What are some legendary cars for longevity, reliability, and/or function?

Motorcycle Mike

Motorcycle Mike

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I know of:


The Mercedes diesel w123 series, for example, are known for their bullet-proof engines that easily seem to get a million km or more. However, they also have serious rust issues wherever salt is used.


Meanwhile the Volvo 850 (and other models) are not only known for their safety records, but also their galvanized body panels that seem to be immune to rust.


The toyota land cruiser is the go to car for expeditions, and the toyota hilux is a nearly indestructible truck, but both fetch a high price here in the Americas.


Jeeps are well known for their off-road capability, ease and availability of customization options, as well as high fuel consumption.


VW diesels are known for their awesome fuel mileage, but have a reputation for electronic and transmission issues -- depending on the series -- as well as their interference engines requiring timing belt and waterpump changes..


Subarus are known for their AWD offerings, but pre-2005 4 cylinders are also well known for bad head gaskets and their interference engines requiring timing belt and waterpump changes.


What are some other vehicles that are well known for positive traits? What do you consider to be the champion in terms of longevity, reliability, and function?
 
The old landcruisers hands down. Mind you I havent seen 1 land cruiser here in Canada. Used to use them in the army in Aus as well as the series 3 Land Rover diesels, those things got handed a crap ton of abuse and kept going.
 
kellen said:
lada niva
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I think you meant legendary for short lifespan and poor reliability with that one. I don't think I've ever seen one that had more than 100000 km on it!
 
honda civic
 
Honda Civic hands down for reliability and longevity.

VW's are known for at least ONE dash light on, and at least one taillight out...lol
 
I drove my friend's parents' Toyota Sienna a couple of years ago with over 800,000 km on it and it pulled solid. Rear shocks needed replacement but it ran like a champ!
 
With the right maintenance and upkeep, any car can achieve 500,000 + KM's.
I've sold Cavaliers with 300+ K, One Civic with 500+ K, Corollas, 4Runners, Impalas, etc..
That being said, the Toyota Corolla is ****ing bullet proof!
Right now, I have an 01 Sierra with 550,000 KM's and the thing drives and looks like brand new. (minor rust bubbles above 1 wheel well)
Whoever had that truck, took good damn care of it!
 
Half the fun of owning a vehicle is fixing it!
 
Its really a case of "they don't make them like they use to".. It's hard to look at current gen cars and hold them in the same regard as those old Landcruisers or Mercs. It takes years to become a "legend" but I think mid 90's Nissan Maxima's & Pathfinders was touted as being a good rides with a solid motors. The early 90s civics and accords are good too but its hard to put them up them with a Lancruiser.

The elements in our neck of North America will destroy any car that could otherwise live a long life in warmer climates. In Australia for example you see a good amount of older cars like old Datsun 500/510's. Winter + salt up here eats cars alive.
 
just about any old chrysler product with a slant 6. Body could fall of, frame rot away and those engines would just keeop on ticking.
Ford tempos of the 80's were the same, they might have needed new tie rods with each oil change, but the 2.3L engine was bullet proof.

Best thing I owner personally was a 1993 Pathfinder, sold mine due to gas prices and a change in my needs at 350,000 kms and the thing ran absolutely mint.
 
Red_Liner740 said:
VW's are known for at least ONE dash light on, and at least one taillight out...lol
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hahahaha i just replaced my tail light and a check engine light came up on the dash in my jetta. just the glow plugs
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