The annual Consumer Reports car issue came out recently.
Here are what I consider to be the All-Stars in the Used Car Major Leagues. My requirements are the vehicle must cost less than $10,000 for the most part; excellent safety; respectable fuel economy; ultra-reliability; available all-whell drive; and a low total cost of ownership.
In more or less order of what is best:
1. 1999-2000 Honda CR-V. This used vehicle is more reliable than most new cars.
2. Any 1998-current Subaru - I like the ones with the weatherband radios the best.
3. 1990-1992 Volvo 240 and 740's get my "old girlfriend" vote
I don't like trucks because there simply is not a safe pickup truck. But if you really need one and will take it offroad a mid to late 1990's Toyota Tacoma with the 4 cylinder engine and 4 wheel drive can't be beat. It even made Cool Tools
But if want a truck part of the time and need to haul people most of the time the Subaru Baja is a great alternative for someone who needs to haul people and plants around.
Want a car that is simple enough for the home mechanic?
1. 1990 - 1992 Volvo 240 Wagon
2. Toyota Tacoma again
Cars for an active baby boomer or young active couple:
1. Mazda 3 wagon
2. Ford Focus wagon with the PZEV engine and side airbags
3. Honda Element
4. Subaru Impreza/Forester
Best for good efficiency and getting around in a Peak Oil world:
Jetta TDI wagon (but only if it came with an extended warranty due to reliability issue). I've read posts from some owners who coaxed 1000 miles out of a tank of gas and 60+ mpg on the highway. It is also biodiesel compatible.
Or wait for the 2008 Prius - unofficially it'll get 94 mpg and be able to act as a 36 hour back-up electric generator for your house.
New vehicles rarely make economic sense but here are some good all-round ones:
Mazda5 - a mini-minivan for less than $20,000.
RAV4 - third row seating, almost 30 mpg highway, push-button 4WD lock when below 25mph, all kinds of safety gear, and 73 cubic feet of maximum storage which beats a Volvo 740 wagon by one cubic foot.
CR-V - A no-nonsense all-round vehicle.
Escape hybrid - 33 mpg city and more reliable than the conventional Escape. It is pricey though.
Any Subaru - the Forester XT is an incredible all-around, all-purpose vehicle.
I've develeoped a spreadsheet (Excel format) for comparing vehicles.
