max mileage of car you would take on a road trip (6 hours++) (F150, lease)

[jtur88]

Did I answer this one once before -- I can'r remember. I've taken cars on 6-week, 8,000 mile trips with 200K+ on them. My wife has 160,000 on hers and takes it (alone) between South Texas and Michigan at least once a year.

I drove a car with over 200K to Panama and back.

[JWG223]

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.

What's it matter? If you maintain it properly, none of the systems requiring PM will be in need of PM or danger of breaking more than a new part, and none of the systems that you don't do PM on will be in bad shape because you care for and monitor their condition.

Most mechanical things break VERY early in their life-cycles, or at the statistical end of their life cycles. Not often in the middle. PM your gear (car, body, firearms, relationships. etc.) properly, and all will serve you as well as can be reasonably expected, barring Mr Murphy.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by duster1979

Is your serpantine belt cracked, brittle, glazed, or over 7 years old? If so, your dealer is correct.

Assuming the dealer is always trying to take advantage of you is just as dangerous as assuming the dealer is always acting in your best interest. No vehicle runs forever without routine maintenance, and a belt is a maintenance item.

When in doubt, check it out.

OK, thanks for the advice.

[scarabchuck]

Just recently had to drive to Kansas from Michigan for a family issue. Took my 2000 VW Jetta TDI with 201k miles on it. I will admit I was a little nervous, I do keep up on the maintenance but have never changed all the hoses, wheel bearings and don't recall changing any front end components, maybe a tie rod end or something. So I headed out Monday morning and kept the speed limit maybe 5 over and made it there with no problems, 975 miles. Topped off the tank when it got to half and checked the mileage.. was a little disappointed with the 46.4 mpg , I was hoping to hit 50. I was driving 70-75mph with the A/C on so not too bad. On the way home, I had more confidence and ran 10-15 over the speed limit the entire way. 1 fuel stop, two bathroom breaks and got home in 14.5 hours.
I was starting to do some research for my next vehicle and was open to anything , even gassers but think I might end up in an Audi TDI or another Jetta TDI.. I've just had really good luck with this one.

[wcu25rs]

Ive got nearly 160k on my 03 WRX wagon and I would get in it today and drive from here in NC to Cali if I had to. But Ive properly maintained it since I bought it with 58k, so with that plus it being a Subaru, not really shocking.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Notsure27

I have a 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette van with 275K miles on it thinking of taking it 1430 mile trip do you think I'd be safe doing so?

Follow the above advice... Belts and hoses and fluid check. Also Fuel and air filter. Air up the tires, check for oil / water leaks and head out.

Originally Posted by scarabchuck

..Took my 2000 VW Jetta TDI with 201k miles on it. ... ...
I was starting to do some research for my next vehicle and was open to anything , even gassers but think I might end up in an Audi TDI or another Jetta TDI.. I've just had really good luck with this one.

Keep the 2000 Jetta TDI (or get a Jetta Wagon TDI). I have some TDI's still feeling fine at 500K.
Do get those hoses replaced and do a waterpump next time you do a timing belt (great time to do hoses too). (if you have not already). Autohauz AZ or Halsey import parts can fix you up. (some of these special hoses are spendy!, but much cheaper than an overheated diesel... Aluminum heads with 20:1 compression do not like getting hot.

Amazing VW suspension and front end reliability. I buy lifetime Bilsteins, and replace the steering component bushings with Audi TT Part numbers, and rarely have any more that a $9 ball joint or tie rod end go bad. I replace the whole arm (rack to tie rod end) if I do anything. It is about $40, but I drive these things forever, so worth the investment, and actually faster than replacing just one end. I keep Wheel bearings in stock and take them with on long road trips.

Don't buy a gasser!!!
Those things are Explosive and dangerous!

If you need an adventure, take a Euro delivery of A3 TDI and bring it home and sell it. There is a nice Blog on Fred's TDI page about this adventure. (keep the 2000 TDI, a pretty decent yr).

[stan4]

We don't have a car that has more than 38k miles on it. Not because they are all brand new or anything. We just don't drive much.

[callendargirl]

No offense to anyone, but I find this thread to be quite useless. Mileage on a vehicle usually doesn't have any deciding factor on whether or not you would make a road trip with it. Its how well you have maintained your vehicle, how reliable its been and if you have the mechanical skills (or the money) to make repairs away from home.

[distanceviews]

Question is...why not spend an extra 60 bucks or so and rent a car and drive the **** out of it and save your own car for personal use?

[SD4020]

My daily driver has 104,000 miles. I run 80 miles a day, round trip. My pickup has 184,000 miles on it. We have trip planned to Omaha, 550 miles one way. Then we plan to pull a camper a couple hundred miles to the mountains.