I really care for my vehicles with fluids maintenance, alignments, tire rotations, and inside and out cleanings, but I've NEVER gotten more than 200,000 miles out of any brand. I hope one day to make it to 201,000 miles! Even back in the 80s when I was a teenager, I greatly admired people in our community who had vehicles with 250,000+ miles (I'm thinking of a few examples, but a couple of old Mercedes-Benz cars come to mind that I was familiar with).
Our 1998 Tacoma 4x4 3.4 V6 looked great but was mechanically worn out at 200,000 miles: burned oil badly, front end wore tires like a maniac despite several alignments, transmission was making a whine, and it had developed an alarming knock or tick in the engine during the first few minutes of operation when it was cold. I never even took that truck into the mud.
Our 1980 Audi 5000S made it to about 110,000 before the 5-cylinder engine overheated and blew. (We bought the car because we had heard so much about "legendary German engineering".)
What make and model of car with normal maintenance will go to 300,000 miles? I drive mostly highway miles; I set the cruise on 61 mph and drive 64 miles round trip five days per week.
What Make and Model of Car . . . ?
- Thread starter CrackyWainwright
- Start date
Most Toyota / Lexus
Tacoma with 2.7L and 5-speed manual comes to mind.
Originally Posted by Srt20
I think you need a better mechanic. I cant think of any vehicles that CANT make 200k with just basic maintenance.
Depending on your definition of "normal maintenance" with the copious amount of plastics and electronics used in cars today what you're asking is impossible.
Heat, Cold, Humidity will eventually do it in.
I bought a '97 GMC Sonoma from my buddy with 92k, traded it at 198k. I was mechanically sound with hardly any rust. We had the first baby on the way and needed more than the extended cab... The trade was a '05 Colorado crew cab, 6,500 miles. Drove that to 204k and sold it to my brother-in-law. He's got it up to 220ish now. A little rust on that, still runs and drives just fine. My '99 S70 has 270k. My wife bought it brand new, so we're the only owners. No rust, but it's getting worn after almost 21 years of daily use. It's been my daily driver for 5 years now (better mileage than the truck) and doesn't seem ready to give up the ghost yet.
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My Toyota cars have done all right in this respect, the Sienna is now over 425K miles and still no major mechanical issues. My ECHO and the Accord are nearing the 300K mark and have about the same record of mechanical reliability.
My old BMW at 250K miles has taken far more upkeep and repairs than the other three combined, maybe some of that is due to the slightly older age. But even now the new Saleri water pump I installed just over a year ago is leaking. That thing eats cooling system parts like there is no tomorrow.
My old 1993 Toyota 4WD Base Pickup is still going strong with over 350K miles.
It has been slaving away in Gig Harbor, WA for the last 15 years, or thereabouts.
Our 2001 Tundra is perfect and has just shy of 200K; I never check the oil; just change it yearly.
Both trucks have never seen the inside of a garage.
Originally Posted by CrackyWainwright
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What make and model of car with normal maintenance will go to 300,000 miles? I drive mostly highway miles; I set the cruise on 61 mph and drive 64 miles round trip five days per week.
Toyota. Not Camry. Corollas are now built in Mexico, so that might be iffy. In the old days you really did not want a Mercedes built there. Engine in front, Manual transmission (Automatics usually won't go the miles. Rebuilt ones usually don't last) rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive, automatic trans = planned obsolescence. Use Mobil 1 full synthetic or similar. Change oil yourself. Use best oil filter. Have oil analyzed. My 2009 Escort lost oil pressure at a little over 200,000 miles. Jiffy Lube all the way. Learned my lesson. You don't really know what they are putting in you car. Especially if it is coming out of a hose instead of a can. I really don't like changing oil, but it beats $$$$$$ car payment 100,000 miles before you need it.
I think you can get a Corolla built in Japan but expect to pay $5,000 extra or more for it. Get oil analyze at first oil change. If a lot of metal shows up, etc take it back and demand a new car.
Originally Posted by CrackyWainwright
Originally Posted by Srt20
I think you need a better mechanic. I cant think of any vehicles that CANT make 200k with just basic maintenance.
I drive about 9-10000 miles a year. No way I would want to keep a car 20-22 years .. BORING!
I would say with proper maintenance -- most car/truck/suv makers since the early mid 90s -- if you dont get 200,000 miles out of them -- you got a lemon.
Lexus LS400. 300k? Barely broken in... aim for a million.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28991860/the-million-mile-lexus/
Originally Posted by CharlieBauer
Originally Posted by CrackyWainwright
Originally Posted by Srt20
I think you need a better mechanic. I cant think of any vehicles that CANT make 200k with just basic maintenance.
Originally Posted by CrackyWainwright
What make and model of car with normal maintenance will go to 300,000 miles?
When I was in the quick lube business, I had a customer with a 1989 Chevy 1500 work truck that went 1 million miles on the original drivetrain. Chevrolet had a celebration for him and GAVE him a brand new truck.
Had customer with an Isuzu Trooper roll over 1 million miles on the original drivetrain. Again, the manufacturer made a big deal about it....but I don't remember whether he was offered a new vehicle or not.
Another customer with a mid-80's Honda Accord with over 500K miles on the original drivetrain.
A slew of customers with diesel work trucks of various makes with over 500K miles on them.
A slew of customers with various passenger vehicles with 300+K miles on them.
I've put 300K miles on 3 different vehicles myself. 2 Honda Accords and a Geo Tracker. All 3 running great when I sold them.
My '02 Silverado has 196K on the clock. Runs like a champ.
