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200,000 Mile Club for Cars
Filed under: Opinion
Would it be a shock that you will some day see the odometer of your vehicle turn from 199,999 to 200,000 miles? People say that with proper care, it won't be a surprise and, in fact, can lead to a lot of savings in one's pocketbooke.
Consumer Reports, in its 2007 Annual Auto Online Survey, found over 6,700 people with 200,000 miles or more on their vehicle's odometer. The popular consumer resource was able to ID many cars that have a good chance to make it to that goal line.
Good bets to make it include the Honda Civic, CR-V, and Element; Lexus ES and LS; and the Toyota 4Runner, Highlander, Prius, and RAV4. Vehicles that were dubbed "bad bet" were the BMW 7-Series; Infiniti QX56; Jaguar S-Type and X-Type; Mercedes-Benz SL; Nissan Armada; Volkswagen Touareg; and the Volvo XC90.
If reaching beyond 200,000 miles with your next car is something that you want to achieve, then there are things you can do to make it attainable besides buying one of the above cars. For example, buying a car with a good track record is a great start. Other tips include following the maintenance suggestions in the owner's manual. You can't skip that oil change because it could hasten premature engine wear and cause engine damage.
Make necessary repairs quickly. When you have to replace things or use parts and fluids use the things that the manufacturer suggests with the proper specifications. K Take the initiative and check under the hood periodically and really scope out the engine compartment. Look for fraying or cracks in the belts and cracks and bulges in the hoses. Vehicle service manuals are a good thing to keep on hand because they can show you exactly what to look for and help you make minor repairs yourself.
Oh, and keep the car clean.
Finally, save some money for balloons and bunting to celebrate the turnover on the odometer from 199,999 to 200,000.
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