Is 200,000 miles the new 100,000 miles?

[LeeH]

When I was growing up, my dad would start getting nervous when his cars approached 100K miles. He'd always sell before the odo passed the magic number of death.

Fast forward to today... I see cars with 120K advertised as "low mileage." I also see lots of cars with 180K, 190K for sale. Is 200K the new 100K?

[Craig T]

I think that's about right. Even in the 90's I got rid of any car cresting the 90K miles mark. I got rid of my Cayenne in 2015 at 187K. It ran great, just the seat cushions where breaking down and giving me a sciatica. I can't see myself worrying about 100K with my Volvo either.

[Arizona_928]

I would say so.
I have Had no issues with the few cars or trucks over 200k. But these have been models with proven reliability (diesels). On my most recent vw purchase; a latest gen tiguan 2.0 tsi with 100k then and 140k now. I don't see that engine reaching 200k without being completely worn out.

[MMiller]

200k or more. I'm currently driving an 04 4Runner with a 1/4 million miles on it that has not been babied. It spent most of it's life in Southern CO at 8000 feet. It shows no signs of giving up anytime soon.

Previously had a 09 Jeep GC I sold at 145k. I know it has had 2 more owners since me.

M

[Alfasrule]

Have 2 cars with over 250K miles, of course they were rebuilt. Know ALFA guys that have over 500K miles.
Have 2 with over 120K and owned them for over 25 years and they run great! NO Motor work at all! Think oil is the biggest to preserve a motor and it's internal workings.
Very Religious about changing me oil. My cars the oil is as if I poured it out of the can. I never store a car with used oil, BAD. Great motors and very reliable.
ALFAs Rules!

[pwd72s]

Could be. Computer design and machining allow things to be made with much closer tolerances than those of decades before.

My pool player honorary nephew drove a '97 Camry past 360,000 miles before it finally died.

[wdfifteen]

When did odometers start having 6 digits? That should tell you something.
The most I ever got out of a vehicle was 196k. The high mileage ones were all sold due to rust, mechanicals were still going strong.

[450knotOffice]

My MY2000 996 just passed 200k. Runs great. 165,000 of those miles are with MY butt in the driver’s seat.

[hcoles]

Yes

[Tervuren]

I have seen some very nice condition recent model Jaguars in the 150,000 mile range.

I would say it varies, certain years of Mercedes and BMW I'm not sure I'd trust.

Quality has certainly improved.

[GothingNC]

My friend just picked up this Mini with over 200,000 miles on it.

[Dantilla]

I've heard the two biggest reasons today's engines last longer are:

-Overdrive transmissions. Less engine wear to cover the same distance= more distance.
-Oil technology. Today's oil is far superior than what was available a few decades ago.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yup. 100k is just getting started.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

I've heard the two biggest reasons today's engines last longer are:

-Overdrive transmissions. Less engine wear to cover the same distance= more distance.
-Oil technology. Today's oil is far superior than what was available a few decades ago.

I'd say that you are absolutely correct and there are other factors related to superior manufacturing techniques as well. I know this will be unpopular to say but some of the credit goes to govt regulations, (in Europe as well as North America), forcing cleaner and more efficient gas engines that also run synthetic oil for reduced friction/better mpg, etc. A cleaner burning IC engine keeps the oil a lot cleaner.

That along w generally more efficient power plant designs which are directly related to the crazy output that everyone is getting from gasoline and Diesel engines these days, outputs that would have seemed absurd a few short years ago.

I'm looking at some used BMWs w around 100k miles that are in almost like new condition, exterior/interior/mechanics/everything. A lot of it is how someone takes care of their car and what kind of miles, ie. constant freeway miles w cruise on doesn't seem to age cars much.

[Chocaholic]

Are you doing water pump, timing belt, tensioners at 100k?

[masraum]

Ok, so you guys are keeping vehicles up to and over 200k. Are you buying vehicles for regular use that already have up over 100k?

Would you buy a Cayenne or Boxster with 120,000 for yourself or your SO to drive regularly or be a daily driver?

Obviously, for some vehicles, old, classic, collectible, whatever, you may not have much of a choice, but for appliances, even nice ones...

Would you rather buy a cayenne for $30k with 30-50k miles or $15k with 125k miles? (numbers pulled out of thin air)

[dar636]

Originally Posted by MMiller

200k or more. I'm currently driving an 04 4Runner with a 1/4 million miles on it that has not been babied. It spent most of it's life in Southern CO at 8000 feet. It shows no signs of giving up anytime soon.

Previously had a 09 Jeep GC I sold at 145k. I know it has had 2 more owners since me.

M

Same here, 2004 4 Runner, 4.7 V8. 20 MPG and drives like new, 220K miles. Best overall vehicle I have owned to date.

[Bugsinrugs]

Bought my 99 Tacoma with 59,000 miles on it for $14,000. 14 years later she Is still humming along with 382,000 miles the odometer. Original alternator, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor. Water pumps and timing belts every 100,000 miles.

[Bill Douglas]

Around here we grew up driving crap quality British cars. Things like Morris Minors, Hilman Hunters, and heavens forbid Holdens (Australian/New Zealand made GM cars). They made them cheaply with soft valve seats, and probably soft exhaust valves too. They seemed to need a reconditioning every 100,000 miles - or dumped.

Then along came the Japanese. Beautiful, fast, efficent Honda Civics, Toyotas Etc. Well made engines good for 200,000 miles plus.

Then came even better oils...

[speeder]

Originally Posted by dar636

Same here, 2004 4 Runner, 4.7 V8. 20 MPG and drives like new, 220K miles. Best overall vehicle I have owned to date.

Those are astonishingly well-made vehicles. Really over-engineered.