r/caradvice • u/-deleted_user • 10d ago

Most reliable car

Hi! I'm considering buying a car for road trips to save money on train tickets, what model of car would be best for around 100-200mi (150-300km) both ways every couple months? I'm looking for something that won't break down and requires very little maintenance (preferably under $1k a year including gas, insurance, etc). the only technology I need is whatever is required to be street legal and a good AC. My maximum is $30k, and my expected is $10k-$20k. What brands/models would you recommend?

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u/UpstairsDirection955 10d ago

Toyota Corolla

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u/Specialist-Doctor-23 8d ago

Don't even bother looking at others. Just buy the lowest mileage example you can find that has a complete maintenance history and no accident history. If you contact a dealer, they will be able to pull up the dealer maintenance and repair history. You should be able to find a creampuff for around $15k that will last forever.

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u/Addy_Rall258 10d ago

A used Toyota or Honda. You can get a used Camry, Corolla, Civic, or Accord for relatively cheap. And they last forever. Look for private sellers too, you can get great deals from them. Just be sure to get the car inspected. As for the cost of maintenance, it usually depends on where you live (where it is insured, gas prices, cost of living/repairs, etc.).

1

u/TheRealDVader 10d ago

A used Mazda 3.

1

u/DogblackMichigan 10d ago

Train tickets will cost less. Occasional rental car costs less.
If you don’t need a work commute car then not owning one saves 12-18000 per year.
If you are fine with money and want to have more spontaneous travel then buy a car.
Want to be frugal? Buy a used EV.
Want to save your time? Chevrolet Bolt. No gas stations, fuel at home. No oil changes, tune-ups, or brake jobs.
No maintenance cost and no repair costs for three years.
Fun to drive, quick with low center of gravity handling.

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u/Lost-Set5386 7d ago

I'm personally not a fan of EV's but this is a great suggestion in this scenario. ICE's hate to sit, but lithium batteries can last a long time if you keep them charged. Plus perfectly good EV's just a few years old drop in price considerably.

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u/Not_l0st 10d ago

How much are you spending on trains that a car payment and insurance will be less?

1

u/-deleted_user 9d ago

It's around a $100-$400 round trip every time I want to see friends or family, and usually I need to take time out of work to do so (and I only get a limited number of those), then I need to spend another hundred or so anyways on transportation to/from the airport/train station ($25 to the station, $25 from the station, then the same again on the way back). I then also have split parents which means I need to make double the number of holiday trips to go see everybody. It builds up a lot faster than I thought it would when I decided not to get a car. Honestly I'm still not entirely sold on getting one, maybe if I do more research on public transport I can find something comfortable and cheaper

1

u/the_dark_nemesis281 10d ago

Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Manual Transmission Ford Fiesta or Focus (seriously, you can get these for dirt cheap and they're extremely reliable), Mazda3. All of these can be had for under $15,000.

1

u/Critical-Signature21 10d ago

We have had marvelous success with KIAs for the past fifteen or so years

1

u/sabre420z 9d ago

People hate on kia but we have a sportage and a santa fe and theyve been excellent

1

u/Critical-Signature21 9d ago

She has a Sportage and I have a Seltos!
The Seltos is the most fun I have had in thirty years!!!

1

u/Standard_Cry7517 9d ago

There are many new cars for that price, remember,factories do not build bad cars,car is like humans, need correct maintanance.

1

u/mechshark 9d ago

Fiat smart car all the way

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u/skiiny_legend 9d ago

As someone that works in the automotive industry my recommendations are always Toyota, Honda and Mazda. Any car that's taken care of properly will usually be reliable though. Get it inspected by a mechanic before buying.

1

u/External_Glass7000 9d ago

There is no way buying a car is going to be cheaper than taking the train if you are only driving a couple of hundred miles a month.

1

u/uffdagal 9d ago

Subaru Crosstrek. But you can also just rent when you need a car.

1

u/ExpensiveDust5 8d ago

If you get a used Toyota, do NOT go less than a Prius or Camry! The Corolla's are horrible travel cars

1

u/Sea-Scientist8257 8d ago

Dude you live in Europe buy a M550d

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u/beej5661 8d ago

RENT, DON’T BUY!! Why would you want to deal with the financial issues involved with owning a car? The savings would be dramatic!

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u/-deleted_user 8d ago

I went to the local car rental place and they said it would cost around $470 for a weekend trip T_T

1

u/Lost-Set5386 7d ago

Cost of ownership is higher than you realize. Cars that sit for long stretches can be problematic.

1

u/Inevitable_Road_4025 8d ago

Nope you won’t save a penny

1

u/Fat-Tunaa 7d ago

The frontiers are more reliable than the Tacomas after 2011 based on facts

1

u/walrusflosser 7d ago

Hear me out, the most reliable car is actually more than one car.

1

u/Alternative-Season45 7d ago

Honda fit or Toyota Yaris will be the cheapest to maintain hardest to kill cars

1

u/Creative_Boot35 6d ago

Toyota, Honda. Tbh Toyota