http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF0skl8h7Wk
“I am going to keep this car forever!”
So many say it. So few mean it.
The truth is, even if us hardcore old car lovers are talking about driving a car for the long haul, it usually takes a special car and a unique keeper mindset to make it happen.
Just recently I viewed the mileage results of 14,372 vehicles that were traded in to over the past two weeks. In a sign of our times, plenty of cars now hit that once magical 200,000 mile mark. Nearly 1 in 14 trade-ins reach this coveted honor, with nearly all of them in good drivable condition.
Guess how many of those 14,000+ cars and trucks actually hit 400,000 miles?
Five. Pictures are in short supply this week since a lot of folks at the auctions are taking their vacation time. However, The winners of this purely anecdotal honor are….
A 2002 GMC Envoy SLE with 400,634 miles
A 2002 VW Jetta GLS TDI with 418,946 miles.
A 1990 Chevy S-10 Blazer with 437,327 miles
A 1992 Honda Accord EX with 412,917 miles.
A 1991 Honda Accord EX with 456,193 miles.
Ever since a slew of volunteers started tracking the trade-in history of dozens of vehicles that wind up at auction throughout the country, we have seen ever increasing numbers of the same result. In fact, feel free to click below to get a pulse on the current state of things.
http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/
Most of the vehicles we see registering the highest overall mileage will usually (but not always) fit in one of four categories.
1) Chevy truck
2) Ford truck (and Panther platform)
3) Honda car
4) Toyota everything.
These four categories represent about 30% of the overall trade-in inventory at the dealer auctions, and well over two-thirds of the top 30 finishers, week after week.
Name isn’t everything though, and a hearty, “Amen!” to that. Nearly every brand out there can lay some claim to an amazing longevity feat somewhere in this fair land.
The 500,000 model Fiat. In this case a meticulous 1980 Fiat Brava.
The 576,000 mile Mercury Comet owned for 48 years by Rachel Veitch, a wonderful lady from San Diego, California.
Heck, there is an even a million mile SAAB, a 1989 SAAB 900 SPG , that managed to stay together through 17 Wisconsin winters thanks to the care of long-time SAAB enthusiast Peter Gilbert.
Just like a baseball team is highly reliant on the efforts of their pitcher, a car’s longevity is overwhelmingly based on the behavior of the owner. A loser of a baseball team can still wind up with a pitcher that makes them win like a World Series champion. Likewise, even the lowest rung of cars can cling onto the highest rungs of durability and longevity with the right owner.
Have you any of you known a long-distance runner owned by a friend that, say, wasn’t among the elite of popularity? An early Plymouth? An Eagle that actually flew instead of blew? A Nash worthy of the cash?
Feel free to discuss the the greatest improbabilities of your automotive realities.
My 03 subaru has 370 k miles and I have seen quite a few on fb groups of 400+
My Toyota 2003 Sequoia has 422,000 miles and still runs great. Even the harsh New England weather has not slowed it down. Great vehicle for a big family and lots of memories. I don’t think I will ever sell it.
Patrick (Sandwich, MA)
307k miles on ’86 gas 5 speed Jetta GL. Original engine and trans, always down 1/2 quart when it gets it’s 3000 mile oil change. Owned it since ’91. Still runs and looks good with original paint and interior holding up well, except for headliner.
I have a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, I got it at 167k km. I am now at 275k. In Southwestern Ontario Canada. Worst thing replaced was the coil pack, caused the engine light to flash car lost 90% of its power, this year that coil pack failed again, minus the flashing engine light. It has some chunks of rusted metal in the rear end of each rocker panel, as to be expected with driving in the winter here. Still haven’t used winter tires, and this car is not equipped with ABS. Only one close call with slipping trying to stop down a hill ending up doing a 180 into the intersection at the red light.
My current daily driver is a 2008 Jeep Commander, current mileage over 423,000 miles and it’s still a solid dependable ride.
It has all the available options except backseat television and they all still work.
5.7 litre multi displacement hemi engine and full time all wheel drive.
I’m a recently retired volunteer firefighter and this Jeep has made numerous emergency responses. I frequently pull trailers with it as well.
I live on a farm and it occasionally goes off road.
And it always sits outside exposed to the weather.
The original paint still looks good, no rust and the interior is all original except for the front seat covers.
I attribute it’s long life to my following the recommended maintenance schedule and good luck that it hasn’t sustained a significant mishap do far.
Most serious incident was minor damage from a collision with a deer.
And if you’re wondering, it’s not for sale. I’m gonna keep driving it until it’s worn out.
My 1989 Honda Civic LX hit over 400,000 miles on the odometer and runs great! It is standard(stick) and I enjoy driving a standard car! It is extremely economical on gas and has the best turning radius of every vehicle I had ever driven when I was a professional driver! I Love my Honda named Justin!
My husband is a auto mechanic, my father was an auto mechanic and I was a helicopter mechanic. However my hobby was restoration of old vehicles. My husband maintains the Honda, but before he came along I used to do it by myself. I used to take it to MCAS Miramar to the hobby shop there to work on it!
My 1999 Toyota Camry V6 5 speed just turned 400,000 miles. No rust, it’s an Arizona car, but faded paint. I bought the car new. I’ve drove it cross country last September. No issues. Her name is Joyce. She rides like new. I’ve only replaced the clutch (twice), the radiator (a tumbleweed pierced the radiator), the knock sensors, and the power steering hose. Besides the usual battery, tires, and windshield wipers. I’ve replaced the front windshield five times – it’s Arizona – rocks everywhere.
Everyone says I deserve a new car, but there is nothing wrong with Joyce. The ac blows ice cold, and she climbs the mountains up I-17 to Flag like the are nothing. Try that in your modern electric self driving car. 🙂