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Originally posted by Quarterbore
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That's what we did, to extend the life of the wagon. Our Corolla had a very difficult life before we got it, tons of dings and dents and about 80,000 miles on it. My DH says every time the light hits it from a different angle you see new scrapes and bumps. However...it gets about 41 mpg highway and he loves it. We paid about $5,000 for it and felt very clever. -
My next door neighbour insists on changing his car every 3 to 4 years, despite the fact that he only does about 6,000 miles per year! I guess it's because he's of the generation whose early vehicles had oil changes every 3k miles and the engine was beat at 30k.
I've had my '99 Nissan Primera from new and it now has 145k miles on the clock. The only major mechanical problem has been a siezed brake caliper about a year ago, and I had the wiper motor replaced because the wipers didn't self park properly. They worked OK but I just found it irritating. I am going to replace it shortly as it is on the original exhaust system and clutch and I suspect one or other will require attention before long. Both are expensive items so I think it's time to wave it goodbye.Comment
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In the early 1980s, there was a book called Drive It Till It Drops, which basically had the premise that this thread started with. (Maybe some basic auto mechanics in there, too.)
If I remember correctly, the idea was not only to drive it till it dropped, but to literally walk away from it when it DID drop. I think you were supposed to file off all identifying numbers, unscrew your license plates, and hitch a ride home.Comment
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I would contend that you could easily add another $10K to that figure if you bought your vehicles used. We tend to purchase 1-year-old vehicles. They still have factory warranties, you can find them in very good shape, and with not that many miles. Corporate fleet cars (if you find one you like) are the best deal, because they are very well maintained, but tend not to be abused like rental cars.Originally posted by lawren2
I look at it this way: If I purchase a new vehicle, I would be looking at $600+ monthly payments (I never finance cars more than 3 years -- too easy to get into trouble). That buys a lot of repairs, and makes the $2K transmission overhaul the same as 3 monthly payments on a new car.Originally posted by 3kids4me
KurtComment
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We've got a 1988 98 Olds that drives better than our newer 2002 Buick Regal does. That '98 Olds will literally fly (I love the 3800 engines in both of our cars). The 98 Olds has right at 170,000 miles and it still drives great. I'm keeping it just as long as it keeps going (minor repairs every once in a while).Comment
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Could everybody please post cars they've particularly loved that have really held up over time?Comment
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In 1994 we bought two new cars for cash....both were loss leader ad special deals at local dealerships and about $4-5k below MSRP.
1994 Toyota Camry LE - we sold for $1000 less than we paid in 2000 with about 60k miles - so it was like a cheap rental/lease. The wife (and I) didn't like the 4 cylinder gutless acceleration.
So we bought a 2000 BMW 528i with the extended warranty to 100k miles/7 years and that has just run out on both counts. It is expensive to maintain/repair and we will see how it goes now that every expense in on our tab. The extended warranty was a great purchase and saved us thousands. We love how this car performs and handles and it will be hard to change into any other brand.
1994 Ford Explorer XL - we still have it and it is trying to die with just 120k miles. It has a non critical very slow oil leak with drives me crazy and the AC is dead (this killed us during this last heat wave). The AC may need a compressor and this will be an expensive repair so we are deciding on the possibility of buying a new car and need something in the SUV category. We have kept it this long based on its low resale value - under $5k - and I promised myself I would keep it as long as it lived and until the mortgage was fully paid off. We call it our 'mortgage' car.
We always buy new so we know what we are getting and we keep them for a long time. We stay on top of all the maintenance and have all the records. That is why we sold the Camry for good return. We came close to dropping $60 k on a fully loaded GMC Yukon Denali XL a few years ago until we came to our senses....thank goodness we did not make that purchase."If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.... If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."
-- Thomas Jefferson to Col. Yancey, 1816Comment
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Just had a 1996 Ford Explorer drop dead on me at 150k miles. Believe me, I know about the AC. The compressor died on us at about 100k three years ago, and was replaced six times in the next 50k miles. Some of them lasted as little as three days, some went for five or six months. All of them after the first one replaced under my mechanics warranty.Originally posted by 4ARedOctober
He pulled his hair out trying to figure what was wrong. He finally thought he had tracked it down to an error in the service manual - apparently the amount of refrigerant listed in the service manual spec was too large and they were overcharging the system every time they serviced it. He had to go all the way back to Ford to get it figured out. If you're having AC issues that's something you might want to alert your mechanic.
The vehicle finally died when it blew out a head gasket for the second time - I found out that's a known issue with that generation of Explorers 6-cyl engines. The heads were machined after the first gasket episode, and they wouldn't warranty a second attempt. So I did minimal driving on it while I looked for a replacement. As I left the dealership after signing papers on the replacement, the entire gasket blew out and the vehicle died on the side of I-90.
We didn't shed any tears at it's passing, but I do miss it for hauling stuff from Home Depot.“Maybe you shouldn't dress like that.”
“This is a blouse and skirt. I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You shouldn't wear that body.”Comment
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Only Toyotas for me........
Our first Toyota - a Camry, 1985, got 250,000 (mike drove it to brooklyn from central Nj for work) - on it til we had to bid it adieu in 1999 - for another Camry, 1999. that one has about 120,000 now.
NO MAJOR repairs, ever, just normal belt and hose replacements etc. for both cars. (When Mike visited the mechanic to celebrate getting 225,000, he (mechanic) toasted with champagne !)
My first car -- 1993 toyota corolla - kept until 2005, had about 150,000 - no major repairs, same as the first Camry. Only got rid of it as it was too small for the big kids to sit in the back and their knees dug into the driver.
Replaced with a 2005 toyota camry - about 20,000 on it now, hope it lasts 'forever' knock wood, same as the others.Comment
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I had a 1980 Chevette that was the toughest car I've ever had. Those models were famous for losing their floorboards but a big piece of metal over the hole from the inside with extra carpeting took care of that.
It was easy to push out of a yard if going too fast in winter put me there. Easy to break into, causing me to travel very light, not leaving any valuables around. It was 'compacted' a time or two but the frame held so I kept on going.
Another vehicle that I loved but was a gas hog was a station wagon, Olds Custom Cruiser. Had a 455 and was heavy enuf that you didn't have to give her much gas to make every light on the by pass. It was the first family car we had with power breaks, power windows and AC. A little later, it could hold a lot of my friends.
Then there was the 77 chevy conversion van that helped us explore most of the west. I loved it so much that DH and I bought a 93 chevy conversion van a few years ago, cash, and use it as our trip vehicle. Yeah, it's a gas hog, being so heavy, but there is nothing like sitting in a leather recliner doing 75. Dog loves it, thinks it's A Crate, only larger. Never a problem packing everything we want to take. Fabulous for camping or day trips to the lake.
Currently driving the first new car I've ever had, an 8 yo Buick - I love the Dynaride suspension in Buicks and have not shown any signs of recovering from the GM-only programming I grew up with.Comment
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Cars a story of love and hate
My very first car was our family car a 2 door Buick Riviera 1972 boatback. I absolutely adored that car. I finally sold it in 1986 with 190k miles on it. I cried when the guy drove it away. For all I know she is still cruising the streets with that 455s big block V8 engine.
Replacement was a brand new '86 Camaro. Would lose traction on dry pavement. Had to get rid of it as owning one of those with T-tops in NYC was akin to having a staked goat in your yard in tiger country. Was stolen twice and recovered twice. Ah well. I was young and owned a "Bitchin' Camaro" at one time. YouTube - Bitchin Camaro
Replacement was a new 1988 Subaru XT. My first and only stickshift. Another car I just loved to death. DH forced me to sell it when we got pregnant. Obviously a car with only 2 seats wasn't going to cut it. Sold it to my friend's sister in 1994 who had it for another 7 years. Axle broke at 210k miles.
Family car time. Brand new '94 Toyota Camry V6 with all the bells and whistles. I may be the only person in america who had a transmission go in one of those. It was 8 years old with 60k. That just felt like a huge betrayal as it was maintained well. Traded in for my Accord in 2002.
DH had a Mercury Sable that lived 12 years and finally croaked at 150k. We adopted his parents '85 Olds Royal Brougham in 96 and it happily did it's job as station car for nearly 12 years. Finally just became a little too unreliable. If anyone wants it please come and get it out of my driveway.
Current ride is 2002 4dr Honda Accord V6. Boring but dependable. I'll drive it until it dies.Lawren
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There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of my horse.
- Rolf KopfleComment
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The first criteria is 15 years or 225,000 miles. Then they listed cars that best bet can survive 200,000 miles. Not very knowledge about the car, but I don't believe Toyota RAV4 is even in 15 years birthday. So, most of the mile will be highway mileage, and may not maintain the same frequency as others. Then look at the bad buy, the first few one I believe is high in Maintainence cost and high in initial cost. And don't know too many people will willing to hold that type of car over 200,000 mile. I would think people in that level may more interest in holding an antique car. So don't know how they conduct their test and what criteria create best buy and bad buy, and does not feel they actually did have any one. Maybe more toward commerical side.
I would guess if you know car, then it better to buy a used car. Otherwise, it is safe to buy from company that build reliable car, and try to keep it as long as possible. And if all company are similar, the go with cheapest initial cost. The cheapest one maybe Kia in that sense. But I am pretty sure not many people will think that as good buy.
Jya-NingJya-NingComment
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Best car I ever had was a Hilman Minx. It was a square yellow box with 4 on the column. It got 34 miles to the gallon at 20cents per. No radio, no AC, none of that stuff in those days. Dad bought it used in 1963 for about $1000 (I think) & I drove it with only regular maintenence until I sold it for $300 with 165,000 in town miles on it. Bought a new VW bug for $1900. Drove it til it died with almost 120,000 mi on it. Put a rebuilt engine in it & sold it for $500.
When I moved to snow country, I bought a new Jeep. Piece of crap. No posi-traction, underpowered 4 cylinder motor. Not enough clearance to get out of my driveway. Sold it & bought a Subaru Outback. Great little billygoat for icey roads. Six years old & not a single problem. Only gets about 26mpg though.The legitimate object of Government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but cannot do at all or cannot do so well for themselves”- LincolnComment
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Thanks Steve,
This should help and I will be sure to get a AC/compressor job with a 'lifetime' warranty. I too will not shed any tears when Xaviera finally dies or is sent to a new family.
Originally posted by T. R. Oglodyte"If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.... If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."
-- Thomas Jefferson to Col. Yancey, 1816Comment
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1st new car was a '77 Pinto wagon. Paid 3.5K and sold it for 200 with 188K miles. (Weren't those the days?) Bought a 'I Can't' STANZA which got totaled in no time. '92 Camry which we loved totaled with 156K. Have another '92 Camry with 250K but looking for replacement, an '01 Camry with 85K, and a '91 Tot truck with 200K. There have been others but except for the Stanza these have been exceptional vehicles IMHO (No major work beyond electric windows and a rear main seal in the '92.)Comment
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