My experience with vehicles over the last 40 years

[2strokeNorthstar]

My experience is, I just gave up. Not actually sure why. Life got in the way I guess. I've had my F150 for 18 years or so. S2000 I purchased to sell and make money on. Didn't happen. I have zero interest in any new car at the price. I sort of became the family mechanic for all the kids cars (4 boys) and just lost interest. Wife wants a Prius when her Nissan dies. Fine with me.

 

[RichardZ]

Me: 1987 Toyota truck (rusted out), 1998 4Runner (rusted out), 2010 Tacoma (gave to son), 2015 4Runner (still have 160K+), 2025 Tundra (still have 10K+)

Wife: 1982 diesel VW Rabbit (traded), 1992 Subaru Loyale (traded), 1995 Saab 900 (gave to other son), 2004 Saab 95 (sold), 2017 Audi Q3 (still driving 180K+)

*all purchased new except the 82 rabbit

 

[charbaby]

I don't remember how many/few vehicles that I've owned in over 55 years of driving/owning vehicles. I have however, owned more GM vehicles than any other brand with Chrysler being 2nd. Honda & Toyota being 3rd, Nissan in 4th place. Never owned a FORD.

In the past, my biggest problem with vehicles were their carburetors, hard starting, poor running, exhaust systems rot and body rust. Chrysler vehicles were hands down the worst in terms of reliability and electrical issues(and there wasn't even that much to go wrong) and GM weren't too bad but were poorly screwed together w/Lots of squeaks & rattles.

In the more modern day, "believe it or not", my Nissan's were the more reliable vehicles for me in the 10 year window before things started to fall apart. I drove Honda's & Toyota's further/longer(15-18 yrs) after things were fixed but I wouldn't say they had the fewest problems, just nothing major. My daughter's Honda experience has been better than mine. Her's were all fine!

But it has to be said that our LEXUS RX300(purchased new) was the biggest disappointment. Although we owned it for 15 years, it was hard on me. And I had one Honda Accord(of the 2...or was it 3) that was close to that LEXUS. Did I own 3 Accords? I don't even remember anymore...Think! Think!

 

[andrew_j]

Only a 88 Jetta GLI 16v used which had issues but not bad. Then flawless 95 Civic Ex couple till 230k then ac quit. 2004 WRX for 8 years /75k flawless then kids. 2007 Acura MDX used used at 88k and pretty solid vehicle only a few TSB repairs. Poor body work by prior owner it rotted out at 200k and now a 2015 Pilot Lx flawless gave to daughter and use dump runs. I drive $5000 2013 Acura RDX 160k to now 185k that took lots of catch maintenance fixes. It’s my 22k/year commuter.

Old Honda/Acura is really solid. Wife did 96 Civic first car flawless to 2005 Legacy wagon manual turbo flat four. It had lots of issues 140k including burned valves howver fixed and drove till 240k.

She now drives a solid 2018 VW Tiguan with 225k which had only had ignitions wires fail (known issue), coil spring break and water pump replaced recently. It has been better than Subaru.

We will continue driving old cars now that we have 2015 Pilot as backup car while daughter attends college in fall

 

[odotb]

I am an old man now, but have a lot of wonderful vehicles, Z28, 409s 396 Ls6 454, Even a pure drag car. I have had some real turds. 73 Monte Carlo 350 with 2 barrel carb, had to get a running start to make it up some steep driveways. An 80 Citation, what was I thinking. It just me and the wife now 76&74, so after giving my grandson my 2005 Z71 I needed a truck. Bought a new 2024 Ford short bed standard cab Coyote 5.0 geared 373. It is a ton of fun, when you put your foot in it will leave a smile on your face.

 

[rszappa1]

To me my 1968 Dodge Charger with a 440 was very easy to work on.... Just a few tools were needed and had plenty of room under the hood....My 1973 Plymouth Road Runner was easy also plus had electronic ignition too....

 

[PontiacHO]

I’m 68 and owned way too many vehicles. 30ish or so between what I bought for teenagers-college aged children and my wife’s cars. She traveled for he job and drove 55k miles annually. We always ensured her cars were under warranty. The most unreliable cars were two Hondas and a Volvo. 1982 Civic wagon and a 2002 Accord. Both were junk. Two transmissions in the Accord and multiple ignition and electrical issues with the Civic. The Volvo had constant AC problems as well as interior electrical problems. The front suspension was worn out before 60k miles. The most comfortable and quiet car was a 1996 Mazda 929. The BMWs and Mercedes were the most expensive to keep but we’re-are reliable. My wife likes those so that’s 75% of the success. The absolute most reliable vehicles were a 2003 F150 with the Triton V8 and a 1991 Buick Grand Sport Regal with the 3.8 V6. Tough vehicles. I drove them for 14 years and 12 years respectively. I’ve lost a lot of money buying high and selling-trading low. Not smart. Most of the repeated changes were due to necessity, wife’s safety on the road, keeping kids in reliable cars, and my sanity. I kept ALL OF THEM serviced MYSELF. There were weekends where I had 4 cars to service along with keeping the wife’s car clean. I’m glad those days are over…

 

[AuthorEditor]

I remembered a few more cars since I posted yesterday, but they weren't worth remembering. A lot of my cars were just given to me or purchased for a song since someone was trying to get rid of them, but they all had useful life left that I used up. Other than three Ford 2-year leases and one bad purchase new (the Renault) they were all well used when I got them. Despite that I was only stranded once that I can recall. And maybe called a tow truck 5 or 6 times in my life. That might be another thread--how many tows have you had, and why?

 

[vwmaniaman]

I still have a 1965 VW Beetle that I bought in 1984 for my oldest son to learn to drive a stick shift. He was 15 years old then and he is now 58 years old. I restored it probably 25 years ago and I just drove it 40 mile across town. It has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I put a 1600 motor in it and updated it to 12 volts when I restored it and repainted it the original blue color.

 

[AuthorEditor]

I just love cars like that '65 Beetle that you can figure out how something works by just looking at it. No black boxes to go bad and stop you from moving because the windshield washer fluid is erroneously reading low! I'm not sure those '65 VWs even had a windshield washer yet.

 

[millerbl00]

What years was the Subaru’s? I know the early ones had problems. I bought a 2026 and, in my view, it's better than the new Toyotas.
Very nice quality.

 

[AuthorEditor]

I'm currently driving a 2010 Subaru Forester. I would rate it as a decent small SUV. Exceptional in deep snow, which is important here in the NE. Not as comfortable as my wife's 2012 Honda CR-V. Better cargo carrier than the Honda. Gas mileage worse than the Honda and not that good. Engine is buzzy and car is rather noisy. Overall quality and durability not up to Honda and Toyota standards.

 

[millerbl00]

Try the 2025 and newer. Think you would be surprised.

 

[AuthorEditor]

I have no interest in new cars. Too many electronics. Hate the touchscreen nonsense. Hate the nagging "safety" stuff. Too expensive. Too hard to fix myself. Zero interest in hassling with car dealers. My wife and I had a loaner small Mazda and it took us 15 minutes by the side of the road to figure out how to change the radio station. Could barely see out of the thing. Totally dependent on the backup camera. Drives like an appliance. Yuck!

 

[Capt W]

I have no interest in new cars. Too many electronics. Hate the touchscreen nonsense. Hate the nagging "safety" stuff. Too expensive. Too hard to fix myself. Zero interest in hassling with car dealers. My wife and I had a loaner small Mazda and it took us 15 minutes by the side of the road to figure out how to change the radio station. Could barely see out of the thing. Totally dependent on the backup camera. Drives like an appliance. Yuck!

Could not agree more. Your experience with that Mazda reminds me of every single rental car I get these days. And it's far worse when the rental company removes the owner's manuals. Can't stand looking at an incorrect clock or having no idea how to change stations or adjust the HVAC. We recently had a 2025 Elantra while in the Philly area. My primary thought was "People actually buy these?"

 

[IndyIan]

I have no interest in new cars. Too many electronics. Hate the touchscreen nonsense. Hate the nagging "safety" stuff. Too expensive. Too hard to fix myself. Zero interest in hassling with car dealers. My wife and I had a loaner small Mazda and it took us 15 minutes by the side of the road to figure out how to change the radio station. Could barely see out of the thing. Totally dependent on the backup camera. Drives like an appliance. Yuck!

The late teens Subaru's are a good mix of useful windows, lower NVH, reliability, simpler radio and HVAC controls(base models), and simple FI engines(although still a flat 4). Our 2018 base model Outback doesn't require you to use the screen at all for basic car functions. You can drive it over the double yellow into a ditch, or into the back of the car in front of you without a peep of warning.
Also the Impreza/Crosstrek is a decent solid car, and not much smaller in the front seat than the Outback or Forester. I believe they might have the lowest transmission replacement rates of any belt/chain CVT, as replacement lower mile CVTs can be bought for only $500-900 on car-part.com. Most conventional automatics cost more, and many manual transmissions too.

This is the "fancy" radio/HVAC for a 2018/19 Outback, and you can pretty much figure it out at a glance.

We have the simple one, the window and mirror defrost buttons are between the temp and fan knobs. My wife uses apply carplay on the screen, but if I was driving it, and the screen died, I don't know if I would bother replacing it.

 

[carviewsonic]

Age 62 and I've owned 25 cars so far, most of them bought used. My favourite car for city driving is our '07 K24 Accord, bought new. Completely reliable (now at 200,000 kms) and fun, responsive handling to drive around the city. Favourite car for highway driving is our previous ('03) or current ('05) Park Avenues, both bought lightly used. Very quiet, great fuel economy and reliability from the 3800, pillow soft ride. I've slowed way down in car purchases, prices are high and used cars that appeal to me are far and few between now.

 

[zzyzzx]

I may buy one more new car before I die, right now I am considering a hybrid Corolla for retirement.

What's the point in owning a hybrid in retirement when presumably you won't be driving all that much?

 

[rszappa1]

Age 62 and I've owned 25 cars so far, most of them bought used. My favourite car for city driving is our '07 K24 Accord, bought new. Completely reliable (now at 200,000 kms) and fun, responsive handling to drive around the city. Favourite car for highway driving is our previous ('03) or current ('05) Park Avenues, both bought lightly used. Very quiet, great fuel economy and reliability from the 3800, pillow soft ride. I've slowed way down in car purchases, prices are high and used cars that appeal to me are far and few between now.

Had 386000 on my 07 Accord with the K24 and never had an issue with that car at all....Traded it in for a 21 Honda HRV Sport with the 1.8....another great engine...

 

[AuthorEditor]

Some people drive a lot in retirement, and with gas prices mpg makes a noticeable difference. Our daughter is now 5-6 hours away so we anticipate a fair bit of driving.