Hey, I’m trying to help a friend buy her first car this December. She has some very specific needs, as she will working as a Cultural Resource specialist, and this will often take her into fairly rural, possibly off-road areas. I can (and have) done all the basic research on things like 4WD versus …

It does seem that a vehicle popular and common in the area is a real plus and the simpler the better. I am considered a good mechanic and can’t imagine any roadside repairs beyond changing a tire.

Modern vehicles are all difficult to repair. So you pick the ones which are repaired less frequently and hopefully less expensively. As others say avoid anything Volkswagen or Audi, Land Rover and Jeep.

If you look at the war zone news on TV, you’ll see a lot of Toyota trucks. There are a few luxury brands on your list that I would stay away from. If we are thinking parts availability, then the Toyota might be the winner here. Otherwise, I will just get a good cell phone with great coverage map and…

If I understand correctly this friend is starting a new career. By using her own vehicle that means more than average insurance, tracking mileage and expense’s. I would take that list and cross off every high priced luxury vehicle and all complicated hybrids. The last thing you need if the new job d…

Eliminate all hybrids, EVs, and European makes. That leaves these: 2015 Subaru Outback PZEV 2015 Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD 2015 Jeep Renegade Manual 4WD 2015 Jeep Compass High Altitude Auto 4WD I’d eliminate the Jeeps, they have poor or unknown reliability. I’d also drop the Outback, not as good off…

Stop by the local bookstore and get her a Consumer Reports New Car Buyers’ Guide. It ain’t perfect, but it’s by far the most comprehensive and impartial compilation of comparative car reliability data available. Use that as a guide, and compile a “short list” of those that have high reliability rati…

I can’t imagine someone with $60,000 to spend on a vehicle is interested in working on that vehicle at camp. This must be a high school research project. I have always been nervous about leaving my truck behind when hiking or camping for fear of vandalism. I prefer something under $10,000.

Does anyone have an opinion on the Honda Passport? Yes. It’s not a Honda. It’s a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo. Honda still sells cars here, Isuzu doesn’t. As to the original question, for the list of cars provided the only roadside repairs possible on any of them would be a flat tire, wiper blades, and ma…

Short of a flat tire or serpentine belt problem, sorting out a problem on the side of the road is pretty much an impossibility for anyone unless they’re carrying a tool stash in the trunk and a fair amount of expertise between the ears. There was a time when a tool roll with a couple of screwdriver…

Ratings of repair ease

Maintenance/Repairs

Rod-Knox July 29, 2015, 6:17am 12

It seems a consensus developing here. And I will regretably agree that all Jeep models are off the list of reliable transportation these days as are all European makes. What a shame. Does anyone have an opinion on the Honda Passport?

Topic		Replies	Views
I Have an OCD Problem: Shopping for a Car General Discussion	58	4104	September 17, 2014
Need New SUV 4WD With Fuel Economy and Mechanical Reliability General Discussion	30	2180	June 28, 2015
Most reliable 4x4 truck? Maintenance/Repairs	27	11308	January 2, 2012
Best family car for DIY? (Preferably affordable - used is OK) Maintenance/Repairs	18	7836	December 18, 2007
Vehicle suggestion for a hiker who misses driving a car? General Discussion	47	2843	September 18, 2023

Ratings of repair ease

Related topics