It may be used, but it's new to you.
If you're like me, and you live in Denver, you probably live on a scary-tight financial margin. That means you can't afford to have car problems, and just need a reliable ride to and from work (with the occasional mountain trip thrown in there, of course). The only problem is ... if you're shopping for a car, how do you know what to get? Well, we've got the answers! Here are some of the most reliable vehicle brands that we'd bet on:
Toyota & Lexus
You don't need to hear it from me, but Toyota has built its business on reliability. The Toyota 4Runner and previous generations of the Toyota Tacoma are all well regarded as the most reliable vehicles on the road (the 4Runner has won Consumer Reports' highest reliability rating for an astonishing 13 consecutive years). Needless to say, the Corolla, the Camry, and the Avalon all follow suit. And if you're more into luxury, their Lexus cousins are just as stout.
Honda & Acura
The CR-V, Civic, and Accord are testaments to engineering excellence. It's not uncommon to know somebody with an Accord that has over 300,000 miles on the clock. In fact, the Accord claims the CR highest possible reliability rating for seven years in a row, and since 2014, testers are failing to find any reoccurring issues – a seriously impressive accomplishment. For the luxury-minded, try an Acura but avoid the 1999-2004 TL.
Mazda
While not every Mazda model is perfect, the Mazda3 and MX-5 show that Mazda can build a good car. In 2018, the Mazda3 won the highest reliability score eight out of nine times in the past decade, and for years, MX-5 owners have been thrashing their cars on the track with great success. If you like the twisties, get a Mazda for a lively experience.
Hyundai
If you're looking for a 'lightly-used' car, the newer Hyundais might be just what you need. With a 10-year, 100,000-mile factory powertrain warranty, a car that's two years old with 20,000 miles will still have a better powertrain warranty than most new cars. In 2015, Hyundai was CR's ninth most reliable brand, so it's worth a look.
What are your thoughts? What's the most amount of miles you've ever had on a car? Let us know in the comments below!
