What mileage on a vehicle starts making you nervous?
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Depends on the vehicle. I trust my 222K mile Ranger more than my 200K mile Ranger, but the higher mileage truck is 8 years newer and I've had it much longer.
It depends on the vehicle. I typically start to get antsy/nervous around 180K. For me, the time and miles at that point mean the dashboard is probably starting to crack, the seats may be showing some wear, and if something as minor as the A/C breaks, it could be more expensive to fix than the cost of the vehicle.
with my current rides, I think the car in my signature could very well last forever as it has been totally bulletproof and there are tons of parts available for it. Some of my other cars have limited OE parts still available, making long term maintenance a chore. I don't want to buy junk parts and/or salvage parts if at all possible. I had to buy a junkyard rear diff just to get a flange to replace one that was damaged.
180K is usually the time I start to try and decide if I want to keep it perfect, or if I should save the 'keep it perfect' money to put towards a replacement. Do I really want to do $1,000 in tires and $1,000 in worn suspension parts and $500 in brakes and another $500 because I should replace the radiator and water pump, or should I leave that 3K in the bank and drive it with cheaper tires, suspension that is starting to make noise and possibly get stranded at some point in the next year if I don't replace the radiator - these are known to crack and/or mix ATF with the coolant - which causes transmission destruction. And if I do put the 3K in the car to keep it perfect, if the transmission fall out this winter, that's thousands of dollars to replace the transmission in a car that probably has 50K left in the engine.
So - 180K is my nervous point, and I'm almost there on two cars currently.
with my current rides, I think the car in my signature could very well last forever as it has been totally bulletproof and there are tons of parts available for it. Some of my other cars have limited OE parts still available, making long term maintenance a chore. I don't want to buy junk parts and/or salvage parts if at all possible. I had to buy a junkyard rear diff just to get a flange to replace one that was damaged.
180K is usually the time I start to try and decide if I want to keep it perfect, or if I should save the 'keep it perfect' money to put towards a replacement. Do I really want to do $1,000 in tires and $1,000 in worn suspension parts and $500 in brakes and another $500 because I should replace the radiator and water pump, or should I leave that 3K in the bank and drive it with cheaper tires, suspension that is starting to make noise and possibly get stranded at some point in the next year if I don't replace the radiator - these are known to crack and/or mix ATF with the coolant - which causes transmission destruction. And if I do put the 3K in the car to keep it perfect, if the transmission fall out this winter, that's thousands of dollars to replace the transmission in a car that probably has 50K left in the engine.
So - 180K is my nervous point, and I'm almost there on two cars currently.
By the way, your signature isn't showing for some reason.
For me, it depends on the vehicle, too. Some vehicles, particularly simple bulletproof ones, I'd trust for a lot more miles than something where parts are going to be just about impossible to get, or expensive, or the work is going to be a bear.
That was my problem with the old Audi. I had no problem getting the parts and getting them cheap. The work wasn't even that hard. It was just beginning to mount up, and I was getting tired of going through all these little systems replacing things. If I had more time, no problem. The last straw was the water pump, which was a little more than I was prepared to tackle in an afternoon.
For me, it depends on the vehicle, too. Some vehicles, particularly simple bulletproof ones, I'd trust for a lot more miles than something where parts are going to be just about impossible to get, or expensive, or the work is going to be a bear.
That was my problem with the old Audi. I had no problem getting the parts and getting them cheap. The work wasn't even that hard. It was just beginning to mount up, and I was getting tired of going through all these little systems replacing things. If I had more time, no problem. The last straw was the water pump, which was a little more than I was prepared to tackle in an afternoon.
Originally Posted by dishdude
I expect a car to be fairly trouble free to 150k. 150k-200k I expect a repair or two like a fuel pump, alternator, PS pump, etc.
After 200k it's all gravy...
If you don't abuse them and maintain them, they'll serve you well.
^^^^^^
I agree. My car has 247k miles and has done quite well. Some repairs for sure. But still happy to drive it.
I expect a car to be fairly trouble free to 150k. 150k-200k I expect a repair or two like a fuel pump, alternator, PS pump, etc.
After 200k it's all gravy...
If you don't abuse them and maintain them, they'll serve you well.
^^^^^^
I agree. My car has 247k miles and has done quite well. Some repairs for sure. But still happy to drive it.
My Tb is just north of 220,000km, it does not make me nervous as I owned it since 25,000km. I know what parts/fluids are in it, I also know the sounds and other weird stuff it does. My 3500 is another story. Love the truck but it always worries me when the next time I will get the DEF countdown again.
Depends on how much I'm willing to put up with and whether I'm often 1,000 miles from home or local. Ed
When it starts nickel and diming me to death.
Originally Posted by Linctex
2008 Ford F-150
Last year model of that series (2001-2008)
By then, ALL the bugs are worked out.
Almost 200,000 miles and the only thing I have ever changed is the alternator.
These trucks go to 400,000 all the time without failure.
Even if something - anything - goes bad (engine, trans. etc.) I can have it driving again for $400.
Ford made millions and millions and millions of these things - parts are everywhere, and dirt cheap.
No cam phaser tick? I just bought an '05 that sounds like a kid beating on a tin drum.
2008 Ford F-150
Last year model of that series (2001-2008)
By then, ALL the bugs are worked out.
Almost 200,000 miles and the only thing I have ever changed is the alternator.
These trucks go to 400,000 all the time without failure.
Even if something - anything - goes bad (engine, trans. etc.) I can have it driving again for $400.
Ford made millions and millions and millions of these things - parts are everywhere, and dirt cheap.
No cam phaser tick? I just bought an '05 that sounds like a kid beating on a tin drum.
12 years or 200k gives me pause.
BMW 90-100k, Ford 100k, Toyota 250k
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Originally Posted by The Critic
150K.
No matter how well a vehicle is maintained, it is inevitable that components will begin to wear out and fail after a certain point. The design life of many light-duty vehicles is 150-180K, so I think this is a reasonable milestone to begin considering options.
I agree. At 180K miles my water pump and A/C went out in my 05 Crown Vic on my way back from New York to Miami Beach but got back without fixing it till I got home as the water pump did not leak. The alternator went out the next day after I got home. Managed to make it to 300K miles without anything major done to it but it was a little nerve racking on long trips. The 4.6 engine kept running like brand new..
150K.
No matter how well a vehicle is maintained, it is inevitable that components will begin to wear out and fail after a certain point. The design life of many light-duty vehicles is 150-180K, so I think this is a reasonable milestone to begin considering options.
I agree. At 180K miles my water pump and A/C went out in my 05 Crown Vic on my way back from New York to Miami Beach but got back without fixing it till I got home as the water pump did not leak. The alternator went out the next day after I got home. Managed to make it to 300K miles without anything major done to it but it was a little nerve racking on long trips. The 4.6 engine kept running like brand new..
Originally Posted by Garak
By the way, your signature isn't showing for some reason.
For me, it depends on the vehicle, too. Some vehicles, particularly simple bulletproof ones, I'd trust for a lot more miles than something where parts are going to be just about impossible to get, or expensive, or the work is going to be a bear.
That was my problem with the old Audi. I had no problem getting the parts and getting them cheap. The work wasn't even that hard. It was just beginning to mount up, and I was getting tired of going through all these little systems replacing things. If I had more time, no problem. The last straw was the water pump, which was a little more than I was prepared to tackle in an afternoon.
That's odd - my sig car should be an '06 G35 6MT w/ almost 180K.
By the way, your signature isn't showing for some reason.
For me, it depends on the vehicle, too. Some vehicles, particularly simple bulletproof ones, I'd trust for a lot more miles than something where parts are going to be just about impossible to get, or expensive, or the work is going to be a bear.
That was my problem with the old Audi. I had no problem getting the parts and getting them cheap. The work wasn't even that hard. It was just beginning to mount up, and I was getting tired of going through all these little systems replacing things. If I had more time, no problem. The last straw was the water pump, which was a little more than I was prepared to tackle in an afternoon.
That's odd - my sig car should be an '06 G35 6MT w/ almost 180K.
100,000 miles makes me nervous because someone selling the car at that mileage I theorize might be dumping it because they want to get rid of it before something breaks, which then makes me think they have put very little money into maintenance on it at all, including not doing regular oil changes. And then the vehicle sale price is probably too high too.
I may not have explained that theory well enough, but whatever. And that theory is disregarded if the car has a 100,000 mile warranty on it that is ending.
I'd probably rather buy a vehicle with 200k on it and get it a lot cheaper knowing I might replace some parts on it immediately. (That path might be unwise if I didn't do the labor myself.) And any vehicle that has 200,000 miles on it, at least you know it wasn't a lemon from the factory.
I may not have explained that theory well enough, but whatever. And that theory is disregarded if the car has a 100,000 mile warranty on it that is ending.
I'd probably rather buy a vehicle with 200k on it and get it a lot cheaper knowing I might replace some parts on it immediately. (That path might be unwise if I didn't do the labor myself.) And any vehicle that has 200,000 miles on it, at least you know it wasn't a lemon from the factory.
Selling a car on Craigslist for $2800 with 230k definitely spooked most buyers. Most said they could tolerate up to 180k who looked at car. All stated surprised of condition and how well it drove.
Ended up with $2200 for a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT (turbo) Wagon with 5 speed manual with a buyer who noticed the car dripping oil.
Ended up with $2200 for a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT (turbo) Wagon with 5 speed manual with a buyer who noticed the car dripping oil.
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Originally Posted by DejaVue
100,000 miles makes me nervous because someone selling the car at that mileage I theorize might be dumping it because they want to get rid of it before something breaks, which then makes me think they have put very little money into maintenance on it at all, including not doing regular oil changes. And then the vehicle sale price is probably too high too.
I may not have explained that theory well enough, but whatever. And that theory is disregarded if the car has a 100,000 mile warranty on it that is ending.
I'd probably rather buy a vehicle with 200k on it and get it a lot cheaper knowing I might replace some parts on it immediately. (That path might be unwise if I didn't do the labor myself.) And any vehicle that has 200,000 miles on it, at least you know it wasn't a lemon from the factory.
I don't think I'd buy a car with 100K unless I knew its history. My 180-200K nervousness happens when I own the car from new or almost new.
100,000 miles makes me nervous because someone selling the car at that mileage I theorize might be dumping it because they want to get rid of it before something breaks, which then makes me think they have put very little money into maintenance on it at all, including not doing regular oil changes. And then the vehicle sale price is probably too high too.
I may not have explained that theory well enough, but whatever. And that theory is disregarded if the car has a 100,000 mile warranty on it that is ending.
I'd probably rather buy a vehicle with 200k on it and get it a lot cheaper knowing I might replace some parts on it immediately. (That path might be unwise if I didn't do the labor myself.) And any vehicle that has 200,000 miles on it, at least you know it wasn't a lemon from the factory.
I don't think I'd buy a car with 100K unless I knew its history. My 180-200K nervousness happens when I own the car from new or almost new.
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