Hey Scotty,
I'm stationed over seas until next year. My truck that I was hoping to have when I got back was totalled in a car accident a couple months back. I'm looking at some newer trucks and some cars. If dodge fixed the transmission in the Rams do you think it would be a good truck. Also I was looking at the Toyota crv and Honda accords/civics. I have a 2007 Honda civic deisil right now but I can't ship it back. I love the gas milage it gets. Are any of the hybrid versions any good? Or are there any better cars out there. I'm really looking for reliability. Thank you!!
I'd stick to the Tacoma/Tundra/Frontier for trucks and maybe the 2011-2015 F-150 V8 as mentioned above. A newer Civic (naturally aspirated engine) or Corolla would also be a good choice. As far as SUVs, RAV4, 4Runner, HR-V... So many cars out there.
Since you are looking for reliability, stick to Toyota for trucks and also the 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L V8. For cars, stick to Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla and Honda Accord, Civic. I would just stick to gas vehicles and avoid hybrids - esp. for long term ownership. You mentioned Toyota CR-V: what did you really mean? You didn’t list CUV/SUV - is that on the table? For model years Toyota/Honda to avoid (or at least be aware of the issues before you buy) see our sticky under the Car Buying Guide: But you have to figure out first what you want (car, CUV/SUV, truck) and then constraints for that vehicle once you figure it out (e.g. how many seats, comfort, towing, etc.)
I had a 1998 Ram 1500 Quad cab. Had the 360 V8. Bought it with 14k on it. By 2003 it had 89k, only towed with it a small flat trailer to take my riding mower back and forth to my mothers and occasionally trips to the landfill. Did regular service schedule, trans was serviced at 78k. Reverse started going first, would sit and then eventually lunge into gear. Then overdrive and 3rd started having issues shifting. Sometimes overdrive wouldn’t work at all. They haven’t gotten better, they have gotten worse.
Rams are never reliable overall. The older Honda CRVs, Civics, and Accords are definitely reliable. Same with older Toyotas. It all comes to what vehicle class do you want.
