Mechanic Exposes Bad Used Car Advice
41sStarts with a strong, controversial warning against common internet advice, hooking viewers with insider knowledge.
▶ Play ClipA mechanic with 51 years of experience shares his top five picks for reliable used cars, warning against common internet advice that often recommends unreliable models like Chrysler products. He emphasizes that a mechanic's real-world experience is more trustworthy than online lists. The video covers specific model years and explains why each car is a good investment.
Scotty warns that online advice often recommends unreliable cars like Chrysler products, which mechanics know are poorly made.
The 2012 Honda Accord (four-cylinder) is reliable, with customers reaching 300,000–400,000 miles. Avoid 2005–2010 models with automatic transmission issues.
Built during Ford's partnership with Volvo, the 2012 Fusion is reliable and doesn't have the transmission problems of the Taurus. Since Ford stopped making cars, used prices are dropping.
The 2013 Civic is dependable, fuel-efficient, and holds its value. It appeals to both young enthusiasts and older drivers. Lower insurance costs add to savings.
The 2012 Corolla can run virtually forever with maintenance. Massive production means cheap aftermarket parts and plenty of used options.
The 2011 Camry is boring but reliable—starts every time, rarely breaks. Four-cylinder version recommended for longevity. In 2011, it outsold the Corolla in the US.
Always have a mechanic inspect any used car with diagnostic tools to check for hidden problems like flood or accident damage.
"The title accurately reflects the content—the video lists exactly five used car models with detailed reasoning from a mechanic."
What is the number five recommended used car?
2012 Honda Accord (four-cylinder recommended)
1:21
Which Honda Accord years had automatic transmission problems?
2005–2010 Honda Accords with automatic transmissions had a design flaw leading to a recall.
1:27
What is the number four recommended used car?
2012 Ford Fusion
2:42
Why was the Ford Fusion's build quality better than earlier Ford sedans?
Ford and Volvo were partnering at the time.
2:53
What is the number three recommended used car?
2013 Honda Civic
3:48
Why does Scotty say not to go for the cheapest price when buying a used Civic?
They hold their value well, so you pay more upfront but save on repairs and insurance.
4:33
What is the number two recommended used car?
2012 Toyota Corolla
5:49
Why are parts for the Toyota Corolla inexpensive?
Because they sold millions, there is a huge aftermarket for cheap parts (e.g., a fender for $50).
7:50
What is the number one recommended used car?
2011 Toyota Camry (four-cylinder recommended)
8:17
What unusual sales fact does Scotty mention about the 2011 Camry?
In 2011, Toyota sold more Camrys than Corollas in the United States.
9:13
What is Scotty's final advice before buying any used car?
Have a mechanic inspect it with diagnostic tools to check for hidden problems like flood or accident damage.
10:38
Trust a mechanic, not internet lists
Scotty emphasizes that online advice often recommends unreliable cars (like Chrysler products), while a mechanic's real-world experience is more trustworthy.
0:22Honda Accord transmission recall years
Clarifies that 2005–2010 Accords had automatic transmission issues, but the 2012 model is safe—a key detail for buyers.
1:27Ford Fusion's Volvo connection
The Fusion benefited from Ford's partnership with Volvo, resulting in better build quality and reliability than typical Ford sedans.
2:53Consider total cost of ownership, not just purchase price
Scotty advises that paying more upfront for a reliable car like a Civic saves money long-term on repairs and insurance.
4:33Corolla engine durability test
A mechanic friend drained the oil and revved a Corolla engine—it ran for a long time even after a cylinder blew, demonstrating extreme robustness.
6:01Camry outsold Corolla in 2011
Unusual for a mid-size sedan to outsell a compact, this shows the Camry's exceptional reputation and demand.
9:13Always get a pre-purchase inspection
Modern diagnostic tools can reveal hidden issues like flood or accident damage, making a mechanic's check essential before buying any used car.
10:38[00:00] rev up your engines, today I'm gonna talk
[00:09] can buy, now I know there's lots of people
[00:11] there talking about what's good and
[00:16] learn about what used cars to buy, ask a
[00:22] curiosity I Googled, some of that advice
[00:28] I even saw some that had three of the
[00:33] every mechanic knows they're some of the
[00:37] they're good to buy used, you don't want
[00:41] what they're talking about, I hate
[00:45] hold up over time, and over the last 51
[00:48] I hate it when my customers buy cars
[00:53] my customer I want them to tell their
[00:57] mechanic he knows how to fix your car
[01:00] the time and he's making up stuff just
[01:03] don't listen to used-car advice from
[01:07] he's gonna tell you to buy a Jaguar you
[01:12] cars, I don't care what people drive but
[01:17] I'll give them advice and here's my
[01:21] number five is a 2012 Honda Accord, and I
[01:27] Scotty you warned us about Honda's with
[01:31] true the 2005 to 2010 Honda Accords with
[01:38] for their automatic transmission because
[01:43] I've got customers with 2012 Honda
[01:48] experience of my customers cars the four
[01:53] longest, some guys want the v6 s because
[01:58] do have a tendency of wearing out a
[02:01] plenty of power and get quite a bit
[02:05] guys love these Accords because they're
[02:11] you can fix a whole family in there
[02:15] in a minivan, and here you want to
[02:19] used car, don't always go for the
[02:24] cars are cheap is because they aren't
[02:29] amount
[02:31] that's in good shape, but hey I've seen
[02:36] miles on them,
[02:39] of the things, as long as they don't
[02:42] thousand miles on them, now
[02:47] Fusion, used their often seen as an
[02:53] reasons this those were made when Volvo
[02:59] part way, the first time I ever had one I
[03:04] airport, and I was totally impressed by
[03:11] the Ford Taurus myself, but when I rented
[03:13] fusion I was impressed, they proved to
[03:18] didn't have the transmission problems
[03:22] pretty good move, now I mean Ford's not
[03:25] only gonna be making one the Mustang and
[03:30] is a really solid built car, and since
[03:34] anymore, you can generally pick up a used
[03:40] making cars the value of the old one
[03:45] Ford still gonna make parts for them, hey
[03:48] used fusion, now number three on the list
[03:55] reliable solid little cars
[03:59] first Honda that they sold in
[04:04] you'd think they came from different
[04:07] of young people like the civics because
[04:12] and put a lot of horsepower in there, Honda
[04:15] time they're very dependable
[04:21] and older people, they bought civics
[04:24] and they would say it always starts, it never
[04:28] down, and it hardly uses any gas, and sure
[04:33] reason I say don't go too cheap when
[04:36] think about expense over time,
[04:42] to get him I used Tacoma pickup
[04:45] he said, dad I'll probably keep this
[04:49] hardly any money per month if I keep
[04:53] so I'll just buy a brand new one, but if
[04:57] save a lot of money,
[05:01] you're gonna pay more for it certainly
[05:07] car, but it's gonna outlast them
[05:14] with probably maybe 20% of the repair
[05:19] cars that aren't as well made, and of
[05:22] that, your insurance rates, because let's
[05:27] it's wrecked or stolen or flooded
[05:31] you a new car, that's a lot of money, well
[05:36] the insurance is less on them too, and
[05:40] the insurance is less on that, because
[05:44] a v8, you're saving all kinds of ways if
[05:49] the list of best five used cars to buy,
[05:55] run virtually forever if you take care
[06:01] friend of mine he was having a party, and
[06:05] Toyota Corolla engine, so he emptied out
[06:09] brick on the accelerator and it was just
[06:13] for quite some time and then finally one
[06:18] cylinder broke, but then it was still
[06:21] I mean the things are really strongly
[06:29] design on a lot of cars, that's a 07
[06:34] Celica it's a 94 Celica,
[06:39] it has the same engine, transmission, just
[06:43] different suspension is all, I gotta laugh
[06:47] I just have to get an SUV for my family,
[06:55] road around for years in an 81 Toyota
[07:00] Corolla we went all over the country in
[07:03] stranded,
[07:06] buying a car like a 2012 Toyota Corolla is,
[07:13] them, so there are always going to be a
[07:17] sale, if a company makes a really
[07:21] of them their aren't gonna be that many used
[07:24] find, but there are Corollas all over the
[07:29] you're a fixer-upper, so you're gonna buy
[07:34] you get it cheap, fix it up and drive it
[07:37] that much about body style, so if they
[07:41] few dents on it, you just drive it
[07:45] care to put any money into it, because
[07:50] an insane aftermarket for those things,
[07:56] Fender, well you go to the Toyota dealer
[07:59] maybe five or six hundred bucks, you can get
[08:04] steel stamped on who cares you're just
[08:09] you can get parts that work perfectly
[08:13] advantage of mass production if you want
[08:17] hey get to use Corolla, now number one
[08:24] which is no surprise to most people, and
[08:28] Scotty what a boring pick 2011 Toyota Camry,
[08:33] pick it as a good used car to buy, it's
[08:38] its gonna start every time, and their
[08:43] than a Corolla does, but they're totally
[08:48] advise people buy the four-cylinder
[08:51] to get you around, the 6's, hey they're gonna
[08:55] and they will wear out faster I
[08:57] so it might wear out at 300,000 miles
[09:03] gonna wear out fast, and as an
[09:07] models of manufacturers sell more cars
[09:13] Toyota in the United States sold more
[09:19] it's cheaper models that sell more, but
[09:23] actually sold more Camrys than they did
[09:28] you can easily fit a whole family in a
[09:33] had customers that are real tall at six
[09:36] can't
[09:39] I said get in a Camry and sit in it and see
[09:43] whoa
[09:45] you're gonna pay a reasonable price for
[09:49] because they're so well made, but don't
[09:54] looking at a used Camry and then they
[09:59] half the price and it's got a v6 engine
[10:05] a couple years later they came in and
[10:09] Chrysler what a pile of junk and what did
[10:13] used camry, so my advice on that one
[10:18] you don't have to make the mistake
[10:20] hey learn from somebody else's mistake,
[10:25] because there's the old saying, oh I
[10:28] somebody else's problems, well if you're
[10:33] of it's not gonna be anybody's problem,
[10:38] when they're buying a used car,
[10:41] you buy it, because you can't trust
[10:45] anything, cars can be wrecked, flooded,
[10:51] of things that can happen, so you want a
[10:53] to check it out and with this modern
[10:57] hey when we mechanics plug our machines
[11:02] spin, and within an hour any mechanic
[11:05] car or no stay away from that one, so now
[11:11] buy used if you want peace of mind, and
[11:17] drive around in, so if you never want to
[11:23] videos, remember to ring that Bell!
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