the desired Reliables

[r3ccOs]

after many years of owning a number of vehicles and being one who much prefers to tries to squeeze the most out of my vehicles, I have come to the belief that I hold Reliablity, then utility over all other attributes...

Definately Reliability -> Utility -> Power/Capability -> Economy -> Driveability-> Styling

I'd say Reliablity and Utility are a close 'change-up' but for my lifestyle, which is very sports heavy, having cargo room, AWD/4x4, ground clearance is almost vital.

So maybe you guys can help me with refining my list of cars/trucks that I'm considering of refreshing with, and the pros/cons of wether they really are reliable and provide utility.

thoughts on what to grab:

Truck:
Ram 1500 classic - might as well get their crew cab with some Katskins and call it the day?
Newerish Taco 3.5
Older Taco 4.0
2018+ F150 5.0
Last 2 gen Honda Ridgeline?

Suv/Car:
Subaru Forrester/Outback w/ 3.0H
Honda Element AWD manual (if I'm going 4cyl and small, this would be it)
2011+ Toyota Venza
2008+ Toyota Rav4 V6 (I can't believe no V6 offering in a Rav4 since)
Honda Accord Crosstrek

I would even entertain one of the new 'Mavericks' IF i can be certain that that 2.0 is actually a reliable ecoboost motor and drivetrain (i.e. the twin scroll 2.0)

[Buster]

Do you need to tow or do you need crazy off road performance?

If no...ridgeline

[ExtraSlow]

Probably best to figure out your use before you select the vehicle.

Trucks are cool, I like trucks, but rarely the lowest TCO.

[ercchry]

An old GM truck seems to fit the bill, but your list seems too new for that

Can’t speak to the maverick but good luck finding one at below MSRP… the ranger however has been around a little longer, has some impressive payload and tow capabilities for a mid-size and the 2.3 is a forged internal motor out of the focus rs with an additional oil cooler and it’s mated to the same 10sp used in the F150, so reliability should be stellar long term.

[r3ccOs]

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Do you need to tow or do you need crazy off road performance?

If no...ridgeline

yeah I heard though the motor is solid, its just not enough application for the ridgeline or pilot... not bad for the old crosstrek, accors and other smaller platforms, even the odyssey

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this is really good to know?! I know the 2.3 was fairly stout in my friend's ST till he blew it up with tunes.

I mean if its a 10r80 ZF style transmission with that 'more' bulletproofed 2.3, I'm much much more intersted.

[r3ccOs]

It must be the cyl deactivations or something, but the only reliable GM gas motor that is stout is either the big 6.2 smallblock or the old iron 6.0 big block in the OLD 1500, or their HDs

[flipstah]

2003 Corolla?

Yes on the old RAV4

[riander5]

No to Subaru, No to Ram. Rest should be reliable, with Toyotas being the most so (but lacking other features)

[ExtraSlow]

Subaru forester but NOT with the 3.0H is my suggestion.

[ercchry]

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It must be the cyl deactivations or something, but the only reliable GM gas motor that is stout is either the big 6.2 smallblock or the old iron 6.0 big block in the OLD 1500, or their HDs

I have a 5.3 in a 2005 1500, doesn’t used oil, has over 200k kms and besides the steering being vague at best, it just works. Besides the fuel economy, best $5k ever spent on a vehicle

[r3ccOs]

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2003 Corolla?

Yes on the old RAV4

lol buddy bought a manual with 70K KM for his daughter for something like $2500, still drives like new and gets something like 6.2 l/100 on highway. It was tough finding tires that fit a 14 inch wheel though

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I'd thought Ram would've got all the kinks out of everything with that truck being around for what... 10 years in its form w/ the 8 speed by now

[ercchry]

^^^the problem with Ram is that everything around the power train fails relatively quickly

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2003 Corolla?

Yes on the old RAV4

These last forever because their owners will not exceed 20km/h under the speed limit, and only accelerate at partial throttle

[max_boost]

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Do you need to tow or do you need crazy off road performance?

If no...ridgeline

Quiet luxury
You must not have a phone case on your phone either

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

No to the Subaru, Ram I could take it or leave it. 5L F150 yes but no to other Ford products imo.

[ThePenIsMightier]

No to the Venza. RX350 or Highlander is the better choice, there.

[r3ccOs]

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No to the Venza. RX350 or Highlander is the better choice, there.

Yes... highlander is something I wanted to add.

I kinda would prefer the Rav4 v6 to either for the 2nd car.. add a Thule and a Northshore rack and you're pretty much golden.

Any reason why the Venza would be any different than the two? I'd imagine its just repackaging of the exact same drivetrain

[tonytiger55]

I'd pick a Honda CRV over the Rav4. No to the Subaru...
But I think the Highlander should be on the list.

[Buster]

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yeah I heard though the motor is solid, its just not enough application for the ridgeline or pilot... not bad for the old crosstrek, accors and other smaller platforms, even the odyssey

- - - Updated - - -

this is really good to know?! I know the 2.3 was fairly stout in my friend's ST till he blew it up with tunes.

I mean if its a 10r80 ZF style transmission with that 'more' bulletproofed 2.3, I'm much much more intersted.

Ridgeline power is just fine for city truck stuff

[ThePenIsMightier]

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Yes... highlander is something I wanted to add.

I kinda would prefer the Rav4 v6 to either for the 2nd car.. add a Thule and a Northshore rack and you're pretty much golden.

Any reason why the Venza would be any different than the two? I'd imagine its just repackaging of the exact same drivetrain

Lower ground clearance and more awkward storage, I think.

[ExtraSlow]

Just buy one of each and run a fleet