How many miles does a typical car last w/o major problems?

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cutlassman

Junior Member
Nov 1, 2012
1
0
0
My first car was a 1991 Ford Escort gt. I got it when it had 168k in 2002. I kept up with Scheduled maintenance i even went a lil above and beyond and waxed it a couple times. Last month the auto tranny died :-(. But it had a lil over 268k. The biggest repair I did before it died on me was a replaced a alternator. Right now I'm driven a 2002 ford escort zx2 S/r. With 116k I have no doubt I will hit 200k on it
 
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jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
If it's a 4-cylinder Honda, probably 1-2 decades.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
My ex's 1996 ford escort is at 188k miles and running great. though we baby the cars. She is thinking of getting a new vehicle next summer.

my shitty taurus (posted many times about the vehicle) is at 117k and is finally running great after about 8k worth of work..(i only paid 2k of it the dealership paid the rest).

though i am thinking of getting a SUV or Van.


edit: i had a 1983 honda accord. i purchased it for $50 with 239k miles. i drove it a for roughly 1.5 years (never changed oil..did add some a few times). in that time i drove it a ton. it had like 270k miles

sold it for $400 heh
 
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jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
though i am thinking of getting a SUV or Van.

Unless you need to tow or off-road, get the minivan. Cheaper, more reliable, more fuel-efficient, lower rollover risk, easier to get into and out of (and easier to load up with stuff at Home Depot, for that matter), more cargo room, safer, and cheaper insurance.
 

mvbighead

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2009
3,793
1
81
Yeah 200 - 250k should be expected from any vehicle. My 1999 Camry has 209,000 on it, also with no end in sight. A few minor issues have arisen... the blower fan only works on two speeds, and the driver window has worn out to the point of not going up all the way anymore on the first try. All fixable, but stuff im just living with right now. Car runs like a top otherwise.

Just put brand new tires on it, and have no doubt i will probably need at least another set before it dies or i sell it.

You'll spend $400 or more on tires, but not $42 on a window motor?
http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-740-721...1&s=automotive

I know tires are needed, and the window perhaps not, but I'd still be majorly bothered by a broken window motor.

EDIT: Dammm... I've been necrod.
 
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waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Unless you need to tow or off-road, get the minivan. Cheaper, more reliable, more fuel-efficient, lower rollover risk, easier to get into and out of (and easier to load up with stuff at Home Depot, for that matter), more cargo room, safer, and cheaper insurance.

yeah that is the main reasons i like the van. Though my daughter is on a gymnastics team and we drive a LOT in the winter.

getting 4WD or AWD is a great option on SUV's. That is nearly the ONLY reason i think a SUV over a van.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
yeah that is the main reasons i like the van. Though my daughter is on a gymnastics team and we drive a LOT in the winter.

getting 4WD or AWD is a great option on SUV's. That is nearly the ONLY reason i think a SUV over a van.

A lot of vans come with AWD these days. However, while it's fine for wet/snowy paved roads, it's nothing like the full-blown 4WD that you can find on an SUV.

Of course, the unspoken reason that many people pick an SUV over a van is "insecurity".