Longevity Issues (v. Subaru)

Feb 26, 2004 4 Replies

I currently have a Camry and am leaning towards buying a new car this summer. My preference is for a wagon, but I could make do with another sedan.



If one of my main objectives is to get as many miles out of the car as possible (and I'm willing to follow much of the advice I've picked up by trolling this newsgroup--e.g., frequent fluid checking and changing), I'm wondering if there's a huge difference between a Toyota and a Subaru (which has a wagon)--i.e., if I want a long-lasting car, should I stick with a Toyota.



In general, the numbers I've come across seem to put Honda and Toyota in a class by themselves, but it's hard to know how significant the differences are (e.g., do the numbers apply to powertrain only, or to things like body trim defects, etc.).



Again, thanks in advance for any input. Jon


I would put either Honda or Toyota on your short list to buy for longevity... I have had both, rarely needed any repairs on them...

1988 Honda Civic 165,000 miles ($0 in repairs!) 1990 Toyota Camry 150,000 miles ($450 in repairs) 1997 Toyota Camry 175,000 miles ($500 in repairs) NOTE: repairs mean things that broke, not maintenance items like brakes, tires shocks, oil changes,cv boots...those are expected costs.. Rob

Subaru's are extremely reliable but historically had cheap interiors with plastics and fabrics that did not hold up as well as the rest of the car. I had a 95 Legacy wagon and the ac was inadequate in temps over 85 degrees. Excellent suspension/ride and body felt as rigid as they come. Very high list prices with big discounts common at least when I bought mine. Well worth considering if they have improved interiors and ac.

I agree with Rob. We have had similar low maintenance replacement issues on our Toyota and Honda vehicles. The earlier Toyota, an '88, gave us 160,000 miles and cost us a rear stop light bulb!! An earlier Honda Accord had about the same track record after 95,000 miles. The replacement vehicles seem to be tracking about the same as far as reliablilityk with 60,000 miles on the Camry and 55,000 miles on the Honda. Ron

and dont forget that subaru has AWD

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