Reddit reviews Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide 2010 (Reliability ratings & unbiased reviews, 2010)

Consumer Reports publishes a used car buying magazine (back to 10 model years) that I found at Barnes and Noble with recommended cars. You could probably read it in store or buy it to take with you. It's about $12 and details year by year the reliability of the car's systems. They also have a checklist of what you need to look for on a used car. amazon link to cover pic

If you post the car makes, models, mileages, and other info people might be able to give some advice.

Some makers like Land Rover are major trouble. European cars tend to have a higher cost of ownership.