How many miles on your car? What make/model?

[branv]

Well I guess the real question isn't just how old your car is and how many miles it has on it, but also how much work you've had to do on it. I mean, DFIL has a 50's era Thunderbird but the things been restored multiple times.

We have a 2000 Honda Civic with about 150K miles. Had it from the beginning, done the regular maintenance (including the 35K, 70K mile, etc recommended maintenance). The only non-maintenance repair we had to make until 2008 was when the window crank broke (that was about $80). In 2008 we had a broken engine mount replaced at the same time as we one of the big maintenances. Now the manifold is cracked, but it's been that way for a while now with no problems...even passes inspection. We figure we'll fix it when we do our next big maintenance. So knock on wood, but that's it. I hope my little Pepe goes forever and ever!

All I can say is I'm sold. Our three cars before that (Ford Ranger, Ford Taurus, Isuzu) were pieces of junk with major $$$ issues every few years. I mean, we had the Isuzu about 7 years but it was constant repairs. We now have our second Honda after our experience with the Civic. Three years of more of the same, and hoping for plenty more

 

[buzz5985]

Oldest is a 99 Nissan Altima GXE with 102,000 on it.

Any decently made modern car will last a looooooong time if you even take care of it a little. ALL mechanical objects need routine maintenance to keep running, so ALL cars need to have certain things replaced from time to time, but a decently cared for car should give the average person at least 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

Most Americans just get tired of their cars and want a new toy long before the vehicle actually needs to be replaced and/or ignore the fact that a one-time $1,000 outlay for repair is cheaper than a new $300 per month car payment for the next five years...

Depends on what part of the country you live in. If I lived down South, I would still be driving my 1993 Nissan Pathfinder. But up in the Northeast - the frame rusted out in 2005 with 175,000 miles on it. The engine lived on in another Pathfinder.

Current cars - 2004 Nissan Altima - 82,000 purchased new for cash
Needed 4x4 for our driveway LOL - 2003 Ford Escape - bought used for cash - 64,000

 

[bucket o' butter]

We have a 2005 Buick Terraza that has almost 97,000 miles on it. It will be paid off in 6 months and our goal to is drive it for at least another year, maybe even longer! We usually trade our vehicles in after they are paid for, but are going to try to save some money for a "rainy day" fund with the extra car payment money!

 

[tomthebarncat]

2000 Mercedes Benz A 160, 65,000 Kilometers on it, 2 previous owners, 100% dealer maintained. I paid 4,900 Euros cash from the Mercedes dealer last week. I am a Mercedes girl and honestly cannot imagine driving any other brand of car.

 

[tlh0726]

Most Americans just get tired of their cars and want a new toy long before the vehicle actually needs to be replaced and/or ignore the fact that a one-time $1,000 outlay for repair is cheaper than a new $300 per month car payment for the next five years...

well said
It is about wants over needs.

DH wanted a new motorhome, he didn't need one.
Is justification is that
He stays in the motorhome instead of a hotel when traveling so part of the payment is paid for. (duh!, still have a payment)
Was able to sell our old 94 pace arrow gas unit no slides privately for twice what they offered for a trade in. (Duh! still have a payment)
Got the new unit (diesel, bunks, full wall slide and 2nd bedroom slide) for less than the price of a similiar gas unit. (duh! still have a payment and your friends know who did the research, picked the unit, and found the best price)

 

[drnriordan]

I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer, with 73K miles. I bought it used in 2005 I keep up with all scheduled oil changes and the only work I've ever had to do was new breaks (the works with rotors, pads, etc.) and new tires. I plan to continue to take care of it and drive it for as long as possible, erspecially since it is paid off.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

1997 Ford Ranger Super Cab
Bought new in Oct 1997
You ready for this?
Last Sunday it turned 246,000
The check engine light has been on for over 5 years now, why won't that damn bulb burn out already? I opened the hood, the engine is still there, so I did check the engine! LOL
The truck does not owe me one penny! We are saving for a replacement, but may still keep the truck for weekend garage sales.

 

[PatsMom]

My primary vehicle is a 2008 Subaru Impreza with about 65,000 miles. I drive a lot since my office is over 100 miles from home. Even working at home a few days a week the miles really add up.

My daughter is driving my old Subaru a 2000 Impreza Outback Sport. It has about 225,000 miles on it. The engine is still going strong but the body is starting to rust - the joys of living in the northeast.

My husband drives a 1999 Dodge Ram quad cab long bed. It is a huge beast so we tend to take the Subaru's if we are driving far. It has almost 100,000 miles on it.

We have no plans to replace any of the vehicles in the near future.

 

[pixiedust519]

I have a 1995 Honda Civic that has 169,000 miles on it! I'm hoping to keep it running to at least 200,000. Love my Honda!

 

[tinkmom2]

We have a 2003 Ford Escape. We have a breakdown about every year! The most recent one cost $1000.00! It has about 75,000 miles on it and is mainly used here in town to get my DH to and from work. Still I think we would buy one again! It's good for getting through the snow!

 

[Pakey]

Me: 2005 Toyota Solara convertible-25,000 miles. It's a company car. I usually get a new one ever 4 years but since I have no miles on this one, I have not been in any hurry to get a new one.

My husband drives a 1998 Toyota 4 Runner that has over 200,000 miles. Nothing except oil changes and new tires has ever been done to it and it still looks and runs like it's brand new.

We have not had a car payment for 20 years.

 

[mrsklamc]

We have a 2003 Ford Escape. We have a breakdown about every year! The most recent one cost $1000.00! It has about 75,000 miles on it and is mainly used here in town to get my DH to and from work. Still I think we would buy one again! It's good for getting through the snow!

OP here. This is the exact car we have, and others on this thread have posted good things about it too (or expeditions/explorers which are just larger versions of the same vehicle.) It has 94,000 miles on it and we have had no problems. I almost wonder if you either got a lemon or have a bad garage!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

DH has a 1964 Ford Galaxie with about 84,000 miles in the garage. We haven't put any $$ into it lately but it will be his empty nest project in about 15 years! He's been accumulating parts here and there.

We have a 2002 Honda Odyssey with 88,000 miles on it still going strong and was paid in full when we purchased it in 2007. Just replaced the brakes and tires and it cost about $200.

We also have a 1995 Pontiac Transport with about 132,000 miles which we primarily use for short trips around the neighborhood only. We've recently put about $300 into this one.

DH takes very good care of all of our cars, changing the oil regularly, doing most repairs himself (or with a friend), keeping them clean, doing routine maintenance and we don't plan on replacing any of them until they die and can't be fixed.

 

[pezheadmeg]

'06 Focus Zx3 with 13,600 on it. I have a 7 mile round trip commute.

When I look at the gas mileage, I know it's still not broken in. I paid cash for it brand new off the lot. It replaced my hand-me down '92 Civic that had an engine problem that would've cost more than the car's value.

 

[Callie]

A 2001 Buick Century. Less than 60,000 miles. Just took it in for an oil change and it got a clear check out.

 

[KKB]

2002 Mazda Millenia w/ 94K miles
2003 Honda Odyssey w/ 62K miles.
Just traded our 2001 Olds Silhouette van w/ over 100K miles to my folks for the Odyssey. We still need a van w/ 3 kids, and my folks don't use a second vehicle often, so it was a good swap
DS turns 16 next year; Mom had a 1998 Nissan Altima w/ not a lot of miles (well under $100K), so that should do him good.
We never buy new...do regular oil changes...have a trustworthy mechanic...and run those babies to at least 100K miles--saves money to travel!

 

[crjack]

Me: 2000 Honday Odyssey (bought new) with 80,000 miles on it. I drive locally most of the time and we use it for trips, etc.

DH: 2005 Toyota Highlander (bought in 2006) with approx. 88,000 miles.....he commutes approx. 75-80 miles a day for work but it's all highway miles.

We had a Honda Accord with 225,000 miles that I traded when my van came in.....I love Honda's for reliability and eventually will buy another and probably pass down my van to DS.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

97 Mercury Village- 163,000

2007 Ford Taurus- 45,000

As soon as the Taurus is paid off it'll be time for another used car

 

[G's mommy]

2000 Lexus RX300, just turned over 180,000 miles this weekend. Love this vehicle.

 

[Anne34]

2002 Chevy Suburban 118,000 miles
2008 Chevy Malibu 17,000
2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid 26,000

Love all the cars -- we have not had any problems with any of them. Only maintenance, new tires & a new sensor on the Suburban.