Thread: 10 cars that can last for 250,000 miles (or more)

I'm trying to think of a car I've had, or that has been in the family that hasn't lasted that long...

A few would would be...

Dad's HQ Kingswood. Bought when 5 years old with 41,000 miles on it. Driven to the Wreckers 26 years later with over 300,000 miles on it.

Dad's Subaru Liberty - Bought new in 1992, now in my driveway - will be my son's first car next year - 385,000km on it at the moment - still a good car to drive.

My VN Commodore - bought when about 10 years old, only just retired it with over 400,000Km on the clock.

My 1985 RRC - over 300,000Km on it now, and just changed the engine although the old 3.5 was still going ok, it was running out of puff.

My 2003 RR L322 - Coming up to 200,000Km - had a trannie done, but is still a tight car, and drives like new - I am expecting to get another 200,000 out of it.

Point is, looks like they don't set the bar too high at 200,000 miles. The key to all the above cars long years of (mostly) reliable service is GOOD MAINTENANCE. All have been well looked after, and have served our family well. Only ever been left stranded once by the trannie failure in the current RR. None of the others have ever failed to get us home.

Maybe it's just the modern cheap mass produced crap they build now that won't go the distance... I don't think my work car - new commodore will go that long. It has just over 100,000 on it and is starting to feel tired.

Cheers - Gav.

My VR has 420,000km on it and still going strong.

My GD - 1989 Mazda Capella (626 here in Oz) was 'murdered' at 400K.... had at least 100 to 200K left in it.
100% factory LPG

Average servicing by self...
Original A/C R12 gas charge and pulled down to approx 8 degrees on a HOT day.
Original clutch. (Not slipping, despite a 'slippy' driver for the last year...)
Original disc rotors, still legal and true. On the third set of front pads.
Original rear drums. ONE set of rear brake pads, around 350K
Original coolant hoses except top radiator and one small by-pass hose.
Original electrics, (switches etc.) ONE dry joint in a flasher, and alternator replaced around 300K
Original LPG vapouriser.... till a week before its death...

And the engine oil.... is STILL a transparent light tan in colour... !

I'm salvaging Jap relays etc ....to put into my Classic. (Headlighting) and both front seats have been snapped up and still in use. Upholstery not sagging ot worn out.

Not only has quality declined IMHO... car designers used to take care to get the details right and balanced and Value for Money. More'Basics' and less 'Bling'

Yes, we bought another 2nd hand MAZDA to replace it.

PS. But even my Classic should last over 200K miles... as long as the Swiss bank account and Saudi oilfields last...

Is it just me.... or does anyone else see a bit of Range-Roverish styling in the Ford 'Ecoboost'...?
At least LR has proved its design concept has longevity !

My family has had a very good run from old Volvos....from the $500 '79 245 with just under 400k which was parked in my yard at 520k with only minor work needed to get back on the road, through my 242GT with around 370k on it, to my sister's '81 245 bought for $200 which is about to tick over 420k....
My brother's 245 is a baby with only 244k on the clock....
There is a Volvo in the US with over 2.5 million miles, more like 4,000,000km.....one engine overhaul just before it's first million.......his secret? Regular oil changes and preventative maintenance!

I have a friend with a 75 series Landcruiser that's done over 1.5 million kms on the original engine....he does the oil every 5k on the dot and doesn't thrash it. Looks like a bucket of bolts but runs like a Swiss watch.

Look after anything and you'll get good mileage, start with something good and you'll get stellar mileage!

my old mitsubishi colt had over 400000 kms and it was still going strong. little rocket that was.
surf was 250000 and probably would run forever.
my disco has just over 300,000 and doesnt seem like its going to stop anytime soon
the 454 in my boat i have no idea how much it did when was in a car, but its done over 400 hours in the water which is hard slogging and only thing gone wrong is burst coolant pipes haha.
my mum had a rav4 with nearly 300000 on the clock and it ran still like new.
cant remember what milage was on the other cars ive had. golf is only 150000 so lots of kms to go for that!
like mentioned, maintenance goes a long way and cars just seem to keep going!

My VW Passat (petrol) had over 600K that I could prove .... and another 100K that,,, um,,,were'nt recorded officially...

I replaced rings and bearings and head was tidied up around 250K (oil rings stuffed)

Two clutches, one gearbox (my hooning...) and Brazillian-made disc rotors at 150K. Lasted 'forever' with machining marks still barely visible when sold. Brake pads every year....

But it was totally tired when disposed of.

Nissan GU Patrol ute.

420,000km ATM, original clutch, only changed the water pump and hoses last year, JIC, original alternator (untouched) original rotors, original everything else except the fuel transfer pump from the second tank to main tank (under warranty 12 years ago) and consumables (pads, belts, filters, tyres, battery, shockies), oh, and the power antenna died four year ago so I replaced it and two radiators gone to God from stray current. (and the engine cooked twice, yet unharmed. Loose battery terminal was the cause, yet the bugger still started ok ?)
All bearings original, one oil leak from the RH rear axle seal.

Has towed horses most of it's life.

Not the most economical 4WD, not the nicest drive and bugger all 'character' (whatever that is) but a bloody brilliant car.