Drive it or be conservative?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Drive it or be conservative?
I know this question has been asked a bajillion times...just looking for opinions.
My 2003 coupe has 112,500 miles. When I bought it five years ago it had 84,500. So I've put 28,000 on it, averaging 5,600 a year.
I'm getting to the point where I really want to drive it more. I have no concerns about resale value at this point because I have no intention of getting rid of it. I'm tempted to do much more than I had been but when I say that to my wife she thinks I'm nuts for wanting to put more miles on it.
Yeah - i know - it's just a car. But I do plan on keeping it for a long time and I don't want to wear it out.
Stupid question maybe, I know.
What would you do?
My 2003 coupe has 112,500 miles. When I bought it five years ago it had 84,500. So I've put 28,000 on it, averaging 5,600 a year.
I'm getting to the point where I really want to drive it more. I have no concerns about resale value at this point because I have no intention of getting rid of it. I'm tempted to do much more than I had been but when I say that to my wife she thinks I'm nuts for wanting to put more miles on it.
Yeah - i know - it's just a car. But I do plan on keeping it for a long time and I don't want to wear it out.
Stupid question maybe, I know.
What would you do?
Last edited by jjaaam; Mar 11, 2019 at 08:43 AM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 545
Likes: 384
From: southern rural MI
Drive It
Drive It. I have a vintage BMW motorcycle with 140,000 miles on it. I ride it at track days, take it to shows and still do long trips on it. At some point, high mileage is a badge of honor.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Mar 11, 2019 at 12:03 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 361
Likes: 34
From: Central MA
I thought the same way, should I drive to work everyday and should I not drive wide open throttle much. So I drove it 2 days per week during good weather for about 100 miles total when I worked and then weekends. Usually averaged about 4k miles per year. Couldn't resist WOT so I do that every chance I can. After retiring 2 yrs ago I drive it every opportunity I get. Life is too short to let added miles cause you to miss out on the enjoyment, within reason. And things can be fixed. Mine had 50k when I bought it, now has 70k.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 549
Likes: 44
From: Houston TX
I'm a person that puts a lot of miles on all of the cars that I own. My C5Z had about 180k on it when I sold it a few years back, and the drivetrain was still going strong. There's a point where all of the little things start to go wrong, and at some point you get tired of fixing all of those little things. Obviously, that point-of-no-return will be different for each individual, so the real question is how much are you willing to deal with when those little things start to happen?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I vote for the 'Drive Crowd'. I wish I was not retired so I could drive mine everyday the 160 miles round trip I did 5 days a week at my last job. Now I have to make up reasons to drive depending on the weather. And I do often to the voice of my wife, where are you going? My answer, CRUISING. 
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Charles Town, WV
I'm not a collector so I don't get why someone would buy a car and not drive it. Maybe if it was some rare exotic or worth $10,000,000, but as much as I enjoy my corvette, it's a car that can be easily fixed or replaced.
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I recommend driving the car every chance you get. It should put a huge smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.
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Drive it and enjoy it. Whey you move on, someone else is going to have the same great experience and say "wow, I can't belive this is a high miles car".