keep a 20 year old daily driver for 20 years ?

[Snagglefoot]

I think a lot of people didn’t set out to drive their car forever but then find ten years went by and they found they kind of like their vehicle and thought it would be cool to just keep on driving it. The second ten years are when repairs start to kick in on some models that’s when it takes dedication.

 

[AZjeff]

Now imagine buying a vehicle to run for the 3rd and 4th 10 years!

 

[Bob in Utah]

If I were buying a 20 year old vehicle to keep for 20 years?

If it had to be a truck, it would probably be an early 2000’s 4x4 Tundra with the 4.7l. Hopefully it wasn’t used for towing a lot, they weren’t the best at holding up to heavy towing. I would also check the frame for rust!

If it was a highway cruiser, it would be a Toyota Avalon from the same time frame.

If it were a toy, an 80 series Landcruiser. 1992-97 (I’m open to one of those today, but much like Jeep’s, people think it’s worth a small fortune.)

Toyota owners usually take care of their rigs.

Back around 2007…MIL wanted an upgrade to her then DD

Found her a nice ‘05 Avalon…although she no longer drives

Car sits now with 124K or so miles …driven 2-3 times monthly

Nick named it ‘LJ’ for Lear Jet….that thing hauls ___________

Always been a Yota guy..here’s my ‘03 LX 470 in hibernation

Arizona native..219K miles…meticulously maintained…no rust

Waiting for the next adventure

 

[Snagglefoot]

Once you are at 200,000 miles you are on borrowed time for most vehicles. The transmission will go and you’ll have a $5,000 bill on a $2000 car. Finding a 20 year old car with only 100,000 miles might be worth taking a risk to purchase and drive for a while but to expect 20 years would be too much. We haven’t discussed who is going to do the bigger repairs.

 

[Sam_Julier]

Our fleet: Three 1993 Volvo 240s. 224k, 262k, 112k respectively. 1992 Mercedes Benz 300D 2.5 turbo, 178k. Shown on the Alaska Highway near Watson Lake this May.

All daily drivers.

 

[Arc]

Once you are at 200,000 miles you are on borrowed time for most vehicles. The transmission will go and you’ll have a $5,000 bill on a $2000 car. Finding a 20 year old car with only 100,000 miles might be worth taking a risk to purchase and drive for a while but to expect 20 years would be too much. We haven’t discussed who is going to do the bigger repairs.

My grand Cherokee transmission gave up the ghost at 280k. Only cost me $500 to get one out of the junkyard. They keep detailed records of the vehicles and the one I got had 80 thousand miles on it.

 

[Bob in Utah]

I’ll just keep my fingers crossed while out in Utah’s back country

With my high mileage ‘Yotas

No Starbucks or Costco’s in sight !

 

[supton]

My grand Cherokee transmission gave up the ghost at 280k. Only cost me $500 to get one out of the junkyard. They keep detailed records of the vehicles and the one I got had 80 thousand miles on it.

That's impressive. I've not looked at junkyards around here but I have the impression that most only hold for a short period of time before flipping vehicles. Maybe that's just late model stuff, as they know they'll get fresh meat soon enough. But we've lost lots of older than 20 years due to rust.

 

[Bob in Utah]

Good selections of jeeps in the junk yards..

 

[Arc]

That's impressive. I've not looked at junkyards around here but I have the impression that most only hold for a short period of time before flipping vehicles. Maybe that's just late model stuff, as they know they'll get fresh meat soon enough. But we've lost lots of older than 20 years due to rust.

They do get rid of the vehicles but if it's a low miles vehicle they pull the engine, transmission or other commonly sold part. Plus some manufacturers keep using the same powertrain so you can get it from a newer vehicle. I think the transmission I got was five years newer than my Jeep was.

 

[Arc]

Good selections of jeeps in the junk yards..

And at auction. It doesn't take much for an insurance company to total a vehicle. ..... iaai.com is a good site

 

[Arc]

I’ll just keep my fingers crossed while out in Utah’s back country

With my high mileage ‘Yotas

No Starbucks or Costco’s in sight !

View attachment 312460

Dont worry, someone in a jeep will come along and rescue you

 

[Arc]

Now imagine buying a vehicle to run for the 3rd and 4th 10 years!

The major players are already making sure we can no longer repair after x amount of years. If a car has to be programmed after a tail light is installed all they have to do is stop the software updates. They spend a ton of money fighting right to repair.

 

[ecotourist]

Also depends if wife lets you have a vehicle she has designated as "embarrassing" in you driveway.

Or in her parking spot. We had a '63 Chevy II that was turned onto its side as a Halloween prank. There was snow on the ground so there was surprisingly little body damage but the acid ran out of the battery and that eventually corroded one fender.

She was working at the university at the time and one of the professors saw her getting into that older and not so nice looking car. Embarrassing. It had to go. The only consolation is we replaced it with a new '81 Toyota Celica which was one of the best cars we've ever owned.

We saw that old car still running around 15 or 20 years later. That Chevy II (with the corroded fender) probably did make 40 years.

 

[Bob in Utah]

Dont worry, someone in a jeep will come along and rescue you

Doubtful….Jeep…

Just

Empty

Every

Pocket

 

[Seppie10]

I ll be running this till something falls off of it. 2010 93,500 miles. Once my youngest son 13 is of driving age I may give it to him.

 

[Snagglefoot]

My grand Cherokee transmission gave up the ghost at 280k. Only cost me $500 to get one out of the junkyard. They keep detailed records of the vehicles and the one I got had 80 thousand miles on it.

Did you install it yourself or hire a mechanic.

 

[Snagglefoot]

One of the issues with letting your kids drive a 20+ year old car is to convince yourself that the vehicle is safe as it can be.

 

[Arc]

Did you install it yourself or hire a mechanic.

I did it myself in my garage. It's a tough job without any help but it can be done.

 

[Arc]

Doubtful….Jeep…

Just

Empty

Every

Pocket