai's takeover of that brand show similar levels of long-term failure.
The Honda Accord Crushes Nearly All of Europe: Thanks in great part to the sound reliability of older Volvos, all European brands are barely able to beat the number of Accords that have been traded-in with over 180,000 miles. The Honda Accord's tally of 3,826 trade-ins with over 180,000 out of 12,398 nearly beats Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes, VW, Volvo, Saab, Porsche, and BMW's sub-brand MINI combined. These European models required a staggering 67,484 vehicles and an army of old Volvos to surpass the mileage tally of one popular Honda model.
British Roots Do Not Bear Reliable Fruit: You have about as much chance of dying from an injury this year as you do buying a Land Rover and a Jaguar with outstanding reliability. The chances of both vehicles combined lasting over 180,000 miles before getting kicked to the curb is an eye-popping 1,700:1.
British Roots Do Not Bear Reliable Fruit: You have about as much chance of dying from an injury this year as you do buying a Land Rover and a Jaguar with outstanding reliability. The chances of both vehicles combined lasting over 180,000 miles before getting kicked to the curb is an eye-popping 1,700:1.
The Accord and Camry Are Workhorses: Even with well-known transmission issues for certain six-cylinder Honda Accords, the two most popular mid-sized vehicles continue to be kept for far longer periods of time than their competition. The Accord and Camry have remained cars worth keeping with 28% of all Accords traded-in with over 180,000 miles, and 24% of all Toyota Camrys following suit. Both are more than twice the industry average of 11%.
Exceptional Reliability Is Still A Rare Thing: A lot of manufacturers have applied cost-cutting measures and decontenting methods to extremes. These engineering shortcuts often don't reveal themselves until after the vehicle goes beyond 100,000 miles. However, there is still a very wide gulf that separates the market leaders from the market laggards as those miles and years add up.
Feel free to click here <<Click< to find out how your specific model and powertrain perform.
Next post has the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Rating
Post your thoughts MCF Member's
Thanks!
Exceptional Reliability Is Still A Rare Thing: A lot of manufacturers have applied cost-cutting measures and decontenting methods to extremes. These engineering shortcuts often don't reveal themselves until after the vehicle goes beyond 100,000 miles. However, there is still a very wide gulf that separates the market leaders from the market laggards as those miles and years add up.
Feel free to click here <<Click< to find out how your specific model and powertrain perform.
Next post has the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Rating
Post your thoughts MCF Member's
Thanks!
Last edited by Space; 11-13-2014 at 06:34 AM.
#3
11-12-2014, 11:30 AM
I'd love to get my hands on an ex cop car for a daily driver, if it doesn't rust away those things will run forever. Good to see american trucks and suv's on the list.
#4
11-13-2014, 06:27 AM
Top 10 most reliable cars under $25,000
By George Kennedy
Published November 12, 2014Consumer Reports
If you had not figured it out from our slew of articles covering the subject, we’re big on reliability. In a perfect world, the most reliable car is also one that you can afford—but that’s not always the case. You might be surprised, but there are many great options for those looking for a reliable vehicle on a budget. And while this list may not include the best performing vehicles in our tests, they’re, bar-none, the most reliable. To that end, here are the 10 most reliable cars with a base MSRP under $25,000, ranked in terms of reliability.
Scion xB
As tested: $18,360
Base MSRP price range: $16,970 - $20,420
Overall, Scion is one of the most reliable brands from our survey (8th out of 28), and the xB is the leader from this offshoot brand from Toyota. The xB was last redesigned in 2008, which means the boxy hatchback is long beyond any teething issues. Its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivers good performance, but returns only 23 mpg overall. The xB was the most reliable car in our entire 2014 survey, and it starts at under $17,000.
Honda Civic
As Tested: $21,880
Base MSRP price range: $18,290 - $24,590
Behind the Scion xB, the Civic, in coupe and sedan form, is the second most reliable compact car. Both versions start under $19,000, and benefit from two consecutive years of updates. After a lackluster 2012 model, Honda went back to the drawing board, and then again provided updates for 2014. The Civic has an impressive list of standard features, including backup camera, and is likely to have strong resale values.
Toyota Prius c
As Tested: $20,850
Base MSRP price range: $19,080 - $23,360
Despite scoring low in our road test, the Prius c returned strong reliability scores. But its 37 mpg is the best city fuel economy of any car we've tested, and its 43 mpg overall is just 1 mpg less than the regular Prius. And while this small car excels in stretching a gallon gas, you have to live with a harsh ride, noisy engine, and slow acceleration. It starts under $20,000.
Subaru Forester
As tested: $26,814 (non-turbo)
Base MSRP price range: $22,195 - $33,095
The Subaru brand jumped up three places among overall brand reliability, and the nonturbocharged version of the Forester led the way. This small crossover features an upright, boxy design that makes for terrific access and storage. This design makes for outward visibility that is unheard of in modern vehicles. Its 26 mpg overall isn’t bad, either.
Volkswagen Passat 1.8T
As Tested: $27,485
Base MSRP price range: $21,120 - $35,660
The reliability of the Passat has been strong in the last two years, and this year is no different. The 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers the ideal combination of power and efficiency; we measured 28 mpg overall. The Passat 1.8T might be the fourth most reliable under $25K, but it is the highest ranked family sedan– something to keep in mind for those shopping for a car with excellent passenger and trunk space.
Mazda6
As Tested: $23,590
Base MSRP price range: $21,190 - $29,895
Right on the heels of the Passat is the second of three family sedans on this list. As a brand, Mazda jumped up two spots to No. 3 overall, and the Mazda6 is the most reliable in the Japanese automaker’s lineup. In our road test, we found that the Mazda6 had fetching styling, fun handling characteristics, and returned an impressive 32 mpg overall.
Honda Civic Si
As Tested: $23,175
Base MSRP price range: $18,290 - $24,590
Don’t think this list is just for the frugal! With a responsive 201-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the Civic Si is fun to drive, and is backed up with strong reliability. The coupe and sedan Civic Si comes in at about $22,000 and $23,000, respectively. Combine that price with its score as the most reliable among sporty cars, and you have a great deal for thrill seekers on a budget.
Subaru XV Crosstrek
As Tested: $24,215
Base MSRP price range: $21,995 - $29,295
The XV Crosstrek is basically a taller Subaru Impreza wagon, with some butched up styling elements. That places it as third among small SUVs in terms of reliability (behind the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and the aforementioned nonturbo Forester). Strengths include a user-friendly cabin with simple controls and generous visibility.
Toyota Yaris
As Tested: $17,290
Base MSRP price range: $14,845 - $17,620
The Yaris was last updated in late 2011, sold as a 2012 model. That means it has matured and moved past any potential problems that typically plague a car in its first year. With solid fuel economy going for it (we measured 32 mpg overall), and the highest among subcompact cars in the reliability survey, the Yaris has some redeeming qualities. But the car is noisy, its ride is choppy, and the driving position and front seats are uncomfortable.
Toyota Camry
As Tested: $23,830
Base MSRP price range: $22,970 - $31,370
Rounding out this list is the four-cylinder version of the Toyota Camry. Toyota is the most reliable nonluxury brand, and the Camry has been a best seller for years. The four-cylinder model returned an excellent 27 mpg overall in our tests.
By George Kennedy
Published November 12, 2014Consumer Reports
If you had not figured it out from our slew of articles covering the subject, we’re big on reliability. In a perfect world, the most reliable car is also one that you can afford—but that’s not always the case. You might be surprised, but there are many great options for those looking for a reliable vehicle on a budget. And while this list may not include the best performing vehicles in our tests, they’re, bar-none, the most reliable. To that end, here are the 10 most reliable cars with a base MSRP under $25,000, ranked in terms of reliability.
Scion xB
As tested: $18,360
Base MSRP price range: $16,970 - $20,420
Overall, Scion is one of the most reliable brands from our survey (8th out of 28), and the xB is the leader from this offshoot brand from Toyota. The xB was last redesigned in 2008, which means the boxy hatchback is long beyond any teething issues. Its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivers good performance, but returns only 23 mpg overall. The xB was the most reliable car in our entire 2014 survey, and it starts at under $17,000.
Honda Civic
As Tested: $21,880
Base MSRP price range: $18,290 - $24,590
Behind the Scion xB, the Civic, in coupe and sedan form, is the second most reliable compact car. Both versions start under $19,000, and benefit from two consecutive years of updates. After a lackluster 2012 model, Honda went back to the drawing board, and then again provided updates for 2014. The Civic has an impressive list of standard features, including backup camera, and is likely to have strong resale values.
Toyota Prius c
As Tested: $20,850
Base MSRP price range: $19,080 - $23,360
Despite scoring low in our road test, the Prius c returned strong reliability scores. But its 37 mpg is the best city fuel economy of any car we've tested, and its 43 mpg overall is just 1 mpg less than the regular Prius. And while this small car excels in stretching a gallon gas, you have to live with a harsh ride, noisy engine, and slow acceleration. It starts under $20,000.
Subaru Forester
As tested: $26,814 (non-turbo)
Base MSRP price range: $22,195 - $33,095
The Subaru brand jumped up three places among overall brand reliability, and the nonturbocharged version of the Forester led the way. This small crossover features an upright, boxy design that makes for terrific access and storage. This design makes for outward visibility that is unheard of in modern vehicles. Its 26 mpg overall isn’t bad, either.
Volkswagen Passat 1.8T
As Tested: $27,485
Base MSRP price range: $21,120 - $35,660
The reliability of the Passat has been strong in the last two years, and this year is no different. The 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers the ideal combination of power and efficiency; we measured 28 mpg overall. The Passat 1.8T might be the fourth most reliable under $25K, but it is the highest ranked family sedan– something to keep in mind for those shopping for a car with excellent passenger and trunk space.
Mazda6
As Tested: $23,590
Base MSRP price range: $21,190 - $29,895
Right on the heels of the Passat is the second of three family sedans on this list. As a brand, Mazda jumped up two spots to No. 3 overall, and the Mazda6 is the most reliable in the Japanese automaker’s lineup. In our road test, we found that the Mazda6 had fetching styling, fun handling characteristics, and returned an impressive 32 mpg overall.
Honda Civic Si
As Tested: $23,175
Base MSRP price range: $18,290 - $24,590
Don’t think this list is just for the frugal! With a responsive 201-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the Civic Si is fun to drive, and is backed up with strong reliability. The coupe and sedan Civic Si comes in at about $22,000 and $23,000, respectively. Combine that price with its score as the most reliable among sporty cars, and you have a great deal for thrill seekers on a budget.
Subaru XV Crosstrek
As Tested: $24,215
Base MSRP price range: $21,995 - $29,295
The XV Crosstrek is basically a taller Subaru Impreza wagon, with some butched up styling elements. That places it as third among small SUVs in terms of reliability (behind the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and the aforementioned nonturbo Forester). Strengths include a user-friendly cabin with simple controls and generous visibility.
Toyota Yaris
As Tested: $17,290
Base MSRP price range: $14,845 - $17,620
The Yaris was last updated in late 2011, sold as a 2012 model. That means it has matured and moved past any potential problems that typically plague a car in its first year. With solid fuel economy going for it (we measured 32 mpg overall), and the highest among subcompact cars in the reliability survey, the Yaris has some redeeming qualities. But the car is noisy, its ride is choppy, and the driving position and front seats are uncomfortable.
Toyota Camry
As Tested: $23,830
Base MSRP price range: $22,970 - $31,370
Rounding out this list is the four-cylinder version of the Toyota Camry. Toyota is the most reliable nonluxury brand, and the Camry has been a best seller for years. The four-cylinder model returned an excellent 27 mpg overall in our tests.
#5
11-13-2014, 06:30 AM
#6
11-16-2014, 07:25 AM
2015 Chevy's
As American, at least according to an old advertising slogan, as baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie, Chevrolet has, in recent years, also served as a warning signal about corporate bloat. Disastrous Chevrolet sales and poor development decisions almost crashed the entire General Motors Corporation, leading to a huge government bailout in 2008.
Those dark days are behind Chevy , but it's still clawing its was back to respectability. Still, it has good-selling, recognizable brand names like Impala, Malibu, and Suburban, which holds the distinction of being the longest consecutive-running nameplate in the automotive industry.
Chevy also can claim the Camaro and the Corvette. The 2014 Corvette Stingray has enthusiasts squealing with delight, with lines both classic and modern. It's going to be the year's most sought-after sports car, and should go a long way toward restoring the company's good name.
Chevy's lineup isn't perfect
, but it's also tremendously diverse, and the company seems well positioned to put the bailout doldrums in its rear-view.
In recent years, Chevy has wisely focused on the economy segment. About as far a cry as possible from the land yachts of yore, Chevy's smallest model, the Spark, is an uber compact five-door hatch with a gas thrifty 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine.
The Spark EV offers Chevrolet's first all-electric drivetrain. Slightly larger than that is the Sonic, available in Hatch or Sedan body with a possible 40-MPG highway fuel economy.
Wandering out of the sub-compact category, the very likeable Cruze compact offers the first true American competition to the German dominated diesel car category, besting the Jetta TDI by 4 highway MPGs.
https://autos.yahoo.com/chevrolet/
Those dark days are behind Chevy
, but it's still clawing its was back to respectability. Still, it has good-selling, recognizable brand names like Impala, Malibu, and Suburban, which holds the distinction of being the longest consecutive-running nameplate in the automotive industry. Chevy also can claim the Camaro and the Corvette. The 2014 Corvette Stingray has enthusiasts squealing with delight, with lines both classic and modern. It's going to be the year's most sought-after sports car, and should go a long way toward restoring the company's good name.
Chevy's lineup isn't perfect
, but it's also tremendously diverse, and the company seems well positioned to put the bailout doldrums in its rear-view.In recent years, Chevy has wisely focused on the economy segment. About as far a cry as possible from the land yachts of yore, Chevy's smallest model, the Spark, is an uber compact five-door hatch with a gas thrifty 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine.
The Spark EV offers Chevrolet's first all-electric drivetrain. Slightly larger than that is the Sonic, available in Hatch or Sedan body with a possible 40-MPG highway fuel economy.
Wandering out of the sub-compact category, the very likeable Cruze compact offers the first true American competition to the German dominated diesel car category, besting the Jetta TDI by 4 highway MPGs.
https://autos.yahoo.com/chevrolet/
#7
11-16-2014, 08:06 AM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 5,611
I like this article and agree with its observation. How European cars ever got a reputation for being reliable is beyond me because they very are not. At least the higher end ones can claim that they don't go over 180,000 often because they can be too expensive to repair (modules, computers, cluster, etc replacement exceeds car value), just like Cadillac. VW can make no such excuse - they just make lousy cars.
I've always felt the secret to Honda and Toyota reliability is in building underpowered unexciting to drive cars. This will not attracted the "spirited" driver and those cars are unlikely to ever be pushed to their limits. I like to take good care on my Monte, but every now and then I can't help but flog the **** out of it or take it to the strip and have a little fun. If I had an Accord or a Camry, I probably wouldn't do that.
I've always felt the secret to Honda and Toyota reliability is in building underpowered unexciting to drive cars. This will not attracted the "spirited" driver and those cars are unlikely to ever be pushed to their limits. I like to take good care on my Monte, but every now and then I can't help but flog the **** out of it or take it to the strip and have a little fun. If I had an Accord or a Camry, I probably wouldn't do that.
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