Hey fellas I'm fixing to retire my 2002 Durango 4.7 from out of town work travel. It's got 162k and the tranny is getting sluggish. I feel like the engine would easily do 200k but I don't want to be traveling from work when the big repair bills come in. My comfortable monthly payment range is around 180-230 per month, putting me in the price range of 11k-14k with a few thousand down. That range seems to put me around a 2008-2013 vehicle depending on what I'm looking at. I would really like to tap the BITOG knowledge base on what vehicles in that range are most likely to be reliable for some time, 250-300k. I've also been running the road in the durango getting 18 miles to the gallon so I definitely want something good on gas. Here is a list of what I have perceived to fit my criteria, I would like your opinions on what you would purchase in my situation as someone who travels all year for work, 30k a year.
2012-13 Toyota corolla
2011-12 Honda Civic
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring
2011-13 Vw Jetta 2.0,2.5??
2011-12 Nissan Altima 2.5
That should give you a idea of what I've been looking at. I really like the styling of the jetta, but reliability seems to be lacking when I research them. Altima 2.5 seems to have alot of issues too. A wagon would be nice because I could fit my 3ft metal tool box in the back, but that isn't a deal breaker. I also found a 08 Honda ridgeline with 95k that I like but if I bought that I would leave it at home with the wife, taking our 2012 Hyundai veloster on the road. I know this will be very opinionated but I'm want some good ideas on what will show the most promise in the 2010-2013 range already with up to 50k on the car. Thanks for any info.
2012-13 Toyota corolla
2011-12 Honda Civic
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring
2011-13 Vw Jetta 2.0,2.5??
2011-12 Nissan Altima 2.5
That should give you a idea of what I've been looking at. I really like the styling of the jetta, but reliability seems to be lacking when I research them. Altima 2.5 seems to have alot of issues too. A wagon would be nice because I could fit my 3ft metal tool box in the back, but that isn't a deal breaker. I also found a 08 Honda ridgeline with 95k that I like but if I bought that I would leave it at home with the wife, taking our 2012 Hyundai veloster on the road. I know this will be very opinionated but I'm want some good ideas on what will show the most promise in the 2010-2013 range already with up to 50k on the car. Thanks for any info.