[nature boy]

Tell Audio Circle readers about you favorite most reliable ride.  I am looking for insights on cars you have driven for years and years that simply won't die.  Reliable daily drives of all shapes, engine sizes, domestic or foreign - anything with four wheels, a transmission, and engine (gas, diesel, hybrid, etc.).

I am going to have to replace my aging 2001 Nissan Maxima in a year or two, so I am looking for insights on my next purchase   Speaking of the venerable 6 cylinder Nissan Maxima my just turned 190K, no body rust, regular synthetic oil & filter changes every 7,500 - 8,000 miles, brake pads and rotors, a set of platinum tipped spark plugs, a couple of O2 sensors, replacement tires, air filters & batteries, a windshield and a muffler & tailpipe replacement.  That is the total of my maintenance and repairs list after 11 years of owenership.  I'll post a pix or two when I get around to it. 

I have been really impressed with the Nissan Maxima V6, its been extremely mine has been bullet proof.

NB

[sharpsuxx]

I know it may not be 190k, but I have an Audi a4 2003 that I have put 90k on and it has only taken an O2 Sensor, a speed sensor, and a fan belt since 2003.  Other than the odd oil change and spark plug.  The other nice thing is that is started out with a nice tight european road hugging feel and even 90k miles later it still feels like I am driving a brand new car, other than the few odors I have brought to it. 

[TONEPUB]

I drove my 2005 Hyundai Tucson 156,000 miles with just oil changes, a set of brake pads, two sets of tires and a battery.  Clear coat was just starting to have very minor issues, and my daughter learned to drive in that car, so it had some parking lot dings.  Dealer gave me a good trade and missy has her own car now, so I treated myself to a brand new Tucson.  Probably could have easily driven the old one another 100k without issue though.

[macrojack]

My 21 year old son has driven his 1984 Mercedes 300D turbo for 4 years. Obviously he is not the original owner. He takes good care of it and it returns the favor. This week after adding 43,000 miles on his watch, he will see the odometer turn over to 370,000. Is that what you're looking for?

[roscoeiii]

1997 Honda Accord Wagon. Last year a wagon model was sold in the US (no I don't count the new crosstour as a proper wagon). 170,000ish miles.

I have had multiple mechanics try to buy it off me. Praising its ruggedness and bombproof transmission (frantically knocking on wood).

When my audio purchasing slows down enough, it'll be time to get those windows tinted.   

[nature boy]

Great!  It is an option, I have been thinking about an old Mercedes or BMW convertible as a possible summer set of wheels.  NB

My 21 year old son has driven his 1984 Mercedes 300D turbo for 4 years. Obviously he is not the original owner. He takes good care of it and it returns the favor. This week after adding 43,000 miles on his watch, he will see the odometer turn over to 370,000. Is that what you're looking for?

[nature boy]

I had a friend with an Accord wagon.  Had to put it down after 240,000 miles.  It was a somber ceremony but a great car.  Honda 4 cylinder engine train is pretty damn reliable.
NB

1997 Honda Accord Wagon. Last year a wagon model was sold in the US (no I don't count the new crosstour as a proper wagon). 170,000ish miles.

I have had multiple mechanics try to buy it off me. Praising its ruggedness and bombproof transmission (frantically knocking on wood).

When my audio purchasing slows down enough, it'll be time to get those windows tinted.   

[macrojack]

Are we doing former cars? I had a 1987 Toyota Camry which caught fire on my way to work about 1.5 years ago. It had just over 293,000 miles on it at the time. Engine and manual transmission were original but I replaced a lot of half shafts.

[TONEPUB]

I ran my Saab 900 that I purchased new in 1981 to 210,000 miles and sold it to a good friend for his older daughter to drive in college.  She handed it down to their younger daughter and it went past 300k without issue.  Too bad they went away.  I had three Saabs that all went forever.  Lots of great road trips!

[Mikeinsacramento]

In 1984 I bought a 1982 280ZX with 30,000 miles on it.  After driving it for 3 years I gave it to my Dad who drove it a few years and he gave it to my Sister.  She rolled it twice.  Once into a small river. 

When My Mom died last year, I came across this car parked by the barn.  It had 283,000 miles on it.  Someone had started a fire under it.

I found the key and it started right up.  I sold it for $1000 and the guy who bought it drove it home.

[JLM]

My 2001 Toyota Sienna Mini-Van had 235k on it when I totaled it.     No body rust, just tires/wipers.  Original brakes/battery.  It saw mostly rural freeway miles.  It had a 3.0L V6.  Best vehicle I've ever owned.

Now with fewer kids I drive a 2009 Toyota Corolla.  Again at 140k just tires/wipers and it gets 37 mpg (mostly rural driving).  Dull as dishwater, but comfortable and space efficient.

My fav would be a Subaru Outback diesel (built in Indiana but only sold in Europe)  .  I love mine but for the expensive/inconvenient service.  Here in the north the AWD is nice and the diesel is reported to get 60 mpg.   

[nature boy]

When my wife's Honda Odyssey bites the dust, she'll likely get a Subaru Outback.  It's a great, very safe ride.  Maybe by then they will have a diesel version available in the U.S.?

NB

My 2001 Toyota Sienna Mini-Van had 235k on it when I totaled it.     No body rust, just tires/wipers.  Original brakes/battery.  It saw mostly rural freeway miles.  It had a 3.0L V6.  Best vehicle I've ever owned.

Now with fewer kids I drive a 2009 Toyota Corolla.  Again at 140k just tires/wipers and it gets 37 mpg (mostly rural driving).  Dull as dishwater, but comfortable and space efficient.

My fav would be a Subaru Outback diesel (built in Indiana but only sold in Europe)  .  I love mine but for the expensive/inconvenient service.  Here in the north the AWD is nice and the diesel is reported to get 60 mpg.   

[Ericus Rex]

When my wife's Honda Odyssey bites the dust, she'll likely get a Subaru Outback.  It's a great, very safe ride.  Maybe by then they will have a diesel version available in the U.S.?

NB

They are great cars.  I've got an 04 Imprezza Outback that's been very reliable.  An old girlfriend of mine only buys Subarus.  She's had 3 that had 200K+ miles on them when she traded them in for newer Subies.  She did a lot of driving.  The only one that gave her some trouble was the first model year Forrester.  She went back to Legacy's after that.

[S Clark]

I told my wife that we'd get a new car when her 2000 Honda CRV reached a quarter million miles. After a valve job at 175000, we traded it in last year with 249K and no issues.  It was still a dependable car.  My '93 Dodge 250 diesel truck has 244K and is just getting broken in(seriously- life expectancy on these are 750+K). It gets specialty use only.  We had a '84 Honda Civic wagon that we sold at 236K-still running, and my daughters Integra has 190+K and going strong.  Living in west TX, my wife and I put around 40-50K miles a year on our various vehicles so they have to last.  I try to keep car cost less that 10 cents per mile  for purchase and repair. 
Our current rides are the wife's 2010 Toyota RAV4 (bought new for $22k)and my 2008 Honda Fit (used with 36K miles for $10K). The old Dodge gets hauling and rough terrain duty.

Scott

[nature boy]

Scott,

Sounds like you have had some real high mileage winners, congratulations and long live Texas.

NB

I told my wife that we'd get a new car when her 2000 Honda CRV reached a quarter million miles. After a valve job at 175000, we traded it in last year with 249K and no issues.  It was still a dependable car.  My '93 Dodge 250 diesel truck has 244K and is just getting broken in(seriously- life expectancy on these are 750+K). It gets specialty use only.  We had a '84 Honda Civic wagon that we sold at 236K-still running, and my daughters Integra has 190+K and going strong.  Living in west TX, my wife and I put around 40-50K miles a year on our various vehicles so they have to last.  I try to keep car cost less that 10 cents per mile  for purchase and repair. 
Our current rides are the wife's 2010 Toyota RAV4 (bought new for $22k)and my 2008 Honda Fit (used with 36K miles for $10K). The old Dodge gets hauling and rough terrain duty.

Scott

[Eric]

I owned a Corolla on which I put 350,000 miles.

[decal]

1997 GMC Sierra 4X4 with 291,876 miles. I'll climb in it and drive across the country and not even think about it.

[Rclark]

One of our vehicles (ex and I) had was a 1999 Ford Windstar. We got it in '07 with about 140K miles on it. By the time I got rid of it that thing this year (not because it wasn't running either, just single and no need for it), that thing had well over 250K miles of road trips, camping, hauling gear, hauling at one time 8 people and luggage, all seat belted. Was absolutely bulletproof, comfy, strong engine.

 Forgot to mention the chassis was basically a Taurus, and with all the seats pulled out, lol, it was surprisingly very nimble.

[craig223]

GM trucks are very reliable. 92 short bed pickup with 350 and 5 speed went 180k with only a belt change, set of plugs. 2000 3 door with 5 liter went 170k with only a belt change at 100k. Current Yukon has 177k and had a transmission rebuild after 150k because of towing 26' RV for years. Still runs great and is going to stay in the family until at least 250k.

[medium jim]

I bought a 1971 olds delta 88 with a 455ci that had 212k miles on it and never had any issues.  That was in 1982 and drive it as a daily driver for 5 or so years and put on another 74k miles.  The only thing I did was put on 2 sets off tires, change the water pump and thermostat, new brakes and regular oil changes.

That sucker was plenty fast, but only got about 10 miles per gallon.  Gas was relatively cheap in the 80's. 

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if that beige beast is still in service.

Jim