Cars that last a million miles

**poundwise** · 01-28-2007, 06:24 PM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

Thanks for the link. That is an interesting article.

**Broken Arrow** · 01-28-2007, 06:36 PM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

Wow.

I remember talking to some freelance truckers who, of course, loved their trucks like it's their own baby. They once told me that those things are fully capable of hitting 1 million miles, and that's a very big deal considering how expensive they are, but more importantly, that a trucker's entire livelihood is literally riding on it.

However, this is the first time I've heard similar level of results for passenger vehicles. Those same truckers have told me that today's cars are designed to be relatively disposable... essentially good for around ten years. Because, if they could last forever, then the auto industry wouldn't make as much money off of the consumer. That and they'd be quite a bit more expensive.

I don't know how true that assertion is. I just don't know enough about cars to say. I also suspect that many people who are able to pull off those amazing mileages are also very mechanically-inclined... something that I am not (yet).

While I would love to have a million mile car, for now, I'll be happy if my Corolla can reach 250k.

**PRICEPLUS** · 01-28-2007, 07:23 PM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

I see many Toyotas with a ton of miles on them. I am hoping to drive my Camry until it gives up the ghost. I have read the owners manual and I perform all the recommended maintenance. With any luck I'll get more than 15 years service form the car. I am not into keeping up with the Joneses and I hate dealing with car dealerships!

7 years and counting so far!

**Daylily** · 01-29-2007, 05:39 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

My 1994 Olds 88 has 210,000 on it. I use it as a backup car. My two other cars are both Subarus and I am hoping that they last for years and years.
There is nothing better in this world than being without a car payment. At the moment I still have a payment on one of the cars.

**usnavy_233** · 01-29-2007, 05:43 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

Thanks for the article. I just bought a 2007 Toyota Yaris Sedan and I plan on driving it until my 3YO daughter is ready for a car, then I'll pass it on to her. The article was very insightful.

**MonkeyMama** · 01-29-2007, 05:53 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

Wow, that is really interesting. I have never heard of a car lasting 1 million miles - crazy - LOL.

I am just wondering how long an engine truly lasts, can 1 engine last that long??? IT appears they are talking original engine and all in the article - hmmmm.

My family has had its share of 200k+ cars. Toyotas. My dad is a little mechanically inclined, but overall we never did much. A mechanic told my dad change the oil every 6 months (we have adjusted for 1 Saturn I had that ran through oil pretty fast and my dh rarely drives so the rule is we change that one more often). But we followed that and only take the cars in when they needed repairs (heard a noise, something off). we weren't really big on much else, just checking fluid levels every month or so. The nice thing about having an older car is it usually goes to our mechanic every few months to a year and so they keep us updated what is wearing out what will need replacing, etc. It really doesn't take much but simple care to keep a Toyota running forever.

We have a used Ford and a dodge today which I don't expect to preform as well as our past toyotas and saturns. BUT we specifically picked cars that had a track record of going over 200k miles. To me that is how long a car should last.

I had just posted in my blog how my ancient, hi-mile saturn and toyota have performed far better and needed far less in repairs than any newer car our family has ever owned. You can pay $1k for one of these cars easy that has hit 100k miles and drive it another 100k.

**tinapbeana** · 01-29-2007, 06:18 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

hehehe! my dad swears by subarus. he had one with 240k in miles and it ran like a champ, couldn't kill the thing. then one day someone ran a stop sign and t-boned him, ruined the frame on the car. funny part is: the engine kept right on running! the key got wedged in the ignition somehow during the accident and they couldn't get the car to turn off!

**Ima saver** · 01-29-2007, 07:13 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

Well I don't mind driving older cars, but I feel nervous going on a long vacation in an old car. I did have a bronco once that had 165,000 miles on it and everything was good except the air conditioner. I gave it to someone that needed a car. Of course, they tore the thing up in a short time.

**LuxLiving** · 01-29-2007, 07:23 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

I agree Ima, but always just thought if I was going to drive a long distance on a vacation in that instance that it would be far cheaper to rent a car for a week or two than to go back into car payment slavery.

**Broken Arrow** · 01-29-2007, 07:40 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

Originally posted by tinapbeana

hehehe! my dad swears by subarus. he had one with 240k in miles and it ran like a champ, couldn't kill the thing.

When I was younger, I lusted for the Impreza WRX, though I didn't care for the oversized spoiler. It got to a point where even my wife at the time agreed that I could buy it if I realy wanted to. Of course, a tricked-out Impreza is still pretty hefty on the pocketbook, so I was the one who backed out.

**mom-from-missouri** · 01-29-2007, 10:30 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

I have always driven Chevys. All of them made it to at least 200,000. I say at least, because some of them are still going (I sold them). I see my old Chevette every once in awhile when I go back home. I sold it in 1994 and it had 225,000 on it then. The same man still has it and drives it. Little stick shift-I had to fill it up once every 4-5 weeks, perfect body. I loved her...But, no room for 3 car seats in the back seat.

**Fern** · 01-29-2007, 10:47 AM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

I once dated someone from New Hampshire who drove an old heap. We lost touch over the years, then reconnected much later when he was living in California. I was shocked to see he was still driving the same old heap!!

He used to have to carry a bottle of some additive around for when he filled the tank cus it still took leaded gas and i guess they don't make that anymore.

The most mortifying thing was the disgusting mess in the back seat and to preserve the seat cushions (on an already old car, why bother?) he insisted on keeping old white t-shirts pulled over the backs of them.

Driving around, we looked like the beverly hillbillies! I hated that car! It also burned oil and stunk.

**disneysteve** · 01-29-2007, 12:44 PM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

Originally posted by PRICEPLUS

I see many Toyotas with a ton of miles on them. I am hoping to drive my Camry until it gives up the ghost.

I don't know about a million, but I hope to get in the neighborhood of 200,000 on my 98 Camry. I'm at over 96,000 now, so only half-way there.

**kv968** · 01-29-2007, 12:49 PM

Re: Cars that last a million miles

Originally posted by disneysteve

I don't know about a million, but I hope to get in the neighborhood of 200,000 on my 98 Camry. I'm at over 96,000 now, so only half-way there.

My 96 Corolla's up to 129,000 and still running fine (knock on wood)

Cars that last a million miles