The best and worst used cars

The best and worst used cars

Consumer Reports rates reliability of 1998-2005 models

March 9, 2021 -- Consumer Reports magazine compiled the results on more than one million vehicles in its 2005 Annual Subscriber Survey. Because of that, CR says, its data paints a more expansive reliability picture than ever before. The result is the compilation of its 'Good Bets' and 'Bad Bets' lists, published in the magazine's annual April 2006 Auto Issue.

The lists are compiled from overall reliability data covering 1998-2005 models with better-than-average or much-worse-than-average reliability.

Consumer Reports 'Good Bets' for used cars

A total of 62 models are included in the 2005 Good Bets list of typically reliable models that have performed well in road tests.

(listed alphabetically)

Acura: Integra, MDX, RL, RSX, TL

BMW: Z3, Z4

Buick: Regal

Chevrolet: Prizm

Ford: Crown Victoria, Escort, Mustang (V8)

Honda: Accord, Civic, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Element, Odyssey, Pilot, Prelude, S2000

Infiniti: FX35 (V6), G20, G35, I30, I35, QX4

Lexus: ES 300, ES 330, GS 300/GS 400/GS 430, IS 300, GX 470, LS 400, LS 430, RX 300, RX 330

Lincoln: Town Car

Mazda: Millenia, MX-5 Miata, Protege

Mercury: Grand Marquis

Mitsubishi: Galant

Nissan: Altima, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder

Pontiac: Vibe

Subaru: Forester, Impreza, Impreza WRX, Legacy, Outback

Toyota: 4Runner, Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, Celica, Corolla, Echo, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Matrix, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tundra.

Consumer Reports 'Bad Bets' for used cars

A total of 34 models are included in the 2005 list of CR Bad Bets, models that are considered especially risky buys and that have exhibited several years of below-average reliability.

(listed alphabetically)

BMW: 7 Series, X:5 (V8)

Chevrolet: Astro, Blazer, Express 1500, S-10 (4WD), TrailBlazer, Venture

Chrysler: Town & Country (AWD)

Dodge: Grand Caravan (AWD)

GMC: Envoy, Jimmy, Safari, Savana 1500, Sonoma (4WD)

Jaguar: S-Type, X-Type

Kia: Sedona

Land Rover: Discovery

Lincoln: LS, Navigator

Mercedes-Benz: CLK, E-Class (V8)

Oldsmobile: Alero, Bravada, Silhouette

Pontiac: Aztek, Trans Sport/Montana

Saturn: Vue (AWD)

Volkswagen: Cabrio, Jetta, New Beetle, Passat Wagon (V6)

Volvo: XC90.