If you had a choice between these cars, which one would you choose to buy used?

[Amy10223]

I need a car and would prefer a used one. My current car is a Toyota Highlander, almost 18 years old. It has 204,000 miles and has never given me a problem except for minor things.

Another Toyota, Acura, Honda, Maxima. Which would you choose and why? Remember these would be used. I like SUVs and feel "safer" in them because of their body. I like to have a good and clear glass views, like my own now. I dislike the kind that have only a little view of the back window.

Updates

11 mo

I'm going to update this and add one more, Nissan. As in Nissan Rogue. Anyone ever owned one of these?

[Valdemort]

Toyota's are pretty solid cars tbh. High endurance, very reliable and as far as I know, their market value often retains.

[Valdemort]

Thanks for mho!

[Abbycado]

I have my mom’s old Acura RDX and it has been a great car.

[Amy10223]

That is what I am looking for. The Acura is a higher brand Honda, is what mechanics say.

[Abbycado]

Yes, nicer features and quality I’m told. Mine isn’t new but still very nice.

[Amy10223]

I'm looking for used, hopefully I'll find one. Thanks!!

[Abbycado]

Welcome and good luck!

[Amy10223]

Thank you!

[Abbycado]

Ty for mho!

[Orion84]

I'd need to know more about the specific vehicles in question, before I could make an informed decision.

A Toyota with 80k miles that's been well maintained is going to be very different from an Acura with 50k miles that's never had an oil change, for example.

Maximas are just pieces of crap, regardless.

[Amy10223]

Maxima's are great cars. When I bought one many years ago (the one with MAXIMA on the back), the car dealer showed me a copy of an article showing the rate of problems that the top leading cars had. Nissan was #3. The top 3 that didn't have many mechanical or other issues were Toyota, Honda and then Nissan. I did not take care of mine. It lasted me about 10 years only.

[Orion84]

Maximas were great cars, at one point, but not lately.

I worked as a Nissan mechanic for a few years, and after about 2008, they just started to go downhill, particularly due to their quality control, poor interior quality, and especially their transmissions.

The number of CVTs we had to replace was astonishing. The Nissans that don't use CVT transmissions are better, but I still wouldn't buy one over many other brands.

[Amy10223]

I'm not sure what mine had, but the transmission is what went last. I was not changing my oil enough, very foolish of me. I was young and naive and thought you could go years without changing the oil. It cost me!

[Orion84]

Yeah, that sounds like a costly lesson, which too many people learn the hard way, unfortunately.

Basic maintenance can make any car last longer, just like neglecting it can ruin an otberwise great car. That's why it's so important to know how well a vehicle was taken care of, before buying it.

[Amy10223]

Thanks. Now, I take care of my car. It gets an oil change each year and I change the tires regularly, have it check out. I bought it 55,000 miles, and it has 204,00 now so it's a good car.

[AviatorTom]

Either Toyota or Honda would be a reasonable choice. They are reliable, safe and reasonably priced. Maybe a used Toyota Rav4?

[Amy10223]

I've thought of those. Good cars.

[Ironco]

If your Highlander is still running good and you aren't having any problems, I'd just keep running it. Keep up on the maintenance and timing chain, it'll run for another 100,000 for sure.

[Amy10223]

I am doing that now, yes. I never knew it would last this long.

[Nikki1989]

My company gave me a Honda to drive around in, and it has never given me any trouble.

[NathanDavis]

do try a Subaru... usually, reliable and easy to maintain

[Amy10223]

I actually had a Subaru, a smaller one. It was good, but then it had mechanical problems.

[NathanDavis]

all cars can have mechanical problems...

[NathanDavis]

but you are getting a newer one, without them... lol

[Amy10223]

My Toyota Highlander never had a mechanical problem ever! I'm lucky with it.

[bowenw]

I suggest you find a vehicle you are comfortable with and then check its rating on Consumer Reports.

[Friendlybro79]

I’d stay away from Nissan as their reliability and transmission issues have tanked. I’d go with a used Toyota Highlander that still has the v6 and not their newer turbo 4 cylinders.

[jamesgoldman]

I'd stick with Toyota

[Bklynbadboy12]

I'd go with the Maxima