High Mileage Vehicles

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by Jarlaxle
Or crossing Kansas on I-70...dead straight, table-flat, and no traffic. 100MPH wouldn't be an issue in good weather.


In 1983 I crossed Pennsylvania averaging close to 100 mph in my Bavaria 3.0-on a dreary and rainy Sunday morning. The owners manual stated that a 120 mph cruise was perfectly acceptable, but I decided not to press my luck.

 

[Jarlaxle]

I did ~95MPH from around State College to I-79 in my Crown Vic a few years ago heading for GaryCon...I had been running ~77MPH (speed limit 70) when a new Range Rover passed me. Hey, I have a rabbit! I paced him maybe half a mile back for about 140 miles...dialed it back to 77 when he took I-79.

My usual highway pace on my bike last summer was 80.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I used to set the cruise control on my 3000GT when I was alone on the interstate at 135mph and it was smooth as silk!! The was a very well engineered car.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by aquariuscsm
I used to set the cruise control on my 3000GT when I was alone on the interstate at 135mph and it was smooth as silk!! The was a very well engineered car.


Those were amazing cars.

 

[Jarlaxle]

...for about two years. Then they rapidly regressed into a usually-unrepairable money pit.

 

[TCU_Adam]

Originally Posted by Amkeer
Originally Posted by MCompact
Originally Posted by CR94

Ah yes, an 85 mph speedometer; the pet project of '70s Safety Nazi Joan Claybrook. Fortunately I only owned one car cursed with that moronic instrument- my 1979 Arrow GT 2.6. When I drove from Louisville to Cincinnati to visit my girlfriend(and now wife) a first generation Escort and a CB allowed to drive most of I-71 with the speedometer needle pointing at six o'clock.


Yes lets not be a fan of safer vehicles and roads. We should all be allowed to drive 100 MPH in vehicles with no seat belts or airbags.


The Germans have been doing it for decades and have way less accidents than we do. Problem is that the driver's education in this country is a joke and needs very serious reform. Probably won't happen since more and more people would rather the car just drive them and not the other way around. Shame, we could easily have 100 MPH+ speed limits in many places and not have people freaking out.

 

[TrueTriumph]

Seat belts are of no help when crashing with 100 mph.

Your car (and You) will be atomised. Even at 55 mph.

It's not the speed that kills You. It's the sudden stop.

Markus

 

[willbur]

Originally Posted by Astro14
The data speak for themselves.

But it's my contention that consumers simply tire of their cars before they get to 15 years (which is about when they reach 200,000 miles).

Any decent car can get to 200,000 miles with reasonable car, but folks will rationalize the purchase of a new car long before their old car is truly worn out.

Just had a great UOA on my wife's 2002 Volvo. It has 240,000 miles on it. Running perfectly. There is no reason to replace it, other than getting "tired of it".


True. I have a great "old" vehicle that will not die or even get sick. Looks great, too. But, the new cars are so much safer. That is the only reason I'm considering a new replacement with all the giant pick ups and texting drivers running around.

 

[4WD]

Well, they also take trade value hits at certain miles on the clock … and some folks are just waiting to not be upside down.
My BiL was furloughed a few years back and sold cars for a while. He still jokes about the "what it take down, how much a month" mentality that's out there.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted by Leo99
On a similar thought, my wife has a generation 2 Rav4. We rarely see them on the road now. Used to see them everywhere 10 years ago. Where did they all go?


Mexico?

 

[CBR.worm]

I expect 200K and typically sell them around that point. I do the math. If I get near or to 200K without having to do any major repairs, while keeping everything in as close to perfect condition as possible, I figure out what the odds are of needing major repairs in the near future. If I consider that not a lot of people get beyond 220K without a transmission rebuild on this particular model, and they are uncommon and no local people know how to work on them, I consider that to likely be a few thousand dollars. Will this also rare engine last to 300K, or will it, with its heads with titanium valves, need to be rebuilt/replaced in the next couple of years. Oh, they've been out of production since 2008 and there were probably
Now, my logic is somewhat flawed. I recently got rid of a vehicle due to this math and bought a much newer vehicle with a minimal car payment. It could need the same repairs, but it is less likely, and at least it is worth more than scrap value - but I could potentially still be stuck with a transmission or engine repair along with the car payment. But, I don't have to deal with the other issues of a 14-year-old, 200K mile car - like a cracking dashboard and seats that are starting to show wear, higher likelihood of breaking down somewhere, etc.