The new lubricants are part of it... But there’s more to it. It’s the tighter machining tolerances, better materials, better science throughout. Pretty much anything made in the last ten years will last much, much longer than even the finest cars from 30 or 40 years ago. It used to be that 100,000 miles was about the end of life for most cars. Nowadays that’s literally -nothing-. A fairly recent vehicle with 150,000 miles can expect another 150,000 without a likely major service. No problem.
My 2006 Jeep Commander doesn’t even have it’s first major scheduled service until it hits 65,000 miles, and I’m not there yet. I have a 2000 Mustang GT that’s had a steady diet of synthetic oil and it still drives like the day I bought it new. No rattles. Still tight. Still a -whole- lot of fun.
Most people have no idea of the manufacturing revolution that has occurred over the last 15-20 years. Incredibly accurate manufacturing machines combined with modern computerized engineering processes make far better parts that go into cars.
And then add to that modern quality control....ISO-9000 and such....it’s hard for a parts vendor to get away with making crap anymore.
So, yes, 100,000 miles for a new car, properly maintained, is barely broken in.
I'd always get a new car every 3-4 years..was just easier, and simpler..and also, since back then, I wrote off a good part of the car for business..can't do that any more..as I'm retired.
But that's not the reason for wanting to keep this one. It's the base model..FWD..who needs 4WD in Florida?..and it has a 5 sp...which I love, and today is almost impossible to find. It's only a little 4 banger..but with the 5sp it has plenty of pep..moves out nicely..and I've been getting consistently 28-30 mph..combined city/highway.
The real reason is that the tailgate window opens seperately, which I love, and that I can just fit my kayak AND my racing bike inside..literally by a 1/4", and thus don't have to worry about racks, and more inportantly..stuff getting stolen..I looked at a whole buch of new models last year, and none can do that..and the ones that I found I couldn't get in a 5 0r 6 sp manual
I've always taken my cars to the dealer for service, according to the schedule, and this way, whenever I've had any problem, even after the warranty was expired, it's always been taken care of at no charge, or hardly anything..also, I've always kept records..so I know what the car cost me to service each year.. For the first 4 years..averaging 15k miles/year, it went in about every 4000 miles...and the total cost each year was less than $250. Once I hit 60k..the service costs went up, a lot, and plus disc brakes all around, and soon, I'll be looking at a second set of tires.. that's what I meant about forgoing those costs, and gettign a new one every 3-4 years..and having just the payment..
We'll see how it turns out...(g)