On Vehichle Longetvity: NYTimes

[Kraftwerk]

From today's New York Times:

...... "Some drivers, of course, keep driving their cars simply because they love them.

Edmund Willcox Clarke Jr., a Superior Court Judge of Los Angeles County, has driven his 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera for over 300,000 miles.

“It was my first brand-new car,” he said. “It was designed the way I wanted it, and looked and drove exactly as I wanted it. I loved it from the beginning, and I’m still fond of it.”

But Judge Clarke has lavished plenty of attention on his Porsche.

“I rebuilt the engine a couple of times, because of wear and tear and to keep the performance up,” he said. “I had it painted a couple of times to keep it looking stylish. My body fit into that seat and the car felt like an extension of me. I could tell when it was tired."

“I think the car was well made — that was one reason it lasted so long,” he said. “I stayed ahead of it. As long as it was reliable and loyal to me, I was loyal to it.”

Judge Clarke finally bought a new car last year, an electric Tesla Roadster that he can drive in the carpool lane on the clogged Harbor Freeway every weekday. But his 1989 Porsche still sits in his Manhattan Beach, Calif., driveway, carefully covered, as if waiting for its owner to return.

[ramonesfreak]

cool! My 911 came out of storage last week and has done 200 miles already. Every year I wonder if it will start or catch fire or something....nope. Started right up first try and still feels fresh and new...though she is starting to need more attention as the miles pile up. I really wish I lived in a climate where I could drive this car every day as its the only car I have owned that I truly love. Its like an extension of me, sort of like a motorcycle can be to its owner

[onewhippedpuppy]

cool! My 911 came out of storage last week and has done 200 miles already. Every year I wonder if it will start or catch fire or something....nope. Started right up first try and still feels fresh and new...though she is starting to need more attention as the miles pile up. I really wish I lived in a climate where I could drive this car every day as its the only car I have owned that I truly love. Its like an extension of me, sort of like a motorcycle can be to its owner

They are unstoppable with snow tires, and they don't melt when exposed to moisture. Just sayin'.....

[cairns]

Bet he doesn't drive that Tesla for even a hundred k.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

They are unstoppable with snow tires, and they don't melt when exposed to moisture. Just sayin'.....

way too much salt in new york or i would. i couldnt bare to watch my baby rust like that. she has come too far
or i would

[azasadny]

Very cool! I miss my 911!

[rouxroux]

I know the feeling. I would not hesitate to jump in any of my Corvairs or Porsches and drive cross-country right now. Most modern cars have no soul. (Although the seats are ALOT better....my body hurts after an entire day in the '65).

Art, let me know when you need a nice '86, I might need some garage space soon.