13 Cars Owners Love After Years of Driving
Cars are more than just lumps of metal, plastic, and wiring. They have souls and can form a symbiotic relationship with its owner.
Owning a car for years builds a special relationship between the owner and the machine. Whether it is the car’s low-maintenance cost, reliability, or simply a sense of comfort, they live up to decades with the nuts bolted right.
This hand-picked list features vehicles demonstrating loyalty deeper than a man’s best friend. With a long way to go in life or on the road, these cars remain the most dependable ones in the league.
1. Toyota Camry
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The Camry is a vehicle best described as dependable. It’s loved by enthusiasts for its long-term reliability and low maintenance costs.
The Toyota Camry features a modest yet robust and resilient interior. The Hybrid variant earns greater fame as the four-cylinder engine is even cheaper to maintain. Quiet and pleasant on the move, the Toyota Camry captures the hearts of several with its discreet and steady nature.
2. Honda CR-V
With a retention rate of 30.9% to its name, the Honda CR-V sticks like glue. Cheap replacements, quick oil changes, and sturdy plastic accessories mark the best features of the CR-V.
The body panels, secured with plastic coverings, protect the paint from scrapes and scratches. The CR-V pushes a bare 185 horsepower, saving bucks at the pump. When it’s time, the owners give them to the next of kin, making the CR-V a reliable generational SUV.
3. Toyota Highlander
Ranking as the top SUV kept for over fifteen years, the Highlander shines bright with an aggressive grille. This automobile is perfect for camping. It can tow heavy objects with ease.
The eight-seater creates a cinematic ride with high-tech features and plenty of legroom to relax. High on the safety ranks, this vehicle also consumes fuel economically, easily making it the best SUV.
4. Subaru Outback
Subaru packs simplicity, reliability, and durability. The Outback is an all-rounder when it comes to terrains and seasons. A rigid powertrain and a stout engine paired with easy fixes make the Outback tough to beat in the grand scheme.
A carrier on top makes transportation effortless. This roomy hatchback can carry your family, luggage, and pets from point A to B. If you find the need for a hard-wearing road partner, the Outback is your best bet.
5. Toyota Tacoma
Fiercer pick-up trucks roam the market, but nothing beats the domination of the Toyota Tacoma. It holds an unwavering resale value. Its heavy-duty construction and trustworthy powerhouse reinforce its reputation.
Many admire its diversity. The Tacoma comes in different cab styles, bed lengths, and trim levels at different price points. It aptly caters to the needs and fosters a strong brand loyalty of its customers.
6. Toyota Prius
The Prius has always received mixed reviews. But those who love it keep it for years on end. This hybrid provides a comfortable experience with cheap fuel and maintenance costs.
The Prius puts money pits to shame. Its initial designs didn’t garner much appeal, but lately, Toyota has been on the upswing in that arena. This four-seater hatchback helps you reduce your carbon footprint with reliability.
7. Toyota Land Cruiser
The average ownership period tops over a decade for the Land Cruiser. That says a lot about this SUV’s quality. This automobile offers a rugged off-roading experience while doubling as a luxurious family cruiser. Its versatility boosts its value by manifold.
Even second-hand Cruisers pass muster. Whether beat-up or carefully driven, you can always get more life out of the SUV. They’re built to last and conquer.
8. Volkswagen Golf
This hatchback is a sporty-looking unit. It is easy to own and fun to drive. Most of you must’ve seen it crushing sportscars on the Nürburgring track in Germany, making it all the more fascinating.
The Golf bundles endless potential. It comes in both a manual and automatic transmission, opening up avenues for the divided car community. It also hooks a cult-like following.
9. Lexus ES 300H
A Lexus, an upscale subsidiary of Toyota, is often a wise investment. Its bland looks are substantiated by its toughness. The side-view mirrors resemble the LC500’s, a high-end convertible. The shark fin behind the sunroof on top adds a nifty detail.
The 300H holds an ordinary interior but it is hard-wearing and durable. Chrome trims and burlwood add a fine touch to the otherwise quaint interior of the older ES generations.
10. Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda Miata remains a fan favorite. Its dedicated fanbase fleets all platforms, but there’s a reason for such love. The MX-5 Miata is nimble, small, and sporty, and provides a flawless vessel for modifications.
One of the Miata’s most endearing aspects is its pop-up headlights and convertible tops. Lower price points make it affordable and accessible. Being a lightweight sportscar, it opens up room for unending possibilities.
11. Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is a curveball in a list of mostly affordable vehicles. Flashy, expensive, and fast, the 911 is a record-breaking German legend to the market. What makes it so lovable? Its duality as a sportscar and a daily driver.
The 911 caters to drivers of all skill levels. With a roomy and classy interior, the 911, despite its speed, cannot outrun its enviable legacy and fine engineering. This iconic maniac averages an ownership time of 9.9 years!
12. Volkswagen Passat
Simple to maintain and agile on the roads, the Volkswagen Passat reigns at the top in the build quality ring. It’s considered Audi’s little sibling which is easier to look after. The Passat presents an array of transmission and engine variants to suit your preference!
The interior is laden with amenities without making it too complex. This mid-size sedan is donned in recognizable styling. The design has remained mostly unchanged over the last few generations, with minor facelifts here and there.
13. Toyota Avalon Hybrid
The list ends with the indestructible Toyota. The Avalon is an underrated feat in Toyota’s line-up. This hybrid is a force to be reckoned with, with Toyota’s hallmark capability fitted in a Lexus-style luxury. It’s truly a class favorite with a 36.5% ownership past ten years.
It sets you back more than a Corolla or a Camry. That’s because the Avalon classifies as an upscale model in terms of pricing and facilities. Its popularity stays low as it teeters between the retail rates of Toyota and Lexus.
