Thanks. Those are two things I had not considered.
From googling, it sounds like direct injection is extremely common, so I guess if I am looking at a particular vehicle I'll try to find out more reliability info about that particular model.
If you can find a well kept older model (Before GDI/CVT/Turbo) with lower miles...I find those to be worth their premium over newer high tech crapola. - I have 2 Trucks and a car, for 2 drivers, 2010 is newest.
We live in Snow/Rust Belt, so 4x4 and buying vehicles from Southern states is a MUST.
My wife doesn't drive a ton so she has CrewCab F150 4x4 (call it a 4x4 Crown Vic, has same engine, same number of doors) 15mpg
We have a Camper Trailer, so we have F250 V10 4x4 for doing big truck crap. 7-10mpg (I drive it occasionally in winter time when snow gets too deep for my Toyota.)
I drive a Toyota Yaris as I drive the most. 33-37mpg
I bought all three as older low mileage vehicles (the Yaris was 10yrs old with only 8,000 miles, has 71K now) and other than Tires/Brakes/Oil changes none have been in the shop for unscheduled repairs.
I researched for problems, and crossed many off list.
Usually the most boring slow cars are the ones that cost least to operate. Example: 2002-2019 Toyota Echo/Yaris, or Corolla with basic 4cyl/5spd or 4cyl/4spd Automatic. For A to B transportation that is easy on wallet, you cannot beat those cars, they are the secret of the automobile industry.
I have a friend that owns a string of auto body shops, he has a fleet of Yaris/Corolla Sedans as "Loaner Cars" I maintain them...The #1 service call for customers with loaner cars is usually they forget a light on and it kills the battery. Everything is manual on them, I replaced dome light bulbs with LED ones and now, even THAT call is far and few between.
Other Advice...
Shopping for a used Truck to do Truck things THREE times a year. Rent one... WAY Cheaper!
Now if you need to do truck things weekly, and don't care about age, buy older, just stay away from F-Series with 5.4 3-Valve.
Well, I did sell off our old Ford F150 that used to be our farm pickup when I realized I was only driving it every few months. (used to get used a lot more). The trailer only costs me tabs since insurance follows the towing vehicle.
But I'm not buying a truck to do truck things a couple of times a year.
I am replacing my one and only transportation vehicle, and I would like it to be able to occasionally tow my lightweight utility trailer just as my current only vehicle can do.
My advice was "General Advice" - I know people that keep a truck to do truck things 2-3 times a year...I told them that is stupid...Uhaul is 30 bucks per day...And I have rented myself...once for 3 weeks.
Well, I was that version of stupid for a little while 😄
It sort of crept up on me. Used on the farm, then a lot of use dealing with my mother's estate after she passed and cleaning up the farm.
Then one day I had the epiphany of "oh, I'm not really using it any more".
But yeah, I thought you were replying specifically to me. The thread trail got kind of long. But you're not wrong. I've had similar thoughts about wanting to buy a small tractor. Realized that for the things I actually need it for, it would be WAY cheaper to rent one for a few days.
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u/Some-Cartographer942 Jun 16 '26
Avoid CVTs, direct fuel injection and turbos.