Offered as a sedan, coupe and convertible, the Pontiac G6 has been fairly reliable when it comes to its powertrains, but some models have had problems with the steering and brakes, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

Though the fifth generation Rabbit and GTI received above-average used vehicle ratings from Consumer Reports, VW owner forums point to a number of specific problem areas that buyers should be aware of, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

A common problem with the second generation Subaru Legacy and Outback models is leaky head gaskets in the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase. Potential purchasers should make sure this has been addressed, he says.

The Saturn L-Series mid-sized sedans and wagons, which were loosely based on the European-market Opel Vectra and Saab 9-5, had some reliability issues, but four-cylinder cars have proven to be more reliable than V6 models, says Contributing Editor Chris Chase.

The third generation Nissan Altima was offered with both four-cylinder and V6 engines, but the 2.5-litre four in early models had numerous problems, some of them serious, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

Despite so-so reliability ratings, the Jeep Liberty would be a solid choice in a used SUV, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase “The basic mechanicals - engine and transmissions - appear to be robust,” he says.

This car’s overall reliability picture is only so-so, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase. “Automatic transmission problems are the main culprit”, “and engine starting problems appear to be a regular occurrence, too,” he says. “But resale values are definitely affordable.”

One of the first of the so-called “crossover vehicles”, the Chrysler Pacifica “has had its share of quirks, but the basic mechanicals seem stronger here than in other models, particularly Chrysler’s minivans,” says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

Though the Impala sedan has had a few reliability problems, such as leaky gaskets on older 3.4-litre V6 engines, a well-kept Impala is a good value in the used car market, opines Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

Acura’s top model, the V6-powered front-wheel drive RL luxury sedan, has been pretty reliable over the years, but “routine maintenance and repairs on older examples can be expensive, as with many luxury cars,” says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

The Cayenne's reliability has been below average, according to Consumer Reports. Contributing Editor Chris Chase recommends purchasing one through Porsche’s certified pre-owned program and/or finding one that comes with maintenance records and some of the original factory warranty left.

Unless you really love fixing your car (or paying someone else to), the 9-5 is best avoided as a used car, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase. He cites problems with the 2.3-litre engine, electrical system, power accessories and climate controls.

The Buick Allure received average and above average reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, but there are two things to look out for: intake manifold leaks in the 3.8-litre engine, and brake issues, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

Despite a rather long list of problem areas, Contributing Editor Chris Chase recommends a used 350Z “provided the seller has evidence (in the form of service records) that many of the common issues have been dealt with.”

Although there were no recalls of the first generation Lexus IS300, there were some problems with its audio system according to Consumer Reports, and some issues with transmissions in 2003 and 2004 models, reports Contributing Editor Chris Chase.