Here’s more information to follow up our report on the increase in used car sales. Reg-Trak indicates the sale of new cars throughout Southern Wisconsin in December was down more than 32% from one year ago.
We have an exclusive partnership with Consumer Reports who is indicating the biggest draw right now is side-stepping depreciation with the purchase of a used car.
Here’s a list of 1998-2007 models compiled by our partners; based on several years of better-than-average reliability. The items checked include major and minor engine repairs, transmission, drive system, fuel system, electrical and climate systems, suspension, brakes, exhaust, paint/trim, body integrity, body hardware, power equipment and audio system. This considered “best of the best:” Acura Integra, MDX, RL, RSX, TL AND TSX; BMW M3, Buick LaCrosse, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic-Hybrid, CR-V, Element, Odyssey, Pilot and S2000; Infinity FX, G35, 130, 135 and QX4; Lexus ES, GS (rwd), GX, IS, LS, RX and SC; Lincoln Continental and Town Car, Mazda Millenia, MX-5 Miata, Protege’ and 3; Mitsubishi Endeavor and Outlander, Nissan Altima, Maxima and Murano; Pontiac Vide, Porsche 911 (except 2003), Scion tC and xB, Subaru Baja, Forester, Impreza, Legacy and Outback; Toyota 4Runner, Avalon, Camry (except 2007 v6), Camry Solara, Celica, Corolla, Echo, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Matrix, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tundra (except 2007 v8 4wd), and Volvo S60.
And here’s what Consumer Reports considers “worst of the worst” with multiple years of worse than average reliability among the 1998-2007 models: Buick Rendezvous (awd) and Terraza; Chevrolet Astro, Blazer, Colorado (4wd), s-10 pickup (4wd) Uplander and Venture; Chrysler Town and Country (awd), Dodge Grand Caravan (awd), GMC Canyon (4wd), Jimmy, S-15 Sonoma (4wd) and Safari; Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sedona, Land Rover Discover-LR3, Lincoln Aviator, Mercedes-Benz SL, Nissan Armada (4wd) and Titan (4wd), Olds Bravada and Silhouette; Pontiac Aztek, G6, Montana (trans sport and SV6); Saturn Relay, V.W. Cabriolet, Jetta sedan (turbo and V6) and touareg.
If you have a follow up question, I’ll be happy to try and answer it for you; or direct you to someone with the answer.
Until next time.. Teri
tbarr@wisctv.com
