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]

Have a 1998 Concord 2nd owner @ 7ok/141k now, bought 2004. Oil Burner, once a week a quart. No other problems. Amazing MPG, 33 on trips and 24 around here. Have to give back at XMAS to my kid returning a 2001 Expedition w/145K. Expedition Loved the beach and and if I can afford the Gas, this Expediton will set new "odometer records" . Dave

[Sean]

I had a 1994 Honda Civic VX Hatchback that I put 330,000 miles on. Rough miles. I was a pizza guy and a Phish Head. I drove that thing to every corner of the country and beyond. At 330K, the alternator went out, I was leaving town, gave it to a buddy and he's put another 20K on it since then. The VX got about 50mpg, outperforming all the hybrids they have nowadays, but just on gas. They only put that model out in 94.

[Mike]

How about a 1994 Chevy Z71 Silverado...bought used in '95 with 15,000 miles. It now has over 508,400 miles. The first engine went out at 357,000 miles and replaced the transmission at 490,000 miles. Construction inspector for land fills and gold mines, rough terrain is the norm. I just keep my foot out of it and do all my own maintenance; at least as much as I can. Last summer the truck saw every dirt road within 50 miles of Battle Mountain, Nevada

[Rod]

Bought Toyota Camry 2000 3.0L V6, dealer's demo at 6000 mi. Used synthentic oil (Mobil 1), did oil changes regularly, minor maintenance issues (original engine, original transmission). Only major work was engine light on for fouled sensor in manifold and exhaust (dealer had done work). Replaced timing belt once, alternator replaced recently. Lots of tire and shock/strut changes. Battery, headlight, tailight changes but that's small regular maintenance stuff. Engine still runs smoothly at 328,000 miles (mostly highway commute/interstate vacation travel miles, occasional city miles). Will try to take to 500,000 then get another Toyota (with the money saved) and put less daily miles to maintain this one as backup!

[Stacey]

In June I began driving a used Mercury Grand Marquis that was given to me for nothing because I was in bad need of a car and for financial reasons, I was not able to finance a new one. The car had over 366,000 miles on it, and since I put it on the road, it has gone up to over 370,000, and, in my humble opinion, drives and runs better than the 2006 Dodge Neon I rented for a while. For an old car with that kind of mileage, I've been very lucky. Only problems I've had with it have been worn spark plugs and a dead battery. It drives a little sluggish sometimes, but for a car that's that "driven", I'm quite pleased with it.

A little background on the car...it was a livery vehicle for many years, used for driving clients to and from the airport. The car's owner purchased it with under 100,000 miles on it, and it was maintained by my father, who was a mechanic for many years. So the car was well taken care of. My brother, who is an ASE-Certified Master Mechanic, has said the car definitely has some life left to it if I keep taking care of it.

[Stacey]

One thing I forgot to mention (I think) about my Grand Marquis with 370,000 miles...it's a 1996.

[Stacey]

Oh lordy - I keep forgetting to mention key information on the '96 Mercury Grand Marquis I wrote about. I live in New England, so the winters can be cold. Also, the a/c does not work in the car (compressor is fine, but the condenser is broken), but the car runs fine without it - my brother talked me out of having it repaired because it isn't necessary (it was tempting to have it fixed though - it did get hot without it!).

The power windows in the rear do not work that well, and the front passenger window is a bit sluggish, but the power seat works just fine. The power mirrors also don't really work anymore, either, but again, I can do without - just have to adjust them manually.

I am also having some emissions problems, but my mechanic brother thinks it's not an actual problem; just a problem with the car not having had a long enough drive cycle after resetting the ODB codes from a previous problem I had.

[J.O'Donnell]

I own a 2002 Toyota Tacoma with 218k It has the 2.7 4 cyl with 5 speed tranny. It's a 4x4 reg. cab. Runs and handles like new, I swear. Doesn't leak or burn any oil. These things are unreal.

[MSmith]

I drive a 1998 Ford Windstar (3.8L) with over 204,000 miles. It has accumulated the most miles of any of the 20 cars and 25 motorcycles I've owned in my 50 years. I change the oil with Pennzoil every 5,000 miles and recently switched to Purolator oil filters. The engine does not use oil between changes; however, the engine has been using antifreeze for about 50,000 miles. I'm still waiting for the head gasket(s) to go out. If the van gives me enough warning when the gasket(s) blows, I plan to tow it home and replace the gaskets myself and continue to drive it.

[Larry Myrick]

I bought a 1988 Ford Ranger brand new when I graduated high school. It was a regular cab with a 2.9L V6 and a 5 speed manual trans. This was my baby for 10 years. I changed the oil like clockwork and drove it respectfully. It went through 2 radiators, 1 heater core and 1 sensor on the engine on a total of 214,000 miles. I sold it to my then kid brother of 16, and he drove it for about 2 more years. It still had the original clutch in it !
I also had a 1997 Ford Aerostar that I put 179,000 miles on it until i got tired of driving it.
I finally switched over and just bought a brand new 2008 Toyota Corolla. I have very high hopes for this car ! I expect to keep it for along time and rack up some miles on it. Gas mileage was one of the top priorities in this purchase. It is barely broke-in and im getting 32-33 MPG driving on country roads to work. It is getting the best fuel economy of any vehicle i've ever owned !!

[WIlliam Thrasher]

My wife has a 1998 Toyota 4Runner that has 325,000 miles on it. We have replaced the starter and clutch once each, and I am about to replace the driver's side rear wheel bearings. Other than a little wear and tear on the driver's seat there is nothing wrong with this automobile. It is a long way from the grave and still gets about 23 mpg. We were lucky.

[Sean]

I have a 1991 mazda protege still running perfectly after 256,000 miles. Only repair so far was a distributor at 204,000. Oil changes every 3,000 with Mobil 1 and it uses no oil between changes. My sister in law has a 1992 protege with 244,000 and my dad has a 1991 with 202,000 all still running perfect and getting 33-37 mpg.

[gary]

I have a 1988 s10 with 397000+ 2.5L - 2002 s10 2.2L with 197000+ - 2002 silverado with 158000+ 5.3L -1976 nova 5.0L with 314000+- pennziol in all but nova[valvoline].had to rebuild nova@ 285000+ and 88 s10 head gasket@287000+ ,chevy rules period.

[gary]

forgot to mention about the 88 s10,02 s10 and 76 nova-they don't use a drop of oil-also the 88 s10 motor and tranny is in it's second truck,totaled the first one.All still run great.Will never own anything other than a chevy.

[Kathy]

I purchased a new 1997 Chevy Lumina LS in Aug. 1997. Right now, the car has 229,000 miles on it. I have had its oil changed every 3,000 miles using Castrol. I love my car!

[jake]

my 1985 vw jetta was manufactured the same month and year i was born it now has 313,000 miles and it is my pride and joy.

peace,
jake from stonington CT

[Frank]

Today is February 20th, 2008. I have a Toyota Paseo that's 16 years old with 374,500 miles on it and still drive it daily. I plan to retire the car after I hit 400,000 miles on the odometer (which will happen probably sometime within the next 4 years or so). I split my driving time with my 2007 Toyota Prius.

[Mark Candee]

I have a 1986 Toyota 4Runner with over 280,000. I don't think I will ever let it go.

[Cj]

I have owned Ford Expeditions every year since 1999 and in 2007 purchased a Ford Truck. Everyone of the Expedtions I traded in with around 150,000 without any problems. I believe these are one of the best built vehicles on the road and I am the truck has 80,000 miles on it with no problems where I am wanting to get another Expedition. I believe Ford SUVs and Truck can take high miles...I have no doubt I could have ran 200,000 miles or more on these.

[ken yarbrough]

I just sold a 1994 chevy 1500 pickup with 266,000 miles. It had a 4.3, 5 speed manual. It got 20 miles a gallon when I was easy on it! Someone else bought it and is still driving it !!

I now drive a 1995 chevy 1500 extended cab with topper on it.It has a 4.3, 5 speed manual too. It has 246,000 miles on it now and shows no slowing down yet, seems to run like it will go 300,000. It gets 22 mpg on the highway.

We drove a 1984 CHEVY SS Monte Carlo, 210,000 miles. All stock!!

THANKS

[Otto]

My Father has a Mitsubishi L-200 4 X 4 Pick Up(Like small Mitsubishi and Dodge Raider Pick Up) Over 300,000 kms in Guatemala. Two thirds of life in mud and very strong off road. This is an excellent and economic Pick Up -not fast-. Motor series 4G63. Running now every day in the farm!

[Terry Purdy]

'Have a 2001 chev astro awd that I bought new. Still use it on my job and it will turn over 235,000 miles in 300 miles. EVERYTHING on the drive train is original. Not much ever goes wrong.

[Balag]

I have a Honda Civic 1988, 4Dr, DX. Bought new and have close to 245,000 miles on it. Replaced clutch, raditor and the brake master cycliner once. Still runs great and am in the market for a new car and am leaning towards the Honda/Acura family.

[emmett simmons]

97 NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK.CURRENT MILEAGE IS OVER 430,000
IT HAS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE.(OIL CHANGES EVERY 300 or 3500 miles)

REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION TOGETHER @ 384000 MILES.

[Michael K. Bradley]

I have a 1993 nissan Maxima! And I busted the Air Mass Meter by mistake. Would it be advisable to purchase a Air Mass Meter from a junk yard? And if so! What parts should I take from the car to make sure it runs correctly? Should I take the wiring harnest? And make sure the screen and cortron wire is in good shape.