Too many miles?

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Over the past two months, Ive been driving my 86 daily in my outside sales position. Its really a great car to work in... quick, fun to drive, gets in and out of tight spaces, commands a little respect on the road from other drivers, blah blah etc.

I am putting so many miles on it though...approximately 750 per week or about 3K per month...that it is natural to wonder "is this too many miles in too short of a timeframe."

The car only has 7,0700 miles on it (I just turned 70K last week on the 101)... and since I recently outfitted it with new Magnecors, plugs, O2 sensor, Fuel Filter, oil changes etc. along with a monthly dose of techron... she has really been running great... averaging approximately 24-25 MPG, which is excellent for a Carrera.

New Bilsteins are coming next. BTW... all of this is taken care of by an $800 per month car allowance.

Most of the miles are highway...but I do spend approximately 1.5 hours per day in bumper-bumper 405 traffic.... this accounts for about 40 of my daily 120-150 miles.

Is it possible that this many miles could put premature wear on the engine?

This may sound like a dumb question...because of course more miles on an engine = engine wear...but Im wondering if its too much in too short of a period of time after spending a relatively idillic first 18 years as people 'Hobby Car'.

Sonic

350HP930 · 10-14-2003, 09:15 PM

Miles are miles, but the long interstate miles are the best kind.

Just keep in mind the service intervals and a possible reseal/rebuild in the mid 100K miles range.

If it is within your budget and/or you are looking for a hobby several years down the road then drive it like there is no tomorow.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Yeah...I agree 350HP, Ive always believed that cars are meant to be driven and I planned on keeping this one forever, rebuilding and repainting as needed.

Maybe I just answered my own question.

Early_S_Man · 10-14-2003, 09:18 PM

The economics of a company actually paying someone that kind of car allowance seems a bit questionable ... but, no, I don't think you are hurting the car! As you are obviously getting the car up to full operating temperature each day ... the 'normal' daily driving toll is minimized, since most wear in daily short trips is due to operation at abnormally low temps for the oil and everything else!

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Quote:

The economics of a company actually paying someone that kind of car allowance seems a bit questionable ...

ha ha. You should see what they pay for bonus. :P

Does my daily excursion on the 405 pay much toll on the engine? The temp never reaches past about midpoint...

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

$800/mo? With that kind of budget you should be able to keep it running for a loooong time.

I think the cars are for driving. If you enjoy being in the car, even during rush hour traffic (as I do), then drive it. Don't save the miles for the next person...take it to 200K.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Its actually $600 base mileage allowance + additional at .32 cents on long trips. Last month I received over $900 in mileage money...but remember that I spend about $250 per month on gas.

Early_S_Man · 10-14-2003, 09:45 PM

I assume by 'midpoint' you mean approx. at the 9:00 o'clock position on your unmarked temp gauge ...

Lower 8:00 o'clock white mark is 90°C = 194°F and upper 10:00 o'clock white mark is 120°C = 248°F ... so midpoint would be approximately 221°F, which is just FINE!

No, I don't think a commute on I-405 with oil temp at 221°F is anything to worry about at all! An oil change monthly ... too much to ask for on those 'paltry' mileage allowance checks???

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Cool. Thanks Warren.. it sounds like the car is handling it very well.

Perhaps every sales staff should be equipped with a fleet of Porsche 911s.

Dan Owens · 10-15-2003, 04:56 AM

Sonic,

If you're getting that kind of allowance why not lease something and pocket the difference towards your P car projects?

Rot 911 · 10-15-2003, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan Owens
Sonic,

If you're getting that kind of allowance why not lease something and pocket the difference towards your P car projects?

Or put part of the allowance (say $200-$400) in a separate account for that engine rebuild which you probably are not going to need for another 60-70 thousand miles, but sure nice to have the money there when you need it. That way you can enjoy driving the car now without worrying about what it might need in the future.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Nice gig if you can get it - I would rather buy you a company car and take the tax advantage - if it was my company... Nice Taurus - get the depreciation...

makaio · 10-15-2003, 06:57 AM

Go for it! You can always repair or re-build later.

ZCAT3 · 10-15-2003, 08:23 AM

I would be more concerned about your suspension than your engine - 405 is brutal. You sure you want to go to stiffer shocks?

masraum · 10-15-2003, 08:33 AM

I bought my '88 with 110K miles and have driven it daily since. I now have about 160K miles on the car. Just add gas and oil and you should be fine.

dd74 · 10-15-2003, 08:34 AM

I would be more concerned about YOU on the 405. That freeway is just friggin' brutal. I'd like to see Cal Trans widen it right into Bel Air.

project935 · 10-15-2003, 08:38 AM

Heck yeah - drive it set aside a montly percentage for the rebuild down the road ... you'll have it covered in no time.

A CA highway that's brutal (the 405)?? You need to spend some time on MI roads my friends ... our car insurance or state gas tax should include dental coverage

dglenn · 10-15-2003, 09:02 AM

I think $.36/mile seems to be the standard reimbursement for business miles. If you don't get that much per mile, then you probably aren't recouping your loss on gas, repairs and depreciation.

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Quote:

A CA highway that's brutal (the 405)?? You need to spend some time on MI roads my friends ... our car insurance or state gas tax should include dental coverage

Yes, Im from Michigan and know all about that! The 405 out here is more brutal for congestion than anything else. Not very scenic either.

dglenn...if it works out to be less than .36, Ill deduct the difference on taxes.

yelcab1 · 10-15-2003, 11:45 AM

Cars are meant to be driven and ejoyed.

That said, I was in the same boat, in the same location, with my 84 carrera. Putting on 30K miles a year and the poor car COULD NOT handle it.

Upkeeping came up way to often: An oil change every month, a valve adjust every 3-4 months, new tires every 6 months.

And then things started to break: transmission (3 times), main seal (twice), AC (every year), valve job, O2 sensor, idle valve, starter (twice), alternator (twice), clutch (once), flywheel (once), stick shift (once), fog lights (road rash), head light (road rash), wind-shield (flying objects, twice).

And then, people backing into my car (once), door dings (many times).
the result is the car was on jack-stands 6 weeks out of 12 months, minimum. So, you still end up needing a second car anyway for those 6 weeks.

I finally had it, and bought a BMW M3 while keeping the Porsche in the garage only for the wekend.

If you like a nice, clean, rash free porsche, keep it for the weekend and get a second car. Cause you will need a second car for when your often-driven porsche ends up on jack-stands, and it will end up on jackstands 6 weeks out of 12 months.