Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
94 toyota previa (230k) and 96 MB E300D (210k) have needed nothing but standard wear items and fluids.
I have a bunch of other MB diesels which all were well over 200k, and also had original transmissions, nothing required, but they did get valve covers removed regularly for valve adjustments... not sure how you want to count them.
The key is gentle driving and understanding and respeting physics. Nobody needs to think they are "sporty" when driving, as this, IMO/IME causes excess wear.
Based upon our/friends' experiences, I would not expect a Honda product to hit 200k without needing at minimum a radiator and some rubber parts... And an AT if it is an auto vehicle. The engine will surely go way more than that running quite well but the car/parts are poor in certain areas.
We kept one of our 123 diesels long enough to get to 210K.
Other than the speedo cable break that is generic to all old Mercedes, and which is easy to replace, we had very litle trouble with the car.
Our two '86 Civics both passed 200K on their original radiators.
OTOH, the '97 Accord needed a rad at about 127K.
Is it just me, or were earlier Hondas more durable in general?
I think that earlier Mercedes were more durable than current models.
Earlier Honda's were built with longivity in mind and didn't care much for power, they were built to be efficient transportation. Their customers knew it and this is why we have Honda from the 80s getting 50+ mpg and the regular Honda/Acura gets past 30 mpg without any problem. The current Honda got fatter, way fatter, and try to cramp as much power as possible. Something has to give.
The fact that they're built in the U.S. also contribute to them as being as good as they could be.
But the big factor that make all other factors important/relavent is that current Honda owners don't do maintanance like those of earlier era. This can be said for other makes too. People think they are too cool to do their own maintanance. Most stop all car care practice the moment they buy a new car because they think they're (not the car) dealership material instead of shade tree or empty garage in the evening and weekend. People spend more time on the tube/web than they do taking care of their 2nd largest investment.