10 Most Unreliable Cars of 2009

Unexpected repairs are a nightmare for any new car buyer. After investing thousands in a new vehicle the last thing you should be burdened with are repair bills. Fortunately we can tell you which cars to avoid. Consumer Reports recently released their 2009 Annual Car Reliability Survey, using this and five-year repair-cost data Forbes.com has complied a list of the 10 most unreliable cars to buy.

1. Volkswagen Touareg
    Consumer Reports Rating: 66
    Five-year Cost of Repairs: $907
2. Mercedes-Benz GL450
    Consumer Reports Rating: 77
    Five-year Cost of Repairs: $1,509
3. Lincoln MKS
    Consumer Reports Rating: 73
    Five-Year Cost of Repairs: $869
4. Jaguar XF
    Consumer Reports Rating: 72
    Five-Year Cost of Repairs: $1,301
5. GMC Canyon
    Consumer Reports Rating: 41
    Five-Year Cost of Repairs: $718
6. Ford F-250
    Consumer Reports Rating: 37
    Five-year Cost of Repairs: $969
7. Dodge Caravan
    Consumer Reports Rating: 60
    Five-year Cost of Repairs: $807
8. Chrysler Town & Country
    Consumer Reports Rating: 64
    Five-year Cost of Repairs: $807
9. Chrysler Sebring Convertible
    Consumer Reports Rating: 45
    Five-year Cost of Repairs: $770
10. Chevrolet Colorado
    Consumer Reports Rating: 41
    Five-year Cost of Repairs: $798

The car with the best Consumer Reports reliability rating was the Honda Insight, followed by numerous Toyota, Honda, and Nissan models.

The Dodge Caravan Passenger Van – The Original Minivan Is Well-Rivaled

The world's first minivan, the Dodge Caravan, hailed in a whole new market almost 25 years ago. Although many believe the days of the minivan are numbered, a van with room for seven passengers plus some extra cargo is still very much in vogue for some buyers. The BuyingAdvice team recognizes that the Dodge Caravan Passenger Van is one of the lower priced minivans on the market, but we believe that some competitors offer more desirable features at only a slightly higher price.

The Dodge Caravan has stayed close to its original formula, providing a practical van for those with stuff and people to transport. One pragmatic feature is seats that quickly and easily fold down in order to carry cargo. However, what's lacking is a more powerful engine, cargo space and better reliability. Also, many competitors have more standard safety features like ABS, side airbags and traction control.

If you are looking for a minivan with more power and standard features, the BuyingAdvice team recommends the Chevrolet Uplander Passenger Van and the Kia Sedona. They cost about $1,000 and $1,500 more respectively, but you will get a lot more van for your money.