Cars, for the most part are replaceable. They're designed to work to the point when their owners usually get tired of them and get something new and shiny. Not so with the cars on this list - these are ten cars available right now on eBay, under $20,000, that just can't quit you.
(Photo by on Flickr)
No, I haven't lost my mind. Yes, this is a British-made roadster made of mostly fiberglass, and this particular has a salvage title because of a front end hit that was repaired. It's also a bit over budget. Why is it on the most dependable cars list? It's because it . It will run forever and make sure you have a smile on your face while doing it.
(Suggested by )
If the name of the game is reliability, the US military does some of the best real-world testing of machines on the planet. . I'll let explain:
Cheap, old time simple mechanically, easy to repair with surplus parts, goes almost anywhere - runs on pretty much any type of liquid fuel too (Diesel, heating oil, jet fuel, kerosene, and even gasoline with a bit of oil mixed in to lube the injection pump).
If you end up in a pinch and find yourself in a 144month loan for one that is under water, you can easily part out things like the rockwell axles to jeep type people or maybe just pull the bank over in spite and/or start your own militia.
Just be prepared to go kinda slow and be a lot of loud.
(Suggested by )
A well taken-care of, top of the line Toyota luxury sedan is the very meaning of having your cake and eating it too. It's a 3.5 liter V6 putting out enough power to get you anywhere in a big hurry, while returning 30 miles per gallon nearly everywhere. . For those thinking about getting into a Ford Fiesta for the same money, this car should give you some pause.
(Suggested by )
This car is basically a Range Rover without the risk of electrical fires or internal flooding. . Oh, and it will never break, and it costs the same as a cramped subcompact.
(Suggested by )
. Lego Duplo interior button styling and good-old-days practicality (front bench seat, anyone?) make this car an amazing addition to anyone's long term fleet. Parts are cheap and it feels as if you're driving your favorite couch perched atop the softest of clouds. Potholes don't exist when you're in this car.
(Suggested by )
This car is a heavily modified track monster.....that you can drive everyday because of the reliable Miata underpinnings and the fact that its body consists of nothing but welded metal tubes and seats. . It's not the most practical thing in the world, but you can guarantee nothing else on the road will even come close to being as unique or usable when things turn fast and twisty.
(Suggested by )
Here's a . The J35 engine will last forever with minimal maintenance, and the All Wheel Drive system is dependable enough to get you through any moderate snowstorm without the worry of getting stuck or sliding into that guy that bought a base model Ford Fusion for the same money.
(Suggested by )
From the iconic , to the workhorse , all the way up to the pictured above, you just cannot go wrong with the rugged simplicity and ease of use that a Toyota Land Cruiser offers. Check for rust and drive away, that's all there is to buying one.
(Suggested by , , , , )
I almost bought a few of these cars, as they're insane values in terms of reliability, and they're also appreciating. . This one isn't a turbo, but nobody's perfect. It's still a great car made when German reliability was a serious business phrase.
(Suggested by )
In terms of reliability and value, what's better than a ? Nothing, that's what.
I had an '03 one of these I took to 150k with nothing but brake pads/rotors/100k belt swap/oil changes and I have an '04 with 160k on it with again only brake pads/rotors/100k timing belt swap/oil changes. The V-6 is good for 271HP and 24/30mpg, the EX features leather, sun roof, homelink garage door opener, heated seats, dual zone climate control and upgraded 6 speaker stereo. This thing will easily go 200k without missing a beat.
(Suggested by )
For more mind-boggling car values, check these out:
After I asked you thrifty, frugal, and dare I say, cheap lot to give me the most dependable cars…
How much BMW can $20,000 buy? That was the question I posed last week, and you resourceful lot…
is the founder of and writes about on the internet. He owns the world's cheapest , a , and he's the only Jalopnik author that has never driven a Miata. He also has a real name that he didn't feel was journalist-y enough so he used a pen name and this was the best he could do.
There's a difference between being cheap and treasuring value per dollar spent. One is knowing…