Thoughts on taking high mileage car on long trip?

[R18Civic]

I have a 2012 Honda Civic that I was gifted by my parents after my Buick crapped out. The Honda has 178k on the clock and just recently got new tires and an oil change. I use full synthetic. Transmission shifts nicely etc.

I have a friend I haven't seen in almost 10 years that lives almost 300 miles away in the mountains and we wish to see each other. I've heard stories of Honda's Legendary reliability however since I haven't had this car most of it's life I'm worried something may go out on it.

What's everyone's thoughts on this matter?

 

[CDX825]

If its been reliable this far I wouldn't question it.

 

[Torrid]

I would use it. How's the rest of the service history? My only concern would be the transmission itself if it hasn't been serviced before, but if it's not giving any red flags I wouldn't worry about before the trip. It's definitely something I'd do soon if it's due or hasn't been done before.

That's really not a lot of miles for a Honda.

 

[IveBeenRued]

Do you have AAA?

 

[R18Civic]

Do you have AAA?

No but I have statefarm with roadside assistance.

 

[R18Civic]

I would use it. How's the rest of the service history? My only concern would be the transmission itself if it hasn't been serviced before, but if it's not giving any red flags I wouldn't worry about before the trip. It's definitely something I'd do soon if it's due or hasn't been done before.

That's really not a lot of miles for a Honda.

I know my stepdad did a pretty good job of maintaining it. He used it for his delivery business. Put 25k miles on it in a year.

 

[Torrid]

I know my stepdad did a pretty good job of maintaining it. He used it for his delivery business. Put 25k miles on it in a year.

I have no concerns at all especially knowing that. I'd take the trip.

 

[dogememe]

My advice is if you can’t trust your car to drive across the country at any moment you need to either get it to that condition or replace it.

This is a mindset I’ve had for years and it’s served me well IMO.

 

[R18Civic]

My advice is if you can’t trust your car to drive across the country at any moment you need to either get it to that condition or replace it.

This is a mindset I’ve had for years and it’s served me well IMO.

I haven't taken it on enough long trips to trust it yet. lol

 

[SC Maintenance]

Did your stepdad trust it?

If you just drove it off the used lot I would say no. Since you have the history - I would say yes.

I am about to gift my 395,000 mile Xterra to my daughter. 178K well maintained really isn't a great deal anymore.

 

[Chris142]

Our fj hit 200k on our last 1000 mile trip.

 

[Passport1]

What's everyone's thoughts on this matter?

@1:07, Yul Brenner gives you the best answer. Magnificent Seven

 

[99Saturn]

Given the family owned history 300 miles away I would take it. Usually when my cars get up there in mileage or I try to cap it at 3 hours each way for the higher mileage car, but we have two which makes that decision easier.

 

[fdcg27]

If the car functions normally in typical use, I'd not worry about a 300 mile trip.
The fact is that any car can crap out at any time, but they typically don't.
If I had a tenish year old Civic I'd been using regularly, I'd have no concerns about making a 300 mile trip.

 

[eljefino]

Do it, I've driven farther on worse.

We have cars so that we can visit friends and family. Don't let your car take on importance above people.

 

[AZjeff]

What's everyone's thoughts on this matter?

You don't mention wife/kids/dogs etc. Have an adventure. It's not like dad gave you the car because something was about to crap out...is it?

 

[CKN]

I have a 2012 Honda Civic that I was gifted by my parents after my Buick crapped out. The Honda has 178k on the clock and just recently got new tires and an oil change. I use full synthetic. Transmission shifts nicely etc.

I have a friend I haven't seen in almost 10 years that lives almost 300 miles away in the mountains and we wish to see each other. I've heard stories of Honda's Legendary reliability however since I haven't had this car most of it's life I'm worried something may go out on it.

What's everyone's thoughts on this matter?

I live out West where you can have no cell phone signals for two hours and be at least that much time from civilization. Impossible for me to to offer you advice without knowing where you are located.

It is FAR EASIER to milk miles out of a beater East of the Mississippi (middle of no where really doesn't exist) than you would dare "out west".

 

[Leo99]

300 miles isn't a long trip. 300 miles in one shot is no different than 300 miles between gasoline fill ups.

 

[ATex7239]

I have taken +150K vehicles on road trips many, many times. I used to regularly drive back home for long weekends while in the military. Round trip of 800 miles in a high mileage Civic.

 

[ATex7239]

300 miles isn't a long trip. 300 miles in one shot is no different than 300 miles between gasoline fill ups.

Mechanically it is no different but proximity to home does matter for comfort level.