Recommended reliable used car?

[Satyrist]

The list of reliable cars that you can get for $10k is long. How about you pick a few and we will tell you if they are good or not.

I had thought about the idea of a Corolla, (2012-2013 models as a start) though the idea of a prius or a hyrbrid corolla/camry isn't out of the question either - Though I'd likely have to get a significantly older model to get to the price point I'm looking for - And I'm aware that entails additional concerns as well. (drivetrain, brakes, hybrid battery longevity, etc)

Imprezas look nice, though it's tough to find one used around the price point I'm looking at unless the thing is 10+ years old, or has had some major problems (via carfax) in the past.

The tip about the IS 250/300's had me thinking a bit too; Not sure about reliability beyond 5 years old though. (just no record)

 

[Yuriman]

Depending on where you live, age isn't a huge deal for hybrids. Prius batteries are easily good for 15 years, probably more in the north where they don't bake in the sun, and they're sub-$2000 to replace with a new battery. The transmission has no friction parts to wear out, and regenerative braking means you can often go 200k on a $10 set of brake pads.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I had thought about the idea of a Corolla, (2012-2013 models as a start) though the idea of a prius or a hyrbrid corolla/camry isn't out of the question either - Though I'd likely have to get a significantly older model to get to the price point I'm looking for - And I'm aware that entails additional concerns as well. (drivetrain, brakes, hybrid battery longevity, etc)

Imprezas look nice, though it's tough to find one used around the price point I'm looking at unless the thing is 10+ years old, or has had some major problems (via carfax) in the past.

The tip about the IS 250/300's had me thinking a bit too; Not sure about reliability beyond 5 years old though. (just no record)

If you can find a decent 2012-2013 corolla for under $10k you should probably buy it fast. I see 2010-2011 corollas at those prices. It would be hard to find a more practical and reliable vehicle than the corolla.

I see the IS250 as a vehicle that will be at least as reliable as the related toyota. You can also find a decent 2007-2009 ES 350 for your price.

I find Impreza's to be cheap feeling and driving cars so it wouldn't make my list.

Of all these I'd prefer a 2009ish V6 Honda accord. Just my preference.

 

[Satyrist]

Not that I've got my mind set or anything, but are these steps in the right direction at least :

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/690030830/overview/

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/669953412/overview/

I know about private deals probably being better bargains...This gives me a target for a baseline at least.

Thought I'd weigh in on whether Hondas are still decent or not - I do have a 2000 Civic I'd probably trade in - Though I wouldn't expect much at all for it, I've pretty much run it into the ground. (runs fine though) The model/year Civic I had was awful so far as the exhaust system...Center pipe rusted out at where it meets the cat TWICE on this model, and a relative of mine had the same issue with theirs, same model/year. I'd hope that whatever I get, that's going to be less of a concern for me going forward.

 

[desura]

Looking on the local carguru you can buy a 2013 70k Cmax for 9.8k. That is an incredible bargain, much better than Corolla.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Another vote for the is250. I am looking at an 07 IS250 awd to replace my STi as a daily. It's a toyota, and it's sportier than a Corolla with equal reliability and the same price tag, albeit a few years older

 

[agent00f]

Another vote for the is250. I am looking at an 07 IS250 awd to replace my STi as a daily. It's a toyota, and it's sportier than a Corolla with equal reliability and the same price tag, albeit a few years older

Time/wear causes problems in cars, even if they're lexus.

Generally speaking the used car market is fairly efficient at pricing vehicles; there's rarely a free lunch.

That's why less reliable old lux-mobiles can be had for a song, and the thing is they're not even necessarily a bad deal if you have money, though people who often buy them don't.