The 20 Cars Most Likely To Last 200,000 Miles

Bi ^ | 10-3-2014

[blam]

Alex Davies
October 3, 2014

If you're going to buy a new or used car, it's good to know that it's not going to break down after a few thousand miles. Even better is knowing that it'll have a good shot at crossing the 200,000 mile mark.

To find the vehicles mostly likely to reach that milestone, iSeeCars, which helps shoppers find good deals on used cars, analyzed listings for 30 million used vehicles from the past year.

Turns out that if you want to go the distance, your best choice is the Ford F-250, followed by the Chevy Silverado 2500HD. If you want an SUV that will hit 200,000 miles, take the Chevy Suburban. For a regular car, take the Honda Accord.

The trucks on the list are pretty big. So it's worth noting that there's a trend in the auto industry toward crafting pickups that are lighter in weight. Does that mean these trucks won't last as long, as aluminum replaces steel in their construction? That remains to be seen. But the bottom line right now is that when it comes to vehicles, a big old heavy truck is where you should go.

Obviously, there are some practicality issues to deal with. Not everybody needs a Ford F-250, a truck designed to absorb some punishment and do things like haul around large boats.

The iSeeCars data shows what percentage of each kind of car has 200,000 miles or more on the odometer, by model. So the chart below shows that 4.2% of Ford F-250 Super Duty trucks listed for sale have already driven more than 200,000 miles.

Here are the top 20 longest-lasting vehicles:

(snip)

[God luvs America]

in 1991 I bought my first new car; an Acura Integra (ordinary model)...19 years and 290K miles later Kars for Kids came to my house and took it away...

[Vigilanteman]

Traded in my 1997 Honda Accord at 206K Miles. I could've got it through another winter or more, but we wanted something higher off the curb for the slush and snow of SW Pennsylvania winters. Just for giggles, I listed it at double the trade in allowance on Craig's List and had it sold 36 hours later.

I logged 29 calls on it and six lookers. The guy who bought it paid my asking price without any dickering whatsoever. It probably didn't hurt that he had another looker waiting right behind him and a third on the way out.

[SZonian]

No Mercedes, Volvo, Fiat, Saab, Peugot, Mini, BMW or VW on that list...

[11th Commandment]

Most modern vehicles go more than 200,000 miles.

Agreed, but I think that SUV/Trucks top the list because of the owners. Because of price and need, we tend to take care of them and keep them. If we sell them, the new owners are the same way. If I sell a car, the next owner is just looking for something cheap to get around.

[kevkrom]

My 2005 Toyota Camry has about 150,000 on it and shows no signs of quitting just yet.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

My boyfriend has three 2000-2002 Chevy Cavaliers, two of which he’s already taken well past 200K.

I believe one is approaching 250K.

[Peter W. Kessler]

I had a 1985 T-Bird Turbo Coupe; bought brand new.

We put 300,000 miles on it. It had the original clutch when we sold it.

I had a 1988 Plymouth Voyager Minivan. Sold it with 247,000 miles on it.

I have a 2009 Chevy HHR SS with 195,000 miles on it.

My daily driver is a 2006 Honda Element. It sat idle in my driveway for 4-1/2 years (it had green mold on it... yuck). I rehabbed it; drive it 45,000 miles a year. It has 150,000 on it. I’m expecting 400,000 before I replace the engine.

Maintenance, good driving habits, and some TLC every now and then will yield a car / truck that lasts damned near forever.

[43north]

Funny - I don’t see the GM Volt on this list...

[bert]

My Sprinter wearing a Dodge badge but in reality a Mercedes van is not on the list because they almost never become used vehicles......... they just go on and on and on.

I expect at least 350 k miles by which time I will likely be unable to drive any more.

[wjcsux]

Roger that on the Ford Ranger! I have a 1990 with the 2.9 V-6. It is our backup vehicle and has close to 300k miles on it. It survived having BOTH of my sons driving it while they were growing up.

[ErnBatavia]

We had a Tercel from 1980 until 1997, when Kalifornia's gasoline additive regulations killed it off, and it started leaking gas like a sieve - unrepairable, so the Salvation Army took ownership....at that time, you could take verifiable Blue Book as your tax deduction, and that figure was virtually the same as what we'd paid for the car 17 years before.

We really miss 'Tricia Toyota'....

[WayneS]

Bottom line: you take care of your car with regular maintenance and it will take care of you.

...and for the most part, that is true regardless of make, model, etc.

Except for 70s vintage Fiats. They sucked no matter how well you took care of them. They sucked when they were new, they sucked when they were on the road, and what is left of them is STILL sucking as it rots away in junk yards throughout the world.

I would even recommend that where possible, everyone avoid purchasing anything which might be made from the recycled parts of a 70s vintage Fiat. There is no reason to risk having even a small portion of the suckage contained in those cars accidentally making its way through the recycling process and in to your new toaster oven, fence post or shovel.

[Responsibility2nd]

Most modern vehicles go more than 200,000 miles.

____________________________________________

Correct. The questions is, to what extent do you need to put time, money, repairs and parts into that 200,000 miles?

Its been my many years of experience that Japanese cars will get you to 200,000 far cheaper than American cars.

After 9 years and 130,000 miles the only thing that’s gone wrong with my Nissan is the windshield washer is broke.

Oh Darn.

[lacrew]

I also have a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. Around 2 years ago, the odometer quit working at 273k.

I am very rough on this car - and I have paid the price by performing some major maintenance on this car - 4 clutches and a new engine, to name a few items. But I’ve been pretty happy with it overall, and it is very easy for me to work on. With the exception of the free oil changes that came with the car, no mechanic has ever touched this car.

Its rusting like crazy, but I’ll just keep fixing it mechanically until the body it totally shot.

[LambSlave]

My Toyota Tacoma has 168,000 and only repairs to date have been shocks, tires, brake pads, and alternator. They were hard miles, including hauling stone, firewood, etc. over very tough roads,so I’m quite impressed.

[laplata]

My 1976 Toyota Corolla has 237,000 miles on it when I got rid of it.

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My 1991 Toyota Tercel (4 cylender) had 236,500 miles on it when I got rid of it. Loved that car.

[Catmom]

Had a 1986 Corolla that had 215,000 miles on it when I traded it in and had nothing wrong with it ‘cept needed the power steering replaced.

[Nervous Tick]

>> Click on my name to see my Ford Ranger that has 238,000 miles on it.

Still looks pretty good, too! (As much as I can see of it.)

Mine has almost 200K on it. I love that truck. Only major repair has been the clutch slave cylinder, which I did myself. Plan to drive it until it disintegrates (or explodes).

[blam]

I have a friend who says that it isn't uncommon for 18 wheeler trucks to get over a million miles. Also, they don't change the oil, just change the filter often.
Comments? True/false?

[EternalVigilance]

Yep. Back then, most cars were pretty much worn out, and ready to be junked or rebuilt, after a hundred thousand miles. Today pretty much all of them are good for two hundred thousand or more before they have to be touched.