Mokos23

My one former coworker and I have a bet going.

He told me that his 03 Nissan Maxima SE, the last Maxima made in Japan, has about 70K and no problems and will outlast my 04 Acura TSX and I have 57K miles on it.

He bets that even if he abuses the Maxima he will still get 200K miles out of it w/o major problems vs. the TSX because he said that Nissan motors are about the same in terms of durability as Honda motors are.

I don't know what point he is trying to make, I told him though that if the TSX makes it to 200,000 miles too, it will have a better resale value anyways than the Maxima.

Why do people care how long their car will last mileage wise? Is it something to be proud of? Not sure if it would be more difficult to sell a 200,000 Nissan Maxima vs. a 200,000 mile Acura TSX.

I know that this TSX can make it to 200,000 miles, but I may only keep it until 100,000 miles because the gf likes it, but she said if we got married and had kids, the TSX wouldn't suffice cause of the small rearseat room back there, plus she likes the new TSX more.

SakiGT

This is America. Were supposed to ditch cars after warranty because they will blow up with our family inside.

Mokos23

hahahah, how about if we don't have money to buy a new car?

charliemike

My buddy did 496k in a '92 Honda Civic VX ... It's not like the Maxima is being compared to a '99 Cavalier.

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

Clearly your former coworker has an extremely small penis.

phil2

who keeps a car thaT... Long

Crazy Bimmer

My buddy has over 500k on his BMW E30.

Anyways, just compare resale between the Maxima and TSX. It will give him an idea on how much his car will be worth at 200k miles. Maxima resale is just terrible but they are great cars to buy used. IMO

Mokos23

TLyoung'un

http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/30/auto...200k/index.htm

Crazy Bimmer

^ Does that factor in on how much repairs cost along the way?

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Well I care because if my car makes it to 200k with little issues that means i got a good deal.

TLyoung'un

I'm guessing? Probably falls under "maintain"

LuvMyTSX

Back in the day, a good number of people used to keep their cars until they died, or at least until the repairs became so expensive they just weren't worth it. Less people have that mindset these days, and would rather trade in their car every few years for something newer/more exciting.

F23A4

...or you could compare the track times at the drag strip. Better 5 years running 14s then 10 years running 16s. Motorwise, both the VQ and K24 are great motors that should pretty much last for as long as the owners keeps it maintained. I have come across a number of 95-99 Maximas posting close to 200k on the odo in fairly decent shape. Unfortunately, I have come across few 5G Accords in similar shape but, did come across a 95 AV6 is immaculate condition.

But I have to agree, Nissan depreciation is terrible.

Sarlacc

But its because of that that I was able to score an amazing deal on my 95 pathfinder. Same year mileage 4runners cost 3-4 grand more...and in all honesty I think the pathfinder is a better all around vehicle.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

If you keep a car for 200k miles your 1 broke poor ass MOFO!

dallison

wrong, very wise

SeCsTaC

as long as my car remains trouble free, it's a keeper... that is until I have enough money to comfortably afford a new car that I absolutely love.

I could care less what the Joneses are doing.

csmeance

Newer cars won't last that long due to all the computer systems they have. Before you had a lot less stuff to worry about falling apart. But now if you look at a car, there's more processing going on than imaginable.

teranfon

Why?

Because cars, for the most part, are constantly depreciating over the life of the vehicle. And the best way to offset this depreciation is to maximize the amount of mileage over the serviceable life of the vehicle.

I have a number of trucks used for commercial purposes, and I always make sure I receive the maximum amount of usage before they are sold. With proper maintenance and upkeep, any vehicle will last a number of years. Even cars for personal use should be maintained and driven as long a possible if still in good repair. Of course, there does eventually come that time when the depreciative value has been written off completely and the cost of repairs exceeds the value of vehicle. Then it's so long..............

Or maybe I'm just cheap.

Terry

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Isn't the TSX made in Japan also?

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

So not true. My sister drove an '88 Accord for 13 years/220K and she makes well over six figures. Some people could truly care less about perceived status.

Costco

I have no idea how anyone can keep a car for 200k no matter WHAT car it is.... McLaren F1, 911 GT3, R8, Civic Si..... I'd get tired of all of them, cheap, reliable or not. I'd be bored unless it was modded to the teeth

o1s

i plan on keeping my cls past 200k miles. should be there by the end of the year. not worth trading it in plus the only repair besides maintenance items so far has been the starter.

Ken1997TL

I care...

170,000 miles on the TL

I'm not bored with it at all. Every time I drive it, I realize just how stupid i'd be to get rid of it. There is nothing wrong with it at all. Comfortable, reliable and reasonably fun to drive.

I assume my RL will get just as many if not more.

Osamu

my family just sold our 91' landcruiser w/ 190k miles on it that we've owned since new. We would've kept it too, but a family friend really wanted it, and it was just taking up space in front of our house. Not to mention that getting 12mpg was kinda hard at times like these.

We had very little to no maintenance on that car too. I think we had to replace the radiator once. I loved that car, and mostly due to the fact that it would just keep going and going, never really needed anything.

now trying to brag that you car will outlast someone else's is just kind of asinine. Especially to some people that take style, handling, or power over reliability, and comparing two relatively new cars, which at least one of you will probably sell long before maintenance really becomes an issue. Now if you both had cars 10 years old w/ 150k miles on it, it would be different story. I know I personally make reliability my #1 priority, but that is because I can't afford any maintenance issues, and rely on my car for my livelyhood. Not to mention that before the new car I bought last year, I've never driven a car less than 10 years old, and I know what a pain in the ass it is to have a car breakdown and leave you stranded.



p.s. I would put money on the TSX out lasting the maxima

Loseit

iTrader: (1)

We are a disposable society. That is the only reason we don't keep cars longer. I was looking for excuses to sell my CL-S at 110K miles. I was bored to death of it. Did I need to sell it? Absolutely not. It didn't have a hiccup. All it needed was new brakes. People like to buy new cars every 2 years here. Hence everyones financial woes. Same thing w/ houses. It goes on and on.

Justin.CL

Lots of people that keep a car for a long time are like me and have a nicer one to drive when they want to. My 91 Accord has 242K miles and runs well (for what it is). I'll probably keep it until it just dies completely. It gets great gas mielage and it's nice to not have to get really upset when someone dings a door.

It's not really worth any money so there is no reason to get rid of it.

Crazy Bimmer

Yep, I can totally see my old man keeping his 02 RL till 200k miles if nothing major happens.

Hes already itching near 100k now and it still looks new thanks to me.

Plus he sees no point in selling it since its worth jack shit now.

As i get older, I can totally see myself driving one car for a long time. I just figured since im young now and have no wife or kids.. i might as well enjoy myself. I know that later on I will want to spend money elsewhere besides cars.

F23A4

You should read this book to get the concept: LINK . Admittedly, I just started to get the concept a year or two ago.

In my last position (former employer bet. 2000 - 2003), there was an exec there who ALWAYS dressed in fine clothing, dining at top notch restaurants, owned a nice large home and drove a mint condition 1987 Acura Legend.

As a matter of fact, most of the top guys getting paid BIGTIME with my previous employer (a major investment bank) drove cars that were a generation or two behind current models, preferring to direct their financial resources towards other more important things like houses, awesome vacations and education.

fsttyms1

Why?? My TL has over 270,000 on it. I could buy a new car but why?? It owes me nothing (other than a few k for a 6 speed swap, still cheaper than a new car payment) It serves the purpose as my work beater well and will continue to use it as that for some time. I see no need to buy a new car to put 40k+ a year on when this one does just fine.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Most people don't tend to keep cars that long at all.

I kept my Maxima until it had about 190K, and still got $3000 for it when I sold it.

I plan on keeping my I35 until close to 200K if possible. It's an 04, works great, comfortable, no issues with it and I'm already pretty much half way to 200K.

Unfortunately, I never would have kept my CL that long. The thought never even crossed my mind because of the tranny.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Broke, smart, cheap. I guess I am all of those.

If I can get 200K out of a car, and have minimal expenses to maintain it, then why not? All I do with my I35 is change fluids and filters at this point. And it just laughs at the miles I put on it. Why would I get rid of it and get something more expensive just so I have a "new" car?

SakiGT

Not if you buy the car you love.

73k on the PT Cruiser - no thoughts of dumping it ever! Going to retire him to a garage in 3-4 years, but thats about it.

Id rather buy a nice car (not saying my Chrysler is that car ) and keep it for 5-6 years than buy 2 or 3 cheaper cars and drive them in the same period.

Just because youre an enthusiast doesnt mean you have to buy the newest car thats marketed.

GreenMonster

I haven't had a car payment since 2003, and if I get 200K miles on my CLS that would mean I wouldn't have had a car payment for over 15 years...

15 years @ over $300 month is going to be a shitload of money (especially if it's invested smartly).

TzarChasm

Well, when you go around picking up hookers off the street, this is bound to happen sooner or later.

TzarChasm

I tend to keep my cars a long time, my last car (SAAB convertible) was 10 years old with 175K miles on it when I got rid of it. And I was sad to see it go. As Greenie said, not having a car payment is nice, plus I got more compliments on that car than on my TL. Most people have no idea how old a car is if it's in good shape anyway.

bigman

People care about miles, because then you can brag about the 1989 Jeep with almost 300,000 miles on it and the only thing changed is a timing belt and water pump.

ChrisQ1980

No, it means you aren't foolish and worried about the "trend" that everyone follows. Id rather spend my money on nice clothes, resturaunts, vacations, living situation, friends and having a good time. As long as I enjoy my car and it's being reliable there is no need to get rid of it. As far as gadgets my car never came with Navigation, but I purchased a portable unit that works flawessly, same with XM radio and bluetooth. I don't need the car to tell me when I need to change the oil. I change it myself and put a lil sticker in the corner of the windshield that tells me when to change it again.

AMGala

iTrader: (4)

To answer the OP's question, longevity is one way to measure how well a car is built, and therefore "the longer it lasts, the better of a car it is" is the general thinking. It's as simple as that.