I don't know if Scotty's ever answered your question before. He is probably too late now

https://youtu.be/WZe01p64ITE?t=411

Many cars have gone to turbocharged engines these days. The Corolla and Camry both have solid N/A engines. I would go with one of those.

2012-2016 camry 4cyl

2008-2012 honda accord 4cyl

Find a 2010 or 2011 Camry. That has the updated engine that doesn't leak oil like the 2007-2009 ones did. Also can't go wrong with what jebrim said, the 7th generation Camry that ran from 2012-2017. Those were built pretty well too but they added a lot of electronics compared to earlier Camry's. I personally think the best ones were 2005-2006. Maybe find an ES in those years as well even though it has a timing belt.

Thank you all for the recommendations! I’m a huge fan of RWD so I’m holding out for a Lexus with a N/A engine and RWD. I did not realize it would be so difficult since the trend has been to add turbo and electronics to everything. It’s a sad moment for folks who like mechanic over electronics.

I believe the 2UR-GSE, specifically the USE30 variant, is the 2JZ-GE engine of the modern era in terms of reliability and power. The best part is that it’s naturally aspirated, but the downside is that it’s a gas guzzling V8. Still, it’s the end of an era. Is it worth 70k for a IS500? Probably not. A boy can dream though. :’)

Just remember that a car's reliability is not based just on an engine.

A car's components could be likened to a chain, the engine being one link, transmission another, electrical system, and so on. Toyota/Lexus does a good job of having a strong chain of components typically that are all strong. some companies can build a great engine, but the tranny is garbage so you wouldn't want to buy it. Or in the case of a Jeep, they may have a good engine and tranny, but the electrical system could be garbage, and the entire "chain" is weak.

You start out with a good company, Lexus that typically does well overall. Never hurts to make sure whatever you are looking at doesn't have other weak systems.

True, and I did read that the AA80E pairing with the 2UR-GSE was a blunder on Toyota’s end.  Still, I trust the IS500 is going to continue to cement Lexus’s reliability legacy as the last N/A V8 in its class.

Pretty sure the least reliable is the LS460 engine. I'd probably pick the V6 line 3.0L & 3.5L over that. They do a Toyota Mark X TRD 3.5L with a manual transmission as well. Not sure where you'd even buy it though. I think it was marketed as the new Supra.