Gilbert Smith
Vehicle History Writer
About
Gilbert Smith is a New Mexico-based automotive journalist who enjoys writing about cars, trucks, and SUVs. He is a longtime contributor to Vehicle History and a member of the site's original content team when it launched.
About
Gilbert Smith is a New Mexico-based automotive journalist who enjoys writing about cars, trucks, and SUVs. He is a longtime contributor to Vehicle History and a member of the site's original content team when it launched.
Articles
The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is like most Jeeps: Your best friend on backroads and dirt trails, and a money pit if you treat it like a daily driver. As long as you know what you’re getting...
Jul 10, 2023
The 2009 Buick Enclave won’t last as long as a Honda Pilot or a Toyota Highlander, but it costs about three or four thousand dollars less, starting in the low $6,000 range, and it’s one of...
Jul 10, 2023
The 2009 Infiniti G is everything you want in a luxury sports car. It’s powerful, fast, comfy, fun to drive, and stylish. But, a model with 140,000 miles on the odometer will usually go for...
Jul 10, 2023
The 2009 Kia Spectra would be easier to recommend if the Hyundai Elantra didn’t offer a more powerful, sportier, longer-lasting alternative at the same price, with both typically listing in the...
Jul 10, 2023
The 2009 Ford Explorer is a dependable, comfortable, and capable SUV, and one of the last of the truck-like Explorers before Ford switched to a crossover build. It’s priced fairly, starting at...
Jul 10, 2023
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is everything you want in a luxury compact. It’s comfortable, well built, sporty, and generous with the standard features. But, it’s only expected to last...
Jul 10, 2023
The 2009 Subaru Impreza might need a few more inches of ground clearance before you go mudding in it, but the all wheel drive powertrain sets it apart on the crowded compact car market. The car can...
Jul 7, 2023
The 2009 Mini Cooper is a decent little budget compact that comes with a higher cost of ownership than you might expect. But, if you’re willing to shell out for BMW repair costs on a...
Jul 7, 2023
The 2009 Jeep Liberty is, like any Jeep, a poor choice of daily driver, but a rock-solid choice of adventure vehicle. If you’re after a second vehicle for weekend getaways but you don’t...
Jul 7, 2023
The 2009 Lexus ES isn’t as fast as an Infiniti G and it’s a little pricier than an Acura TL, but it boasts one of the most comfortable cabins in its size class, and it’s built to...
Jul 7, 2023
The 2009 Kia Sportage has everything you want in a budget SUV. It’s capable, comfortable, and priced to move. Unfortunately, it’s on its last legs, with models hitting the Blue Book at...
Jul 5, 2023
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a better used car than most premium luxury vehicles, but it’s more expensive to maintain and refuel than a comparable Lexus, and it’s not as reliable as a...
Jul 5, 2023
The 2009 Chevrolet Suburban is roomy, powerful, and an excellent full-size SUV from top to bottom, but the ravages of time have done a number on the vehicle. Some models might last 300,000 miles while...
Jul 5, 2023
The 2009 BMW 5-Series is comfortable, well-built, fun to drive, and priced to move at under $7,000 for a base model. It doesn’t make any sense as a used car, though, as repair costs are much...
Jul 5, 2023
The 2009 Cadillac CTS is everything you want a Cadillac to be. It’s technically not as reliable or as functional as an Acura TL, which lists in the same price range, in the low $7,000s. But, if...
Jul 5, 2023
The 2009 Dodge Avenger is a solid blend of Dodge power and family car practicality, and it’s priced to move, with typical listing prices under $5,000. But the Acura TL is a much better blend of...
Jul 5, 2023
The 2009 Nissan Maxima is usually lucky to come in third behind the Camry and the Accord. But, while those nameplates were experiencing major mechanical issues in 2009, Nissan was delivering a...
Jul 4, 2023
The 2009 Nissan Murano is everything you want in a used SUV. It’s comfortable, capable, and affordable at under $7,000. But, a CR-V might last twice as long for a thousand dollars more....
Jul 4, 2023
The 2009 Dodge Journey is comfortable, capable, roomy, well-built, and it even packs a DVD player as a standard feature. It’s also unlikely to make the trip home after you drive it off the lot....
Jul 3, 2023
The 2009 GMC Acadia is, like the 2008 model, a much better SUV than you expect to get for the price, typically listing for under $7,000. But, it comes with a long list of engine and electrical...
Jul 3, 2023
The 2009 Ford Taurus is either the best American-made full-size four-door released in 2009, or it’s tied with the Chevy Impala. The car will last a quarter million miles easy, and it’s...
Jul 3, 2023
The 2009 Toyota Venza’s only real shortcoming is that the sticker price, typically listing at around $9,000,may be about a thousand bucks more than you want to spend on a 15+ year old crossover....
Jul 3, 2023
The 2008 Cadillac Escalade is pretty much the best full-size luxury SUV released in its model year. But, with typical listing prices close to $12,000 for used models that will be lucky to see another...
Jun 29, 2023
The 2008 GMC Yukon is outclassed by the Nissan Armada for longevity, it’s outgunned by the Ford Expedition for towing capacity, and, at $10,000 to $12,000, it typically lists for as much as both...
Jun 29, 2023
The 2008 Buick LaCrosse is powerful and comfortable with seating for six (or for four if you’d rather not be banging elbows with your passengers). But, with typical listing prices starting at...
Jun 29, 2023