If you plan to keep a car for ten years or more, the price you pay matters less than two other things: how slowly it loses value and how much it costs to keep it running in its second decade. Both point to a fairly small group of cars.
Depreciation is the biggest cost
For most new cars, depreciation is the largest single cost of ownership, ahead of fuel. Some models lose half their value in five years; others hold on much better. Pickups such as the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra, the Toyota 4Runner, the Jeep Wrangler, the Honda Civic and CR-V, the Subaru Crosstrek and the Porsche 911 regularly appear in resale-value rankings from sources such as Kelley Blue Book.
Strong resale value also helps owners who keep a car for a long time, because it usually reflects demand for durable, easy-to-repair vehicles.
Cars with a long-life reputation
Some models are known for reaching very high mileages. Toyota’s Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia and Tacoma, the Honda Accord and Civic, and Lexus sedans like the ES often top studies of the vehicles most likely to pass 200,000 miles. What they share is a conservative design: proven engines, simple drivetrains and a big supply of affordable parts.
What to avoid
Complex luxury cars can be great to drive but expensive to keep once the warranty ends; air suspension, large touchscreens and twin-turbo engines all add potential repair bills. Also be cautious with the first model year of a new generation, when early problems are still being fixed. Checking reliability surveys and recall history for the exact year helps.
Electric and hybrid cars over the long run
Hybrids have proved very durable, and their batteries usually last much longer than people feared. Electric cars have fewer moving parts, though battery capacity slowly decreases and replacement outside warranty is expensive. Most manufacturers cover the high-voltage battery for at least eight years in the US. Our guide to maintenance for different car types explains what changes with each.
How to make any car last
The car’s design gives it potential; maintenance decides whether it reaches it. Follow the service schedule in the owner’s manual (the “severe” schedule if you do many short trips or tow), change fluids on time, fix small leaks early, and keep the underside clean if your roads are salted in winter. A folder of receipts also helps when you finally sell: our article on keeping car maintenance records shows how. For more, see how to make your car last longer.
