I have a question about your Cadillac buy this not that episode, your first pick is the 2003-2007 CTS but you say the 4 cylinder manual, i cant find any evidence of a CTS ever being made in those years with a 4 cylinder? :/ so im confused
Great video, I think anyone wanting a reliable vehicle for transportation should definitely look at the Panther platform cars, We picked up a 2010 mercury grand marquis ls with 108000 miles on it original owner garage kept car for 6500 other than regular maintenance the Wizard is right they are bulletproof!
A+ list the only one I don't like may surprise you; the Honda Accord transmission is sus... Accord is one of the most popular make and model cars of all time and is ranked in the Top 10 Sedans list in motoring magazines year after year but do you see many of them on the road? I don't. I see plenty of Civics but no Accords. 2003 - 2012 Accord (especially V6) had transmission issues around 200k. This pattern of automatic transmission issues go as far back as the 1999 Odyssey.
Toyota Avalon's are also a great buy in this price range. Bought a 2000 Avalon from a 92 year old lady for $4500 with only 62k miles on the odo and I haven't had a single issue with it in two years.
That's so funny. 92 yr old lady probably bought that 2000 Avalon as a retirement gift to herself. A quarter century later with that low mileage on it I bet it drives like a new car!
I have had my 2000 Avalon XLS since 2008(16yrs now) and it has 225,000 miles on it and runs great !! The previous owner didn’t take good care of it so I replaced the engine and the tranny in 2009, but after that it’s been great !! And it has so much interior room, especially in the back. Would not ever get rid of it !!
Took my 08 VW Rabbit to a decent mechanic shop for them to put a brand new alternator. They refused to even look at it. Went to an O’Reilly to buy the alternator and attempt to DIY and I meet this random dude that offered to help me do it for $100 . We worked on it for a solid 2 hours and got it done . Moral of the story : don’t be scared to try it yourself
Not sure how a decent mechanic can refuse to work on a Rabbit... To my knowledge, even if it's a German car they generally aren't hard or a pain to work on. Specially the Rabbit which has the 2.5 5 cylinder engine which is one of their more reliable engines... (Unlike the 2.0 Turbos which... well my mechanic loves them because while they grenade, it's excellent business to rebuild or replace. Then again, to each their own.
@@raydemos1181 Alternators are easy to do on most Subarus. I haven't had to change mine yet on my 05 WRX but it looks very accessible. I have however rebuilt my power steering pump with new seals for only $20. I had found a website that specializes on seal kits.
Old mechanic here, I have to agree with your selection a you can’t go wrong with a Toyota or Honda, even the Subaru is a good choice, but their reputation definitely was tainted with head gasket issues, Lincoln’s are rock solid, I would add a mercury marquis which is very similar to the Lincoln.
Subaru went to the FB series engines in 2010 and goodbye head gasket issues. However the 2010-2015 CVT Transmissions were more likely to fail than 2016 and newer. If the tranny fails, the car is probably totaled.
Sadly a lot of sellers - lots included - won't allow you to take a car off to a mechanic for a couple of hours for an inspection, even if they have nothing to hide. They'd rather lose your sale than hand you the keys.
'07 Accord here, 312k mi. 2.4, manual...best car I've ever owned. I got this after years of driving saabs and Mercedes, and it's so much easier and cheaper to fix!
Same car, but in auto. 335k, burns a tiny bit of oil. Replaced AC compressor about 10 years ago and the struts a few years ago. Otherwise, basic maintenance is all. Easily best car I’ve owned.
@@mattscullin5844mine was burning a quart every 3k or so. I removed and cleaned the Pcv valve and changed spark plugs and consumption slowed by about half. Might be worth a try if you get tired of feeding it a lot.
@@mattscullin5844 Once any vehicle starts to burn oil, I start throwing 20w-50 diesel oil in it with a quart of Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer, which is like 100 weight lol. The rings are "worn in" enough that all that extra viscosity isn't going to have any negative effects, and the oil consumption should drop a ton while all your bearings and crank get a little extra cushion. Bet your compression jumps up a few psi as well.
We bought a 2012 Camry years ago at 45,000 miles. It’s now my daughter’s vehicle and is sitting at 230,000 miles. The only things I’ve had to replace in that time was an AC condenser coil and a battery. It’s the best vehicle I’ve ever owned.
My 2001 Camry is still running strong. It's a terrific vehicle that I intend to keep till I stop driving. Not too high in miles - about 115,000 (mostly urban roads) because it's not being driven frequently the past eight or nine years. It's lived outside since it was born so it's a little rough around the edges.
I'm glad to hear someone with experience not shitting on the Charger platform. They are very reliable when you have a owner that actually takes care of it and doesn't have a credit score of 300
As the original owner of a 2012 Ford Mustang V6, I can totally back-up Pick #6. Sure, it's not a V8, but I have 212,000 miles on it and I literally have never had any issues with it. I've just done normal maintenance on it over the years and it's still going strong. Please note though I'm also an old geezer and don't drive it hard ;)
I'm an old guy and my first car was a 1971 Camaro SS 350 and it was pretty quick and it only had 275 hp , so the Mustang v6 with 300 hp should be good enought for a yound kid starting out .
I had an Altima. It helped me out by having a tree branch fall on it last year. Totaled, but more than I paid for it! Glad I held off on buying tires and having suspension work done and a wheel bearing replaced. Thanks, tree!
2007 and newer Honda Accords? I bought a used 2006 Accord sedan, 4 cyl. 5-speed manual transmission, ten years ago, with 70k miles, for ten grand. Today it has 160k, and it still runs lime a top. I put new plugs, oil and filters in it when I bought it, and now just do regular upkeep. I do my own brake jobs & oil changes, and love the 30-38mpg it delivers. A timing chain instead of a belt means no replacements there, either. I love this car. At 18 years old, the only problem has been aging headlight plastic and the CD player just quit. I'm fine with AM/FM sounds, and will need a $25 headlight polish kit. Switched brake pads to carbon-ceramic, and now have no more brown dust making the wheels look a mess.
I can vouch for the Honda Accord. We have 236k miles on our 2007 Honda. It starts up immediately and never breaks down. We have basically changed the oil, transmission fluid, timing belt, brakes and tires on it.
When my first daughter turned 16, we bought her a 2010 Honda Civic. She's almost 21 now and it's barely cost us anything to keep it going. When my 2nd daughter turned 16, we bought her a 2011 Honda Accord (4-cylinder). Also been very reliable. Hondas are the way to go (IMHO). Toyotas are amazing too... my dad's first Avalon went 370k miles with minimal expenses.... and his current Avalon has 340k and is running like a champ! Happy Father's Day, Wizard!!!
@@tescoshortage Honda Fits excellent also but I read they cost more to insure due to much higher injury claims rate when wrecked. Also impossible to get a comfortable driving position if more than 5' 10" or so. I am 6' 2" and tried sitting in the driver's seat of a 2014 Fit.
I have a 2008 Town Car and I love it. Its the comfiest car I've ever driven glides down the road like a cloud, it can seat 6 and it has a massive trunk so its actually pretty practical and with all the chrome I think it looks great even if it is a grandpa car.
Back in the day I had a 1967 Ford Galaxie that I bought from my brother-in-law who had completely rebuilt the engine. Only cost $125. My mother-in-law loved it. Called it "The Big Ride'" Drove it for two years and then sold it to a nephew for $250. Wish I still had it!
Owned two lincoln's in the past, one in the 1980s, and one in the 1990s. Both were mechanically crap. The only advice I can think about Lincoln's is, "If you're going to buy of Lincoln, keep your wallet ready."
@@gbzorro Reliability varies from car to car within a brand and even within the same model with different engines and transmissions. The 2003 to 2011 panther platform Crown Vics, Merc Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars are pretty much the most reliable cars Ford ever made. The 4.6L V8 is super durable as is the 4 speed automatic and the rest of a Town Car is basically a Crown Vic cop car with a luxury interior and an air ride suspension.
You want to avoid the Toyota Camrys with the 2.4 liter from 07-11 range because Toyota didn’t make the piston rings right which makes them burn oil. Also, don’t ever recommend someone to buy a Stellantis product. The electronics are bad and the motors are bad.
My 07 Camry was a lemon. Rougher idle than a diesel. Plugged cats. A/C system issues. Finally, the POS 2.5 dropped a valve seat and gernaded the motor. Good riddance.
I have owned six or seven Town Cars in the age range your talking about. My brother-in-law lives in Arizona. I go down and visit every winter. I usually fly out and buy a car then drive it home. The last 6-7 years it has been town cars. I found a 2012 last year with only 12k miles on it. That one I kept as my personal car. I did give $10K for it. The others I bought under $7500 and usually sold them in Iowa for a profit. The buyers where glad to get a salt free car. My daughter has owned two Honda Accords. She got over 250K on them before they gave up/rusted out. She bough both of them used so they were a cheap car to own.
I love, love, love my 2007 v6 mustang. I bought it to be fancy, and to my surprise it's been extremely reliable too! 193,000 miles and it still runs great. Not bad for an old Ford!
I bought my 2012 Toyota Camry new in Dec 2011…I have put 108,000 miles on it and it runs great…basic maintenance and running full synthetic oil it is a jewel…
My 2012 Altima's survived being rear-ended 3 times and a trip into a wet-concrete ditch and still going strong. Not even a cvt problem! Going to give it to my grandson soon.
My local "budget" car dealer has an 06 Mercury Grand Marquis I've been looking at. Very clean, just some expected wear in the drivers leather seat, the rest very nice, 55,000 miles, $8995.00. They also have ~6 Subaru's, one with a manual 6 speed trans. All are 100k - 150k miles though. I'm retired now and can't afford, especially with the huge price increase between 2019 and now, the high prices/payments a new car demands. At 72 I don't want to be broke down on the rode either! With your info, I'll give some things a second look! It all makes sense to me. Thanks much Mr. and Mrs. Wizard!! 8) --gary
We recently rented a 2020 Charger with a V-6. That was an awesome car! It had better than average power and got 30 MPG highway. My wife loved it and might even get one like that.
My Nissan Altima v6 coupe manual was a great car. Loaded with luxuries, fast as heck, and very reliable. At 400,000 km it still got compliments, and was still powerful, and on original clutch, but decided to let it go after water pump blew up. But note…. 6mt manual lol! Wouldn’t touch the cvt….
And the V6 has the dreaded VCM (variable cyclinder mangement). Also when it comes time to adjust the valves and/or replace valve cover gaskets, you've got pull the whole intake mainfold. It's time consuming. V6 also has 4 Cat converters and they're a Lot more expensive to replace than the 4 cylinder, in both time and parts.
Pick any modern GM3800 with low miles and in great condition. A supercharged Gen 3 car could be ideal. 3rd gen Toyota Avalon. If you want just a super simple cruiser get Lincoln Towncar on the Panther platform. If you want a "large luxury car" get an LS430. If you need an SUV get an early 2000's Saturn Vue with the Honda J35. If you want to fly under the radar with a small economy car get a Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris S or a Pontiac Vibe GT. All 3 are almost the same car. Late 2000's Corolla S with low mileage is great too.
@@MrWill-ng8dg, I will not lie, I made my comment before watching the video. Really surprised a GM3800 was not on here. The last few years of the Park Avenue Ultra were great. Not exactly a Deville, but close, and way more reliable. The real sleeper in all of this is the Saturn Vue. Currently looking for an early model Redline now. Once the timing belt and water pump are done that thing will run forever.
@@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic I own a 2004 celebration edition Buick LeSabre diamond white garage queen with 103K miles. Park Avenue Ultra sporting that sweet supercharger. Saturn Vue also 👍
@@MrWill-ng8dg, looking for a 3.5 Redline Vue now as a little mods are there. The Regal GS was the lightest of the blown 3800's, but the Gen 3 Grand Prix had the most power at 260 or 265. I would rather the blown Gen 3 with some SLP mods vs a bone stock 5.3 SBC car. They made an AWD 3.5 Vue as well. Not sure if it was a Honda transmission though. Around the same time Acura made the 300hp RL. If they used the same AWD setup you could drop the 300hp J35 RL motor in there. Maybe the J37 from the TL SH-AWD will bolt up to the Saturn trans if it is a Honda trans.
I couldn't agree with you more, Mr. Wizard regarding Subaru Outback. I've leased two Range Rover HSEs, [2005 & 2008] one Range Rover Evoque [2016] All under 20,000 miles when I turned in the lease. All had problems. All very expensive to maintain and insure. I've owned 4 Volvos 1989, [1991], 2001, 2004. 2001 and 2004 major problems. Brakes, brake pads, electrical, etc. In 2020, I got smart and purchased a 2017 Subaru Outback with 93,000 miles already on it. BEST CAR IVE EVER HAD. LOVE IT! NO PROBLEMS EVER. You know your stuff!👍
I think I am going to disagree with everyone's take on the Nissan Altima. I have owned two and both have been excellent cars. I purchased the first one with around 9000 miles on it and drove it to almost 200,000 miles with really no issues. changed oil, gas and regular maintenance. When I went to trade it in is when I realized they had a reputation for bad transmissions. I never had an issue with the transmission and debated whether on getting another Altima or not. I narrowed the list down to a Camry, a Mazda or another Altima. In the end I liked the Altima so much, I bought a second one with about 13,000 miles on it. Different color, different trim level but pretty much the same drive train. I have now put close to 100,000 on it with no issues at all. Still looks like a brand new car inside and out. The car runs great. I am not hard on cars but I do have to drive them for my job. From my experience with the Nissan Altima I do reccommend it as a dependable car.
Owner here of a 2005 Altima with 190K miles. No problems other than replacing the starter motor and the alternator. With the 5-speed auto and the 3.5L engine, it still keeps up with traffic quite well.
Being a mechanic for modern Subarus (Although new), I can tell from the small amount of time that they are VERY reliable nowadays. And they sell like hot cakes as new cars. Although expensive, they are very reliable, very nice to drive, VERY nice interior, etc. I could see myself owning one myself tbh, that's how great they are.
My father has a 2017 Forester and a 2019 Crosstrek. Super reliable. He and his wife don't drive a great deal so they're expecting these Subarus will last them a good 20 years.
17 Forester 2.5i, has 192000 mi( bought it new). All oil changes full synth, PREMIUM BOSCH, WIX,PUROLATOR filters. NEW OEM iridium plugs at 100K interval, CVT/front,rear diffs drain and fill every 30K miles. No problems.
@t20594 If you keep up with the oil changes(about 3-5K miles between intervals depending on the driving condition), the timing chain should last the life of the engine. I know people who have Accords(and CR-V's) with the 2.4L engine with well over 200K miles on them and it's still has the original timing chain.
For #6 I can agree with that. I have a 2014 mustang gt convertible with over 195,000 and still going strong. I just get regular maintenance done on it.
Wizard, I live in Vermont, and I can confirm that Subaru outbacks are absolutely everywhere. I've had 3 myself. That being said, I drive a CRV now. All 3 of my outbacks where in the age range you mentioned and have absolutely torn through brakes (2 sets of pads/rotors a year), had transmition failures, and have been tricky to work on. They also definitely don't get 30mpg. Maybe it's a VT car thing, VT eats cars as a rule, but I've sworn to move on from Subaru to Honda.
3:40 - - So, I own a 1997 v6 Camry, 144k miles. You want to watch for rubber gaskets, hoses, belts, seals, etc. Age kills the rubber and plastic bits, time is your biggest foe as the owner of an older Camry. Mine has also been in Arizona since she was 10, which means extra dry and unforgiving temps in those pieces. My mother bought her new, I took over a few years ago at 107k miles. I average 3.5k-4.5k miles a year, she'll outlive us all. I shit you not, this car is why we've had SEVEN more Toyotas purchased in the family, including two Camrys ; husband's 2014 Camry (155k miles) and mother's 2022 Camry. They're just great and reliable, they ask for so little. If you take care of them, they'll take care of you!
you dont know how happy it makes me to see the dodge charger on here. I was looking through wizards old videos trying to find a good beat up cash car daily. But i decided to get something ive always wanted while not breaking the bank, since i hate doing payments. Found a 2015 SE for 11k with 126K miles and went for it. So far no issues and it drives wonderfully, planning on doing a full tune up soon.
I'm a Ford Guy and daily drive a decommissioned P71 Crown Victoria. 160k miles. I love it! Question though...Why no Buick on Your List? Price point? Thank You. Happy Father's Day.
GM's best engine, the Buick series II 3.8L v6 engine. That, and the Small Block Chevrolet v8, of course. Simple, easy and cheap to maintain and repair, but most importantly: reliable. And fuel efficiency is very high with both. Chevrolet v8 has amazing aftermarket parts for it. Best investment is cylinder heads. Huge gains in power and efficiency are there.
Sadly, my Outback is a 2005, so yes, it did have the head gasket replaced at around 100k miles. If you use a mechanic that will put in a non OEM gasket, you can fix the problem for the life of the car. My other car, which is extremely reliable is my 93 Miata. Not the most practical due to space considerations, but super reliable.
Good advice! I had a disappointing surprise with our 2012 Honda Odyssey, which was driven primarily by my wife. Even with maintenance by the book the V6 started using about 1 quart of oil between changes at about 140k. By 150k it was periodically going into limp home mode without warning. Turns out the oil was being consumed was all in the No. 1 cylinder and fouling the plug. The final time it did it the entire bottom of the spark plug was destroyed. We picked it up from our mechanic with a new plug installed and drove two miles to the Toyota dealership. My wife loves her 2021 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. I do too because for three years I have not been called upon to either fix it or take the lead on getting it fixed for her. Yay! I guess even bullet proof Hondas can have issues, but I believe it is pretty rare.
I got a 2011 honda accord 4-cylinder 2.4 and I love it I had it for 4 years and hardly had to pay a dime on repairs and she just now hit the 310000 miles and still starts and drives like the day I bought her
I had a 79 mustang with the 2.3 liter, 4 cylinder with 495,000 miles on it when I traded it for a 79 LTD Brougham, 351W V8, 2 door with 79,000 miles, 1 owner. Win win.😁
Altima, LOL! That was funny. Still rocking my low-mileage Lesabre thanks in part to you, love it more each day, and about to do a thorough service myself. Keep it up!
Completely agree with you Mr. Wizard on the Dodge Charger. We have an 18 R/T 5.7 V8 with 40,000 miles. Outstanding car. 16 to 17 MPG in town and have gotten 32 to 33 MPG on Highway. Only thing I do not like is the Multi Displacement System. I keep it in Manual mode when at steady speeds. Bought car used with 4400 miles. Change oil at no more than 4000 mile intervals. Car is fast enough for my 80 year old body. Even helped an old friend become regular again with a brisk ride. It is a real shame Dodge is doing away with the HEMI V-8. Keep up the great info Mr. & Mrs. Wizard.😎
I have owned four different Toyotas (including a 1987 truck that I owned for 13 years and then sold to my father-in-law), two Corollas (one I had for seventeen years and did nothing but maintain it and put a starter on it), and a RAV4. Also, have had five Hondas (an Odyssey for 14 years that I treated like a truck), an Accord, two CRVs, and one Civic. Had to put new motor mounts on the Odyssey, but other than that did nothing to the other four except maintenance. My favorite cars were my 61 Ford Galaxie (a gift to me from my sister when she bought a new Ford Torino back in 1972 because the dealer only offered $100. - I sold it two years later for $125) and a 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 two door hardtop with a 390 cubic inch Thunderbird engine with a four barrel carbuerator. A gift from my dad when he bought a used 1975 Ford Galaxie. He sold my 62 while I was away at college and replaced it with a durable, but dull 1969 Ford (four door Galaxie). Those old Fords were like tanks.
I wasn't even looking for one when a cherry 2004 fell at my feet 5 1/2 years ago. I worked at a chain parts store and a guy brought his moms car in to check the battery. It sat garaged since she was too old to drive. A silver 2004 Signature 2 owner w/ 81k miles. Needed detailed and all the maintenance parts replaced. Tires were old old and both bumpers needed refinished. They wanted $3200 and I didn't even negotiate. It's worth twice that!
I actually bought a second Lincoln TC to replace mine when it dies because it is just such an overall great car. That was six years ago anf the original one I bought in 2006 is still holding up. Not a single breakdown, always reliable. Even the alternator is original with 275k miles on it.
The Camry model years Wizard mentioned can have a problem with piston rings leaking and burning oil. Also check the dashboard. if it is sticky or shiny do not buy, Toyota was doing an unofficial recall on the dashboards. Of course that recall is no longer offered.
Absolutely agree with this! It has oil consumption, then carbon every part of the engine and then it dies. You must put into it pistons Camry 2002-2006 but it has a bad thread in the block. 😂 If not overheated it may be a lucky day...
2015- Close to 90k miles on my Altima and all I ever had to do is change oil , brakes, and tires! I am the driver that is zooming by most cars! Thanks Nissan for a great looking car that drives well!
Yeah, the older Toyota products are pretty legendary alright. Just today I found driving behind an old Toyota Corolla hatch (one of those angular, boxy ones from the mid 1980's) for a couple of miles with what appeared to be an elderly female driver behind the wheel. Now this wasn't some pristine low-mileage garage queen belonging to an enthusiast but a faded, dented, well-worn 40yr old survivor car that probably had 300-400K plus miles on it and there it was, it still truckin' along happily. Those things are indestructible.
Subaru headgaskets issues continued al the way into 2013. They are good cars if properly maintened. If you are looking at any naturally aspirated Subaru built between around 2002 - 2013, check if the headgaskets are leaking.
Subaru's, HELL NO, tens of thousands of first gen WRX were imported to NZ as used imports and have all disappeared from the roads here where the comparable Skylines/Stagea's are still around. NA cars like the Outback were extremely popular have also disappeared. Only the underpowered SOHC boxer 1500cc/1600cc cars seem to have any longitivtiy.
Bro it was peak Nissan and the Altima was created for cheap ass Americans and doesn't exist outside US perhaps Mexico can't be fuck wikipedia this shit.
@@alm4132 Oh for goodness sake, it’s a Blues Brothers reference. I believe the actual next few lines are, “It’s a model made before catalytic converters so it runs good on regular gas. So is it the new Bluesmobile or not?”
I drive a 2008 Toyota Camry , love it. Only issues are wear and tear parts since it’s almost 20 years old. Other than that, it drives great, plus I’ve had the engine overhauled/rebuilt, just hit 169k miles, and I bought it at 124,001 miles January 2020.
This is an excellent list. My youngest daughter is saving up for her first car and I'm going to share this video with her. Funny enough, the car she actually wants was your real #6 pick. Thanks so much for sharing your advice.
The Nissan Altima must be a great car if you take good care of it and not beat it to crap. The problem is a lot of people who drives them neglect them and beat them to crap. But even then there still going down the road.
@@BillyBobDingledorf naw if a car is beat and neglected but still goes thousands of miles down road then it’s a great car. If it can go tens of thousands of neglected miles that means I could have gone hundreds of thousands of well maintained miles. With out crashing it of course. I seen people with the dipstick at low and black. Mostly women. They be like well I can’t afford an oil change or they just don’t got time. I’m just like well you can at least top if off it’s not like you gotta change it all the time. At least every 3 to 6 months.
Specific years of the Altima have an issue where they suck up dirt and other particulates into the engine, causing marring of the piston walls and eventually total engine failure. So while some are reliable, there's a big subset of them that are rolling around grinding themselves to an early grave.
The "best" used car (IMHO) is a late '90s to early 2000s is a Buick with the ULTRA RELIABLE 3.8L V6. These cars were ALWAYS on "Consumer Reports" best used cars, year after year! Matter of fact, the 3.8L is considered the BEST engine of all time by most car experts. Buick was the first American manufacturer to use a V6 engine, starting with the '62 Buick "Special"!!!
I agree.My 2000 LeSabre had 293 k miles .after 12 yrs was starting to show its age.had a long commute and had to let it go.new owner drove it locally for a few more years.definately one of the best cars i ever owned
I have a 2009 Toyota Camry 4cyl with 150k and 35mpg isn't anything I could even dream of. If I'm lucky, I may get 25mpg on the interstate. And no, I don't run it hard. I tend to keep it under 3500 rpm. But other than burning a little oil, it has been a great vehicle.
I have a 2011 Altima at 210k and my cat needs to be replaced, despite still getting ok (24mpg) gas mileage. I've had the engine light on for a while now. Think I can get away buying and installing an aftermarket catalytic converter?
Here's a surprising one: 2012-2019 Nissan Versa. And yes I understand it has a CVT, but I have one (CVT transmission) sitting at 241,000 miles. We haven't even gotten it the transmission services it really needs, and it's still going. If you get it the transmission services as needed it will last 250K-300K+ miles. You can also get one with a 5-speed manual, and be expected to get around 38MPG regardless or transmission type. It will not be fast, it will not be pretty, it will not have fancy gadgets. However; it will be cheap to buy, cheap to run, easy to drive, and easy to park.
I had a 2016 Versa with a five speed. Never did anything but regular maintenance. Stripped down version - still had roll down windows (only production car with them in 2016). Got rid of it because my wife doesn't like a straight. Got great gas mileage (35-40)
I've owned two Mazda Miatas as fun second cars. Not fast, but fun... AND bulletproof. They just don't break. I used to take one of mine, a 1999 with the Torsen LSD and Billstien shocks option, to the track for weekend Track Days. I'd drive the daylights out of it, and still have good brakes and tires at the end of the weekend.
YUP I owned a '97 M Edition for over 13 years and agree, like any car you'll have wear items and maintenance but overall they're trouble-free as long as you keep up with regular maintenance. By today's standards they are good cars for DIY'ers being relatively easy to work on. Only problem at least here in FL is that at least last time I looked, $6-8K is NOT going to get you a very nice one and probably one that's even beyond what I'd call "scruffy" like mine was when I traded it. Good news / bad news is they do hold their value! Before the Miata I owned a '96 Corvette and that was a whole other story and nightmare of regularly scheduled breakdowns and the one time an extended warranty paid for itself twice over. Funny I find myself missing the Corvette too, though not nearly as much as the Miata!
@@terrybeavan4264 If you spend some time looking, you can find Miatas that are ten years old and have 30K miles, and sometimes less. My first one was ten years old, and had 24K miles, the second had 38K. People buy them for fun, and keep them in the garage until really nice days.
2007 Kia Sportage, 254,000 miles, the occasional maintenance issues but drove it from Idaho to Florida without a single issue. Do the maintenance and they may run forever.
love my 06 crown vic w/ 166k on the dash..but they are getting harder to come by. You used to be able to pick up an old cop car cvpi for 800-1200 now they are north of $3k if your lucky. Most with less than 150k miles are pushing 7-9k now
Panthers are notoriously tough. Because of that, they may be the most beat up car on the road. People abuse the heck out of them. Even a Panther can only take so much. The result is fewer good examples on the road, driving up the price.
Recently, an 04, I think it was, Crown Vic with less than a hundred thousand miles went for less than 5k here in Arkansas. No rust. Look in the smaller towns for the better prices.
I was told by a shop that they wouldn't look at my 1987 Dodge Dakota because it didn't have an OBDII port. Carbs, especially the malaise era electronic feedback carbs are a bit of a mystery to some shops. So apparently things can be too new or too old for some shops.
1987, that is 37 years old. Well past an antique. You would need a specialty shop or a specialty mechanic to work on something that old. Plus, you cant just buy parts off the shelf for something that old either.
@@mph5896 The truck was new when I was 21 years old...and I remember when it had 5 miles on it fresh from the dealership...I keep on forgetting how old it really is. And yes, things like turn signal switches and upper control arms are difficult to find.
@@mph5896 My '66 Ford Galaxie isn't hard to find parts for, it's a daily driver...neither is my 1970 Chevy truck, also daily driver, both easy to work on...my "new" truck, 1990 Chevy pickup, parts easy to find and cheap, but hard to find anybody who can diagnose issues accurately when they crop up...problems started when they started putting computers, fuel injection, and electric fuel pumps(in the confounded fuel tank, for pete's sake, hard to get to)in vehicles...I prefer anything that is pre-computer, pre-plastic headlight era....
@@325xitgrocgetter Ha!, yes, you are about my age...I bought a Ford Ranger new in 1986, only new vehicle I ever bought..hard for me to think of anything with plastic headlights and aero styling as being "old"...sealed beam glass headlights and rectangular styling all the way for me....
Good to know Car Wizard. Bought our 16 y.o a 2010 Subaru Outback, basic car, had 70k miles when we bought it (overpaid cause it was during covid shortages.) He loves it and takes care of of it. Some a-hole backed into it in parking lot and left a fake note. Now got a big-o dent..heart broken for him. We won't fix it cause it doesn't affect the function of the car.
Your “buy this, not that” series aided in my decision to purchase a 2013 Ford Mustang V6 Premium. Just bear this in mind, because a lot of people have this problem: If you’re going to buy an ‘05-‘14 Mustang, be prepared to either replace the Shaker 500 or Shaker 100 head unit respectively, or disconnect the 6-CD changer within them. These CD changers are notorious for powering on and off every two minutes when both the engine and accessories are off. Happily - like the Wizard said, the ‘05-‘14 Mustangs are easy to repair, and parts are readily available. Hope this helps 😊
@@petrosaguilar8916 Stick shifts were much better than automatics on Honda, Mazda, and Subaru models in the $6000-8000 price range? I have heard the Toyota 4sp automatics were very good.
The first half of what you said about the Altima can also be said about the Charger. Here in Memphis i don't think ive ever seen either one doing under 80 or stopping at a red light or stoo sign.
09-13 Outback. Sure, they are super easy to work on. I have worked on 2, a neighbors and a friends. I work on them ALOT though. Pulled both engines out for oil leaks in the front TQ of the trans and oil leaks. Both rear driveshafts replaced due to seized u joints. Hubs fuse themselves in. Ball joints come out hard. Heat shields are clamped together with a series of hose clamps to get them to stop rattling.
Mines never had a super major failure because it’s been well maintained but it does burn oil. It needs a quart of oil about as often as it needs a tank of gas.
@@vehicles_n_stuff What exactly is yours, if it's a turbo it's likely eaten the rings on a piston or two, if it's a naturally aspirated one you're likely in need of head gaskets.
@@bobbyb9479 it’s an n/a 2.5, I think the head gasket is fine (no shops could find a definite issue) but it’s got 200k miles on it so maybe that explains some part of it
@@vehicles_n_stuff That's a ton of oil. Try a new PCV valve to see if that will slow the oil burning down. I have had success with that on oil burners.
The biggest trouble with Smart cars is finding parts. I'm sticking with my Panther chassis. My is at 160K miles replaced the plastic intake manifold. No oil burning.
I can agree with Altima. I have a 2013 with 265k miles on it. Transmission replaced under warranty at 98k miles. Still running strong. Only thing other than regular maintenance is ac compressor under warranty, gear shifter, lower control arm and cv axle. Like I told my wife after the replace the transmission. Imma ride this until the wheels fall off of the. Buy another set and keep rolling. Will see how long it will go.
Having owned a 2009 LLbean special edition outback and a 2011 3.6R premium edition outback they are fantastic, tough, reliable, capable cars. In fact my 2011 is still driving around Maine as my mom bought it from me.
2011 Camry here, 96,000 miles. Only gets 24 mpg in mostly around town driving. Owned for 9 years. Only problem was an expensive AC compressor 5 years ago.
These are my favorite videos you put out! I've been waiting for something like this since I'll be buying two cars for my daughter and step daughter next year. This kind of information is extremely helpful when it comes to choosing which cars to look at. Thanks a million Wiz! Also, could you do a video on the most reliable small suv's for around $10k?
2003 Nissan Pathfinder VQ35DE. I paid $3500 for it. Super reliable. Very little problems. Built in Japan. Not the best gas mileage but considering how much I paid for it and the low insurance I can deal with not too great MPGs.
Thanks Wizard. I agree w/most of the list. The Panther cars, though, I'd avoid the Town Car due to the rear air suspension. On the Charger, I'd look for a V6 as better chance it hasn't been beaten on or modified. The 3.7L V6 S197 Mustangs from 2012 on are a surprisingly GOOD engine. Known weak spot is the water pump - BUT - on RWD versions, the pump is external and not nearly the risk of the FWD versions in other Ford models. Thanks again.
Quick question. You recommend the 2011-2016 Charger. You have also said in the past to stay away from the 3.6L V6. Is there something about the 3.6L V6 from 2011-2016 that makes it OK? What happened in 2016 that made the 3.6L a nightmare from then on?
Six vehicles in the $6K-$8K range worthy of a Car Wizard share indeed. The $3K to $5K category would include some 3.8 Buicks. The family photos were priceless. Keep up the good work.
The 2008 Camry is notorious for burning oil due to owners listening to Toyota dealers and changing oil every 10,000 miles. There was a recall on the piston rings because of the oil change intervals. Mine burns about a quart every 1,000 miles. Bought from the second owner that way.
I have a 2018 Subaru Forester which is before Subaru went to a direct injection engine and a bunch of other newer components that are hard to work on like with a lot of new cars. I called a local, reputable shop about getting the AWD fluid changed, and they told me they won't work on them. I was dumbfounded considering how many of these vehicles we have here in Michigan. It didn't take me long to find another shop locally that would work on it, but it's an example of some local shops being morons when it comes to this type of thing.
@@alecfoster4413 Correct 9th and 8th generation NA engines. Only 8gen some series of engines had issues with engine blocks, but on average this car could take a lot's of beating and still run.
@@timothykeith1367 I had an Echo (predecessor of the Yaris) and if it wasn't for NE winters and rust it would have lasted longer than the 300k/17 years I got out of it). The engine and transmission were still going strong when I had it carted off. I now have a 10th gen Civic and am looking to keep it until I die... or until a mid life crisis has me buying something stupid
The 2009-2014 Camry with the 2.4L 4cyl engine has a problem with oil dilution, but it is okay if it had the piston ring recall work done, or if you change the oil every 6 months instead of 12. The 2011-2012 Camry has a problem with torque converter shudder at a narrow band of speeds which is an expensive fix if it happens to you, but other than that the Camry is rock solid.
PDS Debt is offering a free debt analysis. It only takes thirty seconds. Get yours at PDSDebt.com/carwizard
I have a question about your Cadillac buy this not that episode, your first pick is the 2003-2007 CTS but you say the 4 cylinder manual, i cant find any evidence of a CTS ever being made in those years with a 4 cylinder? :/ so im confused
Hey what yr is that convertible benze in the background? Is it for sale?
😊😊😊😊😊@@CanuckBacon
@@CanuckBaconthere was no 4 cylinder. There wasn’t a 4 cylinder CTS until 2014
WOW you are a WHORE FOR THE ADS!!
These kind of videos, like the past "Buy these not that" ones, are the jewel of the crown of this channel
Agreed! A mechanics perspective is invaluable. I’ve been with the Wizard since the beginning when he HAD HAIR! 😂
Wow. Are your jewels turd based?
Exactly this is the sort of content I watch the Wizard for.
He made a wise choice doing that because nobody else did it. Kudos David!
Great video, I think anyone wanting a reliable vehicle for transportation should definitely look at the Panther platform cars, We picked up a 2010 mercury grand marquis ls with 108000 miles on it original owner garage kept car for 6500 other than regular maintenance the Wizard is right they are bulletproof!
3:40 2006 - 2012 Toyota Camry
7:08 2005 - 2012 Lincoln Town car
9:40 2007 - 2011 Honda Accord
11:10 2009 - 2013 Subaru Outback
12:30 2011 - 2016 Dodge Charger
14:18 2008 - 2019 Nissan Altima (*Joke)
15:49 2007 - 2014 Ford Mustang
A+ list the only one I don't like may surprise you; the Honda Accord transmission is sus...
Accord is one of the most popular make and model cars of all time and is ranked in the Top 10 Sedans list in motoring magazines year after year but do you see many of them on the road? I don't. I see plenty of Civics but no Accords. 2003 - 2012 Accord (especially V6) had transmission issues around 200k. This pattern of automatic transmission issues go as far back as the 1999 Odyssey.
@@jordanimatedstreamingthe v6 is a little too much for the transmission on the accords. I appreciate the wizard recommending the 4 cylinder accord.
I have a 2010 Accord coupe 2.4l 440,000kms. One failed caliper has been the only repair.
Charger, Nah! They are ALL beat to crap by youngNcrazies!
@@david37376k24 is the key
Toyota Avalon's are also a great buy in this price range. Bought a 2000 Avalon from a 92 year old lady for $4500 with only 62k miles on the odo and I haven't had a single issue with it in two years.
The 2000 still has a timing belt. As long as you do that religiously every 60k miles, it will last to the heat death of the universe
That's so funny. 92 yr old lady probably bought that 2000 Avalon as a retirement gift to herself. A quarter century later with that low mileage on it I bet it drives like a new car!
@@plica06 It sure does! I just had to replace the struts as they were all shot and installed a CarPlay head unit.
They were quite good.
I have had my 2000 Avalon XLS since 2008(16yrs now) and it has 225,000 miles on it and runs great !! The previous owner didn’t take good care of it so I replaced the engine and the tranny in 2009, but after that it’s been great !! And it has so much interior room, especially in the back. Would not ever get rid of it !!
Took my 08 VW Rabbit to a decent mechanic shop for them to put a brand new alternator. They refused to even look at it. Went to an O’Reilly to buy the alternator and attempt to DIY and I meet this random dude that offered to help me do it for $100 . We worked on it for a solid 2 hours and got it done .
Moral of the story : don’t be scared to try it yourself
Not sure how a decent mechanic can refuse to work on a Rabbit... To my knowledge, even if it's a German car they generally aren't hard or a pain to work on. Specially the Rabbit which has the 2.5 5 cylinder engine which is one of their more reliable engines... (Unlike the 2.0 Turbos which... well my mechanic loves them because while they grenade, it's excellent business to rebuild or replace.
Then again, to each their own.
@@CoolTI-Daniel small town problems. Anything beside Nissan, Toyota , ford , Chevy they really don’t wanna work on
two hours, it takes me 10 minutes flat to put an alternator in my 2001 Subaru outback, same with the fuel pump
@@raydemos1181 Alternators are easy to do on most Subarus. I haven't had to change mine yet on my 05 WRX but it looks very accessible. I have however rebuilt my power steering pump with new seals for only $20. I had found a website that specializes on seal kits.
@@raydemos1181 geraman cars are not that friendly to work on
Old mechanic here, I have to agree with your selection a you can’t go wrong with a Toyota or Honda, even the Subaru is a good choice, but their reputation definitely was tainted with head gasket issues, Lincoln’s are rock solid, I would add a mercury marquis which is very similar to the Lincoln.
Subaru went to the FB series engines in 2010 and goodbye head gasket issues. However the 2010-2015 CVT Transmissions were more likely to fail than 2016 and newer. If the tranny fails, the car is probably totaled.
Big part of the pre purchase inspection, is the ATTITUDE OF THE SELLER ABOUT THE INSPECTION!!!--😊😊😊😊😊
Sadly a lot of sellers - lots included - won't allow you to take a car off to a mechanic for a couple of hours for an inspection, even if they have nothing to hide. They'd rather lose your sale than hand you the keys.
@@AlvinBrinsonof course. It would be insane to do that. The owner of the car should take it to the shop, not the buyer.
@@AlvinBrinsonpiggy back off that...a lot of private sellers are mechanics and just don't have the time
YES. Can be a huge red flag if they don’t want to be cooperative.
Why would they get it inspected for you when the next guy will just hand them the cash and drive away?
Paid $5500 cash for my 2008 Grand Marquis at a local car lot. Glad I did, it's the best running car I've ever purchased!
How many do you pay to fill the tank on it?
@@JCW86fuel in the USA is so cheap compared to europe that even a gas guzzler is cheap to run in the USA.
@@JCW86 Around $55, using the lowest priced fuel (87).
@@kevincockburn7805 What I really want to know is if I could put 89 or 93 in the Grand Marquis?
Mines a 2002 in great shape all new interior. Great car
'07 Accord here, 312k mi. 2.4, manual...best car I've ever owned. I got this after years of driving saabs and Mercedes, and it's so much easier and cheaper to fix!
Same car, but in auto. 335k, burns a tiny bit of oil. Replaced AC compressor about 10 years ago and the struts a few years ago. Otherwise, basic maintenance is all. Easily best car I’ve owned.
@@travisadams8892 nice..mine burns a significant amount of oil, but it's super reliable. For now I just watch the level and let it eat.
@@mattscullin5844mine was burning a quart every 3k or so. I removed and cleaned the Pcv valve and changed spark plugs and consumption slowed by about half. Might be worth a try if you get tired of feeding it a lot.
Even the 03-06 with the 2.4 timing chain motor is elite. Very few things other than small plastic bits and window motors go bad on them.
@@mattscullin5844 Once any vehicle starts to burn oil, I start throwing 20w-50 diesel oil in it with a quart of Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer, which is like 100 weight lol. The rings are "worn in" enough that all that extra viscosity isn't going to have any negative effects, and the oil consumption should drop a ton while all your bearings and crank get a little extra cushion. Bet your compression jumps up a few psi as well.
We bought a 2012 Camry years ago at 45,000 miles. It’s now my daughter’s vehicle and is sitting at 230,000 miles. The only things I’ve had to replace in that time was an AC condenser coil and a battery. It’s the best vehicle I’ve ever owned.
That's impressive
My 2001 Camry is still running strong. It's a terrific vehicle that I intend to keep till I stop driving. Not too high in miles - about 115,000 (mostly urban roads) because it's not being driven frequently the past eight or nine years. It's lived outside since it was born so it's a little rough around the edges.
@AnonymousUser-ww6ns what engine are you talking about
@@viva_am8392.4l
I'm glad to hear someone with experience not shitting on the Charger platform. They are very reliable when you have a owner that actually takes care of it and doesn't have a credit score of 300
As the original owner of a 2012 Ford Mustang V6, I can totally back-up Pick #6. Sure, it's not a V8, but I have 212,000 miles on it and I literally have never had any issues with it. I've just done normal maintenance on it over the years and it's still going strong. Please note though I'm also an old geezer and don't drive it hard ;)
I agree. With 300hp rating, that engine is smooth and has plenty of power....and gets pretty good gas mileage.
@@NVRAMboi Agreed on all. It made a great commuter car as it regularly got 30 mpg on the highway.
That v6 is just as fast, or faster than the 3v 4.6
Just don't take it to omega auto clinic they refuse to work on domestics
I'm an old guy and my first car was a 1971 Camaro SS 350 and it was pretty quick and it only had 275 hp , so the Mustang v6 with 300 hp should be good enought for a yound kid starting out .
I had an Altima. It helped me out by having a tree branch fall on it last year. Totaled, but more than I paid for it! Glad I held off on buying tires and having suspension work done and a wheel bearing replaced. Thanks, tree!
Lol. I have a few devices I would like that to happen to! 😂
A friend’s parents had a Mercury Grand Marquis in high school about 30 years ago. The car was indestructible.
Those Panther Platform Ford Rides are unbelievable! I want a 2003-2011 Lincoln Town Car.
Omega won't work on those. It's a domestic 😢
I inherited one of those 5 years ago from grandpa. Fell in love and it’s been my daily driver ever since. Unlike gramps, it refuses to die.
It's probably still on the road!
@@brandons772 same here, inherited my 2004 Grand Marquis from my grandpa when he died at 102 a few years ago.
2007 and newer Honda Accords? I bought a used 2006 Accord sedan, 4 cyl. 5-speed manual transmission, ten years ago, with 70k miles, for ten grand. Today it has 160k, and it still runs lime a top. I put new plugs, oil and filters in it when I bought it, and now just do regular upkeep. I do my own brake jobs & oil changes, and love the 30-38mpg it delivers. A timing chain instead of a belt means no replacements there, either. I love this car. At 18 years old, the only problem has been aging headlight plastic and the CD player just quit. I'm fine with AM/FM sounds, and will need a $25 headlight polish kit.
Switched brake pads to carbon-ceramic, and now have no more brown dust making the wheels look a mess.
I can vouch for the Honda Accord. We have 236k miles on our 2007 Honda. It starts up immediately and never breaks down. We have basically changed the oil, transmission fluid, timing belt, brakes and tires on it.
When my first daughter turned 16, we bought her a 2010 Honda Civic. She's almost 21 now and it's barely cost us anything to keep it going. When my 2nd daughter turned 16, we bought her a 2011 Honda Accord (4-cylinder). Also been very reliable. Hondas are the way to go (IMHO). Toyotas are amazing too... my dad's first Avalon went 370k miles with minimal expenses.... and his current Avalon has 340k and is running like a champ!
Happy Father's Day, Wizard!!!
Happy to hear about your dad's Avalons! Fingers crossed that my 2011 with 85,000 miles reaches those 300k+ marks!
Only down side to the avalon is that the transverse mounted 3.5 is known as a pain in the ass to work on.
I honestly prefer Hondas over Toyotas. Hondas have some semblance of fun to them. The 1G Fit only weighs 2300 pounds for crying out loud!
Buy JAPANESE! The best cars on Earth.
@@tescoshortage Honda Fits excellent also but I read they cost more to insure due to much higher injury claims rate when wrecked. Also impossible to get a comfortable driving position if more than 5' 10" or so. I am 6' 2" and tried sitting in the driver's seat of a 2014 Fit.
I have a 2008 Town Car and I love it. Its the comfiest car I've ever driven glides down the road like a cloud, it can seat 6 and it has a massive trunk so its actually pretty practical and with all the chrome I think it looks great even if it is a grandpa car.
Back in the day I had a 1967 Ford Galaxie that I bought from my brother-in-law who had completely rebuilt the engine. Only cost $125. My mother-in-law loved it. Called it "The Big Ride'" Drove it for two years and then sold it to a nephew for $250. Wish I still had it!
My 2007 is for sale in Senatobia Mississippi having AC problems needs a new compressor just had Cardiac Arrest need to sell at 3500
Most comfortable for me is 84 cutlas supreme
Owned two lincoln's in the past, one in the 1980s, and one in the 1990s. Both were mechanically crap. The only advice I can think about Lincoln's is, "If you're going to buy of Lincoln, keep your wallet ready."
@@gbzorro Reliability varies from car to car within a brand and even within the same model with different engines and transmissions. The 2003 to 2011 panther platform Crown Vics, Merc Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars are pretty much the most reliable cars Ford ever made. The 4.6L V8 is super durable as is the 4 speed automatic and the rest of a Town Car is basically a Crown Vic cop car with a luxury interior and an air ride suspension.
You want to avoid the Toyota Camrys with the 2.4 liter from 07-11 range because Toyota didn’t make the piston rings right which makes them burn oil. Also, don’t ever recommend someone to buy a Stellantis product. The electronics are bad and the motors are bad.
I've got one. It burns oil but 175k trouble free miles. Excellent car.
2010 & 2011 is better.
My mom has has an 08 with I-4 and she's had it since it was basically brand new. It burns oil but it has 265k miles on it and it still runs smoothly.
My 07 Camry was a lemon. Rougher idle than a diesel. Plugged cats. A/C system issues. Finally, the POS 2.5 dropped a valve seat and gernaded the motor. Good riddance.
Newer body style scion xb had the same power train with the same issues
I love Mr Car Wizard. This is the type of human being I like to be around. Keep going dude!
I have owned six or seven Town Cars in the age range your talking about. My brother-in-law lives in Arizona. I go down and visit every winter. I usually fly out and buy a car then drive it home. The last 6-7 years it has been town cars. I found a 2012 last year with only 12k miles on it. That one I kept as my personal car. I did give $10K for it. The others I bought under $7500 and usually sold them in Iowa for a profit. The buyers where glad to get a salt free car.
My daughter has owned two Honda Accords. She got over 250K on them before they gave up/rusted out. She bough both of them used so they were a cheap car to own.
You need to convince Hoovie to get "pre purchase inspections" lol.
Hoovie prefers "Post-Purchase Damage Assessments". :o)
Rich people don’t need to worry about that.
If it's a domestic he can't take it to omega
@@melvingibson4525 Wizard said he would still work on domestic from Hoovie.
You are dumb, hoovies does it on purpose for videos. He’s not a retarded he’s actually very smart
Young Car Wizard looks like a guy who just went to a Creed concert.
With Arms Wide Open 😅
🥴
Check out their guitarist Tremonti doing his solo stuff, especially the song So You're Afraid. You'll thank me later.
I’m eager to see his face shaven.
Yes
I love, love, love my 2007 v6 mustang. I bought it to be fancy, and to my surprise it's been extremely reliable too! 193,000 miles and it still runs great. Not bad for an old Ford!
I bought my 2012 Toyota Camry new in Dec 2011…I have put 108,000 miles on it and it runs great…basic maintenance and running full synthetic oil it is a jewel…
My 2012 Altima's survived being rear-ended 3 times and a trip into a wet-concrete ditch and still going strong.
Not even a cvt problem!
Going to give it to my grandson soon.
I might have seen you bobbing and weaving through bumper to bumper traffic before
@@LesWiles on the spare donut tire, and no insurance naturally of course
@@LesWiles Chicago traffic, Indiana drivers (all 3 rear-end collisions)
get cvt fluid changed it will help asap
yes ive had good luck with the 2 altimas ive owned easy to fix and survived 2 wrecks not my fault
My local "budget" car dealer has an 06 Mercury Grand Marquis I've been looking at. Very clean, just some expected wear in the drivers leather seat, the rest very nice, 55,000 miles, $8995.00. They also have ~6 Subaru's, one with a manual 6 speed trans. All are 100k - 150k miles though. I'm retired now and can't afford, especially with the huge price increase between 2019 and now, the high prices/payments a new car demands. At 72 I don't want to be broke down on the rode either! With your info, I'll give some things a second look! It all makes sense to me. Thanks much Mr. and Mrs. Wizard!! 8) --gary
I'm on my 2nd Charger V6 and I love it! Handles great (suspension based on older generation Mercedes E), is very punchy, and I prefer the feel of RWD.
The Charger and Chrysler 300 are very underrated cars. I’ve drive both many miles and they are really good. Too bad Stellatis has killed them.
We recently rented a 2020 Charger with a V-6. That was an awesome car! It had better than average power and got 30 MPG highway. My wife loved it and might even get one like that.
My Nissan Altima v6 coupe manual was a great car. Loaded with luxuries, fast as heck, and very reliable. At 400,000 km it still got compliments, and was still powerful, and on original clutch, but decided to let it go after water pump blew up. But note…. 6mt manual lol! Wouldn’t touch the cvt….
Regarding Accords… while the V6 is great it also has a timing belt that needs to be replaced. All 4 cylinder Accords (2003+) use timing chains.
also- known failure of the 5 speed automatic in the V6 Accord of that generation. Stay away from those- super costly to repair
And the V6 has the dreaded VCM (variable cyclinder mangement). Also when it comes time to adjust the valves and/or replace valve cover gaskets, you've got pull the whole intake mainfold. It's time consuming. V6 also has 4 Cat converters and they're a Lot more expensive to replace than the 4 cylinder, in both time and parts.
Pick any modern GM3800 with low miles and in great condition. A supercharged Gen 3 car could be ideal. 3rd gen Toyota Avalon. If you want just a super simple cruiser get Lincoln Towncar on the Panther platform. If you want a "large luxury car" get an LS430. If you need an SUV get an early 2000's Saturn Vue with the Honda J35. If you want to fly under the radar with a small economy car get a Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris S or a Pontiac Vibe GT. All 3 are almost the same car. Late 2000's Corolla S with low mileage is great too.
Avalons are a great buy.
This guy cars.👍
@@MrWill-ng8dg, I will not lie, I made my comment before watching the video. Really surprised a GM3800 was not on here. The last few years of the Park Avenue Ultra were great. Not exactly a Deville, but close, and way more reliable. The real sleeper in all of this is the Saturn Vue. Currently looking for an early model Redline now. Once the timing belt and water pump are done that thing will run forever.
@@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic I own a 2004 celebration edition Buick LeSabre diamond white garage queen with 103K miles. Park Avenue Ultra sporting that sweet supercharger. Saturn Vue also 👍
@@MrWill-ng8dg, looking for a 3.5 Redline Vue now as a little mods are there. The Regal GS was the lightest of the blown 3800's, but the Gen 3 Grand Prix had the most power at 260 or 265. I would rather the blown Gen 3 with some SLP mods vs a bone stock 5.3 SBC car. They made an AWD 3.5 Vue as well. Not sure if it was a Honda transmission though. Around the same time Acura made the 300hp RL. If they used the same AWD setup you could drop the 300hp J35 RL motor in there. Maybe the J37 from the TL SH-AWD will bolt up to the Saturn trans if it is a Honda trans.
I like that The Car Wizard really committed to safety by staying buckled up!
He should be wearing mask though.
Standing is hard.
Mask is for sissies
Seat belts save my ass more times than should be said. WEAR THEM, PEEPS!!
I couldn't agree with you more, Mr. Wizard regarding Subaru Outback. I've leased two Range Rover HSEs, [2005 & 2008] one Range Rover Evoque [2016]
All under 20,000 miles when I turned in the lease. All had problems. All very expensive to maintain and insure. I've owned 4 Volvos 1989, [1991], 2001, 2004. 2001 and 2004 major problems. Brakes, brake pads, electrical, etc. In 2020, I got smart and purchased a 2017 Subaru Outback with 93,000 miles already on it. BEST CAR IVE EVER HAD. LOVE IT! NO PROBLEMS EVER. You know your stuff!👍
I think I am going to disagree with everyone's take on the Nissan Altima. I have owned two and both have been excellent cars. I purchased the first one with around 9000 miles on it and drove it to almost 200,000 miles with really no issues. changed oil, gas and regular maintenance. When I went to trade it in is when I realized they had a reputation for bad transmissions. I never had an issue with the transmission and debated whether on getting another Altima or not. I narrowed the list down to a Camry, a Mazda or another Altima. In the end I liked the Altima so much, I bought a second one with about 13,000 miles on it. Different color, different trim level but pretty much the same drive train. I have now put close to 100,000 on it with no issues at all. Still looks like a brand new car inside and out. The car runs great. I am not hard on cars but I do have to drive them for my job. From my experience with the Nissan Altima I do reccommend it as a dependable car.
It'd be interesting to know the actual percentage of Nissan CVT transmissions that fail. All the owners I know have never had a problem.
Owner here of a 2005 Altima with 190K miles. No problems other than replacing the starter motor and the alternator. With the 5-speed auto and the 3.5L engine, it still keeps up with traffic quite well.
Being a mechanic for modern Subarus (Although new), I can tell from the small amount of time that they are VERY reliable nowadays. And they sell like hot cakes as new cars. Although expensive, they are very reliable, very nice to drive, VERY nice interior, etc. I could see myself owning one myself tbh, that's how great they are.
I have one for sell.
Was gonna ask about the legacy thanks for bringing up👍👍
@@js_mtbtrailhard2902 Problem is the model years he recommends are known oil eaters.
My father has a 2017 Forester and a 2019 Crosstrek. Super reliable. He and his wife don't drive a great deal so they're expecting these Subarus will last them a good 20 years.
17 Forester 2.5i, has 192000 mi( bought it new).
All oil changes full synth, PREMIUM BOSCH, WIX,PUROLATOR filters. NEW OEM iridium plugs at 100K interval, CVT/front,rear diffs drain and fill every 30K miles.
No problems.
Big thing on the Accord is the 4 cylinder has a timing chain while the V6 is a belt. Changing that belt is a bit pricey every 70k or so.
K24's are pretty bullet proof ✊
Belts are cheap doing chain replacement now that’s expensive. Belts easily go beyond recommended
J series is a tank. Not quite sure on the VCM ones though.
@t20594 If you keep up with the oil changes(about 3-5K miles between intervals depending on the driving condition), the timing chain should last the life of the engine. I know people who have Accords(and CR-V's) with the 2.4L engine with well over 200K miles on them and it's still has the original timing chain.
lmao you dont need to change a timing belt every 70k what are u saying
For #6 I can agree with that. I have a 2014 mustang gt convertible with over 195,000 and still going strong. I just get regular maintenance done on it.
Wizard, I live in Vermont, and I can confirm that Subaru outbacks are absolutely everywhere. I've had 3 myself. That being said, I drive a CRV now. All 3 of my outbacks where in the age range you mentioned and have absolutely torn through brakes (2 sets of pads/rotors a year), had transmition failures, and have been tricky to work on. They also definitely don't get 30mpg. Maybe it's a VT car thing, VT eats cars as a rule, but I've sworn to move on from Subaru to Honda.
3:40 - - So, I own a 1997 v6 Camry, 144k miles. You want to watch for rubber gaskets, hoses, belts, seals, etc. Age kills the rubber and plastic bits, time is your biggest foe as the owner of an older Camry. Mine has also been in Arizona since she was 10, which means extra dry and unforgiving temps in those pieces.
My mother bought her new, I took over a few years ago at 107k miles. I average 3.5k-4.5k miles a year, she'll outlive us all. I shit you not, this car is why we've had SEVEN more Toyotas purchased in the family, including two Camrys ; husband's 2014 Camry (155k miles) and mother's 2022 Camry. They're just great and reliable, they ask for so little. If you take care of them, they'll take care of you!
you dont know how happy it makes me to see the dodge charger on here. I was looking through wizards old videos trying to find a good beat up cash car daily. But i decided to get something ive always wanted while not breaking the bank, since i hate doing payments. Found a 2015 SE for 11k with 126K miles and went for it. So far no issues and it drives wonderfully, planning on doing a full tune up soon.
I'm a Ford Guy and daily drive a decommissioned P71 Crown Victoria. 160k miles. I love it! Question though...Why no Buick on Your List? Price point? Thank You. Happy Father's Day.
It was mentioned few month's before
1998-2005 Buick Lesabre 3.8 V6,2000-5000 dollar range,ultra reliable
@@tiborkutak2332 those 3.8 V6 engines were bulletproof
Any Buick that you'd want is either going to be too cheap for this list, or it's a pile of crap.
GM's best engine, the Buick series II 3.8L v6 engine. That, and the Small Block Chevrolet v8, of course. Simple, easy and cheap to maintain and repair, but most importantly: reliable. And fuel efficiency is very high with both. Chevrolet v8 has amazing aftermarket parts for it. Best investment is cylinder heads. Huge gains in power and efficiency are there.
@@gdaytrees4728 I have a 2003 Chevy with that 3800 engine. Still going strong.
Sadly, my Outback is a 2005, so yes, it did have the head gasket replaced at around 100k miles. If you use a mechanic that will put in a non OEM gasket, you can fix the problem for the life of the car. My other car, which is extremely reliable is my 93 Miata. Not the most practical due to space considerations, but super reliable.
Good advice! I had a disappointing surprise with our 2012 Honda Odyssey, which was driven primarily by my wife. Even with maintenance by the book the V6 started using about 1 quart of oil between changes at about 140k. By 150k it was periodically going into limp home mode without warning. Turns out the oil was being consumed was all in the No. 1 cylinder and fouling the plug. The final time it did it the entire bottom of the spark plug was destroyed. We picked it up from our mechanic with a new plug installed and drove two miles to the Toyota dealership. My wife loves her 2021 Highlander Hybrid Platinum. I do too because for three years I have not been called upon to either fix it or take the lead on getting it fixed for her. Yay! I guess even bullet proof Hondas can have issues, but I believe it is pretty rare.
I got a 2011 honda accord 4-cylinder 2.4 and I love it I had it for 4 years and hardly had to pay a dime on repairs and she just now hit the 310000 miles and still starts and drives like the day I bought her
I had a 79 mustang with the 2.3 liter, 4 cylinder with 495,000 miles on it when I traded it for a 79 LTD Brougham, 351W V8, 2 door with 79,000 miles, 1 owner. Win win.😁
love the 251w just add new head so it will breath then it rocks
Someone wanted a small box body to drop a V8 in.
More like junk junk. 😜
Altima, LOL! That was funny. Still rocking my low-mileage Lesabre thanks in part to you, love it more each day, and about to do a thorough service myself. Keep it up!
altima that junks car
Completely agree with you Mr. Wizard on the Dodge Charger. We have an 18 R/T 5.7 V8 with 40,000 miles. Outstanding car. 16 to 17 MPG in town and have gotten 32 to 33 MPG on Highway. Only thing I do not like is the Multi Displacement System. I keep it in Manual mode when at steady speeds. Bought car used with 4400 miles. Change oil at no more than 4000 mile intervals. Car is fast enough for my 80 year old body. Even helped an old friend become regular again with a brisk ride. It is a real shame Dodge is doing away with the HEMI V-8. Keep up the great info Mr. & Mrs. Wizard.😎
40,000 miles? I can't remember having that few miles on a car.
@@BillyBobDingledorf In my 8th decade and I do not drive much long distance. All I have ever heard was Chrysler products are junk.😎
I have owned four different Toyotas (including a 1987 truck that I owned for 13 years and then sold to my father-in-law), two Corollas (one I had for seventeen years and did nothing but maintain it and put a starter on it), and a RAV4. Also, have had five Hondas (an Odyssey for 14 years that I treated like a truck), an Accord, two CRVs, and one Civic. Had to put new motor mounts on the Odyssey, but other than that did nothing to the other four except maintenance.
My favorite cars were my 61 Ford Galaxie (a gift to me from my sister when she bought a new Ford Torino back in 1972 because the dealer only offered $100. - I sold it two years later for $125) and a 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 two door hardtop with a 390 cubic inch Thunderbird engine with a four barrel carbuerator. A gift from my dad when he bought a used 1975 Ford Galaxie. He sold my 62 while I was away at college and replaced it with a durable, but dull 1969 Ford (four door Galaxie). Those old Fords were like tanks.
My 2016 Charger SXT only needed a temperature sensor changed. I bought it sub-60k miles and I’ve got about 120k on it. Overall very sturdy.
The Lincoln Town Car is one of the best used vehicles to purchase.
Just not to omega auto clinic they don't touch domestics
@@melvingibson4525 Thanks
I wasn't even looking for one when a cherry 2004 fell at my feet 5 1/2 years ago. I worked at a chain parts store and a guy brought his moms car in to check the battery. It sat garaged since she was too old to drive. A silver 2004 Signature 2 owner w/ 81k miles. Needed detailed and all the maintenance parts replaced. Tires were old old and both bumpers needed refinished. They wanted $3200 and I didn't even negotiate. It's worth twice that!
I actually bought a second Lincoln TC to replace mine when it dies because it is just such an overall great car. That was six years ago anf the original one I bought in 2006 is still holding up. Not a single breakdown, always reliable. Even the alternator is original with 275k miles on it.
... If you like getting 17 mpg
The Camry model years Wizard mentioned can have a problem with piston rings leaking and burning oil. Also check the dashboard. if it is sticky or shiny do not buy, Toyota was doing an unofficial recall on the dashboards. Of course that recall is no longer offered.
Absolutely agree with this! It has oil consumption, then carbon every part of the engine and then it dies. You must put into it pistons Camry 2002-2006 but it has a bad thread in the block. 😂 If not overheated it may be a lucky day...
They're still better than most cheap cars. Just add oil and you'll be fine...ask me how I know😂
My Aunt had one of those Lexus models with the melting trim, lets just say the dash isn't the only thing melting inside the car.
Toyota issued a maintenance recall for the piston rings. My 2007 2.4L was done by them in 2016. It now has 257K miles and no problems.
@@MrWill-ng8dg So how many miles did it have on it when they repaired the engine ?
I can't say enough good things about my Lincoln town car. Once you drive it, you fall in love.
2015- Close to 90k miles on my Altima and all I ever had to do is change oil , brakes, and tires! I am the driver that is zooming by most cars! Thanks Nissan for a great looking car that drives well!
Yeah, the older Toyota products are pretty legendary alright. Just today I found driving behind an old Toyota Corolla hatch (one of those angular, boxy ones from the mid 1980's) for a couple of miles with what appeared to be an elderly female driver behind the wheel. Now this wasn't some pristine low-mileage garage queen belonging to an enthusiast but a faded, dented, well-worn 40yr old survivor car that probably had 300-400K plus miles on it and there it was, it still truckin' along happily. Those things are indestructible.
Subaru headgaskets issues continued al the way into 2013. They are good cars if properly maintened. If you are looking at any naturally aspirated Subaru built between around 2002 - 2013, check if the headgaskets are leaking.
Subaru's, HELL NO, tens of thousands of first gen WRX were imported to NZ as used imports and have all disappeared from the roads here where the comparable Skylines/Stagea's are still around.
NA cars like the Outback were extremely popular have also disappeared.
Only the underpowered SOHC boxer 1500cc/1600cc cars seem to have any longitivtiy.
Pardon the oversimplification, but with Subaru, it seems the head gasket issues went away around the time CVT issues began.
The number of used subarus advertised on Craigslist as having new headgaskets says a lot.
Bro it was peak Nissan and the Altima was created for cheap ass Americans and doesn't exist outside US perhaps Mexico can't be fuck wikipedia this shit.
replying to another post SORRY MAN
Crown Vic: It's got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires,
cop suspension, cop shocks...
I would not buy a used police cruiser. They are driven hard and usually worn out by the time they reach auction.
Need to fix the cigarette lighter.
4.6 liters is 280 cubic inches, not 440
Haha! I'll have 4 fried chickens and a coke
@@alm4132 Oh for goodness sake, it’s a Blues Brothers reference. I believe the actual next few lines are, “It’s a model made before catalytic converters so it runs good on regular gas. So is it the new Bluesmobile or not?”
This is the kind of practical content I was afraid was going to stop when you said your shop was only working on expensive exotics form now on.
I drive a 2008 Toyota Camry , love it. Only issues are wear and tear parts since it’s almost 20 years old. Other than that, it drives great, plus I’ve had the engine overhauled/rebuilt, just hit 169k miles, and I bought it at 124,001 miles January 2020.
This is an excellent list. My youngest daughter is saving up for her first car and I'm going to share this video with her. Funny enough, the car she actually wants was your real #6 pick. Thanks so much for sharing your advice.
That Lincoln town cars makes my knees weak. I just love it’s pure class design
My 2006 Sienna 320k and so many parts available. Amazing value and pricing is right. Thank you Wizard
The Nissan Altima must be a great car if you take good care of it and not beat it to crap. The problem is a lot of people who drives them neglect them and beat them to crap. But even then there still going down the road.
Not sure that makes them a good car, but the way people treat them does put them at a disadvantage.
It's like the toyota prius it's not the car but the drivers that give them a bad rap
Mine's at 210k miles and still doing just fine!
@@BillyBobDingledorf naw if a car is beat and neglected but still goes thousands of miles down road then it’s a great car. If it can go tens of thousands of neglected miles that means I could have gone hundreds of thousands of well maintained miles. With out crashing it of course. I seen people with the dipstick at low and black. Mostly women. They be like well I can’t afford an oil change or they just don’t got time. I’m just like well you can at least top if off it’s not like you gotta change it all the time. At least every 3 to 6 months.
Specific years of the Altima have an issue where they suck up dirt and other particulates into the engine, causing marring of the piston walls and eventually total engine failure. So while some are reliable, there's a big subset of them that are rolling around grinding themselves to an early grave.
The "best" used car (IMHO) is a late '90s to early 2000s is a Buick with the ULTRA RELIABLE 3.8L V6. These cars were ALWAYS on "Consumer Reports" best used cars, year after year! Matter of fact, the 3.8L is considered the BEST engine of all time by most car experts. Buick was the first American manufacturer to use a V6 engine, starting with the '62 Buick "Special"!!!
I agree.My 2000 LeSabre had 293 k miles .after 12 yrs was starting to show its age.had a long commute and had to let it go.new owner drove it locally for a few more years.definately one of the best cars i ever owned
I have a 2009 Toyota Camry 4cyl with 150k and 35mpg isn't anything I could even dream of. If I'm lucky, I may get 25mpg on the interstate. And no, I don't run it hard. I tend to keep it under 3500 rpm. But other than burning a little oil, it has been a great vehicle.
The 2006 Nissan Altima is very good car mine has 225,000 miles on it keep your eyes on your catalyst converter if you decide to buy one.
I have a 2011 Altima at 210k and my cat needs to be replaced, despite still getting ok (24mpg) gas mileage. I've had the engine light on for a while now. Think I can get away buying and installing an aftermarket catalytic converter?
Here's a surprising one: 2012-2019 Nissan Versa. And yes I understand it has a CVT, but I have one (CVT transmission) sitting at 241,000 miles. We haven't even gotten it the transmission services it really needs, and it's still going. If you get it the transmission services as needed it will last 250K-300K+ miles. You can also get one with a 5-speed manual, and be expected to get around 38MPG regardless or transmission type.
It will not be fast, it will not be pretty, it will not have fancy gadgets. However; it will be cheap to buy, cheap to run, easy to drive, and easy to park.
I had a 2016 Versa with a five speed. Never did anything but regular maintenance. Stripped down version - still had roll down windows (only production car with them in 2016). Got rid of it because my wife doesn't like a straight. Got great gas mileage (35-40)
I've owned two Mazda Miatas as fun second cars. Not fast, but fun... AND bulletproof. They just don't break. I used to take one of mine, a 1999 with the Torsen LSD and Billstien shocks option, to the track for weekend Track Days. I'd drive the daylights out of it, and still have good brakes and tires at the end of the weekend.
YUP I owned a '97 M Edition for over 13 years and agree, like any car you'll have wear items and maintenance but overall they're trouble-free as long as you keep up with regular maintenance. By today's standards they are good cars for DIY'ers being relatively easy to work on. Only problem at least here in FL is that at least last time I looked, $6-8K is NOT going to get you a very nice one and probably one that's even beyond what I'd call "scruffy" like mine was when I traded it. Good news / bad news is they do hold their value! Before the Miata I owned a '96 Corvette and that was a whole other story and nightmare of regularly scheduled breakdowns and the one time an extended warranty paid for itself twice over. Funny I find myself missing the Corvette too, though not nearly as much as the Miata!
@@terrybeavan4264 If you spend some time looking, you can find Miatas that are ten years old and have 30K miles, and sometimes less. My first one was ten years old, and had 24K miles, the second had 38K. People buy them for fun, and keep them in the garage until really nice days.
2007 Kia Sportage, 254,000 miles, the occasional maintenance issues but drove it from Idaho to Florida without a single issue. Do the maintenance and they may run forever.
I own a 2012 camry se v6. 104k miles currently. All i do is change oil, brakes, and tires. No major issues. Best car I've ever owned!
love my 06 crown vic w/ 166k on the dash..but they are getting harder to come by. You used to be able to pick up an old cop car cvpi for 800-1200 now they are north of $3k if your lucky. Most with less than 150k miles are pushing 7-9k now
Yeah and shops like omega auto clinic will even refuse to work on them wow
Panthers are notoriously tough. Because of that, they may be the most beat up car on the road. People abuse the heck out of them.
Even a Panther can only take so much. The result is fewer good examples on the road, driving up the price.
If it's a past cop car double check the air bags(SRS). Many depts disconnect them so they don't deploy.
Recently, an 04, I think it was, Crown Vic with less than a hundred thousand miles went for less than 5k here in Arkansas. No rust. Look in the smaller towns for the better prices.
They have been "discovered" by the masses, basic supply and demand economics.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY FELLAS
👋👋✌️
Thanks 😊
I was told by a shop that they wouldn't look at my 1987 Dodge Dakota because it didn't have an OBDII port. Carbs, especially the malaise era electronic feedback carbs are a bit of a mystery to some shops. So apparently things can be too new or too old for some shops.
1987, that is 37 years old. Well past an antique. You would need a specialty shop or a specialty mechanic to work on something that old. Plus, you cant just buy parts off the shelf for something that old either.
@@mph5896 The truck was new when I was 21 years old...and I remember when it had 5 miles on it fresh from the dealership...I keep on forgetting how old it really is. And yes, things like turn signal switches and upper control arms are difficult to find.
@@mph5896 My '66 Ford Galaxie isn't hard to find parts for, it's a daily driver...neither is my 1970 Chevy truck, also daily driver, both easy to work on...my "new" truck, 1990 Chevy pickup, parts easy to find and cheap, but hard to find anybody who can diagnose issues accurately when they crop up...problems started when they started putting computers, fuel injection, and electric fuel pumps(in the confounded fuel tank, for pete's sake, hard to get to)in vehicles...I prefer anything that is pre-computer, pre-plastic headlight era....
@@325xitgrocgetter Ha!, yes, you are about my age...I bought a Ford Ranger new in 1986, only new vehicle I ever bought..hard for me to think of anything with plastic headlights and aero styling as being "old"...sealed beam glass headlights and rectangular styling all the way for me....
Good to know Car Wizard. Bought our 16 y.o a 2010 Subaru Outback, basic car, had 70k miles when we bought it (overpaid cause it was during covid shortages.) He loves it and takes care of of it. Some a-hole backed into it in parking lot and left a fake note. Now got a big-o dent..heart broken for him. We won't fix it cause it doesn't affect the function of the car.
Your “buy this, not that” series aided in my decision to purchase a 2013 Ford Mustang V6 Premium. Just bear this in mind, because a lot of people have this problem:
If you’re going to buy an ‘05-‘14 Mustang, be prepared to either replace the Shaker 500 or Shaker 100 head unit respectively, or disconnect the 6-CD changer within them.
These CD changers are notorious for powering on and off every two minutes when both the engine and accessories are off.
Happily - like the Wizard said, the ‘05-‘14 Mustangs are easy to repair, and parts are readily available. Hope this helps 😊
I would stick with a Toyota or Honda, though those old Crown Vics and Buicks with the 3800 V6 can be bullet proof too.
Nah. I'm putting an exhaust on the panther platform.
Older Hondas had poor transmissions. I recommend Mazda.
@@petrosaguilar8916 Stick shifts were much better than automatics on Honda, Mazda, and Subaru models in the $6000-8000 price range? I have heard the Toyota 4sp automatics were very good.
The first half of what you said about the Altima can also be said about the Charger. Here in Memphis i don't think ive ever seen either one doing under 80 or stopping at a red light or stoo sign.
How many windows shot out?
And every one them has malfunctioning turn signals.
@@geoffgranger718 if they even have them at all.
They dont know what turn signals are for !
@@preeyakumari-i2q I was trying to be nice :)
09-13 Outback. Sure, they are super easy to work on. I have worked on 2, a neighbors and a friends. I work on them ALOT though. Pulled both engines out for oil leaks in the front TQ of the trans and oil leaks. Both rear driveshafts replaced due to seized u joints. Hubs fuse themselves in. Ball joints come out hard. Heat shields are clamped together with a series of hose clamps to get them to stop rattling.
Mines never had a super major failure because it’s been well maintained but it does burn oil. It needs a quart of oil about as often as it needs a tank of gas.
A LOT*
@@vehicles_n_stuff What exactly is yours, if it's a turbo it's likely eaten the rings on a piston or two, if it's a naturally aspirated one you're likely in need of head gaskets.
@@bobbyb9479 it’s an n/a 2.5, I think the head gasket is fine (no shops could find a definite issue) but it’s got 200k miles on it so maybe that explains some part of it
@@vehicles_n_stuff That's a ton of oil. Try a new PCV valve to see if that will slow the oil burning down. I have had success with that on oil burners.
I loved my 2014 Charger, never had a single problem with it. Sold it to save money and rode the bus for a couple years.
I love my 2011 ford mustang v6. Got it as a backup car but its turning into my daily driver. 300hp and 30mpg, can’t beat it.
2011 was last year for Ford Panther cars, none were built for 2012 model year. Last ones were 2011 Crown Vic police cars.
The biggest trouble with Smart cars is finding parts. I'm sticking with my Panther chassis. My is at 160K miles replaced the plastic intake manifold. No oil burning.
And they're ESSENTIALLY A 3 cylinder Mercedes. They have transmission shifting issues, the most common problem.
I can agree with Altima. I have a 2013 with 265k miles on it. Transmission replaced under warranty at 98k miles. Still running strong. Only thing other than regular maintenance is ac compressor under warranty, gear shifter, lower control arm and cv axle. Like I told my wife after the replace the transmission. Imma ride this until the wheels fall off of the. Buy another set and keep rolling. Will see how long it will go.
Having owned a 2009 LLbean special edition outback and a 2011 3.6R premium edition outback they are fantastic, tough, reliable, capable cars. In fact my 2011 is still driving around Maine as my mom bought it from me.
2011 Camry here, 96,000 miles. Only gets 24 mpg in mostly around town driving. Owned for 9 years. Only problem was an expensive AC compressor 5 years ago.
1) 3:40 … 2006-2012 Toyota Camry…
2) 7:10 … 2005-2012 Lincoln Town Car (and Crown Vic & Mercury Grand Marquis…
3) 9:41 … 2007-2011 Honda Accord…
4) 11:10 … 2009-2013 Subaru Outback..
5) 12:30 … 2011-2016 Dodge Charger…
6) 14:20 … (Joke) 2008-2019 Nissan Ultima…
Real #6) 15:50 … 2007-2014 Ford Mustang…
These are my favorite videos you put out! I've been waiting for something like this since I'll be buying two cars for my daughter and step daughter next year. This kind of information is extremely helpful when it comes to choosing which cars to look at. Thanks a million Wiz!
Also, could you do a video on the most reliable small suv's for around $10k?
I have 253,000 miles on a Chrysler 300C AWD. It's the same under pinings as the Charger.
The “thinking chair” lol. Oh my gosh, I just noticed the Wizard is wearing his seat belt. Priceless.
2003 Nissan Pathfinder VQ35DE. I paid $3500 for it. Super reliable. Very little problems. Built in Japan. Not the best gas mileage but considering how much I paid for it and the low insurance I can deal with not too great MPGs.
345k on my '06 Mustang GT. Still going strong. Just have to keep up with regular maintenance and preventative maintenance.
Thanks Wizard. I agree w/most of the list. The Panther cars, though, I'd avoid the Town Car due to the rear air suspension. On the Charger, I'd look for a V6 as better chance it hasn't been beaten on or modified. The 3.7L V6 S197 Mustangs from 2012 on are a surprisingly GOOD engine. Known weak spot is the water pump - BUT - on RWD versions, the pump is external and not nearly the risk of the FWD versions in other Ford models. Thanks again.
The rear air suspension can be replaced with coil springs.
Quick question. You recommend the 2011-2016 Charger. You have also said in the past to stay away from the 3.6L V6. Is there something about the 3.6L V6 from 2011-2016 that makes it OK? What happened in 2016 that made the 3.6L a nightmare from then on?
Wish you would do a video like this, but in the $10-15K range.
Six vehicles in the $6K-$8K range worthy of a Car Wizard share indeed. The $3K to $5K category would include some 3.8 Buicks. The family photos were priceless. Keep up the good work.
The 2008 Camry is notorious for burning oil due to owners listening to Toyota dealers and changing oil every 10,000 miles. There was a recall on the piston rings because of the oil change intervals. Mine burns about a quart every 1,000 miles. Bought from the second owner that way.
I have a 2018 Subaru Forester which is before Subaru went to a direct injection engine and a bunch of other newer components that are hard to work on like with a lot of new cars. I called a local, reputable shop about getting the AWD fluid changed, and they told me they won't work on them. I was dumbfounded considering how many of these vehicles we have here in Michigan. It didn't take me long to find another shop locally that would work on it, but it's an example of some local shops being morons when it comes to this type of thing.
Could be a case of a shop deciding to stick to what they know.
Honda Civic should be on this list as this small cars are just built to last forever.
It looks like he was focused on mid-sized or larger. I would agree on the older, normally aspirated Civics!
@@alecfoster4413 Correct 9th and 8th generation NA engines. Only 8gen some series of engines had issues with engine blocks, but on average this car could take a lot's of beating and still run.
For small cars you can't do better than Yaris for long life, can last 500,000 miles
@@timothykeith1367 I had an Echo (predecessor of the Yaris) and if it wasn't for NE winters and rust it would have lasted longer than the 300k/17 years I got out of it). The engine and transmission were still going strong when I had it carted off. I now have a 10th gen Civic and am looking to keep it until I die... or until a mid life crisis has me buying something stupid
@@The_Touring_Jedi and most all the 8th gens that had or were going to have block issues are scrapped by now
I bought a 1-owner, dealer maintained 2000 BMW 528i M Sport. Parts are cheap and it's easy to work on. Love it
That's a nice one.
The 2009-2014 Camry with the 2.4L 4cyl engine has a problem with oil dilution, but it is okay if it had the piston ring recall work done, or if you change the oil every 6 months instead of 12. The 2011-2012 Camry has a problem with torque converter shudder at a narrow band of speeds which is an expensive fix if it happens to you, but other than that the Camry is rock solid.