200,000-Mile Club keeps on going and going

When we launched the 200,000-Mile Club forum inviting drivers to share stories and tips about keeping a car for the long haul, we frankly had no idea what we were in for. Response has been phenomenal, with more than 260 different discussions. We've read a lot of entertaining and inspiring stories, with high-mileage drivers sharing some great advice.

Many forum participants say they've made it far beyond 200,000 miles, and Herman Goetjen wrote to suggest we up the ante with a 300,000 and 400,000 mile club. If we do, Scott Gibbs can join. He reports having 450,000 miles on his Mercedes-Benz 240D, which, sadly, needed its first new clutch recently after just 29 years of service.

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

I donated my 1994 Bonneville last summer, still running fine at 471,000 miles. It had the original engine, CV joints, A/C, muffler, radiator, and the steering was still tight... Best of all, my depreciation costs were only about 5 cents per mile, so I smiled all the way to the bank.
--Jim Roberts

I bought this [Maxima] brand new and continue to use it as my main vehicle. I have only had to replace the radiator after a rock put a hole in it. I change the oil every 5 to 7k miles... I don't believe I have done anything special to maintain it this long other than that paying attention to the car...
--Rod Worley, 1996 Nissan Maxima, 400,127 miles

In spite of a less than luke-warm review by CR in 1977, I bought a new Mercedes-Benz 240D. CR complained that the turn signal lever fell off the M-B they drove and it cost $300 to fix. My car is driven daily to work and has 450K miles on it. The engine has never been worked on and most of the parts are still original. Learning the required service intervals and using them can't be understated if you are intending to drive one car a long time.
--Scott Gibbs

My secret to longevity is diesel! My (and wife and sons) last five cars have been Mercedes 300 Diesels, all with 170,000 - 245,000 miles... Always use synthetic oil, change every 5,000 miles. Always check your gas/diesel mileage at each fill up; the first sign of a problem is often increased fuel use. Don't scrimp on parts. Always buy OEM from the dealer, it may seem expensive but it's a lot cheaper and safer in the long run. But most important: treat the car as if it has to last you for the rest of your life and it might!
--Peter McDonald

Comments

[Gary Granneman]

Since we have furnished company cars since 1980, we buy them and drive them 200,000+ miles. Then we still sell them for very little or donate them. With one exception, our company cars have all been GM. The non-GM car didn't break 100,000 miles.

[Paul Balze]

I just hit 200,000 miles on my 1991 Dodge Daytona, which I bought new. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder has never been out and still has its original head gasket. It's on its second timing belt. There are a bunch of things that have gotten buggy, but it still runs and drives and passed Maryland emissions less than three months ago--and still gets decent gas mileage (30-32 mpg overall).
I'm keeping an eye on the original clutch, though.

[Kurt Abbott]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer with 228,000 miles with the original engine and transmission. My secrets are: 1) high quality synthetic fluids; engine, differentials, transfer case, transmission. I used Mobile 1 and Amsoil. 2) Regular maintenance, oil changes, transmission fluid changes and replacing parts before they became a problem. 3) Joined an online forum that was vehicle specific to get tips for better mileage, aftermarket parts that improve performance etc. 4) Love the car you drive. In other words, if you like the car you drive then you'll take care of it most likely. I still like my Explorer and have no intention of ever "trading it in".

[Phil Loos]

There isn't much secret to making a car last a long time. Just go by the book and take care of it when you're supposed to. Get oil changes on time. Get your tires rotated on time. Check your fluid levels regularly.

Most importantly, don't fool yourself into thinking that it's better off to just go for a new car rather than fixing your old one. It's almost never cheaper that way. Replace the radiator. Replace the transmission (I'm on #3). Replace whatever you need to to keep it going. I have a car with one of the worst reliability ratings on Consumer Reports - a 97 Chrysler Town and Country - and it's still going at 221,200 miles. The $1,150 I put down recently to fix the radiator, thermostat and hoses is cheaper than the 20% I'd be putting down on a new car + the monthly payments. If you can't resist the temptation to buy a new car because you don't want to put money into the old one, chances are you'll never make it to 200,000.

[tyler]

If you find the right deal you don't need to put any money "down" on a new used car. Sometimes it may make much economic sense to rid yourself of the car before it gives you major trouble = major money. $300 a month gets you a fine car / truck and at $1,100 once a year still gets you a car with too many miles and may become unsafe and not fun to ride / drive anymore. You pay for what you drive. You don't need to pay to keep it. Just an alternative...think about it.