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

[D.L.]

Indrectly related to the topic of how our cars can continue acheiving high millage, several additional issues of discussion surface.

With added, but justified, attention to fuel costs these days, it more than seems that extra effort needs to be placed on studying the advantages of fuel saving products. More specifically, the debate on using factory vs. aftermarket oil filters appear to continue. Did I miss reading a CU report somewhere?

In an attempt to narrow down consumer choices, one useful study, I would very much appreciate reading, would be on which available "engin oil filters" are top rated.

[Jeff G]

My father bought a 96 astro cargo van w/ 4.3 vortc from a AC Delco OEM parts supplier that he drove for about 6 years. He is older and don't drive anymore. the van was in near perfect condition, but sat in his garage for 2 years needing a starter. He told me if I put a starter n it, I could have it! Of corse I did, and drove it home... it has complete serice recordes in a journal, and even the owners manual! This van has been perfectly maintained throughout the years. it currently has 265,000 miles on it, and the body is very clean. as it sat in the storage it developed a couple minor problems, (cyl # 5 misfire, and abs lite stays on most of the time... but starts instantly, and runs VERY well. it has a new tranny and t converter, fuel pump, ac system rebuilt, l.o.f. every 5000 mile and so on... it is very strong, but needs a few minor things to put back in showroom condition. I feel that I must follow the tradition of this van, and have it completly repaired with oem equipment... if you's are interested hearing some details, just post and let me know. I am excited about this... I will post again to share a list of what it needs to restore it (not much, I might add) and any comments or suggestions would be an honor. (this is gonna be an awsome story when I finish) Jeff

[MarcGA]

I have a 99 Stratus with 275,400 miles...have no idea what the secret is. Mechanic uses conventional Castrol every 7k-15k miles, I add conventional Valvoline b/t changes. Plugs, wires, & belts are replaced every 50k. Timing belt never needed replaced, but water pump did 2x so replaced both @ 149k and 273k. Checked mileage after last timing belt/water pump change @ 273k and got comb. mileage of 29 mpg, of which 50% of the measured distance was a rush-hour drive through Atlanta, AC running the entire time. Check Engine light has been on for 6 months. So I look under the hood now and then to make sure it's still there. Notable repaires along the way: aux fan, AC/heat control panel, headlights (originals began to fade), radiator, AC hose. I'm tired of it & want new car but it won't die and I won't kill it.

[Ryan]

i have a 1985 oldsmobile cutlass supreme wit a 307 ci engine it hit 395000 miles today. no problem wit it since i bought in 1985. but the 1999 toyota camry i have has a 120000 miles and has a new transmission and new a/c. it is my first foreign car and im not impressed!

[Tony]

1989 F-150 with 460,000 (two clutches and a master cylinder) and a 96 Crown Victoria with 290,000 (no work outside regular maintenance). I've got several newer Fords, including a new Taurus, so we'll see if they hold up as well.

[mandy botincan]

Bought a used 89'Toyota Tercel years past...kept for 9 years...with less than $300 maintenance a year. Excellent car! In 2000...bought a 1995 Toyota 4-runner that now has 387,000 kilometers on it. Was told by repair serviceman (for toyota)just weeks after buying this vehicle that they had a 4-runner in their shop in for regular maintenance with 945,000 kilometers! Wow! Am retiring in 2 years & am thinking of keeping this old boy for my GH business and purchasing a T. corolla for my twilight years! (Now if I could only find some decent rear fenders for this old boy....I would just be tickled pink!)Really love the toyotas!

[Gray]

When I was 16 years old my uncle gave me his Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 he bought new in 1996. He gave it to me with 343k miles on it. It was un-killable. My friends and I tried desperately to kill it. It was tired, but incredibly reliable. The electronics were shot in it. The engine was still solid and I flew all across Florida at 85 miles an hour with no problems. I traded it in with 394k miles on it on an 06 z71 tahoe and have since totaled it. I am proud to say I am back in a 2002 4runner limited 4x4..and I found it with just 70k miles on it. Needless to say, Ill probably kick before my new 4Runner does.

[esmith512]

The number one factor in the longevity of any car is the attitude of the people who designed, built, and maintain it. While the life of the car is mostly determined by it's usage and the temprament and committment of the owner, I've known for years that Nissan Maximas (3rd and 4th generations at least) were built to run to 200,000 miles. I have a 1993 Maxima with over 176,000 miles which runs perfectly and after 16 years on the road is only slightly careworn. The car at this time has every potential to drive easily beyond 200,000 miles and has the potential to run far beyond 300,000 miles. The reasons I see for my car's longevity are: (Superior design and materials) the 3rd Generation ('89-94) Maximas are excellent cars and (my attitude) I like the car enough to learn it part-for-part and maintain it.

[James]

199 Nissan maxima, just broke 230,000 miles and its still going strong. not a single problem with it. hoping to make it past 300,000 miles.

[esmith512]

The 3rd and 4th generation Nissan Maxima (1989 to 1994) are outstanding cars while have and will run for years without much maintenance. I drive a 1993 Nissan Maxima with over 176,000 miles at this entry. At this entry, the car's behavior has been on the road for about 16 years and it's condition and operating behavior is comparable to it's new condition; physically it's only slightly careworn. It has every capability of easily exceeding 200,000 miles and a good possibility of exceeding 300,000. I usually buy older cars, always used cars and always cars I know well--I'm most familiar with 3G J30 Maximas (known them since 1988-1989), but I know and love many others too. In my life older used cars have a much greater value to cost ratio and freedom than new cars--often they're *far* cheaper than new (even after parts and perfessional and personal labor). Also if you're mechanically/technically inclined and personally like the car, older cars particularly of the past 15 to 20 years have the about the same reliability, quality, and ambience of new cars.

[paul andrews]

I had a 1964 volvo 122 with 490,000. a 1988 volvo 240 wagon with 365,000, a 1988 Saab 900s with 310,000. All cars that were fun to drive, but all were quirky and far from low maintainence. I have only driven Volvo and Saab for the last 25 years. Last year I purchased a 1995 toyota corolla. It is sitting at 210,000 and shows no signs of slowing down. I change the oil and put gas in it. so far no major issues.

[daniel]

1996 toyota camry 4 cyl, 197000 miles. original owner, changed the original timing belt at 196000 miles. only problem i've ever had was the wiper motor went bad, but nothing major has ever gone out on it. we moved from texas to louisiana and go back a few times a month so we put about 2000 miles a month on it now. still runs super smooth. wife just bought a new accord and i expect to be adding it to the list next decade. looking forward to 200000 miles SOON.

[Rob Ramadan]

Ive got a 2003 nissan altima SL with the 2.5 litre/automatic in it. I purchased it a year ago and the car runs perfect. No check engine light, quiet motor, perfect front end, perfect tranny, excellent body and paint color still like new. Will hit 300,000 miles this month. This is a car that i can tell you it has 30,000 miles and after a test drive you would definitely believe me. In addition, the original owner told me every thing is original. No major work done ever.

[EMMETT SIMMONS]

I presently still own a 97 Nissan Pickup truck that I purchased new in 1997. I posted in April on this web-site about it's mileage which at that time was over 430,000.Oil changes @ 3000 to 3500 max.
now she is still running great and rolling over 440,000 miles. Original engine along with a replaced cluth/transmission @ 389,000.
Secondly there is no smoke or leaks.

[christine]

I have an alero, oldsmobile that has 212,000 miles on. It runs so good. The GM dealership said the motor is great. I have just changed tires 2 twice and the front and back brakes twice. Had all the fludids changed just once. I wish they still made these great cars. I do change the oil every 3000 miles and the miles are all mine. I bought the car with 15 miles on it in 99. It is a 1999

[Anthony Dunn]

1996 RAV4 posted a year ago mileage at 230,000. It now sits at 250,000 and still not a single problem. Gas and Oil. You simply can't beat a Toyota. I also have a 1980 Mercedes 300sd with 307,000 miles. Not as troublr free as the Toyota.

[Curtis Moore]

Maybe not the highest mileage--but up there--my 1994 Toyota Extended Cab Pickup 4-cyl 2.4L just passed 431,000 on the odometer yesterday.
I bought it for $2,400 six months ago. It looks great outside and in, AC is cold, starts right up. A little noise, a little power steering smoke on hard-to-lock turns (fixed with some tape, Lucas Oil, and awareness), and a foreboding hesitancy to shift into reverse when cold (fixed by parking uphill, or on flat and once a week putting my shoulder into the door frame to get clear for drive).
The 12,000 miles I have put on it so far, at 24 mpg with associated oil changes, fuel filter, brake job and Starbuck's stops have cost more than the purchase price.
Love this thing--I want to reach 500,000 miles for the half million mark.

[Dave]

I had a maroon 2000 Ford Explorer XLT, Had Over 150,000 two Years Ago. Great SUV, Never did anything to it except oil changes (replaced door handles) And its still around today, being spoiled by older couple. I now have a 2007 ford taurus with 33K, i hope too make it over the 200K mark with this car. My aunt has a 1995 Honda Accord with only 50K and they are original owners, that car will be around forever.

[Amber]

I drive a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport. I bought it used in 2002 with 29,000 miles. Today(9-5-08) is has 213,000 miles. Its a great car. About 5 months ago the alternator went out so I had it rebuilt, but thats about it. I bought a Jeep Cherokee sport because I wanted a reliable car that would last. My Mom had a 1993 Jeep Cherokee Sport for about 7 years, I'm not sure of the milage, but she never had any problems with it.

[bill robinson]

have 409,250 miles on my 1995 jeep grand cherokee....bought it used with 100,000 miles on it....had to replace the transfer case this year after i ran over road debris and cracked the case....

[Josh Hulsey]

I have a '95 toyota corolla with 220,000 miles on it, I have done minor maintance: belts, plugs, wires, cap and rotor, oil changes with amsoil 5w-30, etc, 2 timing belts, and never a problem, never even seen the engine light besides when you turn the key to acc. It has definatly turned me on to toyota. I couldnt ask for a better car!!!!! would recommend, I have friends who have newer ones, they seem to have the same opinion as me on toyota!!!

[Jim Beczkiewicz]

I own a 1991 Acura Legend. I am the original owner and the car has 180K miles and runs like new. The secret to long-term longevity is frequent oil changes. I have changed the oil religously every 3K.

[Alex]

I have a 96 grand cherokee 6 cylinder 4.0 with 216,000 miles still running strong

[Jason Wilson]

I have a 1998 Ford Explorer 5.0 v8 i bought it last year with 147,000 on it it now has 180,000 on it and running very strong only had to replace 1 spark plug and breaks. Im hoping to get into the 200,000 mile club and beyond very soon this truck is running strong long live Ford.

Also my father has a 2000 F-150 with the 5.4 triton v-8 with 160,000 and thats running strong too!

[Chris G. Bethlehem, PA]

I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota with a 318 and 193000 as of october. I replaced the transmission of course bacause the 44RE is junk but other than that it runs like new. I average 17 MPG, Burn a Quart of oil between oil changes and have no problems. She still runs strong. I use Mobil 1 every 5000 miles for oil changes and have great oil pressure. At this rate it should still go for another 100000. I love my dodge!!