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

[TRACY]

I have a 88' Honda accord that my mom bought new then I got it about 5 years back... no major work on it..... clutch, water pump, tires and oil.... 430.565 miles on it! It runs good, the best car I have ever had! I had heard that Honda has a program that if you have a Honda with the original engine in it and it is over 400.000 they give you a "rebate" for a new Honda... cause that is the only way I would get rid of mine.... LOVE IT!!!!!

[lloyd cantu]

I bought a 1994 chevy s10 and to present I have 400,000 miles on it no major repairs same motor and trans I just bought a new silverado and they told me if you got 400,000 miles or more you would recieve a new truck in the mile high club any info about this for me? thanks Lloyd Cantu, Indiana

[James]

I have a 1987 Toyota 4runner that I bought new. It currently has 468,465 miles and is still running. I replaced the transmission at 275,000 and there have been numerous clutches and brake jobs. However, the engine is all original and the head has never been removed (4 cylinder). I have no intention on getting rid of this vehicle. Cars have come and gone but this truck has been a steady runner for the last 21 years. I see no end in sight. Thanks to Toyota for a great vehicle!

[Mr. Nissan]

I own a 1991 nissan pickup, 259,000 miles on the odometer. she puts out 24 to 26 mpg consistantly rain or shine. 2 wheel drive, 5 speed manual transmission, extra-cab, air conditioner, power steering, etc. Nissan manufactured a solid small truck for the masses. Style and simplicity was merged together into a rugged yet user friendly pickup.

[Frank]

Hey guys, try to top 378,000 miles on a 1992 TOyota Paseo. The car's engine is still excellent, when the exception that all the internal gaskets needed to be replaced (leaks much oil) and the A/C doesn't work. It's a stick and everything else is pretty good.

[BigJaysMax95]

I own a 1995 Maxima SE (5spd)since 1998, currently have 220,000k miles. Runs Great! Just took it in to replace Oil Pressure switch due to oil leak. Also was told that the Front Crankshaft Seal is leaking which i will replace soon. Great Car! excellent condition, Engine still runs quiet and still has power. two minor rust spots, one on passenger side door and the other on rear tire well.

[Mike]

In 2001 bought a 1998 Chevy Cavalier with 35,000 miles. Now seven years later has 216,000. Everything is factory original on it, except for alternator and water pump. Change the oil every 3,000 miles and just drive it. Engine still sounds just as smooth now as the day I bought it. Love this car.

[Sid t]

I have a 1997 nissan maxima se with 226,000 miles on it. Drove it for the past 11 yrs and still on original engine. I replaced the tranny at 170,000 miles. Ac still very cold and the engine doesnt make a whisper.

[Phil C Jr]

97 F150 V8 Triton. Just went over 200,000 with no major problems. Had to replace alternator and A/C motor but still runs strong and looks great even though its kept outside in Illinois weather year round.

[Geoff G.]

I just turned over 3000,000 miles on my 1994 toyota corolla. I am the original owner. It has the original clutch and exhaust and runs great but uses about 1 quart of oil per 800 miles.

[Mike H.]

I have a 1999 Honda Accord LX with 157,000 miles on it. The vehicle was purchased new and has had very few problems over the years. Aside from the usual maitnence I had to replace the gas tank(it rusted out), evap solenoid, sway bar links and bushings and a tie rod. All of this stuff cost less than 400 bucks total. The car is amazing, go Honda!

[Päärn]

I got a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with 270000 miles on it.

[Tammy P]

My mother owns a 1995 Ford Taurus and it was approaching near 500,000 miles when she finally hit a deer and totaled the car. I can say she is absolutely heartbroken. With 10% ethanol gasoline the car was getting close to 40 mpg.

[Dan Ebel]

Have 1994 escort with 287,000 miles on it. Bought car with 198,000 on it for $100 and still drive it 400 miles a day for work. Currently getting 38-40 mpg. Excellent car. This is my 3rd escort, 1993 with 248,000 miles, 1994 with 168,000 and this current one.

[Dave S]

I drive a 1996 mazda millenia which just turned 160,000 and runs like new. I do the maintenance myself and hope to get 200,000 out of this great car.

[Ivan Sergeev]

I got 1990 Camry with over 251K miles. It's a 4 cylinder stick shift. Great car! I love it and plan to keep for at least 3 years more, unless something major happens. But even if the engine or transmission goes out, I'll probably replace it myself, and keep driving it. I might get Honda Fit in three years from now though (after I go through Grad School and save up some money)...

[Steel]

I drive a 1996 toyota 4-Runner with 205076 mile on it. Still runs great.

[Korin]

200,000 doesn't actually sound like that much to me, considering that the first car I ever bought new was an Isuzu Rodeo which had 236,000 on it when I sold it and the biggest repairs had been an alternator and a window motor. My husband's last Buick La Sabre also had over 200,000 on it when it went. I am looking for something that will get 300,000 like the volkswagon diesel rabbit that my stepfather still talks about. Any ideas?

[Earl Ellis]

I started driving for Carquest Auto Parts in Dec. '99. They put me in a '88 Voyager with 252k on it. I had to drive 260 miles per day for a year or two and then about 200 a day. It had to have several parts replaced but the engine never was opened up. At 328k miles the radiator blew up so they pulled it out of service.

[Emma]

I have a 1996 Toyota Camry with 325,ooo miles on and it still running great. I think the secret is to keep it out of the Dealerships. I had a 1996 Toyota Cressida (150,000) that ran great until the Dealer in Midland didnt want to work on it anymore and wanted me to buy another Toyota from them. I Took the cressida in for regular maintenance and everytime I got it back something else was wrong. I bought the Camry in GR and have had no problems since I don't go to dealerships anymore.Hoping to keep the Camry for another 300K ....Hope so, I love that car. Regular Oil changes, tires and brakes and also fresh plugs every winter runs great!

[Hendic Rivas]

WELLLLL I have my 97 Nissan Maxima GLE It has 232.000 Miles Still Drive Very good,it needs some work, like knock sensor replaces and some cosmetic works, but i know that ill drive 100K more miles. Since i change to nissan i love nissan! nissan have one of the strongers en better motor on the market!
OHH and i jus Got another Nissan Maxima now for my wife 1999 Nissan maxima GXE

[Pierre]

Our 1999 Toyota Camry now has 285,345 miles on it.
Struts replaced once, bakes twice, oil pump once.

[John]

I drive a 1999 Nissan Sentra GXE , I bought it new in 1999 . It has over 428,000 miles and it still runs great...

[Troy]

I have a 1997 dodge ram 1500 4X4 5.2 (318) with 487,982.7 miles on it is the same motor just 3 trans, head job, plugs and stuff changed oil every 3,500 miles still runs good just burns oil bad like 1 quert to 1,000 miles

[Paul Friel]

I have a friend who is selling a 1993 Saab that is very well kept. I am in need of a car and I like to keep them for a long time, I presently have a saturn with 154K miles and am putting in 200.00 per month in repairs. It is salvaged and am not sure if the air bags will work if needed. Does anyone know of the Saab and can you recommend it. I am a college student and am short on cash.
Thanks,
Paul