If you listen to the radio, you may have heard those Car Talk guys say that buying and maintaining a used car is almost always cheaper in the long run than buying, financing and maintaining a new car. And on the same show, you've no doubt heard the countless tales from “Bonnie in Minnesota” and her car with 300,000 miles that just keeps running, even in the harsh winters, and with minimal maintenance. Chances are you've heard such stories of nearly invincible cars from people you know, or maybe you've even told them yourself.
With the economy in the tank and more folks looking for these used diamonds in the rough, we compiled the following list of 'forever cars' from research, reviews from places like Edmunds and Consumer Reports, fun little anecdotes, and even our own personal experience. It's far from scientific, but neither is picking a used car. In fact it's still relatively a crap shoot, and no model carries an absolute guarantee of everlasting life, but here's a few that seem to beat the odds more than others.
1. Subaru Wagons
Here's a Japanese company that just knows how to make a hatchback. Whether it's a new Forester or a vintage GL, they seem to be ubiquitous everywhere you go, including some of the harshest climates around. Whether it's Alaska, Minnesota or high in the Rockies, you can bet on seeing a disproportionate number of Suby wagons still rockin' the road.