Would you buy a used car from this man?
(Courtesy Columbia Pictures)
A make-by-make guide of where you’ll find reliability
Nothing can obscure the math: Even if you can afford a new car, you shouldn’t buy one, at least not from a financial standpoint. No matter what you want out of a car, you can probably find it for under $20,000—and probably under $15,000.
I totally understand the appeal of a new car—no problems, warranty, covered service, all that. But none of that covers the hit in depreciation and insurance you’ll take, and as I’ve said before, a new car is the least environmentally friendly thing you can buy.
Whether by choice or necessity, if you’re going used, then, you might as well go in with your eyes open. I’ve left off some uncommon cars. Let me know if you want more in the future.
Methodology: I used the Trade-In Quality Index, which analyzes defects vs. mileage when cars are traded in, creating an overall Reliability Index. I’ve listed the percentage of cars with problems in powertrain, engine or transmission, and average mileage at trade-in. Best overall is Toyota/Lexus; worst is Mini by a huge margin.
If a particular car is being traded in at 150,000 miles and 30 percent have problems, that’s no surprise, and you’ll score with a low-mileage example. But if it’s traded in at 85,000, that’s a big red flag. Anything in the 10-15 percent range at 115,000 miles or more is a good bet.
ACURA
Best: TSX, 124,500 miles. 10 percent of TSX have problems when traded in at this mileage.
Worst: CL, 161,500. About 54 percent of CLs have problems at this mileage.
AUDI
Best: Q7, 86,000, 7 percent.
Worst: A4, 106,000, 38.5 percent.
BMW
Best: Z4, 80,500, 8.5 percent.
Worst: 745, 118,500, 50 percent.
BUICK
Best: Terraza, 116,000, 14 percent.
Worst: Enclave, 99,000, 26 percent.
CADILLAC
Best: Escalade, 118,500, 10 percent.
Worst: Catera, 96,500, 49 percent.
CHEVROLET
Best: Tahoe, 150,600, 16 percent.
Worst: Aveo, 93,300, 28 percent.
CHRYSLER
Best: LHS, 137,500, 28 percent.
Worst: Voyager, 135,500, 43.5 percent.
DODGE
Best: Sprinter, 147,500, 14 percent.
Worst: Journey, 127,500, 39 percent.
FORD
Best: E250, 126,000, 7.5 percent.
Worst: Contour, 156,000, 44.5 percent.
GMC
Best: Sierra, 133,000, 12.5 percent.
Worst: Acadia, 104,500, 35 percent.
HONDA
Best: Ridgeline, 128,500, 8 percent.
Worst: Passport, 156,500, 64 percent.
HYUNDAI
Best: Azera, 105,000, 9 percent.
Worst: Accent, 105,500 36 percent.
INFINITI
Best: QX4, 163,000, 23.5 percent.
Worst: G20, 149,000, 56 percent.
JEEP
Best: Cherokee (old model), 155,000, 33.5 percent.
Worst: Compass, 100,300, 35 percent.
KIA
Best: Spectra5, 102,300, 14 percent.
Worst: Rondo, 93,500, 29 percent.
LAND ROVER
Best: LR3, 101,300, 15 percent.
Worst: Freelander, 100,500, 73 percent.
LEXUS
Best: LX, 160,000, 11.5 percent.
Worst: ES, 141,500, 21 percent.
LINCOLN
Best: Town Car, 124,200, 15 percent.
Worst: LS, 121,400, 60 percent.
MAZDA
Best: MX-5 Miata, 90,300, 11.3 percent.
Worst: CX-7/Millenia (tie), 95,000/138,000, 68.5 percent/100 percent.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Best: SLK280, 74,000, 5 percent.
Worst: SLK230, 105,000, 24 percent.
MERCURY
Best: Grand Marquis, 109,000, 16 percent.
Worst: Mystique, 121,000, 57.5 percent.
MINI
Best: There’s no good news for Mini fans.
Worst: Cooper, 87,700, 47 percent.
MITSUBISHI
Best: Mirage, 152,000, 33.5 percent.
Worst: Diamante, 138,500, 39.5 percent.
NISSAN
Best: Titan, 116,000, 12 percent.
Worst: Maxima, 145,000, 48 percent.
PONTIAC
Best: Vibe, 127,000, 12 percent.
Worst: Torrent, 110,500, 21 percent.
SAAB
Best: 9-3, 104,000, 19 percent.
Worst: 9-5, 119,500, 39 percent.
SATURN
Best: LS1, 154,000, 26percent.
Worst: SL1, 134,500, 52.5percent.
SCION
Best: xB, 114,500, 8.7 percent.
Worst: tC, 127,500, 15.5 percent.
SUBARU
Best: Outback, 137,000, 33percent.
Worst: Forester, 130,500, 38percent.
TOYOTA
Best Overall: Land Cruiser, 146,500, 11 percent.
Worst: MR2, 98,000, 33percent.
VOLKSWAGEN
Best: Eos, 77,250, 15 percent.
Worst: Beetle, 104,250, 41.5 percent.
VOLVO
Best: V50, 106,500, 21 percent.
Worst: C70, 101,000, 39 percent.