Getting into a new car is one of the best feelings for any gearhead, and 2021 gave us some incredible options to choose from. All the parts are clean, it’s got that “new car” smell, and it’s just an overall exciting experience. Unfortunately, that isn’t the reality a lot of people live in. Brand-new cars are expensive and often need to be financed for a number of years, come with warranties that are sure to expire long before the vehicle begins to show its age, and high monthly payments.

Updated May 2022: Buying a new car has its benefits, but buying a used one is more often than not a wiser financial decision. To assist you in your used car purchase, we've compiled a list of some bulletproof cars that will last you upwards of a decade without any major headaches.

Buying used vehicles can be a smart move for many car buyers. It saves money and doesn’t always mean that the car won’t last as long as new. Some used vehicles that are only a few years old and have low mileage on them will last just as long as a brand-new model, and they're usually hit by depreciation. Generally, monthly payments are lower, because the cost is lower, and they can feel very close to brand new if they’re maintained well and cleaned extensively before purchase. Used car buyers are looking for good value for their money, and that’s exactly what used cars offer. They can last long without owners having to fork over mountains of cash for them.

22 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata

1999 Mazda Miata MX-5
Bring a Trailer

Sports cars aren't supposed to be reliable, especially fun ones like the Mazda Miata, but here we are. Throughout the Miata's evolution, there has never been a noteworthy unreliable model per se, but if we'd have to choose, we'd say the NB will last you the longest, Consumer Reports even went on to the give the 2002 MX-5 a reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5. Well-kept second-generation Mazda Miatas are also incredibly cheap, with most of them selling for just below $10,000 nowadays.

Related: HotCars Best Japanese Sports Car Of 2021: Mazda MX-5 Miata

21 1988 Toyota Hilux

1988-Toyota-Hilux-1
Classic Digest

If you're a fan of the old Top Gear, you knew this one had to be on our list, after all, Jeremy Clarkson literally tried to kill this Japanese pick-up, but all his efforts were futile. Unfortunately, these weren't for sale in The States, so you might have some issues finding one for sale, but even if you save one from the junkyard, its heart will probably still be beating. If you don't believe just how indestructible the Hilux is, Top Gear posted various parts on their YouTube channel that you can still watch today.

20 2015 Ford Taurus

2016 Ford Taurus SHO Cropped
Via chicagomotorcars.com

The Taurus had a complete overhaul in 2010, and we can’t thank Ford enough for that. The new body style looks modern and sleek, even with its larger body panels and higher center of gravity.

It has a roomy interior, near-luxury car level amenities, and an available EcoBoost V6 engine that will satisfy any need for performance in its SHO trim. They’re smooth riding, quiet, and have a massive truck that can easily fit any amount of groceries for the family. Base models can be found for under $10,000, and even well- and fully-equipped ones can be had for under $15,000.

19 2011 Ford Crown Victoria

Ford Crown Victoria Slammed
Via: North West Auto Salon

We all know and love this car. Realizing its headlights are coming for you through the night and peaking in the rearview mirror to make sure the cop isn’t making a U-turn, to being confused if the Crown Vic without the light bar on the top is a real cop car or not. There’s a reason the police used these cars for so many years, and even to this day officers still say they’re the best patrol cars they’ve ever driven. What makes them desirable on the used market is they’re not over-engineered. Everything about them is simple, and they used old-school proven technology to make it all happen. Because they’re so heavy, they have a smooth ride to them and sound great with a custom exhaust on them because of the V8 under the hood.

Related: Here's What A Ford Crown Victoria Would Look Like As A Coupe

18 2015 Lexus ES 350

Lexus-ES-350-1
Via thecarconnection.com

Lexus has been one of the most trusted brands in the car industry since they brought cars over to North America back in the early 1990s. Low maintenance costs, low cost-of-ownership, and the ability to hold their value are all part of why the ES 350 makes a great used car.

2015 models can be had for under $15,000, and older ones for even cheaper with relatively low miles and will run for well over 200,000 miles with the bare minimum maintenance. The interior and ride quality makes this one of the more desirable used vehicles on the market today. They can be tough to come across, though.

17 2011 Subaru Legacy

2010 Subaru Legacy
via The Car Connection

The legacy is a car some people tend to forget about when shopping for a used car. They tend to fly under the radar because the earlier body styles look so basic. That isn’t the case anymore. If they’re equipped properly, they can have a very distinct look and even turn some heads when driving downtown. They hold their value well and have what is arguably one of the best four-wheel-drive systems in the car industry. They have a unique Boxer engine that makes a very distinct sound when it gets into the high RPM range. This can be a good starting place for someone who wants to do a project car, too.

16 2021 Mazda 3

Mazda3 - Front Quarter
Via CarPixel

The Mazda3 is one of the smaller cars on the list, but that doesn’t make it any less of a car. Mazda has been churning these out for almost two decades now, and their reliability can be proven by the number of older body styles seen on the road today. While there are always outliers with vehicles, these generally have lasted a long time for their owners, despite some nagging rust issues. Keeping them running isn’t hard because they’re inexpensive to maintain, and the used market is flooded with them because they tend to lose value fairly quickly after being driven. Regardless, this is one of the better hatchbacks to buy used.

15 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

Chevrolet Silverado
Via-Chevrolet

One of the most purchased vehicles in the United States is the Silverado. Known for their dependability, these have been a staple in the truck world for many decades.

The non-HD models have used variations of the same small-block V8 for years now, and they’re easy to get parts for and maintain. The interiors have gotten much better, but they can still be had with only basic amenities, which means less breakable parts and a lower cost of ownership. The higher trims are near-luxury vehicle levels of comfort, while still providing the reliability the owner is looking for.

14 2020 Honda CR-V

2020 Honda CR-V in Blue Via Honda
Via Honda

Honda is one of those brands that seem to make cars that simply run forever. No matter what happens to the car, it starts and will drive across the country. The CR-V is no exception. Honda has been making these for years, and they’ve been nothing but rock solid for their owners. While early models lacked interior amenities, the more recent years seem to have solved that problem. The ride quality is good, and they lose value quickly so finding them for a good price on the used market shouldn’t be too hard.

13 2021 Lexus RX 350

2021 Lexus RX 350 F Sport surrounded by greenery
via Lexus Newsroom USA

Another Lexus product, the RX 350 is one of the best-selling crossovers in America. They get good gas mileage, have good cargo storage, and run as long as anyone could need a car to run for. They tend to hold their value more than other brands, so fining them for extremely cheap can be more difficult unless high mileage isn’t an issue. Deals can be found though, and the extra money spent on an RX 350 is well worth it. The design has been a point of controversy, but the average person would agree that it looks modern and sleek, which is what owners shopping in this segment are looking for.

12 Fifth-Generation Toyota 4Runner

2022 Toyota 4Runner

More Toyota here, and this isn’t the last. The 4Runner is one of the best off-road vehicles that will be backed by a brand like Toyota. They’ve been made since 1984 and there’s no sign of them slowing production anytime soon.

While they aren’t the most attractive-looking vehicles, their practicality cannot be questioned. They have 3rd-row seating, get good gas mileage, have decent towing capability, offer a smooth ride, good interior from recent models, and offer 4-wheel drive on some models. If someone is looking for a car that can do it all, this would have to be a top pick from this list, but if you're patient enough, we'd recommend waiting for the sixth-generation 4Runner to roll out first.

11 2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla
via: Guide Auto

Oh boy, more Toyota. While Corollas have had some issues in the past, they’ve been extremely reliable for the most part. They get excellent gas mileage, have good interiors, offer refined rides, and just run forever. With even the smallest amount of maintenance, owners shouldn’t be surprised for these to get to 250,000 miles without showing signs of aging. Proper maintenance is key though, as no car will run without the correct upkeep. Older models can be had for under $3000 in some cases and are quite common in most areas around the country. They’re the ideal small used for that run for a long time.

10 2015 Ford F-150

Ford F-150 2015
via ExtremeTech

This is another one of those vehicles that when it comes to dependability, the Ford F-150. Like the Silverado, the F-150 has also been a staple in the truck world for around half a century now, and they are still the best-selling truck in America, no wonder they've been around for 40 years now.

With a plethora of engine choices, even a new electric Lightning version, this can be a more compelling truck than the Silverado. From the V6 turbo diesel model and the Ford Raptor twin-turbo V6 engine with 500 lb.-ft. of torque, to the old-fashioned V8, there’s something for all kinds of buyers in this segment.

9 2006 Honda Civic

2006Honda_Civic
Via: NetCarShow

The Civic, until recent years, was never near the top when it came to styling or interior quality. Now with interior amenities and styling that fits what buyers want, there’s not a much better car than the new Honda Civic. These lose value quickly, so they can be found all over the used car market for a great price. Even low-mileage lease returns can be had for nearly half the price they were bought for just a few years earlier. Their reliability is well known throughout the automotive industry, and owners can expect to have these go for well over 200,000 miles.

8 2016 Acura TL

2016 Acura TLX
Honda Newsroom

The Acura TL is sometimes a car that is overlooked when it comes to buying a used car. These also have somewhat of an enthusiast following, as they have a sportier look and feel, but haven’t always had the power to back up the sporty looks. Regardless, they are still well-engineered cars and have good reliability records. With all cars come outliers, but the majority of owners have said that these have gone well over 230,000 miles without any type of problems whatsoever. These can be more difficult to find, but they still are quite available in most areas.

7 2021 Honda Accord

2021 Honda Accord in Red
Via Honda

With the number of engine types that Honda makes, it’s no surprise that they make reliable ones for cars, too. The Accord has been one of the bestselling sedans in America for many years now, and there’s good reason for that. They have sporty looks, nimble handling, a comfortable ride, great gas mileage, and a reputation for being driven, in some cases to 300,000 miles. They’ve been considered the best all-around sedans as far as practicality, value, and reliability goes. Because they’ve been making them for so long, they’re easy to find for a great price.

6 2013 Kia Optima

White 2013 kia Optima
Via Kia Media

Initially, the Kia Optima was initially not a great vehicle to drive: They felt underpowered, and all the body panels looked like they were put together at separate times and didn’t match well. With that said, Kia upgraded the build and interior quality of the Optima in 2010, and it was then one of the best driving sedans in the class. They get good gas mileage, have an available turbocharged engine, and offer the best warranty in the car industry. Kia continues to produce fun, reliable, sporty cars like the Kia K5 for example.

5 2015 Nissan Maxima (Or Newer)

2018 Nissan Maxima
via Nissan USA

The Nissan Maxima is arguably the most expensive sedan on the list. There isn’t too much holding it back from being a four-door sports car other than the fact it has a CVT transmission, which enthusiasts cannot stand.

The pictured body style can be found for some deals, but around the 2015 model year is when the deals can be found. These would be the lease returns that will have lower miles and a lot can be found for under $20,000. They have good power, a comfortable ride, modern-looking interiors, and decent gas mileage for considering what’s under the hood.

4 2014 Subaru Outback

2014 Subaru Outback
via: amazonaws.com

The Subaru Outback would win the award for the most practical car in its segment. With the wagon body style, the storage space is expanded greatly compared to a traditional sedan. The body style has somewhat of a following, with them being more desirable in some automotive groups. It’s very similar to the Legacy in most aspects, offering the great 4-wheel drive system Subaru is known for, decent gas mileage, modern interior, and great reliability. There are a lot of these on the used car market, many of them under $10,000, and they're perfect for someone who likes to make long road trips, too.

3 2021 Toyota Camry

Front 3/4 view of a silver Camry XSE Hybrid on the move
Toyota

The Toyota Camry is the sixth best-selling car in America, but it used to be at the number one spot. That’s all that needs to be said about it. People continue to buy this over other sedans in its class because it outlasts any of them, and with low maintenance costs. Older used ones can be found almost anywhere and even low mileage ones can be found for under $10,000. They’re comfortable to ride in, the interiors offer what buyers in the segment want, and they’re very fuel-efficient. There aren’t many cars that touch this in terms of reliability and cost-of-ownership, so you know you'll be receiving a bulletproof car.

Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD