200,000-Mile Club continues to accelerate

Interest in our October 2007 cover story, “Make your car last 200,000 miles,” has caused high-mileage drivers to log on and share their experiences, advice, and even photos.

The owners’ tales are quite inspiring, with drivers like Martin Sorin claiming that they still have many miles left in their car. As you’ll read below, Martin’s Camry has been to 200,000 miles--twice.

Do you have a story or advice to share? Join the unofficial club! Share your experience in the 200,000-Mile Club forum, and if you’d like to show off your well-traveled ride, you can post a photo at the 200,000-Mile Club photo gallery. Please be sure to include the year, make, model, and mileage when you submit your image.

In the meantime, below are some of our favorite posts.

--Jim Travers

We purchased a 1993 Mercury Villager in July 1993 new. We still drive the car daily and it now has 374,900 miles on the odometer. Original engine with only minor engine work… I think the reason we have had such good luck with this car is by keeping it maintained regularly and not doing much short trip or city driving. We live in a rural area and most trips are at least 20 miles or more.

--David Richards

I think one significant factor in longevity is service and an honest and reliable shop. I could not own a 1990 Volvo 740 GL wagon with 245,000 miles on it in this medium-sized city in Canada without my service technician who owns a shop that specializes in Volvos and VWs.

--Ted Whipp

I have owned this truck since new and have meticulous maintenance records. There have been no internal engine or transmission problems. Take care of all the regular maintenance and you will be rewarded. I have set my new goal at 400,000 miles and fully expect to make it in spite of Michigan roads and weather.

--Jerry Hooker, 1993 Chevrolet S-10, 300,000 miles

I change my oil every 10,000 miles and I change my transmission fluid every 30,000 to 35,000 miles. Another tip is to order or purchase a vehicle with an engine oil cooler and a transmission oil cooler if possible. I have heard and believe that most engine and transmission problems are the result of heat.

--Michael Freeman, 1995 GMC K1500 pickup, 429,781 miles

My 1994 Toyota Camry V-6 wagon currently has 416,200 miles on it and is still running strong. I hope to reach 500,000 miles with it. I agree with your article about fixing things as soon as they need it, buying a reliable car, and doing scheduled maintenance when the owner's manual says to do it.

--Martin Sorin

Comments

[The Footologist]

My 1995 Merc. Villager has 236,585 mi. as of 9/29/07 and is running as stong as the day I purchased it.

Here's the kicker; I've never changed oil or oil filter at less than 10,000 miles, but have changed timing belt / hoses / coolent and other maintenance items when needed. It has had only 2 sets of plugs and 1 set of plug wires. This has been an exceptional auto and I plan to put another 25K or so on it before "retiring" it.

[Dennis Krueger]

1994 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4. 5.7 liter engine. Crew Cab. 206,000 miles. Never any major engine or transmission work. Most work including oil changes done at GMC dealers. Always confident of work being done properly with the right tools and replacement parts. Have not babied the truck. It has been used in construction, Four Wheeling, and generally looking for fun places to go rain or shine and a lot in the snow. Minor things fixed over the years as they wore out. Love this truck and am planning on seeing if I can get it to 300,000 miles.

[Roger Hummel]

I have a 1997 Chevrolet 2500 pickup with a 454 engine that has travelled over 607,000 miles. It has been driven in 48 states and Canada, mostly while pulling an Airstream travel trailer. Other than normal maintenance, the only repairs were replacing the engine camshaft and lifters, due to a bad lifter, and a distributor. Automatic transmission and rest of driveline are original. I still drive this truck daily.

[Starwatcher]

My 1992 Chevy S-10 pickup currently has 319,000 original miles on it, and is still running strong (knock on wood!) It gets regular oil changes and whatever other maintenance repairs that it needs, and it still is the original engine and transmission. The paint job doesn't look so good, but that's beside the point...

[Corey Tesmer]

My 1994 Chevy K1500 just rolled over 300,000 miles this morning. My father bought this truck new and used it every day for his general construction company. I bought it from him at 215,000. Every day while my father owned it this truck was pulling trailers full of tools or a tractor, and now every weekend it has either the boat or camper behind it. The only parts replaced on the drive train have been spark plugs, wires, belts, and the distributer cap/rotor and I replaced the cap at 298,000 miles! I still get 16.5-18 mpg running 87. Treat them right, do your maintenance and you'll take them a long ways, literally.

[Bill M]

I bought my chevy s-10 pick up new in 99. The truck has been up and down the east coast several times and 3/4 of the way across the country 3 times. It's pretty much become an around town truck, being a four cylinder It doesn't like climbing the mountains here in Colorado. However if it needs to I keep it in low gear and give it just enough gas to keep it working. It may take a while longer but she'll do it. At 170,000 with the original clutch I'm starting to wonder if it will ever die. I thought about replacing it when it got to 200,000. Now I wonder if it will ever let me replace it.

[RJ23]

My '95 GMC Yukon 4x4 5.7 just surrendered its transmission with 448,523 original miles. The motor is still strong and the rear end sounds great (quiet). I agree that fixing problems as they arise is the key. I have changed the oil every 8-10K but have only had a tranny flush and vacuum once at 180K. Good to see some others out there with this kind of mileage. Getting a reman transmission installed this week ($1600). Still cheaper than a new truck/SUV payment. As for inferior American Quality, this is some proof that we still built good stuff in the mid '90s. Don't fear the mileage................