20 Most Reliable Cars of the Decade

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Not surprised. I've owned an Altima, Civic, IS300, G37 and now 4Runner. My IS300 and 4Runner top all of them in reliability. My G37 was okay but committed suicide by burning itself to death at 82k miles. The IS had oil changes, tires, brakes and a timing belt and one serpentine belt and one battery at 8 years and 140k miles of ownership, didn't even replace a single bulb even.
 
Very surprised to see a Mazda in there.

I'm so disappointed that US automakers still cant make the list. I'll never expect German cars to be as reliable as Japanese autos. German cars are just over-engineered and complicated.
 
1jzgte said:
Very surprised to see a Mazda in there.

I'm so disappointed that US automakers still cant make the list. I'll never expect German cars to be as reliable as Japanese autos. German cars are just over-engineered and complicated.
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I find it interesting that this sentiment exists. You are factually incorrect. while Toyota and Honda are more reliable than the German Marques you'll find Mercedes and Porsche are right there on the top of the list and have been for years. Audi has more recently joined those ranked in the top segment of reliability. In my personal experience I have owned 7 (three still in the stable) and have had wonderful luck with Mercedes. If you parse your search to only Luxury brands Lexus is still #1 but in the majority of rankings Mercedes is #2 and in my opinion far more enjoyable to drive (highly subjective). The Lexus ES for example is basically a FWD Camry wearing a L, the E class is much more of a drivers car as is the A6 from Audi or the BMW 5 Series. the IS isn't too shabby for performance and handling but I'd still rather drive a C-class or BMW 3 series and deal with the slight reduction in reliability, for the increased joy of carving down a back country road. I think many Americans lump all of Europe in the same basket, Italian cars and British cars have some serious reliability issues, but the Germans are right up there in regards to reliability and quality. Their manufacturing prowess extends far beyond automobiles as well.

Also Great to see the 4Runner holding the number 1 spot!!
 
jordanrb81 said:
I find it interesting that this sentiment exists. You are factually incorrect. while Toyota and Honda are more reliable than the German Marques you'll find Mercedes and Porsche are right there on the top of the list and have been for years. Audi has more recently joined those ranked in the top segment of reliability. In my personal experience I have owned 7 (three still in the stable) and have had wonderful luck with Mercedes. If you parse your search to only Luxury brands Lexus is still #1 but in the majority of rankings Mercedes is #2 and in my opinion far more enjoyable to drive (highly subjective). The Lexus ES for example is basically a FWD Camry wearing a L, the E class is much more of a drivers car as is the A6 from Audi or the BMW 5 Series. the IS isn't too shabby for performance and handling but I'd still rather drive a C-class or BMW 3 series and deal with the slight reduction in reliability, for the increased joy of carving down a back country road. I think many Americans lump all of Europe in the same basket, Italian cars and British cars have some serious reliability issues, but the Germans are right up there in regards to reliability and quality. Their manufacturing prowess extends far beyond automobiles as well.

Also Great to see the 4Runner holding the number 1 spot!!
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Interesting opinion. But reliability is reliability, regardless of handling, performance, or comfort.

It's all in what the owner values in his transportation device. I notice you make no mention of cost of maintenance and/or repairs - all of which are significant in the marques mentioned.

Perhaps, as you state, these marques have improved "recently", but this is a 10 year report. My son has an S4, which he loves to drive, but hates to pay the maintenance on. Asked will he buy it at the end of the 3 yr lease: "hell no, costs too much" ..... that "carving" takes 4 X $300/ea tires every 15,000 miles. Pay-to-play, eh? Good we all have our choices, eh? 'Murica.
 
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This is the exact reason I bought the 4runner. I plan on keeping this thing til my 8 month old son can drive. I also talked my wife out of a Merc to a Lexus because I didn't want to deal with the issues of a German car.
 
I noticed an odd thing while clicking through... the abundance of Chevrolet ads without a single car on the list. (yes, I know I need to use adblock).
 
jordanrb81 said:
I find it interesting that this sentiment exists. You are factually incorrect. while Toyota and Honda are more reliable than the German Marques you'll find Mercedes and Porsche are right there on the top of the list and have been for years. Audi has more recently joined those ranked in the top segment of reliability. In my personal experience I have owned 7 (three still in the stable) and have had wonderful luck with Mercedes. If you parse your search to only Luxury brands Lexus is still #1 but in the majority of rankings Mercedes is #2 and in my opinion far more enjoyable to drive (highly subjective). The Lexus ES for example is basically a FWD Camry wearing a L, the E class is much more of a drivers car as is the A6 from Audi or the BMW 5 Series. the IS isn't too shabby for performance and handling but I'd still rather drive a C-class or BMW 3 series and deal with the slight reduction in reliability, for the increased joy of carving down a back country road. I think many Americans lump all of Europe in the same basket, Italian cars and British cars have some serious reliability issues, but the Germans are right up there in regards to reliability and quality. Their manufacturing prowess extends far beyond automobiles as well.

Also Great to see the 4Runner holding the number 1 spot!!
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Dude, Mercedes isn't even in the top ten brands for reliability. Audi has been killing it lately, but there's a huge difference between a car that will run great during the 36 month warranty, and a car that you'd want to own for 10 years.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...ion/car-brands-reliability-how-they-stack-up/
 
philsey said:
Interesting opinion. But reliability is reliability, regardless of handling, performance, or comfort.

It's all in what the owner values in his transportation device. I notice you make no mention of cost of maintenance and/or repairs - all of which are significant in the marques mentioned.
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Well the reliability figures are proven, published and widely available, not opinion at all, which is why I made the comment in the first place.

Handling and performance is another thing entirely and as mentioned highly subjective. I haven't had to deal with much at all in the way of repairs, though the few things I have had, like a new starter in my '89 came in at a whopping 200 bucks installed. hardly worth mentioning. regarding maintenance I imagine it's like any car, I tend to buy higher priced and softer performance tires and Mercs tend to have an offset so rotation doesn't help much, but that's more the price of the tire than the price of the car. As for oil changes I am sure it's quite like Toyota, if you go to the dealership you pay more than if you go to Valvoline, but the oil is full synthetic (not in the '89 but in the others) just like in the 4Runner so once again that is really the choice of the owner. A lot of people THINK they're expensive to own and run which is a myth that has no basis in reality. Up until recently I had 4 and traded in my 2013 E350 for the 4Runner, not because there was anything specifically wrong with it but because I am a car enthusiast and I decided I wanted a 4Runner I could bang around in off road. I have to admit though, I am in love with my 4Runner, which my wife didn't see coming, she thought I'd regret buying a Toyota.
 
jordanrb81 said:
I find it interesting that this sentiment exists. You are factually incorrect. while Toyota and Honda are more reliable than the German Marques you'll find Mercedes and Porsche are right there on the top of the list and have been for years. Audi has more recently joined those ranked in the top segment of reliability. In my personal experience I have owned 7 (three still in the stable) and have had wonderful luck with Mercedes. If you parse your search to only Luxury brands Lexus is still #1 but in the majority of rankings Mercedes is #2 and in my opinion far more enjoyable to drive (highly subjective). The Lexus ES for example is basically a FWD Camry wearing a L, the E class is much more of a drivers car as is the A6 from Audi or the BMW 5 Series. the IS isn't too shabby for performance and handling but I'd still rather drive a C-class or BMW 3 series and deal with the slight reduction in reliability, for the increased joy of carving down a back country road. I think many Americans lump all of Europe in the same basket, Italian cars and British cars have some serious reliability issues, but the Germans are right up there in regards to reliability and quality. Their manufacturing prowess extends far beyond automobiles as well.

Also Great to see the 4Runner holding the number 1 spot!!
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unfortunately occasional defects here and there take most of the fun away
 
Lionel_Hutz said:
Dude, Mercedes isn't even in the top ten brands for reliability. Audi has been killing it lately, but there's a huge difference between a car that will run great during the 36 month warranty, and a car that you'd want to own for 10 years.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...ion/car-brands-reliability-how-they-stack-up/
Click to expand...

IDK, we've got a 9 year old BMW now and it hasn't had any issues with 103k on the clock. My in-laws have an 06 CLK550 and it's been dead solid reliable for the last 12 years. We're actually trading the BMW in for an Audi S3 as soon as my wife can decide on what color/options she wants.

Mercedes vehicles are generally reliable. In fact before the 90's they were some of the most reliable vehicles that existed. They had some issues during the late 90's and 00's but I would happily drive one now for the long term.
 
arehman11 said:
IDK, we've got a 9 year old BMW now and it hasn't had any issues with 103k on the clock. My in-laws have an 06 CLK550 and it's been dead solid reliable for the last 12 years. We're actually trading the BMW in for an Audi S3 as soon as my wife can decide on what color/options she wants.

Mercedes vehicles are generally reliable. In fact before the 90's they were some of the most reliable vehicles that existed. They had some issues during the late 90's and 00's but I would happily drive one now for the long term.
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Ah yes, the dark ages of Mercedes, notice I have an '89 and an '07 and nothing in between. BMW didn't have this issue but the '90's and early 2000's were not great times to own a Mercedes or an Audi.
 
Lionel_Hutz said:
Dude, Mercedes isn't even in the top ten brands for reliability. Audi has been killing it lately, but there's a huge difference between a car that will run great during the 36 month warranty, and a car that you'd want to own for 10 years.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...ion/car-brands-reliability-how-they-stack-up/
Click to expand...

1 did you miss the part where I said amongst luxury brand?

2 this survey didn't factor in the entire range but only a select few models and only the 2016 model years, keep looking, long term reliability especially if you go back over the last 10 years Lexus as mentioned is on top but Porsche and Mercedes are there, year after year test after test.

And yes to your point recently Audi and really stepped up their game. Further have you looked at my garage? I have a 1989 and a 2007 Mercedes, both are over 10 years old. my wife's C class we've had since 2015 and she has over 100k on the clock still we'll have it until 2020 in all manner of likelihood.
 
Cool to see 4Runner in top spot..........although a little disappointed mine has the noisy windshield syndrome, weak winter cabin heating abilities and needs the front diff R&R'd due to a long running casting error for the needle bearing causing lots of noise in 2wd mode....

Sigh....I still like it though so will give it a few more chances :-)
 
you're due for the interior to start falling apart on that BMW, get ready for random rattles and door cards being flimsy and shit like that
 
e60ral said:
you're due for the interior to start falling apart on that BMW, get ready for random rattles and door cards being flimsy and shit like that
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My 4runner rattles like a tin can, everything scratches with normal use, has wind noise issues. I just hit 10k miles.

BMW is silent, no rattles and the trim is much nicer and doesn't scratch, paint is much better quality as well. Doors feel solid when shutting, 4runner sounds hollow. My Father in-laws BMW feels the same way as my wifes.

I still love the 4runner and it will outlast the BMW, but realistically it isn't a better built vehicle outside of the engine and transmission and BMW inline 6's are pretty awesome and her's is a 6 speed manual that is pretty solid as well.
 
Very cool to see especially since I just bought my third 4Runner in a row and a brand new one at that. Funny how basically Toyota and Lexus's entire lineup were in the top 20 :frisky:
 
arehman11 said:
My 4runner rattles like a tin can, everything scratches with normal use, has wind noise issues. I just hit 10k miles.

BMW is silent, no rattles and the trim is much nicer and doesn't scratch, paint is much better quality as well. Doors feel solid when shutting, 4runner sounds hollow. My Father in-laws BMW feels the same way as my wifes.

I still love the 4runner and it will outlast the BMW, but realistically it isn't a better built vehicle outside of the engine and transmission and BMW inline 6's are pretty awesome and her's is a 6 speed manual that is pretty solid as well.
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I'm a Toyota guy through and through, but I love the 3 series bimmer's. I've had many cars in my lifetime and 2 of my favorites were E46 ZHP sedans. I miss both of those cars! My friends and family never understand, until they drive one for themselves. Those really are drivers cars.

What I always tell people is, if you can wrench on it yourself or don't mind high maintenance costs, you'll love a bimmer.
 
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