Reliable Modern Cars <$23k

[NibbanaBanana]

Google AI just made my night, got me cackling like Kamala lol. Apparently Nissan Versa is a much better tow vehicle than I gave it credit for, according to Google AI:
View attachment 251876
Go home Ai, you're drunk.

That's how intelligent AI is.

 

[duck__dodgers]

CX5, non-turbo.

The RAV4 "non-depreciation tax" is just too high.

CX5's transmission fluid is relatively easy. No news of mass high-mileage Skyactiv failures...even though it uses cylinder deactivation

RAV4 long-term reliability is only as good as the care given by its prior owners.

IMO, stick to a shorter OCi given the cylinder deactivation.

Cons: (to some people) ride and seat comfort.

good luck

take w/salt....Mazda, as a brand, has the lowest average repair ticket at this shop of all shops...

 

[cls1989]

CX5, non-turbo.

The RAV4 "non-depreciation tax" is just too high.

CX5's transmission fluid is relatively easy. No news of mass Skyactiv failures...even though it uses cylinder deactivation

RAV4 long-term reliability is only as good as the care given by its prior owners.

IMO, stick to a shorter OCi given the cylinder deactivation.

Cons: (to some people) ride and seat comfort.

good luck

take w/salt....Mazda, as a brand, has the lowest average repair ticket at this shop...

I was looking at the cx5 non turbo options. It was initially one of my top choices, but after doing some additional research on the 2.5l naturally aspirated Mazda engines, I discovered there is a feature called cylinder deactivation. Basically 2 out of the 4 cylinders are turned off when cruising which creates a hot and cold condition and over time this can cause the block to crack.

 

[duck__dodgers]

I was looking at the cx5 non turbo options. It was initially one of my top choices, but after doing some additional research on the 2.5l naturally aspirated Mazda engines, I discovered there is a feature called cylinder deactivation. Basically 2 out of the 4 cylinders are turned off when cruising which creates a hot and cold condition and over time this can cause the block to crack.

yes. but Skyactiv has been out fot 10 years, and Mazda's system is so far much better than the domestics or Honda's.

If cylinder deactivation is not for you, look to a Corolla or RAV 4 or Camry

and avoid the small Ford Ecoboost engines, no matter the "deal"

 

[bighead2586]

Best cars IMO around this price range would be Lexus 2013-2018 ES 350 and 2013-2015 GS 350. The ES is nice but very boring and front wheel drive. The GS is an upgrade and comes with RWD or AWD and is only boring if compared to German cars (and who wants to deal with that?).

 

[Dave Hess]

Civic LX 2.0L w/manual tranny

^^^^
This or Mazda3 with manual transmission.

 

[Glenda W.]

A good friend of mine bought a brand new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek for around $23k after some haggling. I’ve taken many Subarus to 200k+ with regular maintenance.

 

[duck__dodgers]

A good friend of mine bought a brand new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek for around $23k after some haggling. I’ve taken many Subarus to 200k+ with regular maintenance.

my cousin has one. great car.

imo, OP should try to buy new or very low miles....unless very patient and find a car with a perfect history.

if OP is really trying to get to 250k, you absolutely need to know that the first owner did not skimp on maintenance

 

[cls1989]

my cousin has one. great car.

imo, OP should try to buy new or very low miles....unless very patient and find a car with a perfect history.

if OP is really trying to get to 250k, you absolutely need to know that the first owner did not skimp on maintenance

Outside of regular oil changes and no accidents what else do you want to see within a vehicles history?

 

[cls1989]

A good friend of mine bought a brand new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek for around $23k after some haggling. I’ve taken many Subarus to 200k+ with regular maintenance.

The Subarus do peak my interest. It looks like they still use a naturally aspirated engine / no turbo? I haven’t spent anytime researching problems with the boxer engines that go into these vehicles, but I have heard they can have head gasket and oil consumption problems. Not sure if these problems have been corrected with the newer model years?

 

[Corollaman]

I recently bought a new 2024 Corolla LE, close to your price limit. I've had luck buying the newest Corolla I could afford and just doing basic maintenance. Tires are cheap (205/55/16), gas mileage is good, and resale tends to be great. The base Corollas now come with the 2.0 engine, direct and port injected, no turbos.

 

[Dave Hess]

I recently bought a new 2024 Corolla LE, close to your price limit. I've had luck buying the newest Corolla I could afford and just doing basic maintenance. Tires are cheap (205/55/16), gas mileage is good, and resale tends to be great. The base Corollas now come with the 2.0 engine, direct and port injected, no turbos.

I had a 2023 Corolla as a rental for 750 miles and I really liked it.

 

[Glenda W.]

The Subarus do peak my interest. It looks like they still use a naturally aspirated engine / no turbo? I haven’t spent anytime researching problems with the boxer engines that go into these vehicles, but I have heard they can have head gasket and oil consumption problems. Not sure if these problems have been corrected with the newer model years?

Yes they have been corrected and N/A available.

 

[duck__dodgers]

You can find a 6 y.o. RAV4 with less than 30k miles for under $23k with a decent service history.

I would be happy to take that car to 250,000 miles.

i forgot Corollas went CVT

The gems are out there, just be patient.

and avoid any car from the sarasota - tampa - gulf coast area. you never know if it got rain damage that was bad but not worthy of being totalled by the insurance company

https://www.autonation.com/cars/2t3zfrev3jw517773/toyota-rav4-2018

https://www.autonation.com/cars-for...=toyota^^^rav4|toyota^^^camry&mmn=0&mmx=30000