I'm a mechanic - here are the six most reliable cars for under $10,000

A mechanic has revealed the top six used cars that he thinks you should be buying for under $10,000.   

US-based content creator David Long, known as Car Wizard online, shared the most reliable vehicles with his more than one million subscribers in a YouTube video last year that has since resurfaced on TikTok.  

The car enthusiast explained that his top picks were the 2000-2005 Buick Lesabre, the 1999-2006 Chevy Silverado or the GMC Sierra, the 2004-2009 Lexus RX 350, the 1998-2012 Ford Crown Victoria, the 1996-2000 Lexus LS 400, and the 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander. 

David said the six cars were 'no brainer buys,' which to him meant that 'as long as it's been up-kept, good service, it has not been wrecked, or it's not a flood car, then these cars are cars you can buy with confidence.'

The mechanic started off his video by talking through his first choice: the 2000-2005 Buick Lesabre. 

US-based content creator David Long has shared the six most reliable used cars in a three-part TikTok series with his more than 40,000 followers

The car's perks include a 3.8 V6 in automatic transmission, and it goes up to 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

He mentioned that it was less likely to break, and if it did, its parts could be bought for cheap and were easily accessible.

David noted that if the original plastic coolant elbows under the alternator started to leak, they could be easily replaced with metal. 

The car lasts 300,000 to 400,000 miles in its lifetime, and costs from $2,000 to $5,000. 

The second car on the list was the 1999 to 2006 Chevy Silverado, or the GMC Sierra.

He explained why he didn't go past the year 2006 when it came to the model, stating: 'We start to get into the garbage active fuel management, and we all know those are trash, and when they fail, it grenades the engine or it can grenade the engine.'

The car is 'the 4.8 or the 5.3 LS-based V8,' and 'they're called the Vortec 5.3 or 4.8,' and it has six liters. 

He added: 'You could get them in special edition trucks or in three quarter tons, but we're just talking about the budget half-ton truck.

David shared that some of his top picks are the 2000-2005 Buick Lesabre, the 1999-2006 Chevy Silverado or the GMC Sierra, and the 2004-2009 Lexus RX 350

'These can have a manual transmission, or you can get them in automatic, and four-by-four [or] a two-wheel drive - those are up to you [and] what you're looking for.'

The car can also tow a small camper or trailer, and its price ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. 

The third car on his list was the 2004 to 2009 Lexus RX 350, which was a mid-size SUV.

It comes in 3.3 V6 or a 3.5 V6, and can easily do 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

The car's older models prior to 2009 go for $5,000 to $10,000.

The fourth car that made the cut was the 1998 to 2012 Ford Crown Victoria, which cops used as their car-of-choice - however, the popular car stopped being produced in 2012.

David wrote: 'These cars are the epitome of bulletproof. They are dead reliable. 

'Ford really hit the nail on the head. They really hit the bull's eye here when they built a car that was reliable, comfortable, and easy to maintain.'

The car has a '4.6 V8 and has an automatic transmission,' however, David noted that 'they're not fuel efficient.'

It can go up to 25 miles per gallon on the highway, and it has a lifetime mileage of 300,000 to 400,000 miles. 

If any parts needed to be repaired, they were 'very plentiful and very cheap,' he also pointed out.

David added: 'This is called the Panther Platform - its also the Lincoln Town Car, [or the] Mercury Grand Marquis. 

'There's several vehicles that use this platform, but it is one of the best, if not, the best platform that Ford Motor Company has ever made in the history of their company. It's definitely a no-brainer buy.'

The fifth car on the list was the 1996 to 2000 Lexus LS 400. 

David explained: 'These are getting old - they're [24] years old now, but for a 2000, they are reliable.

'There's so many still on the road. They are literally tanks. They are built beyond extremely reliable. They have a world-renowned level of reliability.'

The car has a four-liter V8 and an automatic transmission.

If you need to replace any parts, they can be a 'little bit more expensive because its a Toyota.'

The car can go between 25 and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

The three-part video series got more than 500,000 views - and many people took to the comment section to share their thoughts 

The 1996-2000 year range means the car is an OBD2, which according to David means: 'If you have a check engine light, your local parts store can still read the code for free, and you might be able to fix the car yourself if its fairy cheap.'

The car's price ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, and most are on the higher end.

David noted: 'They knocked it out of the park with the LS 400. You can't go wrong with that one.'

The final and sixth car on his list was the 2001 to 2007 Toyota Highlander, which is a mix between a small and medium-SUV.

David shared his personal connection to the car, explaining: 'My own father owns one. 

'He asked me years ago what kind of car he should buy - he [was] looking for a little SUV. I said, "Go get a Highlander, you will thank me later," and he did.

'Years later, he thanked me. He said, "I'm getting to the stage in life - I'm getting older. I don't have time to constantly be finagling under the hood, [and] trying to fix stuff."'

He said his father added: 'This car has served me so well. It always starts, it always runs and its not leaking a drop nowhere.'

The car features a 2.44 cylinder, has three liters, and is a 3.3 V6 that goes between 25 to 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

David added that the car was 'very fuel efficient,' offered third-row seating, had a lifetime mileage of 300,000 miles, and the price ranged between $5,000 to $10,000.

In conclusion, David shared: 'Yes, you should go buy one of those six. Please, go out and buy one of those. You won't regret it, but make sure to check the interior out. 

'Make sure it's been taken care of - it's not been shredded, not had kids tear it up, or literally pets urinating in it or something like that. Make sure that's clean as well.'

The three-part video series got more than 500,000 views - and many people took to the comment section to share their thoughts.

One person wrote, 'Anything Toyota. The end,' while a second person commented, 'Nothing is more reliable than a Toyota.'

A third person agreed: 'Toyotas are the bomb. Picked up an 05 Sequoia sr5 2wd and it's been a rockstar.'

'Toyota, Toyota, Toyota.... period,' a fourth person wrote.

A fifth commented: 'Any Ford with the 4.6 will go forever.'

A different user added: 'I always wondered why car companies retired ridiculously successful engine platforms, and never made sense to me.'

Another person said: 'New Toyotas have turbos and failed engines.'