High-mileage Club - Stories wanted

Despite that many car owners trade in their vehicles every few years, modern cars have the potential to drive over 100,000, 150,000, and even 200,000 miles with the right care and maintenance. In fact, as we analyze our recent Annual Questionnaire data, we have found thousands of Consumer Reports subscribers have entered the 200,000-mile club and we'd like to help others join the ranks.

While few vehicles see more than two million miles, like Irv Gordon's record-setting 1966 Volvo P1800 (shown here), many motorists have driven considerable distance. If you, or someone you know, has put more than 200,000 miles on a vehicle as the original owner, please visit the Consumer Reports Cars forums to share your experiences and tips in the 200,000-mile Club discussion. Be sure to include the car's year, make, model, and the state in which you live. We may want to contact those owners with the best stories and advice for a future report.

And for those who want to get the most from their car, new or old, click over to the forums to read the latest posts.

--Jeff Bartlett

Comments

[Dave]

Jeff,

So, what cars do you see mostly are in the high mileage club? Also, how about extending the survey up to 15-20 years? That way we can really tell which cars are durable and reliable.

Thanks,

Dave

[Sandra Jarrett]

Nissan, Maxima 1997- I bought this car used 1999 and love it. However, there is one small problem -- the service engine light stays on. If you take it to the dealer, they'll tell you it is one of the many sensors the car has and they will charge you a fee to replace it and after about four weeks the light will come one again until it is reset by the dealer, which is after you are charged a fee for another sensor.

[jwcomer]

I have had two automobiles that I've recorded over 200,000 miles. One is a 2000 Nissan Maxima. After replacing exhaust sensors, it has been pretty much trouble free. The other is a 1989 Volvo 740 GLE 16 valve. (over 260,000 mi.) I found a trustworthy mechanic that knew the difference between necessary maintenance and factory recommended. In both cases, I believe cars are like people-want to live a long life, then have the right parents, or for autos, the right heritage/history.

[Eric Wheatley]

Well, it looks like from the posts today that it's Maxima day, so I'll add mine, too. I have a 1995 Maxima that I've owned since 1998. It has 225,000 miles logged and I've been averaging 30 mpg over the last 10 tanks or so. I believe its EPA rating was only 21 city and 28 highway. I recently decided to slow down to at or near the speed limit and avoid hard acceleration. It costs me a couple of minutes here or there, but my mileage went from 26 mpg to 30 mpg and I'm less stressed out when I get where I'm going :)

[Vasilios Christodoulou]

1986 Toyota Vanwagon, Bought in 1988 with 30,000 miles. Stopped using it at 279,000 miles. Was still running but both ACs ceased working. Donated to charity. My first non-American auto, but it sold me on Toyota quality and endurance. Replaced alternator four times and O2 sensor once. AC was only problem, but it was a major one in summer.

[Mike SC]

Honda Accord 90 with 220,000 miles. I brought the car new in 1990. Change timing belts twice, radiator, front struct, tires, brakes, alternator and misc parts. I keep most of the repair/service receipts and add up close to 8200 dollars for the past 17 years. This is supposed to be a spare car in the family but I end up driving it to work daily in leiu of the Odyssey 05 because of the 27 mpg. The only problem I have is the service from the Honda Dealership, One of them tells me they will not service Honda vehicles that are more than 10 years old.

[Phil C]

My last vehicle, actually the last 3 all were Hondas and until my recent retirement I was a National Accts Manager with a fortune 100 business equipment Corporation traveling 300- 400 miles per day on average. All of my cars were over 200,000 when sold the last two are being driven still by my best friend and his wife and her car is at 386,000 miles with only an alternator change so far ! My present 2006 Acura is at 68,000 in less than a year and hasn't missed a beat yet.

[marty mcintyre]

f-250 215,000 miles

[Richard Nyce]

I have two 200,000 plus cars. One is a 1995 Mazda Protege. I bought it used in 1998. I just sold it last month with 235,000 miles. It had small problems with worn switches, but nothing major. It still was getting 36 mpg on the highway. The other car is a 1998 Dodge Stratus. Yep, it's a Chrysler product. Everything on the car is in good working order. Gas mileage is about 33 on the highway. Maintenence on this car has been minimal. Not bad for an American car. I recently bought a 2007 Honda Fit. I expect that to be my first 300,000 mile car.

Thanks,

Richard

[Josh Kavaloski]

My current car, a 1994 Toyota Camry, has 210,000 miles on it. It still drives 95 miles an hour on the interstate, but shakes quite a bit at that speed. Lots of little problems with it; I don't expect it to last too much longer. Several years ago I owned a 1985 BMW 353i which survived up to 220,000, but then I had to sell it (since I was moving to Europe). Now, THAT was a car. High miles and still high performance.

[Jeff]

I've logged 235,000 on my Volvo 240 wagon. What a car! It carried us from Switzerland to Ireland and many points in between, as well as South Carolina to Alabama to Ohio to New Hampshire and many points in between. They don't make them like this any more.

[Kyle Perea]

I have a 1987 Ford Ranger with 253,000 miles on it. It is very reliable with the exception of some minor sensor problems. I take it from Sacramento down to San Diego all the time and I have never broken down. If Ford would make a 4-door version of the Ranger I would buy it. I'm not very thrilled about the Explorer Sport-Trac. It's too bulky.

[Mark]

1994 Saturn SC2
I never would have guessed when I picked this car up from the dealer in October of 1993 that I would still be driving it as my full time car in the summer of 2007. In fact, the payoff letter for the financing is from a bank that has changed its name three times since I took out the loan to purchase it.
It may sound dull, but the three things that I feel contributed to this cars longevity are: Quality manufacturing, routine maintenance, non-abusive driving habits.
From talking to others who own the same make and model, these cars seem to be predisposed toward longevity. I changed the oil when I was supposed to and avoided jack rabbit starts. Also, since I live in a cold weather climate, I always allowed the car to warm up for at least two minutes whenever it was around 40F or less. When it was warmer than that, I allow it to warm up for about a minute before driving.
One product plug - when the car had about 110M (it now has 212M) I began to use an engine additive (Prolong 2000) and fuel additive (Slick 50) after every oil change. This has always made the care run smother/quieter and has allowed the gas mileage to remain constant throughout the cars life.
I might have to keep this car for the rest of my life though. My title still has the original bank listed as a lien holder. During a recent move, I lost the payoff letter and no one at the current bank has any record of my original loan from 14 years ago.
p.s. – One last tip, an air filter at an auto part store is only a couple of dollars and they are easy to change yourself even if you’re not mechanically inclined.

[Philip]

I am driving my second Toyota truck, an '02 Tundra, now with 114k miles. My '96 Tacoma was totaled in 2002 with 201K miles. My father has owned 4 Toyota pickups, all ended up having 250k or more. His first one, a '69 Hilux was sold in 1987 with 435k miles on the odometer. I saw the truck on the road ten years later still going strong. Probably had well over 500k by then. Each one of these trucks only required minimal maintenance, no major overhauls or repairs. Can't beat a Toyota truck...

[M. A. Dugas]

I have purchased (3) three brand new Toyota pickup trucks: the first was a small model 8200 with a four cylinder which was still running great and had 385,000 miles when I sold it. My (2nd) second truck is a Toyota T-100, presently with just 200,000 miles and hauls loads that make the tires almost flat, still. The (3rd) third is a Toyota Tundra step side it has 57,000 miles on it and is still just my baby! When I bought my first Toyota truck, Toyota only made small trucks, next they made midsized trucks, but are now making full sized trucks. All of my trucks receive just regular (oil changes, top off any fluids and a new battery every so often) maintenence. I am a true American (Indian) with much respect for America but not the failing American car market. When I purchase a car I would like it to be ready to go when I am. Thanks!

[Patrick]

My family had an '88 ford Ranger super cab, 2.3L I-4 with a 5-speed, we put 207,000 miles on, without rebuilding the engine or trans.

[Melissa @ Motor Trend]

As Mr. Jeff knows, I own a 2000 VW Golf 1.8t that has been beat to heck on the roads. My VW was stock for a year, then became a show car late 2001. It traveled the US for auto shows in 2002 and was my daily driven car. In 2003 it retired and remained my daily driver. Then on 08-23-2005 I hit 200k on it. Mind you the car was very modified (NOS was once hooked up to it) and still on its original turbo too!

I still have the car but she sits in my back yard now. I stopped driving it right after she hit 222,476 miles. She still runs but isn't my daily any more.

In April 2006 I picked up my new daily/project, a 2006 MINI Cooper S. HE is about to hit 49k and he just had his first b-day this past April. I just hope the MINI will live up to the VW's rep in mileage.

I love the open road, and the VW and MINI are super fun to drive!

[Craig]

I have a 1987 Toyota pick-up with 297,000 miles and counting. While it has primarily been relegated to farm duty, it still starts easy and runs great. The only problem is the body is falling off of the drive train. It has never had any major repairs, only routine maintenance.
I also have a 1996 Ford Explorer EB with 240,000 miles. It is my everyday commuter vehicle. I did have to have the tranny overhauled about a year ago. It continues to look good and run well otherwise.
My wife's truck is catching up. 2002 GMC 1500HD with 137000 miles. Perhaps the best vehicle we have ever owned. Plenty of power and a remarkably smooth ride for a heavy truck. The 6.0 liter V8 is a little thirsty, but does pretty good at 14mpg. Still, it filling up is painful these days.

[Brian]

Have a couple stories.

First; '91 Park Avenue. Purchased with 80-90k miles, sold it a few years back with 295,000 on it. It was a real workhorse; going 120-130 miles a day, 7 days a week. It usually averaged in the upper 20's, but on one road trip, it averaged 33 MPG.

The only problem that we ever had with that car was the A/C, excluding normal wear items like rotors and pads. I saw the car just the other day, and it put a smile on my face. It has to have at least 350k on it now.

#2; '94 Olds 88. Purchased the car with 113,000 miles, and sold it just a couple months ago with exactly 200,635.6 miles on it.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n283/cmanmt/IMG_3566.jpg

Only things replaced on it were an exhaust donut, which cost $29, and a front wheel hub assembly. It was a good car too.

[arthur]

i just surpassed 200,046 miles on my 1994 toyota, 4-door, 4-cylinder, sedan. i bought it new at a local dealership. regular oil changes and service at a local automotive shop helped tremendously. be sure to find a reliable service provider. i frequently carried 3-passengers for all those years. there have been repairs, but nothing major. let's hope i can get to 250,000 miles.

[Chuck Whitaker]

I drive a 1997 Infiniti QX4 with 230,000 miles on it. I have only used synthetic oil, provide regular scheduled maintenance. I recently had to replace the ignition and will be replacing the struts soon. I only wish it got better gas mileage.

[Curtis Newton]

1988 Toyota Camry (4 cylinder), purchased used in 1990 with 58,000 miles. We sold it to family members in 2002 with 305,000 miles on it. It is still running good with 330,000+ miles.

Oil changes with Pennzoil 10W30 (5W30 in winter) every 3-4,000 miles; the car has been amazing.

[frypan]

1997 Toyota Camry, 225,000 miles, never used dealer's recommend maintain schedules from day one. All I do it change oil every 5000 miles (with Mobil 1) and change transmission oil when needed.

Did two major maintenace at 110,000 miles and 190,000 miles for changing timing belt, some belts, spark plugs, radiator....

Still running smoothly

[Linda]

I drive a 1996 Toyota 4-Runner Limited. It has over 240,000 miles on it and runs like a charm. I keep up with routine maintenance, oil changes and tire rotations. There have been no MAJOR problems. I hope to get another 200,000.

[M.D.]

In 1989, I purchased my 1986 300ZX with about 30k miles on it. It now has 234859 miles on it.

I was told that Z engines never die and I guess they were right. This engine refuses to die.