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Longest Lasting Car On The Road - READ ONLY

174 messages,  Last post on Jan 12, 2002 at 7:13 PM

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Messages Page 18 of 18

#165 of 174 still haulin GTO by allchevy

Dec 26, 2001 (10:08 pm)

We have a 69 Pontiac GTO just turning 380,000 reliable miles of grocery,vacation,crusing-even some drag racing daily miles.It is running on a 350 cu in small block chevy-the 400 pontiac engine was blown when I got it over 20 yrs ago.It has used 1 engine and trans rebuild 3 rear ends,countless brake jobs ,tune ups, oil changes and radiators to keep it growling down the road, laying some rubber along the way!We are finally replacing the origional interior and its ready for some new brake lines and another paint job. They just dont make them like they used to!

#166 of 174 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 27, 2001 (9:44 am)

Well, cars were simpler back then, and cruder, so you can repair/restore them much easier. A guitar is easier to re-string than a piano.

#167 of 174 1997 Ford F-150 4x4 by accountstudent

Dec 27, 2001 (6:33 pm)

My father-in-law has a '97 Ford F-150 4x4 just now hitting 200,000 miles on the odometer. It's his work truck. He drives it to a coal mining job every day and the interior is totally saturated with black coal dust. It has had the oil changes about 10 times and still runs great. The front windshield leaks and it has been driven up a tree(driver fell asleep). The auto transmission has begun to slip a little. This Ford is definitely "Ford Tough"!

#168 of 174 coal dust by dhughes3

Dec 28, 2001 (4:31 pm)

Hey, accountstudent--Have you considered that the coal dust may be filling the otherwise beat out & worn out bearing surfaces and cylinder walls? Sort of a poor man's STP treatment!

#169 of 174 320i;320i;318i by popkwizz

Jan 04, 2002 (10:23 pm)

1979 320i I bought in '86 had to go to the smog graveyard last year with 206k. State of California bought it from me for $1000 and I bought another 1979 320i with 144k miles on it for $1000. It's a tough car and there seem to be thousands (not literally, but almost!) of them out here in Northern California in good shape. I have an '84 318i that I bought with 135k on it and it now has 260k and will probably make its last visit to a gas station this coming fall when it goes up against mr smogtest. These cars are extraordinarily durable and fun to drive and built like the proverbial brick schmidt hut, for the most part. But, just for the heck of it, I just bought an '86 300E Mercedes with 63k miles on it and I fully expect to keep it around for many years.

#170 of 174 popkwizz ** Don't sell to the smog police ** by tboner1965

Jan 05, 2002 (12:00 am)

Drive it out here instead of selling it to the State of CA.
 
Heck, I'd give you the 1K and a cheap ticket on a plane so you could get back.
 
Anything that makes it across country is worth 1K 8^)
 
TB

#171 of 174 snoop smog dogg by popkwizz

Jan 05, 2002 (12:31 am)

tboner: My second 320, 'brownie', I bought because it was convenient and because I know a lot about these cars from personal 125k driving experience. But I bought it because it was the best thing I could find under time pressure to get another vehicle. Though I paid $1000 for the car and my mx tells me it's worth $1500 I don't really see it quite that way. The paint has taken a beating; the heater blows all the time; the '79 is known for cracked heads in due time; driver's seat is total funk, though in one vinyl piece; loose tranny, but will probably hang in there for another 30k; battery brace is loosening up, and yet I'd still take this car over any new or 'preowned' tin can for safety, maneuverability, and general quality driving experience. But, I wouldn't drive it across country unless I had to. The one I sold to the state was really due to become a coffee table as it finally cracked. Though even after that it seemed as though it would go on like the stripped down dude from Terminator. But my mx said they wouldn't touch it anymore!!

#172 of 174 moderately high mileage by 58vw

Jan 05, 2002 (10:09 pm)

250 K each on 85 Peugeot 505STI and 84 Volvo 240, 230 on 1985 Nissan maxima, 230 on 94 Saturn sl2 with original clutch. It appears that driving carefully for the first few blocks to warm up and frequent oil changes may make a difference.
 
58 VW

#173 of 174 High miles in GM cars by stonewall8

Jan 07, 2002 (6:56 pm)

I bought a 70 Olds Delta 88 with 100,200 miles on it and drove it till it had 203,000 and sold it to a guy that drove it from S. Fla to Ky and back, starting the next day. He came back to pay me the last of the money he owed me for it and I asked how it did on the trip. He said he had to tie a stocking on in place of the alternator belt half-way up Fla. and that got him to a repair shop. He said that was the only problem in the 3000 mile trip. When I owned it I had to replace the timing belt at 157k, ball joints at 140k, and the a/c quit at 180k (around 1987). I got 20 mpg on a trips in it. It had a 350 2Bbl with a 350 trans.

#174 of 174 200K+ and running great by totyreed

Jan 12, 2002 (7:13 pm)

I just discovered this site and have to tell you what a Toyota fan I am. I bought a 92 Camry with only 4,000 miles on it (dealer demo) and now have 201,000 miles on it. The amazing thing is that it looks almost new inside and out. Paint still shines better than many 'new' cars except for a few paint chips from stones. Usually gets one, maybe two wax jobs a year. Engine runs great, just general maintenance. One brake job at 99,000 miles. Two major tune ups at the 100k and 200k mark. Original exhaust, water pump, etc. I have changed oil every 3,000 miles and tran. oil every 35,000, plus drain and refill radiator every 2 years. Never used oil additives and the car doesn't burn oil. Have replaced belts twice, but no major repairs. I still drive the car everyday and starts immediately, even in very cold Michigan weather. Great car.

Messages Page 18 of 18

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