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I’m a mechanic – here are the six most reliable cars under $10,000

By Nova M Bajamonti for Dailymail.Com

22:45 27 May 2024, updated 22:45 27 May 2024

  • Content creator David Long shared the most reliable cars on TikTok
  • The 2000-05 Buick Lesabre and 1999-2006 Chevy Silverado made the list
  • Number three on the car enthusiast list was the 2004-2009 Lexus RX 350.



A mechanic revealed the six best used cars he thinks you should buy for under $10,000.

US-based content creator David Long shared the most reliable vehicles in a three-part series on TikTok with his 40,000+ followers.

The car enthusiast explained that his top picks were the 2000-2005 Buick Lesabre, 1999-2006 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra, 2004-2009 Lexus RX 350, 1998-2012 Ford Crown Victoria, 1996-2000 Lexus LS 400, and Toyota 2001-2007 Highlander

David said the six cars were “crazy buys”, which for him meant that “as long as it’s maintained, well serviced, not broken into or a flooded car, then these cars are cars you can buy with confidence.”

The mechanic began his video by talking about his first choice: a 2000-2005 Buick Lesabre.

US-based content creator David Long shared the six most reliable used cars in a three-part TikTok series with his 40,000+ followers

The car’s perks include a 3.8 V6 with an automatic transmission and gets up to 30 mpg on the highway.

He mentioned that it is less likely to break and if it does break, its parts can be bought cheaply and are readily available.

David noted that if the original plastic coolant elbows under the alternator start to leak, they can easily be replaced with metal ones.

A car lasts 300,000 to 400,000 miles over its lifetime and costs $2,000 to $5,000.

The second car on the list is the 1999 to 2006 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra.

He explained why he didn’t carry over from 2006 when it came to the model, saying: “We’re starting to get into the active fuel management junk and we all know that’s junk and when they break it destroys the engine or it can grenade the engine .

The car is a “4.8 or 5.3 LS-based V8” and “they’re called the Vortec 5.3 or 4.8” and has six liters.

He added: “You can get them in specialist trucks or in three-quarter tonnes, but we’re only talking about the budget half-tonne truck.

David shared that some of his top picks are the 2000-2005 Buick Lesabre, 1999-2006 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra, and the 2004-2009 Lexus RX 350

Mechanic’s top six “crazy buys” list

  1. 2000-2005 Buick Lesabre
  2. 1999 -2006 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra
  3. 2004-2009 Lexus RX 350
  4. 1998-2012 Ford Crown Victoria
  5. 1996-2000 Lexus LS 400
  6. 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander

“They can have a manual transmission or you can get them with an automatic and a four-by-four [or] two-wheel drive – it’s up to you [and] what you are looking for.

The car can also tow a small camper or trailer, and its price ranges from $5,000 to $10,000.

The third car on his list was the 2004 to 2009 Lexus RX 350, which was a mid-size SUV.

It comes in a 3.3 V6 or 3.5 V6 and can easily get 30 mpg on the highway.

Older models of the car before 2009 cost from $5,000 to $10,000.

The fourth car to make the cut was the 1998 to 2012 Ford Crown Victoria, which cops used as their car of choice – however, the popular car was discontinued in 2012.

David wrote: “These cars are the epitome of bullet proof. They are very reliable.

“Ford really hit the nail on the head. Here they really hit the nail on the head when they created a car that is reliable, comfortable and easy to maintain.

The car has a “4.6 V8 and has an automatic transmission,” but David noted that “they’re not fuel efficient.”

It can get up to 25 mpg on the highway and has a lifetime mileage of 300,000 to 400,000 miles.

If any parts needed to be repaired, they were “very plentiful and very cheap,” he added.

David added: “It’s called the Panther Platform – it’s also a Lincoln Town Car, [or the] Mercury Grand Marquis.

“There are several vehicles that use this platform, but this is one of the best, if not the best platform that Ford Motor Company has ever made in the history of their company. It’s definitely a hassle-free purchase.”

The fifth car on the list is the 1996 to 2000 Lexus LS 400.

David explained: “They’re getting old – they are [24] they are now years old, but for 2000 they are reliable.

“There is so much more on the way. They are literally tanks. They are built to be more than extremely reliable. They have a globally recognized level of reliability.

The car has a four-liter V8 and an automatic transmission.

If you have to replace any parts, they may be “a little more expensive because it’s a Toyota.”

The car can get between 25 and 27 mpg on the highway.

The three-part video series has received more than 500,000 views – and many people took to the comments section to share their thoughts

The 1996-2000 range means the car is OBD2, which David says means, “If you have a check engine light, your local parts store can still read the code for free and you may be able to fix the car yourself if it’s fabulously cheap.

The price of the car ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, with most being on the higher end.

David noted, “They knocked it out of the park with the LS 400. You can’t go wrong with it.”

The last and sixth car on his list was the 2001 to 2007 Toyota Highlander, which is a mix between a small and mid-size SUV.

David shared his personal connection to the car, explaining: “My dad owns one.

“He asked me years ago what kind of car to buy – him [was] looking for a small SUV. I said, “Go get the Highlander, you’ll thank me later,” and he did.

“Years later he thanked me. He said: “I’m getting to the stage of life – I’m getting old. I don’t have time to constantly mess around under the hood, [and] trying to fix things.”

He said his father added, “This car has served me so well. Always starts, always runs and never drops a drop.

The car features a 2.44 cylinder, three liter, 3.3 V6 that gets between 25 and 30 mpg on the highway.

David added that the car is “very economical,” offers a third row of seats, has 300,000 miles on the clock, and costs between $5,000 and $10,000.

In closing, David shared, “Yes, you should go buy one of these six. Please go out and buy one of these. You won’t regret it, but don’t forget to check out the interior.

“Make sure it’s been taken care of—it’s not shredded, it’s not torn up by kids or literally pets urinating in it or anything like that.” Make sure that’s clean too.

The three-part video series has received more than 500,000 views – and many people took to the comments section to share their thoughts.

One person wrote: “Everything Toyota. The end’, while a second person commented: ‘There’s nothing more reliable than a Toyota.’

A third person agreed: “Toyotas are the bomb. I got an 05 Sequoia sr5 2wd and it was a rock star.

“Toyota, Toyota, Toyota… period,” wrote a fourth person.

Petty commented, “Any Ford with a 4.6 will go forever.”

Another user added: “I’ve always wondered why car companies retire ridiculously successful engine platforms and it never made sense to me.”

Another person said: “The new Toyotas have turbos and damaged engines.”

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