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

[David of Doors by David]

I have a 1994 astro van with 290,000 plus miles I love this van and drive it daily [edited]. It's a 4.3 vortec with throttle body injection. uses about 1 quart or less thru 4000 mile oil change. I had the tranny rebuilt but other than that just take care of it. I bought it in 2002 with 182,000 mile on it then. just took it to saint augustine fla. from conyers ga. wow ran great. anyway hope you have luck out there with yall's

[Eddie Barron]

Hi, I have a 89 Chevy S10 Blazer 4.3 motor and automatic transmission with 325,000 miles and it still runs very good. The only things that I have done to it is 2 fuel pumps and a water pump. I had it repainted and redid the seats and carpet and it still does burn a drop of oil. So that's why I stick with Chevy's. THANKS TO LUCAS OIL TREATMENT

[Mike Nguyen]

Hey there, i have a 1989 Toyota Camry DX (4cyl) and she's got over 213,000 miles on her. All that we've done to her through the years was oil change, timing belt, spark plugs, brake Pads, and on occasion muffler... never had a major repair like brake lines, radiator, waterpump... got some rust but it just shows the battle scars. original everything, spark plug wires, suspension, all internal engine components and interior is still in great shape, NO RATTLES! :) i've beaten the crap outta it, raced it at every light when i first got my license, took it rally-riding multiple times on dirt, sand, gravel threw everything at it, drifted... took her up to 111mph while racing my buddy's bonneville and she's still kickin strong. (all done over 200,000miles after i got the car from my dad) never had a problem where she would not start on the first try. definitly the best first car i've ever owned and still own. i love her!

[Cynthia]

I have a 1995 Toyota Camry DX that I bought in 1998 with 48000 miles. It now has 229,000. Only in the last 15 months have their been any problems. I have had to have a new radiator and new catalytic converter. Then, just in the last six months it started to have an oil leak in the motor. I had the front engine seals and a rear man seal replaced. At the same time, I got all new belts and a new water pump. This cost me $700. Now, we do not have oil leaks and the car runs perfectly. I commute 80 miles per day and wouldn't trust any other car but this one. Go Toyota!

[Mike]

I have a 2000 Ford Ranger 4x4 with the 4.0L engine. At 192000 miles it runs great and has had no major mechanical problems, just routine maintenance. It still has the original clutch!

[Maria DiBello]

I have a 95 Ford Escort Wagon with 281,000 miles.
It runs great, doesnt burn oil and is very reliable. I was told that this year of car was actually made with a Mazda engine. Mazda and Ford do not have high mileage clubs, what a shame.

[JG]

We have two 1985 Toyotas with a small heap of miles on them ... so far

The 1985 Toyota Vanwagon I bought from the original owner 11 years and almost 200K miles ago. It now has 302K on the odometer and is still running well. I intend to drive it as long as I can get parts.

The 1985 Toyota 4x4 SR5 pickup now has 358K; we are the original owners. It has been used hard, and had a rebuilt engine about 100K ago after the original overheated when a hose blew. It has now been semi-retired to farm work, but still runs good. When we were looking for a commuting vehicle for my spouse -- now that he does not need a truck for work -- guess what we got ... another 1985 Toyota van (with "only" 120K on it).

[Clayton]

I have a 1989 Volvo 240 GL sedan with 143,000 on it. I'm currently the 3rd owner of the car and the only major thing replaced so far is a waterpump. The AC compressor needs to be replaced but I'm not to worried about that. The car still runs great and I expect it to last many more years and miles.

[Leon Lovell]

I got a Ford Ranger over 300000, I never never got close to that in a GM

[Trevor Gounden]

My 1995 Jetta Mk 3 2.0 now has 240000 kms on it trouble free . I bought the car used a few years ago , It still runs well with great performance , however it never even used a drop of oil in the last few years . after 240000 kms its now using 500 ml per 2500 kms which my mechanic says is just the valve stem seals that are giving in however a compression test shows the bottom end ist still strong . I plan to remove the head soon & get the valve stem seals done . All I can say is this is the best car I have ever owned , ITS NEVER EVER LET ME DOWN .

[Lex]

I own a 91 Mazda 626 5 door 2.0 GLX (Euro Spec), and it has covered 280k MILES on one engine, and then i got another 14700 miles on a new engine (The head gasket blew) before I bought my new Mazda.
It was thrashed around everyday, I boot it everywhere I go, on these winding English Country roads. Sadly it has been laid to rest on my driveway, rotting away where I will soon sell it, as the engine is still perfect.

The other car I owned was an 84 Ford Sierra, that I kept for 10 years, and covered well in excess of 450k miles, before.... yep you guessed it. I ran it into a tree. I could have easily gone another 450k miles in that car, it was superb.

[Mark Kulacz]

I am the caretaker of a 295,000 mile 1966 Chevrolet Impala wagon. Second owner, I purchased her in 2004 from the first. She was built in Texas, and sold and spent most of her life in Roswell, New Mexico... and has an ultra-rare dealer tag to prove it. The body is rust free but weathered, the interior is worn, but I still drive her 2-5 times a week in her new home in Metrowest Boston.

Im getting ready to rebuild the engine and replace the tranny. The car is amazing solid, almost as solid as the day she was made. No reason she cant make 600K or more. Odds are that Mother Earth will run out gasoline first, though.

[Anthony Dunn]

1996 toyota Rav4 230,000 miles. Bought new zero problems.

[Joe Huerd]

Purchased a New 1993 Nissan Quest in February 93. Followed the owner's manual scheduled maintenance plan and Nissan Dealers serice advisors recommendations. After having the 90k mile service, One month after the last car payment was made, the transmission failed. Nissan Corp. reviewed the dealers maintenance records and Graciously compensated me for over half of the total cost for replacement.

As of today, Ole Blue has 294,500 miles and she still takes us from Mountain Home, AR to Virginia Beach, VA and occasionally up to New England every year for vacation. I drive her to work everyday. SHE IS THE BEST.

[John R. Tarr]

My company bought a 2001 Ford E-150 service van 5 years ago. The van I affectionately named "Betsey" now has 295,000 on her and has not had a major overhaul. Still going strong. That's Ford tough!!! I'd like to let Ford know how much I appreciate it's support in providing an All American Quality product. Thank you. John R. Tarr

[Rob.S]

Got a 97 f150 extended cab 4x4 up here in Canada.Approximately 280000 miles on her.4.6 engine.used every day for work,summer and winters,very dependable.Truck built in Virgina.Sorry NOT FOR SALE.Friend has 03 f150,200000 miles.Again 4.6 engine.

[Mitzie]

I purchased a 5 speed 1996 Toyota Camry in 2003 with high mileage of 244,397. The mileage is now 292,500+. I live in NY, drive to work everyday and I go all over with the car - Philadelphia, Maryland, Massachusetts etc and it runs smoothly. My brother is a Toyota specialist so he does all the upkeep for me. Changed the transmission last year, but no mechanical difficulties.

[Siraj]

I have a Nissan Maxima with 156,000 miles on it.I have had no major problems except that its starting to rust, and the engine cuts off occasionally but fires up soon. Also it occasionally smokes from the steering column.

[rodrigo]

i have a 1991 toyota pick up w 198000 on it v6 4x4 runs great, very nice and a gas saver no prblems

[Jason]

I came across this website and thought i'd add a hi-mileage story. My good friends family owns a 1988 toyota camry v6 which after over 500,000 miles is still running! not only does it run but it's quiet, still has great acceleration and still feels solid. I'm not sure what has been done but according to them it still has it's original engine and trans. unbelievable. and oh, they call the thing "yoda" because it's so old and crusty - but still trusty!! i had a 1997 toyota 4runner that had 178k miles original when i sold it (v6) and i wouldnt be surprised if it ran for at least that much more. I currently own a 2007 toyota 4runner v8 and plan to run it for at least 20 years. At it's first oil change i switched to amsoil synthetics to give it the best in the world protection and put in all season mats. In the past i've also owned Honda's which have been extremely dependable in fact my first car, a 1983 prelude was still running five years ago with over 400k miles on it! Gotta love Japanese quality!!

[donald campbell]

looking to buy a Phoeniv van type rv with 120,000mi on a Ford E250 Super Van, 5.4L V8, what sould I look for????? thanks any info would be helpful

[Carl]

Just thought I'd through in my comments on our three Toyota s, a 1995 4runner with 155,000, a 1997 Tacoma with 282,000, and a 1999 Tacoma with 553,300 miles. We only drive the 4runner on the weekends or to football games or special occasions. The two pickups are our workhorses. They were bought used at about the same time,and both had about 65,000 miles on them when I bought them. They have both been well maintained while running on a courier delivery route. The 1999 is the primary vehicle, with the 1997 used as a backup. You can't beat the quality. In fact, my 12 year old daughter affectionately calls the '99 "ICKI" (pronounced Icky-for "I Can't Kill It)! I plan to literally "run the wheels off of them". I'm 55 years old, and at this rate, I don't plan to buy but maybe one more. Gas, oil, tires, and brakes! You just can't get any better than that!

[Danny]

It seems I never purchase a vehicle with less than 150,000 miles on it. At this time I have a 2001 Ford Ranger with 186,000 miles. I've driven it for a year and will sell it for alittle more than I paid for it. Today I just purchased a 1995 SAAB hatchback with 155,000 on it for $1500. I'll drive it for a year or two and sell it for what I paid for it. I do this so that I can drive a vehicle for practically free other than a few oil changes. I try to purchase vehicles that have all the maintanence up to date so I do not have to put money into them in parts and repair. I've also done the above with Volvo and Subaru. I love high mileage vehicles and have found them to be a great savings.

[Diane & Dan]

Red 1993 Volvo 240 Wagon 290,000 miles. We are second owners.Classic style and renowned for safety. Body in great shape. We purchased in 2004 and she's been great daily driver and long hauler for family of five. Routine maint. since we purchased, Reg. oil changes, replaced radiator, rebuilt rotor,re-built alternator, brakes (turned all rotors)transmission filter and gasket, new tires. Engine keeps on purring along!

[Matthew]

My 1993 Nissan Stanza Altima GXE, I live in sunny Florida, I drive 80 to 100 miles a day I can still remember when my parents brought the car new in 1993 its been to Canada 3 times, and the lower eastern states, the car has 200.000 miles on her now only by the grace of God, still going strong the past 14 years only replaced small things as sunshade, brakes pads, (oil "every 3000 miles"), filters, and add new coolant once a year, still has the factory lights, radio, etc...
its been through its share of hurricane's in 1995 and in 2004 when the received little damage by dents from object, nothing major,

I am looking forward to the 500.000 mile mark, or the 900.000 mark.