While you're thinking Japanese like Honda and Toyota, don't forget Subaru - they make pretty solid cars, but I don't think they do compacts.

Hyundai cars seem to be pretty reliable, based on the people I know who drive them.

Im a Honda gal. I always lease though, as I don't have a commute, and no kids, grandkids, or dogs to mess it up. (nothing against those things though.) I traded in my CRV for the smaller HRV, and I love it. The CRV was getting even bigger, and I thought it was just too big and too techno. The HRV is a perfect size, and easier to live with. I absolutely love it.

We've had many different brands, all foreign, but now we are hooked on Subarus. Husband does have a new VW electric. As I remember, we did like our Priuses. We had three.

Thanks. Good ideas. Yes, a lot of people like Subarus. If we get one, I’d like it to come with those dogs. Kia — yes they’ve gotten better.

I’d consider Mazda’s CX-5 or 50

I, too, have a Honda HR-V and it is the best car I have ever owned. A friend recommended the HR-V and I needed a used one so I just googled HR-V for sale near me and found a number of them at different dealers. I got a 2018 in 2020 with only 11,000 miles on it. I'm hoping it will be my last car. I don't think I could find another that I would like as much as this car.

I have a fifteen year old Honda Accord, purchased used. I had two used Hondas before that. Right now I have my eye on a Lexus SUV, but my Honda just keeps going.

I found my current car online but went to the dealer to see and drive it. As I recall, I used True Car and also searched the local dealerships online. I also went to Carshop to try out different cars but didnt buy there.

Years ago I had a Subaru and loved it although I kept it too long. Id avoid a Kia or Hyundai because they are so frequently stolen. Something about ease of starting them with a USB cord? I think the newer models are no longer as susceptible to theft but if you’re looking for used, be aware of that. My friends Hyundai was stolen from in front of her house in a nice ssuubburban neighborhood.

A used vehicle under $15K is going to be old enough to create a history of common failures available online from multiple websites and utube videos, so do your due diligence on anything you select. To select a used vehicle based on a brands is a mistake because most have models and years with major common component failures, even Honda and Toyota.

For example Honda has had an on going problem with their Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) and some engines in many models from 2000 up to 2023. . This also applies to Honda's luxury brand Acura too.

Kia and Hyundai have major engine failures between 2011-2019 with the 2.4L and 2.0L engines and are absolute junk. I run a 2012 Kia Rio beater with a 1.8L engine, and in March took it in for some recall work. I asked the Kia advisor how many of the 2.4L engines they've replaced, he pulled out a sheet and said 95 so far this year. I asked him which new Kia is a good one to buy and without hesitation he said none, buy a Toyota.

Other horrible engines to avoid are the Ford's Ecoboost engines, the last generation of GM's models with the 3.6L V6 (absolute JUNK) including the 2,4L 4 cyl. and 1.4L turbo 4 cyl. engine. Any used Audi, VW, BMW, JAG, Mercedes, mini cooper, Volvo and Land Rover will turn into a money pit so avoided them.

Subaru's are reliable to a point but have their own history of junk and should avoid the 2005-2009 Outback/Legacy, 2010-2014 Outback/Forester, 2008-2015 Impreza, and the 2019 Ascent due to issues like blown head gasket, excessive oil consumption, and CVT transmission problems.

Toyota is what I'd consider to buy between the years 2013 and now, with exception to the 2012-2017 Camry and 2013-2018 RAV4. Your husband's Toyota with 190,000 miles is nothing to be concerned with and seen Toyota's with over 430,000, and something I haven't seen since the Ford inline 300 or the LS chevy engines of the 1960's. He already has the best used vehicle built after 2007.

My Dad has a 21 year old Honda and already has three people lined up who want it when he is ready to sell - which will probably be never! He loves it. There is a cult of Toyota and Honda, but as @kevin9408 pointed out, it really depends on the years of the make because of the CVT.

For these reasons, I'd go to Reddit threads about buying used cars and you will find some experts that can guide you through every car you are looking at and the pros and cons.

Why do you want to sell the car with 190K? Toyotas can usually take much more. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Wow, again and thanks guys.

Ded, I’d forgotten about the Kia easy theiving. Thanks for the reminder.

Kevin - double wow.What a lot of good info.

The Toyo Highlander engine is good. The AC keep disappearing coolant. (For past old cars with AC leaks, the mechanics always say that if they fix the

eak it could cause too much pressure on the existing system and blow it out — or something like that. I have no ideaif that is true or just a story.)

The engine is good, I guess, butthe body has a lot of rust and the mechai ic he took it to for something told DH that it was no even worth putting new brakes onto. ???

I think he said something like ”microfractures” in the body. Or frame?

We only need a car cuz he is a bit hard on mine (wears out seat, he’s muscular). And we need a backup and ”rescue” vehicle —- When & if the current Toyo goes in the shop or I break down. We are pretty much a community of just us and we are in a quasi out of the way place.

(Sore, touchy topic as I have been wanting to move since forever.)

I don't think you will find anything for $5000. My neighbor just had his OLD Equinox totaled out (a tree fell on it) and the insurance company gave him over $6000 just for that totaled vehicle! It was 20 years old too!

We've been very pleased with our subarus. We've had a legacy wagon, an impreza and now we have the crosstrek. They've been solid, reliable vehicles. These days especially we are big into safety as we aren't becoming *better* drivers as we get older. So do keep in mind that the older the car, the fewer the features. Safety features were one of the reasons I gave up my Acura, which I loved. I still miss that car!

We absolutely love our Subarus. Both are Crosstreks, one being the sport version. They are packed with safety features and are perfect for our present lifestyle.

Other horrible engines to avoid are the Ford's Ecoboost engines, the last generation of GM's models with the 3.6L V6 (absolute JUNK) including the 2,4L 4 cyl. and 1.4L turbo 4 cyl. engine. Any used Audi, VW, BMW, JAG, Mercedes, mini cooper, Volvo and Land Rover will turn into a money pit so avoided them.

This paragraph made me smile because the last three vehicles I’ve bought and own are Land Rover, Mercedes, and most recently a F150 with an Ecoboost. I thought long and hard about that engine, but from what they’ve said and I’m hearing anecdotally on Reddit and elsewhere, their problems including the cam phaser issue have largely been sorted out. I’m more concerned about the 10R80 transmission, but that’s supposedly better, too.

I’ve gone into none of them blind, and I’m not disagreeing with Kevin’s list.

A few months ago, we just traded in 2 Mercedes for 2 Toyotas. Now we have a pack of Toyotas: Tundra, Highlander, RAV4 and C-HR. A used C-HR could be under $20,000, you’d have to look. . They are hard to find compare to RAV4.

I own a Crosstrek too, I am on my 2nd Crosstrek and 4th Subaru. I spend winters in New York (against my better judgement!) and appreciate the surefootedness of Subarus in the snow. Probably won't keep buying Subarus once I can finally leave snow behind me though.

We have liked all our Hondas and they last a long tome, so the last two cars have been used Hondas and we are very happy with their conditions. The last one was an Odyssey, the current one is a CRV and I have to say, I miss the Odyssey. Great storage, and it wasn’t just the cubic feet, it was the interior design.

Things to watch for: research the year, make, and model of the vehicle you are considering. We thought our Odyssey was a little too noisy, looked it up, and sure enough, that was a common complaint for that year. One of the things we do not like about the CRV is the appalling lack of front seat storage, cup holders, etc. (I mean, come on. If you are going on a road trip leaving at 6am, you each have a thermal mug of coffee and a water bottle, and there are only two cup holders.)

Thanks for the additional tips. I usually research a costly item a lot before buying, but those little niggling details can be omitted.

I spoke more with DH. The garage where he took it to be inspected last month said that it would not pass inspection again. A lot of rust. Maybe a crack. There are very restrictive ”Lemon Laws” where we live, so I don’t think we can even sell it to a mechanic or welder.

Yes, we get snow and ice — sometimes a lot. My old Toyota Tercel 4WD wagon used to make it up our hill (country road, not always plowed until late).

I think in the auto world (of all brands) for reliability and durability, Toyota is #1 and others follow behind. Other Japanese brands are a notch down and Korean brands (Kia and Hyundai), sometimes even a bit more so.

European brands (which I prefer) mostly don't compete with Toyota in the more popularly priced market spaces.

I used to have a Kia soul and liked it. I got a Toyota corolla and it's so hard to get out of as a senior. Sick to a SUV is all I can help with.

Earlier years of both Kia and Hundai are favorites of car thieves because they were so easy to steal. apparently there were YouTube videos on how to electronically 'hotwire' then. Now, I understand that since then, there have been modifications and the glitch no long exists. BUT the thieves still try those makes first, in case the owners have not upgraded.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kia-hyundai-car-theft-software-upgrade/

I test drove two cars today. The KIA EV9 and the VW Buzz. The are both full electric. I was shocked by how much fun the VW bus was to drive. I think it is over priced considering the range but it sure is cute. DH fell in love with it.

Interesting to me is learning about how the cars work with the existing charging infrastructure since I had read that many/all? with be adopting the Tesla plug type as standard. The KIA could accept the tesla plug without the adapter but the VW would need an adapter. The craziest part about this - we were just watching videos - pretty much all the electric cars that are planning to conform to the tesla charging network have their plugs on the opposite side. Some of the other cars have to take two spots to have the plug reach. (the kia) Makes me wish that Tesla would just make a normal SUV - Not a hatchback.

I have one of those favorite kia cars thieves love to steal. I had the recall work done in March of this year but before that Kia sent me a steering wheel lock club thingy about three years earlier. In 2024 while doing an insurance review I realized I was pay much more for full coverage on the Kia than my other newer car worth 4 times the price of the Kia so I cancelled full coverage on the Kia. If someone wants to steal the Kia they can have it.

Or I could sell it to Petalique, $5K will work and I'll toss in the steering wheel lock thingy.

Electric cars are so fun to drive. I have a Tesla Y, which is the hatchback/SUV kinda thing.