When you buy a used car, you want it to last forever. You don’t want a string of repairs and worries. We all know someone who’s spent good money on a nightmare. How can you avoid buying a money pit? Number one: buy from someone you trust. Rydell Outlet Center is an extension of the same group that has been supplying great new and used vehicles to the North Dakota/Minnesota area for almost 70 years. We don’t sell bad used cars. At the Outlet, finding diamonds and exceeding expectations is our specialty.
Second, a vehicle’s longevity is partly connected to care and maintenance. Take care of it and it will take care of you. No one builds a bad car these days and 100,000 miles is easy to achieve. Yet research shows some makes and models consistently age well. Toyota and Honda dominate lists of cars most likely to reach 200,000 miles. Both companies have always been dedicated to reliability and quality above all else. It shows. In 2019, 1.8% of all used Toyotas and 1.6% of Hondas sold had over 200k on the clock. Another common feature among high-mileage machines: many are established full-sized trucks or body-on-frame SUVs. They haven’t changed much over the years and they have simple powertrains. So what would we suggest to drive into the sunset and beyond?
Toyota Land Cruiser
Since 1951, the Land Cruiser has taken wildlife guides safely in and out of the most dangerous biomes in the world. It’s the second longest continuous production run of any automobile. Your commute might not involve lions or rhinos, but it could. Toyota continues to extensively test the Land Cruiser in the Australian outback, where heat and lack of resources can swiftly kill other vehicles. They’ve engineered a bullet-proof machine through generations of continual improvement.
One of the most coveted engine options is the 2UZ-FE 4.7-liter V-8, designed specifically for low-revving, high-torque applications. It features DOHC cylinder heads, MFI fuel injection, 4 valves per cylinder and a cast aluminum intake manifold. For over a decade starting in 1998, this cast iron block appeared in the Land Cruiser as well as the 4Runner, Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus GX/LX470. You might find one with the TRD bolt-on supercharger. A well maintained Land Cruiser will hold its value from 200k to 300k and beyond.
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevy first used the Suburban name in 1934. The title’s been synonymous with durability and capacity ever since. Long before SUVs were ubiquitous, the Suburban was what you chose to drive everything and everyone everywhere. It was originally known as the Suburban Carryall and it continues to live up to that mission. Available with three benches since the 1990s, it’s one of the rare vehicles that can seat nine. Underneath it all, the Suburban is a Chevy Truck. It’s rugged, easy to repair, easy to source parts for, and features the same reliable engines as their Silverado siblings.
The seventh generation was built from 1973 to 1991, far longer than any other version. It’s the classic giant box that’s been eating trails while loaded with camping gear since before “SUV” was a term. If you can turn a wrench and keep a truck running, you can keep a 7th generation Suburban going for another decade. Want something newer? The tenth generation (model years 2007-14) features a more aerodynamic shape and was also offered as a GMC Yukon XL. The 2010 model was named US News & World Report’s number one affordable large SUV. You could get one with a 5.3, 6.0 or 6.2-liter V-8.
Honda Ridgeline
Honda took everything it knew about long lasting cars and made their first attempt at a modern pickup truck in 2006. They were looking to pull buyers from sedans, minivans, and SUVs and into pickups. While the styling isn’t for every truck person, you can’t doubt the utility and versatility. The first generation features innovations like a locking in bed trunk, a dual action tailgate, an in bed audio system, and more ingenious storage than truck owners were used to at the time.
This first model was powered by a transverse mounted 3.4-liter V-6. The exhaust manifolds are cast directly into the cylinder heads of the aluminum block engine. This setup has proven to be near bullet proof when maintained on schedule. The Ridgeline will deliver the worry-free ownership experience you expect from a Honda car.
Ford Expedition
For many of the same reasons the Suburban is a classic, Ford’s example of a full sized SUV eats up miles without complaining. It doesn’t have the pedigree of the Suburban name, but Ford’s been playing in the dirt since the Bronco and before. The Expedition also benefits from being the stablemate of the world’s best selling truck.
Launched in 1997 as the heir to the Bronco, it’s their first full-sized four door SUV. It is mechanically a version of the F150, so parts from every generation are easy to find and so are qualified mechanics. The Lincoln Navigator is the same, but with a different badge and nicer appointments. You can find both models in extended versions and sometimes with EcoBoost engines. You might prefer the simplicity of a Ford V-8, however.
Toyota Tacoma
Few things have ever been more dependable than the most basic Toyota pickup. Whatever the decade, they hold their value. The Tacoma name was introduced in 1995 and it carried the durability with it. The basic 2.4-liter four-cylinder is a direct descendant of the engines that won’t stop pushing old Toyota trucks around. You might find a rugged TRD model or one with a 4.0 V-6. If well taken care of, you can continue to flip the odometer.
When searching for a great new-to-you vehicle, remember to ask the right questions, stick to simplicity, and shop with trustworthy people. Rydell has thrived in Grand Forks since the 1940s by selecting only the best used cars. Our new dealerships are a source of outstanding trades and we value our people above all else. You’ll find only the best pre-owned selection and the most helpful staff at the Outlet Center, so come by and have a drive.
Connect with us
