I’m a Mechanic: 7 Used Cars That Refuse To Die

iStock.comMany used cars look like a bargain until the repair bills start coming in. But a low sticker price doesn't mean much if you're always replacing expensive parts or having problems that drain your wallet.

But some cars earn their reputations for a different reason: They just refuse to die. Mechanic Ray Miller has worked on thousands of vehicles over the decades, but he said there are a handful that he sees far less often than others because they don't give their owners much reason to come into the repair shop.

Here are seven used cars Miller rarely sees in his garage except for routine maintenance.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is top of Miller's list. The 200-series (2008 to 2021) comes with Toyota's 5.7-liter V8 engine designed conservatively with a large displacement and relatively low stress, and the vehicle itself was built around a heavy-duty frame and drivetrain.

The engine "routinely goes beyond 300,000 miles," Miller said, but proper maintenance is still key. "If I could only own one vehicle for the rest of my life and never be stranded, this would be it."

The 4Runner's 4.0-liter V6 and torque-converter automatic are built for towing and off-roading without the added complexity of a turbo or CVT, and it's one of the last body-on-frame SUVs on the market. According to Miller, the SUV shows up in his shop for tires mostly. The main problem is rust on the frame in areas that see road salt.

The Crown Victoria was a Ford Panther platform-based vehicle powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that was a fleet workhorse for police departments and taxi companies that regularly pushed it past 250,000 miles.

However, production ceased in 2011. If you're shopping for a used one, Miller said check for frame rust and ask whether the plastic intake manifold coolant crossover has ever been replaced.

The ES 350 shares its 3.5-liter V6 with the Toyota Camry and Highlander, an engine, Miller said, is one of the most reliable Toyota has built. According to iSeeCars, Lexus ranks second overall with a 14.4% predicted probability of reaching 250,000 miles.

One of Miller's customers traded a German luxury sedan for a 2015 ES 350 and spent the next two years on nothing but brake pads and an air filter.

Third-generation Priuses (2010 to 2015) commonly rack up hundreds of thousands of miles in taxi and rideshare fleets, mostly because the electric motor does the wear-intensive work of getting moving from a stop.

Regenerative braking also means original brake pads can last 150,000 miles. The main caveat is the hybrid battery, which Miller said is a far cheaper fix than most people assume once reconditioned or aftermarket packs are factored in.

The ninth-generation Accord (2013-2017) 2.4-liter K24 four-cylinder is known to last 250,000 to 300,000 miles with regular oil changes. Miller said the 2008-2012 four-cylinder models have a problem with oil consumption related to piston rings serious enough to lead to a class-action settlement.

He recommends looking at maintenance records for the oil level and, on V6 models, to make sure the timing belt was replaced at 100,000 miles.

The Corolla's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine uses a timing chain, rather than a belt, and a CVT gearbox tuned for reliability over performance.

Miller recalls a 2011 Corolla LE that had 214,000 miles on it and never needed anything but oil, brakes and a battery. Buyers should ensure the CVT fluid has been serviced and listen for a cold-start rattle that can signal a failing water pump.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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