Most reliable vehicle
- Thread starter Lonnie
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Oh, I'm not so sure about all that. We are admitted import buyers. We've had six Hondas, for example. The only American vehicle we've ever bought new is a '97 Aerostar. It has been as trouble free in its 120K of use as any car I have ever owned. Now don't get me wrong. An Accord is a more comfortable and driveable car in every way than is the Aero. However, considering the Ford's utility and space advantages, I remain glad that we bought it. We also paid about $3500.00 under sticker, which isn't happening with a Honda. Also, the van has better AC than any Honda I've ever driven.
The good news is that so many modern cars are so good that it is tough to pick which is the most reliable.
The most reliable car I've owned was a Toyota. I now have a 2005 KIA Sedona and have not had a single problem yet. I had two other KIA cars, a Spectra and a Optima, no troubles at all.Next year I believe we will buy a Hyundai Sonata...
As a company owner, and then manager of another contracting company, I have made purchasing decisions and had management responsiblities for a few small mixed commercial fleets.
A few observations over the past 25yrs:
Biggest problems-
Ford transmissions (ought to be a class action suit).
Dodge pickup starting unreliability (carbureted gas).
Honda transmissions.
Ford 302, 351 gas engines.
Chevy pickup diesels.
Best performers-
Cummins B diesels in small construction equip.
Cummins C diesels in medium trucks.
Cummins engines in all heavy applications.
International/Navistar trucks.
Sterling trucks w/ Cats, not really that bad.
Mechanical Cat 3306 & 3406 could go forever.
Chevy 366 gas engines sucked fuel, but were hard to kill.
Best passenger vehicles I've ever experienced?
Toyota 4Runners, 3rd Gen to present. THE hands down reliability winner in my experience.
Best passenger vehicle I really wish I had?
Toyota Land Cruiser
(I had a 1970 FJ40, but that was a different breed of cat entirely)
A few observations over the past 25yrs:
Biggest problems-
Ford transmissions (ought to be a class action suit).
Dodge pickup starting unreliability (carbureted gas).
Honda transmissions.
Ford 302, 351 gas engines.
Chevy pickup diesels.
Best performers-
Cummins B diesels in small construction equip.
Cummins C diesels in medium trucks.
Cummins engines in all heavy applications.
International/Navistar trucks.
Sterling trucks w/ Cats, not really that bad.
Mechanical Cat 3306 & 3406 could go forever.
Chevy 366 gas engines sucked fuel, but were hard to kill.
Best passenger vehicles I've ever experienced?
Toyota 4Runners, 3rd Gen to present. THE hands down reliability winner in my experience.
Best passenger vehicle I really wish I had?
Toyota Land Cruiser
(I had a 1970 FJ40, but that was a different breed of cat entirely)
I agree! I have a 95 Aerostar EXT and at 191K it has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned in almost 40 years of driving.
Yes, the a/c in these things are great. Even in 100 degree temps, the kids get cold in the back seats. The plastic trim on the interior on mine is starting to crack, but the engine/transmission are still going strong. I've hauled a lot of furniture in it for various family members over the years - queen beds, refrigerators, washers, dryers, curio cabinets, desks, etc.
Summary of the electrical problems my 1988 Mustang GT has had between 116K (when I got it) and 174K (what it has now):
1)TFI-IV ignition module failed. This is a typical failure. (This was probably the LTD's problem that JohnBrowning was talking about). I believe the module fails due to the heatsink grease drying out or being forced out due to thermal expansion/contraction.
2)Low charge voltage. Noticed a low reading on the voltage dashboard gauge and confirmed with a multimeter. Replaced the alternator. I believe a diode failed open in the old alternator.
3)Temp sender needed to be replaced twice due to incorrectly low readings
That's IT. All the accessories work fine, including cruise control.
1)TFI-IV ignition module failed. This is a typical failure. (This was probably the LTD's problem that JohnBrowning was talking about). I believe the module fails due to the heatsink grease drying out or being forced out due to thermal expansion/contraction.
2)Low charge voltage. Noticed a low reading on the voltage dashboard gauge and confirmed with a multimeter. Replaced the alternator. I believe a diode failed open in the old alternator.
3)Temp sender needed to be replaced twice due to incorrectly low readings
That's IT. All the accessories work fine, including cruise control.
Do you suppose Ford might have made a few improvements between 1988 and 1995?
The Aero is a classic example of how American makers develop their products. From the original Aerostar to the last, there were many iterative detail improvements, until the vehicle ended up dead reliable, and was then withdrawn from production. The GM front drive A-bodies are another good example.
The Aero is a classic example of how American makers develop their products. From the original Aerostar to the last, there were many iterative detail improvements, until the vehicle ended up dead reliable, and was then withdrawn from production. The GM front drive A-bodies are another good example.
Yes, they moved the TFI-IV off of the distributor or did away with it altogether and they started using the "3G" (third generation, I believe) alternator which seems to be much better than the 2G they used in the 1988. I don't know what they did with the temp sender--I think the problem was just a bad ground both times since it grounds through the threads. This most recent time I used teflon thread sealant paste when I installed it, perhaps that will prevent problems.
I installed a 130-amp 3G alternator in my 1988. I believe it came out of a 1997 Taurus. $55 at the wrecking yard and I expect it'll be the LAST alternator I'll buy for it.
Point is though, a '97 Aero is a very reliable vehicle, too bad your Mustang is not.
How is the failure of a coolant sender (for the dash, the one for the computer is still original as far as I know), an alternator, and an ignition module in a vehicle now 19 years old and with 175K miles any indication of unreliability? Only the ignition module failure resulted in an undrivable vehicle, and if you think only Ford vehicles have had ignition module problems you need to lay off the kool-ade.
EDIT: I do NOT have AAA and I routinely drive this Mustang 40+ miles from home. If I had any doubts about it I wouldn't do that.
EDIT: I do NOT have AAA and I routinely drive this Mustang 40+ miles from home. If I had any doubts about it I wouldn't do that.
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"Point is though, a '97 Aero is a very reliable vehicle, too bad your Mustang is not."
Huh???
Huh???
That's what I'm trying to figure out?? The car is 19 years old and has 175K on it. Let's see what's been replaced on that Aero in 2016 (or any other car that makes it to 19-20 years old, for that matter!)
It's easyer to keep an old car running if you don't register it or have smog checks to worry about and don't waste money on insurance. Once the car gets to the beater state you can save money on washing and waxing it anymore either. You'll also not have to face other expenses. You don't need towing because if it quits or you get in an accident you just walk away. In this case the most reliable car is the one that avoids the kind of accident that you can't drive away from. The most reliable vehicle might be the luckiest vehicle. Also vehicles that can carry more than five people are likely to last longer. There are a lot of Astro vans running around Southern California because they can carry a dozen or more down the road. These vehicles are rated at around seven to eight people but who's counting through tinted windows. Having the extra room of a mini-van is useful for the hour to two hour waits at the border. A mini-van is worth spending a little more effort to keep running. You can pick out the better maintained ones. They will have most of the window glass and only one or two mis-matched tires. Some of the more maintenance minded owners will actually get replacement fenders and doors that have matching colors. These beaters are on a different engine oil change sequence. It's called a progressive oil change. They burn oil fast enough that the process of keeping up is the oil change. These vehicles no longer require the "API" label engine oil. Owners of these beaters look for the "Engine Oil" label at the grocery store, the key to keeping the old beater running down the road. You just won't see a lot of Mercedes or other high end cars that make it to the beater status. And for the mini-vans the beater of choice is the Astro Van followed by other domestic vans. The import mini-vans have not yet filtered down.
^^From what I've seen the EFI 5.0 Mustangs were all fairly reliable.
Car's like that are more about status/image than not I figure, so yes one would not be likely to find such a beater...unless per se as a new driver's first vehicle - though I think even they might opt otherwise unless they're willing to roll up their slieves to help save on what would otherwise likely be expensive repairs, and experiment with modifications or what not.
Except for the transmission failure, driveshaft failure, alternator, water pump, A/C compressor, radiator, heater core, ball joints, seat recline mechanisms and a few little items, my 1998 F150 has been the most reliable and durable vehicle I have ever owned.
On second thoought, maybe not.
But I have owned a few new Honda's and they had problems too.
I am rough on vehicles. My friends say I am relentless. I guess I never let up. Seems normal to me.
By the way, my 06 Jetta TDI transmission failed too (just a valve body problem). My 94 Miata is on it's 3rd trans. I have yet to own a reliable vehicle.
Chris
On second thoought, maybe not.
But I have owned a few new Honda's and they had problems too.
I am rough on vehicles. My friends say I am relentless. I guess I never let up. Seems normal to me.
By the way, my 06 Jetta TDI transmission failed too (just a valve body problem). My 94 Miata is on it's 3rd trans. I have yet to own a reliable vehicle.
Chris
That the 6-speed Aisin-Warner Auto or the new, fancy DSG?
I know the 6-speed Auto (Aisin-Warner) has had some valve body issues that have caused harsh shifting.
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