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I wouldn't say mileage alone is the determining factor. If I had an unreliable car with many shop visits even at 25k, I would find another car to take instead.
360 miles?! I don't think I'd put a mileage limit on that kind of trip. It all depends on the car. I've had cars > 200k miles that I didn't think twice about driving anywhere, and I've driven cars with > 90k across the entire country. I guess it depends on if the car is usually driven on the highway or just around the city. Highway driving can reveal problems that never show up in short trip driving.
However, when I look at the tires people drive on, and the way people (don't) maintain their cars, I suspect there are some vehicles with < 50k that I wouldn't take to the airport.
For me, it depends how long I've owned the car. Ive had some well over 200k that was reliable and took on several 10+ hour trips.
I maintain mine pretty well so I dont get stuck on the side of the road.
These are valid points on the subject. My truck is 10 years old and it has almost 140,000 miles on it. I keep it well maintained, get my oil changed and follow my service manual. I believe in the old adage if you take care of your car it will take care of you. The majority of my miles on my truck are highway miles which are better for the car. I have done several cross country trips with car and I remember being so excited when it crossed the 100,000 mile mark. I pulled my car over and took a pick of odometer. I still trust my vehicle and before long haul trips I make sure everything is in good shape, fluids filled up, check belts. All this does really help IMHO.
I drove 3,700 miles in my Mercedes, starting mileage was 107,XXX. The check engine light was on due to one of the O2 sensors being touchy, the light went out part way through Canada and the only reason we can think of is the lower level of ethanol in their gas.
Merc is now up to 121,000 miles, check engine light still on and off depending on how its feeling that day.
I drove/rode an old motorcycle with over 100 k across the country back in the day. I just did a 350 mile ride on my Burgman scooter in ONE day. Around here "cross country" starts at 800 plus miles one way.
For a long trip I wouldn't take anything with over about 80k miles. I usually rent cars for trips like that (vacations), no point of putting a ton of miles on mine.
I have a friend that has a '99 Tahoe with over 150k miles on it, last year they decided to drive it down to Disney World in the middle of summer (6 passengers and luggage). I warned them it was risky and they thought I was crazy, but sure enough the transmission died halfway back. For the price they paid to have that thing towed back home they could have rented a new minivan or something.
We had our 2005 Explorer with 93k miles checked out by our mechanic who said it passed with flying colors, and then we proceeded to take it on a trip of about 2400 miles round-trip. Not a single problem. It did cross my mind that we could break down, but then any car can break down at any time and since it's a late-model Ford I knew we'd be able to get repaired relatively quickly if necessary.
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Originally Posted by civic94
just want to see what each person thinks/votes. 6 hours/360 miles or more road trip, where if something happens, your totally screwed.
I have personally drove cross country (3000 miles) on a car that has close to 200k, and yes, at some point i was scared that i might break down, and there is no reception, total darkness.
me personally right now, i would not drive 6 hours one way if the car had more than 175k.
My car has 184K and I wouldn't even consider 360 miles a 'road trip', just a drive and I wouldn't think twice about it.
I do a 1500 mile roundtrip drive a few times a year, and this year added already a couple 2200 mile trips for good measure. My own car has 217k miles on at this point, and for these trips all but once I have rented a car. I've owned my car since new so know the history of it, but I still don't feel like I want to have a problem in the middle of I-80 across PA or whatever. Yes I can have such a problem in the rental as well! But it's less likely. Plus, it's an excuse to rent and try out a few new cars a year.
When I go on a shorter trip, like the 400 or so roundtrip to see my parents, I take my own car usually. It doesn't bother me as much because it's through not quite as desolate an area and even when it is it is a highly familiar drive and area that leaves me more confident that I can receive help if necessary in a timely manner.
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The majority of my miles on my truck are highway miles which are better for the car. I have done several cross country trips with car and I remember being so excited when it crossed the 100,000 mile mark. I pulled my car over and took a pick of odometer. 
I still trust my vehicle and before long haul trips I make sure everything is in good shape, fluids filled up, check belts. All this does really help IMHO.
My own car has 217k miles on at this point, and for these trips all but once I have rented a car. I've owned my car since new so know the history of it, but I still don't feel like I want to have a problem in the middle of I-80 across PA or whatever. Yes I can have such a problem in the rental as well! But it's less likely. Plus, it's an excuse to rent and try out a few new cars a year.
