The best cars are the ones that don’t sit in stores. And the men and women who work in that shop know better than anyone which cars are most likely to last hundreds of thousands of miles without major problems.
GOBankingRates spoke to automotive experts to find out what they’re driving now, why, and some models you should avoid at all costs. Another mechanic provided valuable insight into not a specific model, but an entire class of cars to avoid when purchasing a new set of wheels.
Mechanics choose function over form
Jacob Carter is an experienced mechanic with a background in mechanical engineering who specializes in engine maintenance, diagnosis, and repair. A lifelong car enthusiast, he has repaired and test driven muscle cars, classic cars, and everything in between. Increase engine speed As a community for passionate peers to learn, educate, and connect.
So a car enthusiast like Carter would drive something exotic, impressive, and powerful in his personal life, right? “Right now, I have a 2015 Toyota Camry sitting in my driveway,” he said. “We chose this car because it is reliable, fuel efficient, and easy to maintain.”
Affordability + Reliability = Popularity
In promoting the arrival of the 2024 Camry, Toyota reminded the world that the Camry has been the best-selling midsize sedan in the United States for 21 consecutive years. The small Corolla is the best-selling car of all time.
This country loves the Camry for the same reason that seasoned professionals like Carter trust it in their personal lives. “It has a great track record of longevity and requires minimal repairs,” he said.
Motor1 named it the fifth cheapest car to own in 2023, writing, “Low operating costs and reliable long-term operation characterize the mid-size Toyota Camry.”
The four models rounding out the top five are the Toyota Prius Prime, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, and Tesla Model 3. Notice the pattern.
The cost of owning a Camry in the first year is just $160, rising to $766 by year 10. The total cost of ownership over 10 years is only $4,203, and the probability of needing major repairs is an impressive 11.9%.
Safety — and something for everyone
The Camry is also versatile, with Motor1 writing that it’s “one of the few models in its class that still offers a V6 engine as an alternative to the base four-cylinder.”
There’s also a hybrid option, which debuted nearly a decade before Carter’s current Camry rolled off the assembly line in 2015, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
“I also appreciate the safety features included in the Camry, such as the backup camera and lane departure warning system,” Carter said.
For 2024, the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ feature suite will be standard on all Camry trims.
3 cars missing in Carter’s driveway
Even the most reliable cars on the planet have a finite lifespan, including Carter’s trusty Camry. Carter knows which model will replace it when it fails.
“When I think of cars I want to avoid, there are several models that come to mind,” he said.
dodge dart
The Dodge Dart was originally sold for 16 years and five generations from 1960 to 1976. Just over 35 years later, in 2013, Dodge brought back the Dart as a compact sedan, but not everyone was happy with the results.
“This car has a reputation for being unreliable and requiring frequent repairs,” Carter said. “It also has poor safety ratings and lacks the features that many drivers look for in a modern car.”
volkswagen beetle
The VW Beetle is one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable vehicles of all time, but the life of a bug isn’t for everyone.
“While the Beetle has a unique and iconic design, it’s not the most practical car for everyday use,” Carter said. “They have limited loading space and their compact size can make them difficult to work with.”
Like the Dart, the Beetle had an original run (1950-79) and a subsequent revival (1998-2019). Carter avoids both.
ford focus
Ford has produced the Focus for 25 years, spanning four generations, from 1998 to the present. The automaker recently announced that it will phase out this model in 2025 in favor of an all-electric future.
Carter never loses sleep.
“The Focus has a history of transmission problems and repairs can be expensive,” he said. “It also has a poor safety rating compared to other cars in its class.”
About the redesign and new model generation
Peter Zabarelli, Automotive Repair Specialist just answerer, currently driving a 2007 GMC Sierra. I don’t know what I will or won’t buy when it comes time to upgrade, but I do know that it won’t be new.
“It’s not ‘brand new’ because it’s a brand new vehicle,” he said. “But it’s a completely new design, or design change, for a vehicle of that make and model. What tends to happen when you buy a new brand model design in the first year of production is that the manufacturer notices it when they build the vehicle. This means that you end up with all the quirks and failures that you didn’t have or were aware of. Repairs for these quirks and malfunctions are usually covered under warranty, but you don’t have to send it in for repair every time something breaks. It’s a headache.”
Zavarelli cited the 1999 GMC Sierra and 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, both of which had significant design changes, as examples.
“The redesign of this model took place from 1999 to 2003 or early 2004,” Zavarelli said. “I wouldn’t buy a 1999 model, but I would buy a 2003 or 2004 model because all the quirks were corrected before the vehicle was manufactured. This is the first design change in the formula that has caused, and is likely to cause, many problems. This applies to all vehicle years and makes/models. It is common for many unforeseen problems to arise in the first year.”
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