Toyotas, Hondas and Volkswagens are all great cars.

I currently own a Toyota (well, it's a Geo, but it has a Toyota engine) and it has been the BEST car I've ever owned - not a single problem, even a minor one, in nine years of steady driving. My firend's mom has an ancient Toyota that is approaching 300,000 miles. Seriously.

I also currently own two Volkswagens, and I love my little VW's!

I've never owned a Honda, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one at all. My niece had a CRX that was a great little car for many years.


I would highly recommend avoiding American cars. I have especially witnessed and heard of Ford horror stories. I have a Dodge van for work - timing chain broke before 70,000 miles. My brother-in-laws Ford truck's engine block cracked at 50,000 miles. I had a Ford Escort in college that went through three carborators in a single year. My best friend had a Taurus that had everything possible wrong with it within the first few years she owned it.

OTOH, I have a 24 year old Chevy Camaro that is my baby. Other than a slight transmission seal leak, it still runs like a dream.