100,000 on my Camry
03-30-2007, 08:48 AM
#41
If you drove an 87 IROC over 100K miles with zero problems, you need to be hitting the lotto. I've had half a dozen F-bodys in my life, and every one of them was a reliability nightmare. But I was young and they were fun, so I didn't really mind back then.
03-30-2007, 08:55 AM
#42
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
03-30-2007, 08:57 AM
#43
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Kansas City Area Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11,'13
It was really a great car, should have never sold it. KC police bought it from the dealer as a undercover car, my dealer said it would be a good idea if you see the car to not stop and talk to them about it
Only did some small mods to it, headers, larger intake runners, chip, cold air intake, Accel distributor, 9mm wires, exhaust, etc so that may have contributed to its dependability. Well come to think of it, it did have the famous manifold/antifreeze leak and they took care of it even after the factory warranty was up. That was the only time it went in for service.
03-30-2007, 08:57 AM
#44
Team Owner
Rest assured, nothing at all has changed in the past 24 years. Or that's what certain people on here would like to have you believe.
In which case, that 10 year old Grand Prix of mine with almost 150k miles must be some strange anomoly. Right along with my neighbor's Buick Century with something like 250k on it.
In which case, that 10 year old Grand Prix of mine with almost 150k miles must be some strange anomoly. Right along with my neighbor's Buick Century with something like 250k on it.
03-30-2007, 08:59 AM
#45
Team Owner
What is the big deal? I have driven many american made cars more than 200 K miles with minimum repair cost. Did the same with a Datsun and a Nissen. But the Mustang II was another story but it still lasted the people I sold it to another 6 years.
Overall, when cars are drives and not abused, most are far better than the owners recollect.
Overall, when cars are drives and not abused, most are far better than the owners recollect.
03-30-2007, 09:08 AM
#46
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11,'13
What is the big deal? I have driven many american made cars more than 200 K miles with minimum repair cost. Did the same with a Datsun and a Nissen. But the Mustang II was another story but it still lasted the people I sold it to another 6 years.
Overall, when cars are drives and not abused, most are far better than the owners recollect.
Overall, when cars are drives and not abused, most are far better than the owners recollect.
A lot has to do with how well they are maintained by the owner. A Lexus with 50,000 miles on the factory oil will be a POS very shortly.
I know a guy here in town who has a Renault – La Car with over 300k on the clock. Anyone knows these cars knows that they were a POS off the showroom floor. But, he takes meticulous care of the car.
03-30-2007, 09:09 AM
#47
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03-30-2007, 09:09 AM
#48
Team Owner
The first significant mechanical problem on my Grand Prix was a water pump at 90k miles
Fuel pump at 120k (after I ran it out of gas
)Alternator somewhere around 130k
The fuel pump was my fault. The other 2 are normal wear items. Alternators eventually fail and water pumps eventually leak.
Replaced the blower motor resistor somewhere north of 60k miles
Just replaced the HVAC blower switch 2 weeks ago. Strange since I couldn't find anything wrong with it when I took it apart.
The radio screen lost its backlighting at around 100k miles. Cost a net $50 to replace that.
I would consider those pretty minor things. Hell, even the "POS" original battery lasted for over 8 years
03-30-2007, 09:33 AM
#50
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'97 Blazer with 152,000 - replaced ball joints a few years ago (it was owned by an excavator) and did the fuel pump last fall. Fuel gauge didn't work and I ran it out of gas 3 times. got that fixed.
'99 Mercedes C280 I bought with 52,000 miles in 2003 for $15,500. The engine block cracked at 62,000. It was out of warranty but the Mercedes dealer talked to Mercedes and they replaced it for free. I had to pay for fluids. It was about an $8,000 job and cost me $280.
It's pretty much a roll of the dice.
Congrats on the 100k mark!!! I love putting miles on my Blazer - I want to see how many I can get!
03-30-2007, 09:37 AM
#51
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
We are replacing a 2002 Acura MDX because I'm sick and f'kin tired of all the problems I've had with it. It has 92,000 miles. The wife no longer trusts it. I've had more issues with this vehicle then may last 6 American cars combined.
03-30-2007, 09:38 AM
#52
Team Owner
Just to nit-pick for a moment...
When anyone says zero problems on a car (any car) I get skeptical. I remember reading on here once something to the effect of "I've had this car 200K miles and never had a problem. No real extra work done except replacing a head gasket once." 'xcuse me, but most people that don't do their own car work would consider that a major big deal.
So seriously, "zero problems" for something that you have 5-10+ years... really? No electrical switches or motors replaced? No gaskets, alternators, water pumps? Just literally the routine maintenance?
When anyone says zero problems on a car (any car) I get skeptical. I remember reading on here once something to the effect of "I've had this car 200K miles and never had a problem. No real extra work done except replacing a head gasket once." 'xcuse me, but most people that don't do their own car work would consider that a major big deal.
So seriously, "zero problems" for something that you have 5-10+ years... really? No electrical switches or motors replaced? No gaskets, alternators, water pumps? Just literally the routine maintenance?
My GM cars has a chain driven cam, literally. Atypical GM car/truck/Corvette does not have this as a maintenance requirement.
Lexus/Toyota does a good job at hiding some things as maintenance items.
I believe that cars/trucks are a crap shoot. I don't expect any of them to last forever, as much as I'd like that. I actually had to have the starter replaced on the Lexus at ~93,000 miles
Who'd a thought that would ever happen?? I learned from the mechanics who move from shop to shop, they all break, just take your pick. What are you happiest with? 
Last edited by redvtt; 03-30-2007 at 09:52 AM.
03-30-2007, 10:23 AM
#53
Race Director
My Lexus has a set of belt driven cams, literally. The periodic maintenance required by Lexus at 90,000 miles is to replace the belt, idlers & water pump. It would not last to 150,000 miles if this were not done, as I have seen this experience with other Lexus owners.
My GM cars has a chain driven cam, literally. Atypical GM car/truck/Corvette does not have this as a maintenance requirement.
Lexus/Toyota does a good job at hiding some things as maintenance items.
I believe that cars/trucks are a crap shoot. I don't expect any of them to last forever, as much as I'd like that. I actually had to have the starter replaced on the Lexus at ~93,000 miles Who'd a thought that would ever happen?? I learned from the mechanics who move from shop to shop, they all break, just take your pick. What are you happiest with?
My GM cars has a chain driven cam, literally. Atypical GM car/truck/Corvette does not have this as a maintenance requirement.
Lexus/Toyota does a good job at hiding some things as maintenance items.
I believe that cars/trucks are a crap shoot. I don't expect any of them to last forever, as much as I'd like that. I actually had to have the starter replaced on the Lexus at ~93,000 miles
Who'd a thought that would ever happen?? I learned from the mechanics who move from shop to shop, they all break, just take your pick. What are you happiest with? Also, not all the Lexus/Toyota models have timing belts. I have to admit, I've never understood why a lot of foreign manufacturers went with belts instead of chains. Even Honda is going away from them finally.
03-30-2007, 10:31 AM
#55
Safety Car
I guess when people can't grasp basic logic then I failed in choosing a useful analogy so for those of you that don't seem to get it....
Toyota = Japanese car company, therefore cars made in America by them regardless of parts content are still Japanese cars.
GM = American car company and regardless of parts content the cars are still American.
I would expect OT to be at least a little bit more intelligent about this.
Toyota = Japanese car company, therefore cars made in America by them regardless of parts content are still Japanese cars.
GM = American car company and regardless of parts content the cars are still American.
I would expect OT to be at least a little bit more intelligent about this.
03-30-2007, 10:35 AM
#56
Race Director
My Ford Taurus had 200,000 and was still running fine, even after 3 hit and runs. It would probably still be driving but someone stole it and totalled it.
03-30-2007, 10:42 AM
#58
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Just turned 102K in my 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Great little inexpensive ride and the 4 wheel drive works like a champ as well.
Last edited by W!ngnut; 03-30-2007 at 10:46 AM.
03-30-2007, 10:44 AM
#59
Team Owner
My Yugo has 3.2 million miles on it and my wifes Festiva has 2.3 million. Its all luck of teh draw.
