# Buying used car **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498 "2010-11-12T20:58:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sallybritt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@sallybritt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sallybritt)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498/1 "2010-11-12T20:58:28Z")
I am looking at 2 different cars to buy -both seem in very good shape -which is more reliable? One is a 2003 Jeep Liberty with 49,000 miles and the other is a 2005 Ford Escape with 67,000 miles. Both are V6 engines -the Jeep is 4 wheel drive and the Ford is front wheel drive. Both are around $9000.00 ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498/2 "2010-11-12T21:28:18Z")
It depends on how they were treated. If both were well-maintained, the Ford is probably more reliable, especially since it’s 2 years newer. See if either owner has repair and maintenance records. The one that does is likely to be the most reliable in the future. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498/3 "2010-11-13T00:43:41Z")
Neither of these cars has fared well in the latest Consumer Reports automotive summary issue in long term reliability. A car the “seems” in good shape can only be cosmetically dependable. Without stepping over your reliability advice request, I would plan on spending more money and include RAV4 and CRVs as well as other more dependable models if a compact SUV is what you’re looking at. If $9K is the working number, compacts like Focus, Corolla and Civics give the best transportation bang for the buck. $9K can turn into a lot more with a few unplanned repairs with these compact SUVs you have mentioned. For only $9K, I’d avoid cars with awd/4wd and a fwd Escape SUV has little going for it that a compact wagon can do much better. ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498/4 "2010-11-13T01:55:26Z")
The Jeep Liberty will need more repairs and is less reliable than the Escape. ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498/5 "2010-11-13T04:25:13Z")
4 wheel drive means more expensive to own. The word “Jeep” also usually means more expensive to own, at least compared to a Ford Escape (or Rav4 or CRV). ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498/6 "2010-11-13T20:50:01Z")
You can get a nice 2007 Focus SES for about $8000. A comparable 2007 Corolla S will cost over $10,000. A 2005 Corolla S is worth about $8000. I’d look for a well-cared for Focus and pocket the extra $2000. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498/7 "2010-11-13T23:38:39Z")
As said it depends more on how they were maintained and treated. For those who recommend the RAV4 & CRV, you realize that within that price range they are going to have over 120KM, and if you want to buy one bellow 80KM the price tag goes to around $14-15. This wipes out a lot of cash upfront in the hopes of lower repair bill and you know a used car is going to need some work one way or another. So financially buying a car that depreciates more, makes more sense. You have to realize that there is a reason for the depreciation and be able to live with it, which involves the occasional visit to the repair shop. On the same note, even consumer report in a recent article admitted that the gap between the best and worst cars has narrowed a lot and even though they still rank the cars, in real life it depends more on your luck than on the brand of the car you buy. ---
**Author:** ![CamaroBeau](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/camarobeau/32/1940_2.png) [@CamaroBeau](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CamaroBeau)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-used-car/57498/8 "2010-11-14T15:06:02Z")
good insight!!!