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reliable suv

The Right Car for Me | TrueDelta

myronlasch

I am looking at Honda CRV, Pontiac Vibe, toyota Rav4 and Saturn Vue
Reliability is the Key issue. I have read consumer reviews and it seems that every vehicle has issues and it depends on the year too.
But are these issues valid for every owner, for example Honda CRV 2002,03,04 has issue with a/c but when you talk to a honda dealer they are not aware of this problem. I am partial to an older CRV, but you get more bang for your buck with a Vibe- what about getting parts seeing they don't make it anymore. Toyota whats better 4 cylinder or 6. VUE what year is best.

Priorities: Reliability & durability / Powertrain performance / Fuel economy

Need minimum of 4 seats

Will consider both new and used cars
Maximum mileage: 150000
Maximum age: 10 years

Maximum price: C $ 10000

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Response from Sea-Dan

9:16 pm May 31, 2018

"I have read consumer reviews and it seems that every vehicle has issues and it depends on the year too." Yup, you got that right -- unfortunately!That said, you have a pretty good list of relatively reliable cars here.

Regarding parts availablity:

Pontiac Vibe was a twin to the Toyota Matrix. Vibe sales in the US ended when the GM shut down the Pontiac brand in 2011. The Matrix continued to sell in the US thru 2014. While most mechanical parts are interchangable, not so body & trim parts. Being orphaned earlier and saddled with the GM nameplate, the Vibe is proably harder to find but less expensive than the Matrix. If cost savings is important you might want to look for the more elusive Vibe assuming you're willing to gamble on parts availablity. On the other hand the Matrix should be more available both in numbers & newer, lower mileage models simply due the the fact it was produced for 3 more years than the Vibe.

Saturn Vue: Always seemed like a great car, but never sold in large numbers. Given that it was discontinued in 2010, parts may be scarce for it, probably more so than the Vibe.

Honda CRV: Many sales people refuse to admit to issues even if they are common & well known. Overall the CR-V enjoys an excellent reputation andAC issues are generally relatively easy to solve and inexpensive. CRV will have more space than Vibe/Matrix twins.

Rav4 is going to be similar to CR-V, with somewhat better reliablity.

My advice: If you need space go with the CR-V or Rav-4; somewhat to my surprise the CR-V appears more than the Rav4 based on True Delta data . If space isn't an issue go with the Vibe for its excellent reliablity and gas mileage.

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Response from LectroFuel

9:36 pm May 31, 2018

Honda CR-V: 2005 and 2006 were the most reliable. 2002-2004 were pretty reliable with the exception of the A/C. These were not affected by the transmission recalls.

Pontiac Vibe: The transmission bearings wear out easily and lead to transmission replacements. I would avoid the 2003 and 2009. Every other year is reliable. Also look for the Toyota Matrix as they are the exact same car, so the same years and problems affect the Matrix also.

Toyota RAV4: 2001-2003 had very unreliable transmissions. 2004 and 2005 were super reliable. 2006 and 2007 had oil consumption and power steering problems. 2008 and newer are reliable. The V6 is more reliable and also consumes only a little more gas than the 4 cylinder.

Saturn VUE: Almost every year of the VUE had transmission problems or ignition problems. The best year is 2009-2010. These years were actually decent.

I would look for 2005-2006 CR-Vs, any Vibe or Matrix except 2003 and 2009, and the 2004-2005 or 2008+ RAV4s.

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Response from KilgoreTrout53

4:23 pm June 16, 2018

I had a 2007 Vibe and it was the most reliable car I've owned. Wonderful vehicle with lots of cargo space. The Vibe and the Matrix are tops on my list.

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