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)

[LostInBayport]

Thanks...I think. :(

[Professional Engineer]

I traded a 1997 Explorer with 180k simply because I was tired of it. The replacement vehicle has 140. I’m driving a company car now so miles on my own will slow considerably. I might get tired of it before it’s worn out too.

[SZonian]

Wow...that must have been some kind of failure.

Aluminum heads are a tricky animal...we had a ‘97 Olds Cutlass that developed a head gasket leak around 72k, I didn’t wait to repair it...cost me about $400 for all of the gaskets, head bolts and other stuff I did...

I replaced the radiator on a Mercury Sable some years back...about $150.

But then, I’ve read that Euro autos are notoriously expensive when it comes to parts...which is why they aren’t on my shopping list even though they make some nice looking and performing cars.

[TheThirdRuffian]

I have a 1980 Land Rover Defender with 300,000 VERY hard miles on it, mostly dirt roads. All I ever did was change the oil and put in diesel. Oh, a accelerator cable broke and I fixed it with a paperclip.

I just put in a “new” 200tdi engine not because the engine had problems, but because I wanted more horsepower.

I expect at least another 200,000.

[Psalm 73]

"...my Ford Ranger that has 238,000 miles on it. I use it everyday..."

Glad to hear it.
Mine ('01 4.0 liter) has got 189K and I put on 300+ every week.
Has been hit three times (not my fault), goes through snow and mud but still hauls manure and firewood like a youngster.

[laplata]

Thanks, Brother Cracker.

I was sad when I said good bye to mine.

[CrazyIvan]

148000 on my BMW twin.

[molson209]

Our big problem is rust

[SZonian]

I have no doubt, I’m kinda questioning the list and the criteria used on what brands/models were selected.

I have a friend who is a fleet mechanic...he says the F250 with 6.0L Powerstroke is crap...they are in the shop more than in the field...granted, locally anecdotal, but it stopped me from buying one.

Yet, look who’s #1.

[LibertyOh]

Good to hear such longevity in that model. Looking to purchase a used XJ8R or 8L, both have around 140k miles. I probably won’t put on more than about 6000 miles a year, just want something comfortable and nice looking - and the bad reputation seems to be overstated so I’m not too worried.

[ShadowAce]

Nice. I bought my 2003 in 2008 and it had 6500 miles on it when I bought it. I currently put at least 55 miles/day for 5 days a week (commute distance).

[Harold Shea]

Great truck the Ranger.Mine is a 4x4

with about 156,000 that we use on the

farm only.Trouble free.

The only problem I have with it its a bugger

changing that oil filter.

[blam]

I remember when I was living in San Jose, some time before 1973, a ship load of Hondas were impounded in the port of Oakland for not meeting the California pollution standards.

They were taken off shore somewhere and dumped overboard...cheaper to scrap than to fix. (They were REAL small cars then)

[laker_dad]

I’m surprised that the Ford Excursion is not on the list. Mine will hit 270,000 miles this weekend towing the 32’ travel trailer 500+ miles to the Porcupine Mountains.

[CrazyIvan]

“The 95-96 Camry is not on the list. Tells me the list is selective. My guess is that it’s tipped in favor of GM”

No Jeep either. You have to try to kill one with the inline six before 200k. Traded my last one at 250+ and it still burned no oil.

[NELSON111]

It seems to me that list is made up of vehicles you are more likley to see driven by people with jobs that take them on long trips....vehicles that rack up 200K in a short time...and not vehicles that go the distance of time with average-daily-yearly use (~15-20K miles a years).

I say this because I have a lot of buddies here in TX that have these vehicles and they spend a LOT of time on the road for their jobs...putting 50-60K a year on their trucks...so a truck with 200K miles...like the F250...may only be 3 years old.

[DickBrannigan]

Although it pains me to do it, we are looking to replace my 1998 Accord, which just turned 185K, with a new Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. The old Honda is not a bad car. We bought it new 17 years ago next week, but it has needed some cash infusions over the past three years. Now, the radiator leaks, the A/C quit this summer, the brakes might need work, and the heat/defrost control panel on the dashboard shuts itself off intermittently. The clear coat has worn off, so the dark green paint underneath looks like black primer. We are planning on keeping the 1999 Sienna minivan. It has 212K on it, but has less problems.

My brother says I should fix the Accord and keep driving it. I’ll let him take that up with my wife....

[minnesota_bound]

Al Bundy had a ‘71 Dodge Plymouth Duster that got 1,000,000 miles on it so there is hope for your car.

[taxcontrol]

My 2004 VW Jetta TDi has 176,000 miles still going strong and looks great.

[Charles Martel]

Our 2000 Ford Excursion with the 6.8L V10 gas motor will turn 250,000 miles before the next oil change and is still running strong!

I've read about the Cummins turbodiesel engine swaps into Excursions. IIRC, there's an Allison automatic transmission from an F-550 that's a direct bolt-in for that engine and chassis combo. That would be one sweet custom rig and you'd get tired of it long before it was worn out.