Mechanic reveals the reliable $6k-$8k cars that any shop can work on
Buying a used car is hard. And finding one on a budget that won’t cost an arm-and-a-leg to maintain can be daunting. Luckily, a mechanic who goes by the “Car Wizard” on TikTok compiled a list of reliable used cars that almost any shop can work on. Best of all, you can find them for $6k-$8k.
- 2006-12 – Toyota Camry
- 2005-12 – Lincoln Town Car
- 2007-11 – Honda Accord
- 2009-13 – Subaru Outback
- 2011-16 – Dodge Charger
- 2007-14 – Ford Mustang
2006-2012 Toyota Camry (6th-Gen/XV40)
You’ve heard of the “indestructible Japanese s—box” and you probably thought of the Toyota Camry. The mid-size Camry (not to be confused with the compact Corolla) has a similar front-engine, FWD layout. The 6th-gen came with a bulletproof six-speed automatic and you could buy it with a fuel-efficient I4 or more powerful V6. But that resulted in a less dependable and more expensive vehicle.
The Car Wizard said: “These are extra, extra reliable. This is easily a 400,000 mile car. So if it has 200 on it, that’s fine. As long as it’s been maintained and also you plan to keep on maintaining it, it should get to 400,000 miles without too much trouble.”
2005-2012 Lincoln Town Car (3rd-Gen)
The third generation Lincoln Town Car road on the Ford Crown Victory/Mercury Marauder platform. With millions of taxi cabs and police cars mechanically identical to your Lincoln Town Car, any auto show can find parts and repair this car. It’s a little less efficient than the Japanese option on this list, but comfortable and reliable.
The Car Wizard urges you to look past this “grandpa’s car” reputation. “Trust me, once you drive one, you’ll change your mind how comfortable and relaxing it is. These have bulletproof, time-tested engines all the way back from the early 90s, the 4.6 modular engine. Really absolutely bulletproof.”
2007-2011 Honda Accord (8th-Gen)
The mid-size cousin of the Honda Civic has stood the test of time. Similar to the Camry, it was available with an I4. It also had a five-speed automatic. This generation has depreciated so much, that if you can find a low-mileage, rust-free example it’s worth snapping up.
“These are almost as reliable as a Toyota Camry…this is another 300 or more thousand mile car. You can expect to get that kind of life out of it. These have a four-cylinder or a V6 option depending on what you want. I like the four-cylinder option because it has less moving parts, less spark plugs, less coils, a whole lot of less expense in repairing them.”
2009-2013 Subaru Outback (4th-Gen)
Subaru doesn’t historically have the same reputation for reliability as Honda and Toyota. But its reputation is improving and Consumer Reports finally ranked it the most reliable used brand in 2025. But you can still buy used Subarus without the premium used Hondas and Toyotas command.
“This is going to be in that $6,000 to $8,000 range. If you go much older, it gets way cheaper. If you go much newer, the price goes up. These are going to be all-wheel drive. They’re going to be very rugged. These things are all over the country. These also easily get 30 to 35 miles per gallon, and they’re very usable.”
2011-2016 Dodge Charger (7th-Gen/LD)
These have a reputation as show-off muscle cars. Also, Chrysler Corporation struggled with build quality in decades past. But the Charger is a bulletproof police officer platform, like the Ford Crown Victoria/Lincoln Town Car was before it. For $6k-$8k, you’re probably looking at a V6 engine, but it will certainly get the job done.
“They actually are pretty decent. They’re very comfortable. They’re very easy to work on. Definitely any shop that’s reputable should be able to work on a domestic Dodge Charger.”
2007-2014 Ford Mustang (5th-Gen/S197)
The final entry in the Car Wizard’s list may surprise you. Isn’t the Mustang a powerful muscle car? The truth is the automaker offered it with a reliable V6 engine and automatic transmission, and this configuration isn’t commanding a very high resale price.
“I’m not talking about doing hooning in them. They actually are a very reliable car. These are actually built very well. All jokes aside, again, they really are a good car. Any shop worth their weight should be able to repair a domestic Ford Mustang.”
MotorBiscuit has reached out to the Car Wizard via his TikTok @nbmpxlpnid. Hear more about reliable cars any shop can work on from the Car Wizard himself in the video embedded below.
