Is there such a thing as too many miles on a vehicle?

[denimdeerslayer]

I'm pushing 260K on my "04 dodge.

[Montec man]

I've got 156,000 miles on my 03 F150 Supercrew with the 5.4 Triton. Going to put some money into the front end this year (new hubs, ball joints ect) but the truck still runs like new and upkeep is cheap compared to payments on a new one. While sometimes I'd like to buy a new truck it just doesn't make good financial sense to me when I already have a perfectly good one and can save the money for other things. When I do look for another one it will be a couple years old with less than 50,000 miles on it. Let the original owner take the biggest hit on depreciation.

[Dale Moser]

If I didn't have to depend on it to make a living, and carry my family around every day.

[psicoo]

2003 Ford Expedition, 287,000mi

[AtTheWall]

Purchased my truck new in 2003, 4x4 4.7 V8 trailer special Dakota. Liked the size, power, body style and mechanical layout (owned by Mercedes during these years - over engineered - even has 6 lug wheels for a mid-size truck). Have 260 thousand miles on it now, no oil leaks, no power loss and it's been well maintained the entire time (Mobil 1 from day one).

My mechanic simple tells me, as well as it's been maintained - I should expect 300 - 500 thousand miles out of this truck. If it blows, I'll simply spend 5k or so and drop a new engine that is the same VIN number for the year block this truck was built around (small HEMI - 4.7 is the unknown HEMI not advertised by MOPAR but it's a HEMI). Drop a fresh transmission with the engine change, synthetic fluids again (transmission, engine, brake & rear end) and roll another muti-hundred thousand miles. I'll change wheel bearings, drive shaft U-Joints and any other parts that need it as the body rolls along.

I love the body style, power to wind ratio with the mid-size, as well as the lighter weight for powdery sand on PINS with the ponies and torque to move fast and pull things within it's range. I pull a boat flats boat that weighs 1700 lbs and the truck is rated for 5000lbs. 5 speeds with decent gas mileage for a 4x4 V8 (17 - 18mpg HWY) and I don't sink in mud and or sand due to weight when I rig for that scene.

My Dad has owned literally 30 custom rods, antique classics, sports cars and trucks....you name it he's been there. Age really isn't the issue, it's maintenance and usage with meticulous upkeep that allows these new computer controlled rides to have the longevity. The bodies don't wear out unless you don't spray, wash and detail them after exposure to the elements (frame, body, engine area etc). I'm **** with keeping grit, sand, salt and dirt off all parts of my ride..each and every time post exposure. I also fire up the engine and allow it to idle for 5 minutes or more before I engage gears and roll slowly for the first few miles as it comes up to normal operating temps. These little things will make it last forever!

Living on ships and boats for a living, years and years at a whack, you learn mechanical longevity and over the top maintenance to keep steel and plastics\e-composites healthy in salty environments. i carry this over into my everyday upkeep on my rides.

I have a 1983 Z/28 Crossfire that has 110 k miles and it's MINT! Folks ask me if I have issues with this engine config......never had an ounce of issue because.......I maintain it the way it needs to be maintained and I don't stress the block un-necessarily without having it warmed up, tuned and maintained before she delivers the goods.

I've watched too many folks jump in, crank up and roll at high RPM before the engine and drive train have had enough run up time before that stress. Every little bit counts and my gear is in "top notch" shape! I don't change the drive-train geometry from the stock setup, it's been computer engineered for a certain configuration (computer chip, tranny and cooling system)........I leave it all alone. It works!

[ckamp52]

My 94 GMC has 240,000 on it. Runs like a top. I drive it everyday. It is in the shop less than all the new vehicles that belong to my buddy's.

My dad's 7.3 1 ton 4x4 ford has over 700,000. He drives it daily.
His new Dodge 4x4 1 ton Cummings stays broke down.

You do the math.

I also have a
97 z71 4x4 truck 168,000
97 Z71 Tahoe 4x4 115,000.
96 Z71 4x4 truck 158,000
All great vehicles

I wouldnt trade any of them for a new truck.

Well the.Dodge part makes sense haha sorry I couldn't pass it up

[wassaw]

interesting thread. looking back, the first half of my driving life was spent buying used vehicles.(most over 50k) I can remember several "sick days" or vacation days with major repairs being self done. I mainly blame that on buying with a loan needed (monthly payments vs buying outright with cash) and not knowing the history of the vehicle. those day's led to having almost a phobia of break down at inopportune times. (thus causing gauge stare.... where you look at the oil pressure/voltmeter/temperature gauges more than the speed odometer). I like buying new now mainly for having a warranty and someone else fixing it. (I still will do MOST repairs but i weigh the cost of paying for it vs my frustration of doing it now )

with all that said, i still will drive that new vehicle until the "major" repairs start adding up to a monthly payment. Have a 2003 Chevy 1500 with 128, 2005 Honda Civic with 190K and a Hyunda Sonaota with 60K, trying to get the wife to let go of the Honda and get a new one for our travel vehicle this year. I think your question also skews towards a persons "history" with vehicles. Me, I NEED the peace of mind that a vehicle will get me from here to there without breaking, and as Dale said above.... not leaving me worried with protecting my family on the side of the road.

It depends on the vehicle and it's history. Max used millage 25-27K. sale when it's yearly repair bill meets a monthly payment or has me not trusting it's road worthiness.

[berettadave]

My 06 Dodge diesel megacab is still goin strong with 388,000+ miles on it. Still the original automatic transmission too. Hope I didn't just jinx myself!

[Spoken0313]

My 06 Dodge diesel megacab is still goin strong with 388,000+ miles on it. Still the original automatic transmission too. Hope I didn't just jinx myself!

Dang with that kind of luck you should play the lotto!