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Hi there,

I'm looking at upgrading from a '99 Caldina and I'm looking for basically something similar but newer. Not bothered between a sedan or a wagon. I'm put off the newer Caldina's because they only have 2 air bags, and safety is more important to me now. The most important things to me are: safety, reliability, fuel efficiency (I travel on the open road more than 500km a week). So, I'm considering these cars, 2006 or newer: Toyota Avensis, Subaru Legacy, Mazda Atenza, Ford Mondeo/Focus, Hyundai Sonata. My questions are:
1. Do any of these models stand out as particularly good for what I'm looking for?
2. Of these models, are there any I should avoid? Any known problems?
3. Because the Avensis and the Ford's are Euro-built, does that mean they'll be more expensive to service?

Thanks for your help!

Hi there,
All these vehicles are great, my picks would be the Avensis, Legacy, and Atenza. These are reliable and popular, we hear less problems.
Euro built should still be fairly reasonable to service.

Cade,I have some doubts about your advice here,just a few days ago you were advising "kmahkmah" of the problems with the Avensis due to carbon problems.Now they are a good reliable vehicle???

Yes this is true, as long as you avoid the FSE engine. Avensis come out with a few different engines. So just keep that in mind.

Well I looked for over 8 months for an Avensis but could not find one without the D4 engine in both 2.0 and 2.4 versions.I dont believe there is such a thing as a non D4 in these cars.