Topic: Cars that can go 200,000 miles and more

[ajay]

http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/2345/which-countrys-cars-run-the-longest

[No H2O]

Well every car can run forever if you throw enough parts at it.

Cars I know that went over 500,000 kms

• co-worker's Toyota Camry V6...till it got t-boned
• friends's 1985 BMW 325e...and still a daily driver

[Railton]

This guy I know and he's had pretty good luck with Talons. Now has a TT.
http://www.siberi-inn.ca/car.html
He lives North of Barrie and commute to TO each day.
Railton

[johngenx]

I think the point of the article is which vehicles will go to 300K-kms with the least problems, not which ones can get there, period.

I'm not shocked to see the Forester there.  My old gal is not as well made as newer ones, and it's at about that mark and going strong with few problems along the way.  Probably one of the most durable cars we've owned...

[Railton]

I think the point of the article is which vehicles will go to 300K-kms with the least problems

And that article is where then, or just someones opinion?
Railton

[johngenx]

Quote:

For those with an eye on owning a car or truck for the long run, we've identified a list of 14 model-year 2012 vehicles that are statistically among the least likely to encounter major mechanical problems in at least the first several years of ownership. Our list consists of 14 cars and trucks that received top scores in both the most-recent Consumer Reports Car Reliability survey, based on problems reported by 1.3 million owners of model-year 2005-2010 vehicles, and the J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Vehicles Dependability Study based on responses from more than 43,700 original owners of 2008 model-year vehicles.

[Railton]

Quote:

For those with an eye on owning a car or truck for the long run, we've identified a list of 14 model-year 2012 vehicles that are statistically among the least likely to encounter major mechanical problems in at least the first several years of ownership. Our list consists of 14 cars and trucks that received top scores in both the most-recent Consumer Reports Car Reliability survey, based on problems reported by 1.3 million owners of model-year 2005-2010 vehicles, and the J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Vehicles Dependability Study based on responses from more than 43,700 original owners of 2008 model-year vehicles.

"least likely to encounter major mechanical problems in at least the first several years of ownership"= 300K Miles?
I was looking for the report that detailed the vehicles hitting that number with regularity.
Railton

[johngenx]

The idea is that vehicles that are the most dependable at 3-5 years will continue that trend.  Makes sense, but sound science?  Difficult as many of the vehicles that are at 300K today (like my Forester) might not share much with the 2012 version.

[tenpenny]

and the J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Vehicles Dependability Study based on responses from more than 43,700 original owners of 2008 model-year vehicles.

The JDPower studies are marketing tools, and why anyone bases any decisions on that, I don't know.

But, if it comforts you to use a survey developed by marketing people and SOLD TO paying car companies (read:  conflict of interest, the results are paid for by the participants), then all the more power to you.

[johngenx]

That list mirrors CR results, which I put more stock in.  They're all flawed, of course (self selection, bias, whatever) but I think CR does the best job.

I think any of the list would give good service to high mileages...

[gord_boyd]

The Canadian PQS (Perceived Quality Survey) just done in Canada for first time puts Audi ahead of Porsche and BMW and Mercedes.
Based on this logic of trend continuing later, then my new A7 should last a very long time. 
The Audi score does not jibe with CR at all but (bias setting in after 4 months ownership) car companies have been known to turn around.
My first Audi had the unlimited warranty which allowed me to get to 300 K kms.  They say daily driving is best
but that is hard to do when retired.  I'll just have to have bigger, longer road treks.

[blur911]

  They say daily driving is best
but that is hard to do when retired.  I'll just have to have bigger, longer road treks.

If you need any help exercising your rides I'd be glad to help.  Just drop off the 930 in the spring and I'll keep it in shape all summer. 

[SUBURBAN!]

My wifes '91 Accord just turned 300,000 miles, but prolly has 20k more, as the speedo wasn't working for a year. We never drive it in the winter, so it has minimal rust. My newly purchased '95 Suburban 6.5 diesel has 240,000, my '84 diesel Sub has 260,000, I have another Sub 6.5 TD Sub with 240, but an oil line broke, and that took care of the motor, and my '93 Silverado pickup has 284,000 miles, and will get its 3rd tranny soon. All are western trucks, so zero rust

[GapBoyPCS]

Well every car can run forever if you throw enough parts at it.

That, and maintaining them. Plus, there's always every driving scenario being different.

I have a 2002 Focus with over 513,000 km. I haven't retired her yet, but I still use it on weekends and errands around town.

[Spheric]

Any car that has a relatively low stress routine of long distance highway driving at constant speeds, minimal braking and little variation in transmission shifts (manual or automatic), is more likely to reach 200k problem free than one in city driving. 

[mmret]

I would suspect that most any reasonably simple (as in no fancy air suspension / magnetic iron filing suspension) car can expect to make 200k miles with

1. regular oil changes and good gasoline
2. if its an Auto, a replacement transmission might be needed
3. if its driven on very rough roads, a few suspension bits.

[blur911]

Depending upon how quickly you are putting on mileage I would think corrosion takes most vehicles off the road before reaching 200,000miles (320ish k)
Once they reach 12-15 or so years old brake lines, fuel lines and other tubing start giving out. Wiring and connectors corrode and things stop working or just work badly.  Cost to repair can exceed the value of the car and off to the wrecking yard it goes.
Rust holes in the body is only the tip of the iceberg.