what's a good reliable vehicle nowadays?

The cat's been into the vet, there's not been money left to fix the old car. We finally had to take her in because the engine's running cold, and the mechanic says it's time to take her out and shoot her.

Anyone know of a decent vehichle for a family of 5?

Subaru is known for reliability. I bought a 2013 Impreza in January, and love it. It got the Consumer Reports highest rating for a new small sedan. They also come in a 5-door (hatchback). Everyone I know who has a Forrester or Outback speaks highly of theirs.

Jeep products, in our experience, are very good, tough vehicles. They also have decent trade-in value later. DH has had Jeeps for many, many years. He traded his 2001 Wrangler in last year for a decent price--and bought a Liberty (I think they're calling it something else now, though), which we both love--and plenty of room for 9 cats!

We upgraded to a Subaru Outback when we found out we were going to need to fit 2 car seats in the back.  Our Nissan was a great car and we still have it; DH drives it to work.  But the back seat was waaaay too tiny for 2 car seats.  The Outback has been great!  We got a roof rack for trips but DH says once the kids are past the stroller/travel bed stage we might not even need it!  I heard so many good things when we told people what we'd bought.  My cousin's SIL told me that everyone in her family used to drive one.  Sunday dinners looked like a Subaru convention at her parent's.    Several people in my family drive them too.  But then most of my family lives in Upstate New York and they need to get around in the snow.  

We had a Toyota Echo before the Outback.  It was 12 years old; had lots of miles on it, but still ran great!  We traded it in with no problems.  The salesman said it would make someone a great first car.  I don't know if we would have been ok with car seats in the back; but you sit so upright in it that the height wasn't an issue.  My husband is 6'2" and he fit in it at least. hehe 

My Suzuki Swift is almost 20 years old and still going strong (other than getting battery drain when the temperature is below minus 20).

CRVs have great reviews as well. 

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the feedback. The one that is about to die was a 2004 intrepid, which we bought based on my SIL having owned an intrepid and loved it...but ours was a lemon-nothing but trouble from day one. We had it less than a month when we replaced the steering column......should have returned it right then and there, but it 's our first car and we didn't know any better  

I don't want to buy another LEMON