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170,000 miles!

Started by Rixter Mar 29, 2006 at 12:51 PM 23 replies 6.3k views

Original Post

Mar 29, 2006 at 12:51 PM

Woohoo! Last night my car turned over 170,000 miles! Why is this important? Many reasons, one of which is because I figured once it hits 170K, then it's street value is exactly zero dollars! Also, I've been waiting for this for a long time, being that I don't drive all that much anymore it took a long while to get here, which is why I'm not waiting for 200K to celebrate :). Some facts: My car is a black 1988 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 Hatchback (I'll post pics if I find some) with a 5-speed transmission and a grey interior. Off the top of my head I beleive it is one of ~211,000 Mustangs built that year. Some stock specs: The engine is a 5.0L (302 ci) H.O. (High Output) V-8, putting out 225 horsepower (205 by today's measurements) and 300 ft-lbs of torque. I haven't found any numbers I can trust (usually only find GT and LX coupe), but it weighs ~3200lbs and runs mid-low 15's in the quarter, 0-60 in the 6's. So not fast at all :), but still fun. It is rated for 16 mpg city 24 hwy, but I usually average 18-20, with a max record of 27 over 150 miles :). My my calculations it has probalby gone through around 9000 gallons of gas in its life :). About 3 years ago I hit some ice comming off the interstate and hit a guard rail. It broke the radiator (which I replaced), broke one of the bolts of the front sway bar, and bent the frame. With a little 'home-fixin' (I may post the videos later, they're hilarious) we managed to straighten the frame a bit so I can drive it, and it's been going ever since (still broken sway bar). Other than that it has had no major problems. So really, for paying $1650 for it 7 years ago (this month) back in high school (it was my second car), it's been a pretty darn good car. I've all but decided to keep it until I graduate from grad school, and then still keep it. I'd love to put some money in to it when I get the chance, and turn it into a Sports Car Club of America car, nothing fancy, just something for some weekend races. Anyway, I have to go now, but feel free to post about your cars (at least how many miles you have) :). Oh yeah, I beleive it had around 140K when I bought it. Oh yeah, by now it could have gone 71% the way to the moon :). [Edited by - Rixter on March 29, 2006 5:46:49 PM]

Run_The_Shadows

Mar 29, 2006 at 12:54 PM

I recently got an insurance payout of around $1600 when somebody totalled my 1990 Subaru Legacy with 212,000 miles on it. This was with some pretty obvious issues(a broken headlight and dented front quarter panel, rust on one of the doors, a torn up interior, cracked windshield, etc) that had nothing to do with the accident itself.

I'd say you're still worth more than $0, by a long shot.

dohtem

Mar 29, 2006 at 12:59 PM

Reminds me of of this. A friend of mine once bought an old car for $1. The person selling it went online to the Kelly Blue Book website and it said the value of the car was $1 so she sold it for that much. The guy had to buy $150 in parts but the car was alright.

Agony

Mar 29, 2006 at 1:02 PM

After graduation from college nearly three years ago, my parents gave me their 1991 Buick Park Avenue with 141,000 miles on it. I've probably spend around $1000-$1500 on it since then (new alternator, two new batteries, two new tires, new starter, regular oil/oil-filter changes and an occasional air filter change, and one wheel alignment), most of this happening within the first year and a half. It now has 190,000 miles on it, hasn't had a serious problem for at least a year, and seems to be running perfectly fine. 200,000 seems perfectly attainable at the moment; I'm gonna drive it till it really truly goes kaput. That would probably happen when a single repair is gonna cost something approaching $1000 or more.

It has probably cost me around $1 a day. Assuming a rough estimated earning of $15 an hour, that means four minutes of my day are devoted to owning a car (ignoring gas/insurance). Not bad at all. It has served me well.

blueEbola

Mar 29, 2006 at 1:45 PM

I drive a 1998 Honda Prelude Type SH. It's a 2.2 VTEC 4cylinder. It has more or less 200 HP, and it's bone stock besides a ram air intake. This car is so much fun to drive .. anyone who's driven a VTEC knows what I'm talking about :)

0-60 is like high 6s, low 7s. I don't know what the quarter mile time for it is, I've never been to a track to test it. It can't rival a good stang or camaro but it's pretty swift for being a non-turbo 4cylinder.

It's got a little over 100k miles right now, and I've had no mechanical problems up to this point.

Rixter

Mar 29, 2006 at 5:54 PM

You're right, I'm sure I could actually get more than 0 dollars for it, but still not much (if I were to sell it), I mean if I were going to buy another 5.0, I would't get one that had that many miles, at least not on the engine.

dohtem, what kind of car was it? That's pretty funny. A relative of mine bought a Maverick for a dollar, but she bought it from her dad so that doesn't really count lol.

I've heard those VTECs are pretty fun to drive, I'd like to try one some day. They feel kinda like turbocharged cars don't they? Because the VTEC part kicks in at some high rpm and they suddenly have more power, but at lower rpms they are more tamely tuned so you don't sacrifice gas mileage right? I'm not a big Honda guy, but when I found out how those VTECs worked (and it wasn't just some dumb marketing thing, even though I'd seen the HP numbers), I was pretty impressed.

AnonymousPosterChild

Mar 29, 2006 at 5:57 PM

Quote:
Original post by Rixter
You're right, I'm sure I could actually get more than 0 dollars for it, but still not much (if I were to sell it), I mean if I were going to buy another 5.0, I would't get one that had that many miles, at least not on the engine.

dohtem, what kind of car was it? That's pretty funny. A relative of mine bought a Maverick for a dollar, but she bought it from her dad so that doesn't really count lol.

I've heard those VTECs are pretty fun to drive, I'd like to try one some day. They feel kinda like turbocharged cars don't they? Because the VTEC part kicks in at some high rpm and they suddenly have more power, but at lower rpms they are more tamely tuned so you don't sacrifice gas mileage right? I'm not a big Honda guy, but when I found out how those VTECs worked (and it wasn't just some dumb marketing thing, even though I'd seen the HP numbers), I was pretty impressed.

Give ya $20 for it.

dave

Mar 29, 2006 at 5:58 PM

Quote:
Original post by blueEbola
I drive a 1998 Honda Prelude Type SH. It's a 2.2 VTEC 4cylinder. It has more or less 200 HP, and it's bone stock besides a ram air intake. This car is so much fun to drive .. anyone who's driven a VTEC knows what I'm talking about :)

0-60 is like high 6s, low 7s. I don't know what the quarter mile time for it is, I've never been to a track to test it. It can't rival a good stang or camaro but it's pretty swift for being a non-turbo 4cylinder.

It's got a little over 100k miles right now, and I've had no mechanical problems up to this point.

Hondas are the most reliable cars arnt they. That same story is applicable to our honda.

Dave

Rixter

Mar 29, 2006 at 6:03 PM

Quote:
Original post by AnonymousPosterChild
Quote:
Original post by Rixter
You're right, I'm sure I could actually get more than 0 dollars for it, but still not much (if I were to sell it), I mean if I were going to buy another 5.0, I would't get one that had that many miles, at least not on the engine.

dohtem, what kind of car was it? That's pretty funny. A relative of mine bought a Maverick for a dollar, but she bought it from her dad so that doesn't really count lol.

I've heard those VTECs are pretty fun to drive, I'd like to try one some day. They feel kinda like turbocharged cars don't they? Because the VTEC part kicks in at some high rpm and they suddenly have more power, but at lower rpms they are more tamely tuned so you don't sacrifice gas mileage right? I'm not a big Honda guy, but when I found out how those VTECs worked (and it wasn't just some dumb marketing thing, even though I'd seen the HP numbers), I was pretty impressed.

Give ya $20 for it.

You have the high bid, auction ends in 1 year. Reserve not met.

AnonymousPosterChild

Mar 29, 2006 at 6:05 PM

Quote:
Original post by Rixter
Quote:
Original post by AnonymousPosterChild
Quote:
Original post by Rixter
You're right, I'm sure I could actually get more than 0 dollars for it, but still not much (if I were to sell it), I mean if I were going to buy another 5.0, I would't get one that had that many miles, at least not on the engine.

dohtem, what kind of car was it? That's pretty funny. A relative of mine bought a Maverick for a dollar, but she bought it from her dad so that doesn't really count lol.

I've heard those VTECs are pretty fun to drive, I'd like to try one some day. They feel kinda like turbocharged cars don't they? Because the VTEC part kicks in at some high rpm and they suddenly have more power, but at lower rpms they are more tamely tuned so you don't sacrifice gas mileage right? I'm not a big Honda guy, but when I found out how those VTECs worked (and it wasn't just some dumb marketing thing, even though I'd seen the HP numbers), I was pretty impressed.

Give ya $20 for it.

You have the high bid, auction ends in 1 year. Reserve not met.

Reserve not met? I have it on VERY good authority that this car currently has a street value of $0.

Rickwi22

Mar 29, 2006 at 6:46 PM

I bought a 92 Saturn 5-Speed for 500 dollars about a year and a half ago, its still goin strong. The odometer was broken at 126,000~ miles when I bought it, but supposedly it had only been that way for a month or so.

It definitly has some "character" though, a 4th gear that makes a strange grinding sound when I shift into it, and a drivers side window that doesnt always go up without some help. I figure Ill drive it until it dies.

SageofAges

Mar 29, 2006 at 8:58 PM

I bought my Honda Civic hatchback new in 1999, it's bone stock and it has 75,000 miles on it right now. I've vowed to drive the car for 15 years or 150,000 miles before I buy another car. I paid it off after 3 years and I've only been paying insurance on it ever since. I love this car, it's the first new car I ever bought and it's never given me any trouble. Plus, I bought it in Germany when I was in the US Army and I've had it upto 115 mph on the autobahn ;P .

Rixter

Mar 29, 2006 at 10:42 PM

Quote:
Original post by AnonymousPosterChild

Reserve not met? I have it on VERY good authority that this car currently has a street value of $0.

lol

Admittedly, those Japanese cars do have a reputation of going a long ways. I usually hear about Honda and Toyota, but it's Subaru claims their engines will go 300,000 miles. I guess others may claim that too, but I've only been to a Subaru dealer (and talked to them).

My friend had an 87 Toyota Trecel (sp?) hatchback that went for like 340,000 miles! The thing was slow as crap, and towards the end they were fixing it a lot, but man did they get thier money's worth out of that thing.

ApochPiQ

Mar 29, 2006 at 11:03 PM

I had a 93 LeSabre for a few years. It was up close to 160,000 when it finally threw a rod. But, all things considered, it lived a long time - a decent portion of its life was spent hauling a trailer, which doesn't exactly make for easy miles on an engine.

Now I've got a nice shiny black 03 Taurus. My only complaint with it is that it's black, so it looks filthy unless it gets washed every 15 minutes. The Buick had a nice off-blue shade that literally hid everything - I washed it once when I first got it, and it still looked clean the day it died.

All I'll say is, make sure you change your oil often. Those high-mileage engine oils may sound like a dumb ripoff, but they honestly make a huge difference in longevity.

nuvem

Mar 29, 2006 at 11:04 PM

Quote:
Original post by Rixter
Admittedly, those Japanese cars do have a reputation of going a long ways. I usually hear about Honda and Toyota, but it's Subaru claims their engines will go 300,000 miles. I guess others may claim that too, but I've only been to a Subaru dealer (and talked to them).

My friend had an 87 Toyota Trecel (sp?) hatchback that went for like 340,000 miles! The thing was slow as crap, and towards the end they were fixing it a lot, but man did they get thier money's worth out of that thing.

Especially the Tercel! My gf used to have a '92 that hit 400,000+ km (the first digit got stuck at 199,999 but we're pretty sure it rolled over a few times). Our current car is a '91 V6 Nissan Maxima with 240,000mi, and still starts instantly.

ToastFlambe

Mar 29, 2006 at 11:15 PM

Quote:
Original post by Rixter
My friend had an 87 Toyota Trecel (sp?) hatchback that went for like 340,000 miles! The thing was slow as crap, and towards the end they were fixing it a lot, but man did they get thier money's worth out of that thing.

Toyota Tercels are friggin invincible. My dad knew of a couple that decided to wait until their Tercel gave out to buy a new car but they got so tired of waiting for the thing to break down that they just stopped maintaining (changing the oil, etc.) and it still lasted them for a few years.

Run_The_Shadows

Mar 29, 2006 at 11:23 PM

Quote:
Original post by Rixter
Quote:
Original post by AnonymousPosterChild

Reserve not met? I have it on VERY good authority that this car currently has a street value of $0.

Admittedly, those Japanese cars do have a reputation of going a long ways. I usually hear about Honda and Toyota, but it's Subaru claims their engines will go 300,000 miles. I guess others may claim that too, but I've only been to a Subaru dealer (and talked to them).

I had my '90 Subaru Legacy checked around 200k miles when I got the CVs replaced and they said that the engine looked pretty good for a car with as much age and use as it. Probably would have taken me to 300k easily without trouble.

Rixter

Mar 29, 2006 at 11:23 PM

Quote:
Original post by ApochPiQ
All I'll say is, make sure you change your oil often. Those high-mileage engine oils may sound like a dumb ripoff, but they honestly make a huge difference in longevity.

Yeah, I've used Mobil 1 since I've owned the car, it's synthetic, so it's considerably more expensive than regular, but for how often you actually need to buy it I think it's worth it. At this point I should probably consider those high-mileage options.

Speaking of oil, they now have 5000, 10k, and 15k mile oils, which I'd be a bit hesitant about. I mean as far as I'm concerned Mobil 1 has always been 5000 mile oil :), but according to my brother (who learned this at WyoTech, where he went to become a mechanic), much more than that isn't a good idea. It's not that the oil breaks down, but that crap gets in it, because seals on cars just aren't prefect, especially after 10,000 miles, dirt is gonna get in there. That's half the reason for changin oil, is to flush the system out. Now that sounds perfectly reasonable, and it's commming from the mechanics (saying they wouldn't do it to thier own cars), they advertise it as such, so they must be able to back it right? I'm not gonna try it in my car, but it's kinda interesting.

nprz

Mar 29, 2006 at 11:31 PM

I'll be dead before my car hits 170k miles. I have it up to 36k right now and it is a '95 Camaro. With a commute of 4 miles each way to work and 48 weeks of work a year, it will take close to 70 years to reach that mileage. (Yes I only drive to and from work, surprising stores are in-between).

Plus I only plan on keeping the car another 5 years, until I can get something that is more comfortable and has stuff with technology like GPS.

Binomine

Mar 30, 2006 at 12:51 AM

Quote:
Original post by AnonymousPosterChild
Give ya $20 for it.

I'll take your $20, and raise you a case of Budwiser(in cans) and a book of stamps.
~~
I had a Ford Bronco go 200k and AFAIK, is still going. I had to sell it because it was getting too expensive to maintain. I sold it to a mechanic who liked that kind of car, so I have no doubt it's still on the road somewhere.

That was probably my favorite car. I love to feel the road under me and feel the unbalanced nature of the car on turns. For a car that huge, it had a pretty good turn radius as well.

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