People who keep vehicles for over 200K miles

nolefan · May 19, 2010

I just changed the plugs and wires on my 2004 Silverado 1/2 ton for the first time at 112,00 miles as preventative maintenance. The plugs that came out actually looked great and the wires were'nt too bad either. I was worried about pulling the plugs out of the aluminum block after that long but they came out pretty easy. I pulled the the wires off in the evening after the engine had cooled down and then sprayed some penetrating oil around the plugs and let it sit over night. The next morning I pulled the plugs and replaced them with the new ones, using anti-seize on the threads and popped the new wires on in under 45 minutes. I was suprised it went as easy as it did. Probably the easiest plugs to get to as any vehicle i've ever owned! All told I spent a couple of hours working on the plugs and changing the oil and filters and the best part is I figure I saved myself a couple of hundred dollars in labor based on what garages charge around here.

mjarrels · May 19, 2010

All my cars and trucks are old... 1994 ford F-150, just turned 92,000 miles, 22 year old Corolla with less than 150,000 miles, 2003 corolla with 54,000 miles. Best deal, no car taxes on the older ones, cheap insurance on the older ones. Don't fall for the cheap insurance for new vehicles... ain't so. Maybe safer with 6 airbags but you will pay thru the nose.

mark

ToadHill · May 20, 2010

I have a F150 with 167,000 miles on it now. It replaced an 87 Ford Ranger with 273,000 miles on the odometer but for the last 2 years I drove it, the odometer didn't work. All I ever did to the ranger was Change oil every 3,000 miles. I never had the head off the truck, but did replace the timing belt once and replaced one belt tensioner. Of course I replaced many exhaust systems and more tires than I care to remember.

dooleysm · May 25, 2010

I just traded in a '99 Lumina with 156k miles for an '05 Impala with 57k miles. The Lumina was a good car for me (bought it in early '05 with 78k miles). I replaced a water pump and put 2 sets of brake pads on it, along with standard oil changes, filter changes, tires, etc. Also replaced plugs/wires at around 115k miles. I had to pay a shop 2 different times to replace intake gaskets, a $600 job each time. The lumina had been leaking a drop or two of oil every night for the past couple years. Here in the past couple months it had developed a signficantly larger oil leak in a different spot and started consuming coolant. I figured I would be money ahead by just replacing it. I can do a few minor repairs on my own, but once it gets more involved than swapping out simple parts I get lost quick and have to pay someone.

I'll be happy if I get 156k out of the Impala with the same minimal upkeep as the Lumina. By then I'll have the house paid off and be completely debt free.

skipmarcy · May 25, 2010

My 1993 Nissan V6 4x4 has 233K on it now, bought it new. Does not leak a single drop of any fluids and uses no oil between changes. Prior to that I had a 1986 Nissan 4 cyl truck I bought new that I sold in 1994 with 250K on it, it too didn't have a single leak or use oil at all.

Marlowe · May 29, 2010

I have three vehicles; none less than ten years old, and none with less than a hundred thousand miles. I wouldn't hesitate to take any of them anywhere I wanted to go. All Ford products but not that it matters. I sold my last Ford F150 with over two hundred thousand miles and the guy who bought it from me is still driving it. I went to pay property taxes on my current vehicle and they almost paid me. It cranks every time, drives fine, and the A/C still works. What more do I need?

two_bit_score · May 29, 2010

Less than 900 miles and my 1995 C1500 will hit 200,000. Has been a good running truck. Expect it to keep going at least another 100,000.

schmism · May 30, 2010

currently own and daily drive a 1994 toyota with 240k miles. 140K of which are mine. rebuilt engine at ~160K. still org 5spd trans

1994 325is bmw the wife daily drives with 250K+ she loves to drive it, org engine and auto trans.

1994 525i bmw with 220K org engine and auto trans

1992 toyota 4runner with 220K. rebuilt engine and trans about 20K ago.

sksmsllc · Oct 12, 2010

sksmsllc said:
I keep my cars. Important to have good relationship with auto technician and change oil every 3000 miles. My 99 4x4 GMC Suburban has 196,000. My wife drives 2004 Honda Odyssey with 164,000 miles on it. My Tractor is worth more than both vehicles combined Blue Book value. My lawn mower is worth more than each individually. I guess I'm a sucker for equipment. I Always buy used. My dream truck is F-250 4x4 diesel. I do have a 1978 Vette that I've owned 21 years - removed original engine at 100k miles and hermetically sealed and crated for later. Put 1982 one tone Chevy small block 350 in its place custom blueprint and high performance aftermarket pistons roller rockers Dart heads hooker headers eddlebrock carb and intake - plan to put original engine back in car in 2018 when car turns 40.

My 99 4x4 GMC Suburban HAD196,000. Last month I Moved to 208,000 and gave it to my folks for a farm truck.

I purchased a 2002 Ford F250 7.3 liter Turbo Disel Crew Cab with a 156,000 miles -- My new Truck! Goal: 500,000 miles