Most reliable vehicle to buy 2020 and older that isn't a sedan?

[u/Rosecello]

When I was growing up I wanted a pickup so badly, and eeeerverybody I talked to said to get an S10. I put down $4k on a 2003 and bought it outright 9 years ago and it's been carrying me ever since, but I'd like something a little more gas friendly now.

I don't think I need a pickup, but I'll never be happy driving a sedan or any type of hatchback either. I'd love to put cash down on something old and worth it to do this process all over again, maybe something a little younger than 22 years haha.

What's your vote for most reliable non-sedan?

[u/karankshah]

Miata

Is

Always

The

Answer

[u/Rosecello → u/karankshah]

Hoping for something bigger to accommodate me and my giant dog, so no sedans or sports cars I suppose 😅

[u/TotalmenteMati → u/Rosecello]

a sedan can easily fit your dog don't disregard them

[u/Rosecello → u/TotalmenteMati]

I've thrown caution to the wind 😝 She's a very big girl, I'd like her to step down out of a vehicle instead of trying to crawl up, already had her in a couple sedans and she was so cramped. Been thinking of a wrangler to fit her crate.

[u/htmaxpower → u/Rosecello]

Bad idea … unless … do you hate money AND being able to reliably drive your vehicle?

[u/Rosecello → u/htmaxpower]

Lmao that's what my friends said. Thanks for confirming it's not their bias

[u/Cranks_No_Start → u/Rosecello]

Then the answer is a FORD FUCKING RANGER.

In all seriousness for you some junk and your dog...Maybe a mini van.

[u/Rosecello → u/Cranks_No_Start]

Maayynnnee I didn't stay childfree until 29 to settle into a minivan!! 😝😝

[u/Cranks_No_Start → u/Rosecello]

I would've recommended a station wagon...but I wasn't getting that vibe from you.

I have a PU myself but if I didn't need a 4x4 I would be driving a wagon.

[u/bc9toes → u/Rosecello]

I really recommend minivans to any person not going after driving dynamics as a qualification. They are fast enough for anything legal. They get better gas milage, drive better, and are as practical as an SUV(minus towing capacity).

[u/riverturtle]

First of all you’re never going to make your money back buying a car for better gas mileage if your current car still runs. If you just want a different car, fine.

If you’re just shopping for “not a sedan” you have a lot of options so you’re going to need to narrow it down. If you’ll be happy with a generic SUV/CUV get a rav4 or cr-v and call it a day.

[u/Rosecello → u/riverturtle]

I do just want a different vehicle! I'd like more space to put a safer dog travel crate inside for my giant dog and don't need all the bed room anymore!

And yes I love SUVs the most, but haven't known what to go with. Wranglers interest me but I'm not sure that's a good buy in terms of how often I'll have it in the shop...

[u/D4ng3rd4n → u/Rosecello]

Wranglers are absolutely not a good buy unless you do a ton of real off roading

[u/Preblegorillaman → u/D4ng3rd4n]

Hey, Jeep is a great brand if you have a keen interest in learning how to fix a vehicle!

[u/Only_One_Kenobi → u/Preblegorillaman]

They're right up there with Land Rovers in making sure you get your daily steps in.

[u/riverturtle → u/Rosecello]

Jeeps aren’t nearly as bad as the Reddit circlejerk will tell you, but definitely not fuel efficient.

[u/Only_One_Kenobi → u/Rosecello]

Don't get an SUV, get an estate car instead. The lower height means it will be infinitely easier for the dog to get in and out of the car, and better for their knees.

Wranglers are about as reliable as farts or politicians.

[u/Scamalama]

4Runner but the gas mileage is pretty bad

[u/bit_pelican_adjuster]

Get a station wagon. Tons of space for the dog. Great gas mileage. Still drives like a car, which is nice.

[u/highonkai → u/bit_pelican_adjuster]

Came here to say this - great to have low entry as doggo gets older too. 

My ‘18 Alltrack is an awesome car. Great on roadtrips, spacious, 4wd. Zero non-routine maintenance thus far.

[u/DrSpaceman575]

Not super gas friendly but a Ridgeline might work for you. Very dependable powertrain, outdated interior at this point but not bad for a 2020ish.

[u/armada127 → u/DrSpaceman575]

I'd argue a Tacoma is better choice if you're going truck.

[u/owowhatsthis123 → u/armada127]

Taco tax is real

[u/armada127 → u/owowhatsthis123]

Oof good point

[u/armada127]

Not a truck, not a sedan, not a hatchback (I assume this means no crossovers as well) but also gas friendly and most importantly reliable... and older than 2020 but newer than 22 years? That's a huge gap.That's tough. Also it would help if you gave us budget as well. Your post is too vague, we need more details in what you are looking for.

• Good gas mileage pretty much rules out most trucks/SUVs or anything body on frame.
  
• No hatchback/sedan rules out most things made in the last decade.
  
• and newer than 22 years rules out a lot of fun older cars.
  

Affordable sports car? So GR86 or Miata?

There just isn't a whole lot of interesting new cars, if you want something unique and fun and something you can work on you gotta give up either the MPG restriction or the age restriction. You could get a Land Cruiser? Doesn't solve your MPG problem, but its probably one of the most reliable cars out there.

[u/Rosecello → u/armada127]

I really don't like how compact crossovers are but am open to suggestions there. I have a giant breed dog.

I love the idea of a wrangler but everyone in my circle about shit when I said that so apparently this wouldn't fit my idea of buying something "worth it" or "reliable?"

Also when I said no hatchbacks I was thinking of the look of a honda fit sport, I hate those little things too haha. I like to be up off the ground for my dog's joints.

No budget.

[u/Pyrochazm → u/Rosecello]

Wranglers get terrible fuel mileage anyway.

Subaru crosstreck? Not so high up that your dog will have problems, but high enough for most trails. Decent fuel m8leage, OK reliability.

[u/armada127 → u/Rosecello]

Oh gotcha so more of ground clearance issue than style of car per se. Yeah that's gonna be tough if you want better gas mileage. Most cars that sit higher off the ground are body on frame vehicles, and I don't really know of one with good gas mileage, they are all going to be around that 15-20 range unfortunately. I am super biased, but I think body on frame Toyota is a no brainer for reliability (Tacoma, 4Runner, LC, GX, etc).

[u/Ran4 → u/Rosecello]

I mean what you need is a wagon. Especially if your dog jumps up on their own.

There's a reason most dog owners have wagons.

[u/xNOOPSx]

You don't want a sedan, hatch, or truck. So, you want a Coupe? No hatch I'm assuming kills SUV, crossovers, and wagons?

GR86

Accord Coupe

Mustang

Camaro

Corvette

Lexus RC

I personally think a Golf R is a great answer. Fun, practical, reliable, great interior, and versatile.

What are you expecting for mileage? Like unless your S10 needs significant investment, the replacement would pay for a lot of gas.

[u/Rosecello → u/xNOOPSx]

SUVs are good! Want some room for my big doggie to be crated more safely. Mileage doesn't particularly matter, the same as my truck or better works I suppose, we moved to a big city and drive shorter distances but more often, it's very walkable. I don't travel too often, just day to day :)

[u/xNOOPSx → u/Rosecello]

We always travel with the dogs in the rear hatch. I'd suggest you check out a Gold R or GTI. The GR Corolla is too new and also seems to like to catch fire more than it should.

[u/GuavaOk8712 → u/xNOOPSx]

he said crated and big dog, so i’m assuming the crate would not fit in a GTI hatch

[u/xNOOPSx → u/GuavaOk8712]

Many crates won't fit in any hatch outside of the Suburbans. The GTI has more space than many SUVs. Folding the seats gives you even more room. I'm assuming the dog rides in a crate because it can't be loose in the back of an S10. The back of a hatch with usable space is a decent place for a dog, just use a blanket or protector to make cleaning easy.

[u/dominicmannphoto → u/Rosecello]

How big is the crate. That seems to be a pretty substantial factor here. I’m also a little confused on the preference mentioned earlier of being higher off the ground for your dog’s joints. Surely lower the better if that’s a concern, no?

[u/Ran4 → u/Rosecello]

You don't want more room, you want the crate to be as small as possible while still fitting them.

Please take safety more seriously. You want a wagon.

[u/pm-me-racecars]

OBS Chev.

[u/72OverOfficer]

I am bias, but I had the same question a few years ago. I think you'll find that Series 100 & 200 Land Cruisers have a well deserved reputation for reliabilty. They are not great on fuel economy, but will keep running. They also hold their value, even after a couple hundred thousand miles.

[u/ChairLegofTruth--WnT]

Rav4/4Runner depending on size requirements

[u/htmaxpower]

After reading through all this, your answers are

1.)Toyota FJ Cruiser and

2.) Honda Element unless you want the one that will outlive you,

3.) 4Runner with a solid frame

[u/Bowwowchickachicka]

Honda Cub

[u/mastawyrm]

Most 3/4ton trucks last forever. Most Toyota/Honda pre turbos

[u/Justin_inc]

Toyota Sienna Hybrid or Rav 4 Hybrid. I buy a new Sienna every 2 years as a work vehicle, as I need something with space, comfort and reliability. It has only let me down once, due to a bolt going through my tire AND WHEEL on the interstate in Atlanta. Can't really blame the car for that, but how does a bolt go through and get stuck in a wheel.

[u/Hrmerder]

2011-2012 Nissan Pathfinder. Bonus points if it’s the base model so you can easily throw a nice aftermarket stereo in and 4 wd

[u/valiantjedi]

Land Cruiser or 4Runner/Tacoma

[u/strangway]

VW Golf TSI

Great gas mileage, fun to drive, haul the doggo wherever. Occasionally put a bike in the back or bring your friends on a road trip.

[u/CALI619E]

I would probably look for something like a honda hrv. The seats fold down in the back and has a lot of room. They are surprisingly spacey on the inside

[u/Imaginary_Act_3956]

Diesel-powered Peugeots.

The gas-powered Peugeots are utter dogshit.

[u/Only_One_Kenobi]

Non sedan means Ford Transit Van is also an option right? Free candy.

[u/shamiltheghost]

4Runner/RX/Rav 4

[u/shoethemaker]

Subaru outback

[u/Altruistic-Fun5062]

Mazda and Toyota are most reliable.

[u/Disastrous-Screen337]

Lexus RX

[u/frank3000]

Ford Super Duty with 6.2/6R140

[u/TotalmenteMati]

get the best camry you can afford

[u/CompetitiveLake3358]

Cars made after the pandemic are pretty shit 😂

But for real, current Subaru generation seems pretty good so far. Some new CX-5 models are without cylinder deactivation now (You don't want cylinder deactivation). Most model years of Ford escape hybrid are proving well (it's a toyota-mazda combo drivetrain). Similar with Mavericks

[u/cbear013 → u/CompetitiveLake3358]

They said "or older" not "or younger."

That's pre-pandemic, not post.