Anecdotally I've heard that if a vehicle fails emissions in that small part of Virginia that has emissions tests, it will be flagged on DMV's computers and they won't allow it to be registered anywhere in the state, even where there are no emissions tests, till it passes.
Best car you have owned long -term
- Thread starter gedcruise
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86 Jetta just passed 300k with orginal everything that came from the factory.
Its had belts, tires, brakes and normal maintanence items done (oil, filters (air/oil/fuel)battery) done through out its life. Oh, CV boots too...
Orginal injectors, fuel pump, water pump and clutch still there. Just changed the transmission oil for the first time @292k.
Had a few others make 150k plus with no problems.
Take care, bill
Its had belts, tires, brakes and normal maintanence items done (oil, filters (air/oil/fuel)battery) done through out its life. Oh, CV boots too...
Orginal injectors, fuel pump, water pump and clutch still there. Just changed the transmission oil for the first time @292k.
Had a few others make 150k plus with no problems.
Take care, bill
I only have 1 car that meets the criteria so it has been my best and worst car ever.
'94 Pontaic Grand Prix, I bought it when it was 1 year old and had 18,000 miles on it. Currently it has 200,600 or so miles on it. It had a blown head gasket at around 90k and seems to require a new alternator every 4 years (about that time again). It never saw a trip longer than 8 miles for several years and ate through a few exhausts during that time, that has cost me much more than the blown head gasket thanks to the expensive dual exhaust. My exhaust issues are non-existant now that it gets mostly hwy miles at 60+ miles per day for the last few years. It still drives and rides like it did when new and it looks fine inside and out except it is starting to rust. All other issues were minor. Transmission has been flawless with 30k pan drops with a new filter being the only maintance for it. It ticks pretty good when cold and that started at around 60k. I still like the car and it has been fairly trouble free the last 100k miles, better than the first 80k I owned it.
'94 Pontaic Grand Prix, I bought it when it was 1 year old and had 18,000 miles on it. Currently it has 200,600 or so miles on it. It had a blown head gasket at around 90k and seems to require a new alternator every 4 years (about that time again). It never saw a trip longer than 8 miles for several years and ate through a few exhausts during that time, that has cost me much more than the blown head gasket thanks to the expensive dual exhaust. My exhaust issues are non-existant now that it gets mostly hwy miles at 60+ miles per day for the last few years. It still drives and rides like it did when new and it looks fine inside and out except it is starting to rust. All other issues were minor. Transmission has been flawless with 30k pan drops with a new filter being the only maintance for it. It ticks pretty good when cold and that started at around 60k. I still like the car and it has been fairly trouble free the last 100k miles, better than the first 80k I owned it.
I owned a 1995 Civic coupe for 8years/225,000 miles. It never had the motor touched for a single repair. One radiator, one clutch, one timing/accesory belts beyond basic oil/filter/fluid changes.
That being all said I hated the car after 1st month of ownership as it was a complete and utter bore to drive and uncomfortable. I bought since everyone convinced my then malleable 23 year old mind Honda was the best coming off VW.
Currently enjoying life with an 2004 WRX getting half the mileage and infintely more the driving pleasure/utility of my Civic.
That being all said I hated the car after 1st month of ownership as it was a complete and utter bore to drive and uncomfortable. I bought since everyone convinced my then malleable 23 year old mind Honda was the best coming off VW.
Currently enjoying life with an 2004 WRX getting half the mileage and infintely more the driving pleasure/utility of my Civic.
I've never owned a car for ten years. Nor have I put 150,000 miles on any vehicle myself. The top candidates are:
1998 Ford Crown Victoria ex-police taxicab, drove from 175K to 256K, put 81,000 miles on it myself. Tried to buy it from the cab company, they sold it before I could give him a deposit. Replaced transmission at 205K, rear axle and driveshaft shortly thereafter. Several heater cores, lots of electronic issues. Leased this vehicle, no ownership costs other than fuel.
1993 Dodge Dynasty. Bought with 77594 miles. Transmission crapped at 105mph at 84895 miles. Drove to 142690 miles and wrecked into a telephone pole in ice. Car drove fine but insurance insisted on totaling it. Total miles about 65,100. Purchase price $6525. Transmission cost close to 3K. Also replaced blower fan, front brakes, one set of tires in that time. Insurance paid out $3800 when it was totaled.
1995 Geo Metro LSi 2-door hatchback. Except for the constant alternator belt hiss and the AC not working, this car gave me the most consistent service. Performance, braking, mileage, tire life, everything was solid from 63,200 miles to when it got repossessed at somewhere around 110,000 miles. About 47,000 miles travelled and no major repairs other than alternators, belts, brackets, and when I tried swapping AC compressors to no avail. Paid $3300 for the car, got nothing when it was taken, of course.
1998 Ford Crown Victoria ex-police taxicab, drove from 175K to 256K, put 81,000 miles on it myself. Tried to buy it from the cab company, they sold it before I could give him a deposit. Replaced transmission at 205K, rear axle and driveshaft shortly thereafter. Several heater cores, lots of electronic issues. Leased this vehicle, no ownership costs other than fuel.
1993 Dodge Dynasty. Bought with 77594 miles. Transmission crapped at 105mph at 84895 miles. Drove to 142690 miles and wrecked into a telephone pole in ice. Car drove fine but insurance insisted on totaling it. Total miles about 65,100. Purchase price $6525. Transmission cost close to 3K. Also replaced blower fan, front brakes, one set of tires in that time. Insurance paid out $3800 when it was totaled.
1995 Geo Metro LSi 2-door hatchback. Except for the constant alternator belt hiss and the AC not working, this car gave me the most consistent service. Performance, braking, mileage, tire life, everything was solid from 63,200 miles to when it got repossessed at somewhere around 110,000 miles. About 47,000 miles travelled and no major repairs other than alternators, belts, brackets, and when I tried swapping AC compressors to no avail. Paid $3300 for the car, got nothing when it was taken, of course.
Well OK then. '95 Mitsu Montero. 3L V6 SOHC. Only repair was to the IAC motor.(since I never cleaned it). 7.5k OCI, 60k spark plugs, 80k timing belt, original exhaust, original AC charge, original rotors (never turned), engine is quiet (no ticks) everything works as new. Never failed a California emissions test. Uses a qt of oil every 2k miles. 170k miles.
My 1966 Chevy C-15 Pickup with the straight 6cyl engine and 3 speed on the column. Impossible to kill...I drove it many years and the speedo died at 281k and then I sold it to my older brother who drove it to LTV Steel everyday for 4-5 years until it literally rusted apart. Lost the right front fender...kept going....tailgate...kept going...then the frame rusted and broke and that was the end. Complete original drivetrain & clutch. Changed the engine oil every year whether it needed it or not..
never changed the trans oil, diff oil, antifreeze, brake fluid. It used valvoline 10w40. Leaked & burned it with an add in quart about once a month. So it was a "self-changer".
1986 Honda Accord LX-I hatchback. I bought the car when it was 6 years old, and drove it for 10. Except for normal "wear and tear" components it was trouble free.
BEST
1. 89 Honda....... My daily work car.. 152K miles
2. 95 Ply Neon... Biggest surprise, kids car with 210K
3. 85 Mazda 323...Sold it with 192K miles. Sold it too soon
4. 03 Mer Sable... Wife's daily car 69K. Runs great
5. 03 Dodge Ram 2500.. Trade in w/42K miles. No issues
WORSE
1. 83 Renault Alliance... Need I say more?
2. 75 Ford Pinto.. Safety recalls; died with 48K miles
3. 05 Ford F-350..Many issues, Ford doesn't want it back
All were purchased new by me.
1. 89 Honda....... My daily work car.. 152K miles
2. 95 Ply Neon... Biggest surprise, kids car with 210K
3. 85 Mazda 323...Sold it with 192K miles. Sold it too soon
4. 03 Mer Sable... Wife's daily car 69K. Runs great
5. 03 Dodge Ram 2500.. Trade in w/42K miles. No issues
WORSE
1. 83 Renault Alliance... Need I say more?
2. 75 Ford Pinto.. Safety recalls; died with 48K miles
3. 05 Ford F-350..Many issues, Ford doesn't want it back
All were purchased new by me.
Out of the last nine cars since 1962, hands down my wife's 1988 Honda Civic CRX was the most trouble free. I couldn't complain about the '78 VW Rabbit, really, either. It had a couple of things quit on it as a result of poor upkeep but I sold it with 300K on the original motor, trans and clutch. Considering the level of care I lavish on cars now, I'd be hard pressed to wear one out as long as it wasn't as bad as that 1972 Mazda RX2 was.
1989 S-10 Blazer bought new; still have it; 170,000 miles. Replaced 1 alternator and 1 starter,and 3 instrument panels (digital dash). Smokes when started but that is it. Taught both my daughters how to drive in it and is presently being driven by my 15 year old to school. Havoline until 150k and then switched to Maxlife.
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