How Many Miles Can a Car Last?
About 1.2 percent of all cars last longer than 200,000 miles. That’s not very many. Asking yourself “how many miles can a car last” is an important thing, but you should be asking how long your car will last.
Having a sturdy, reliable car is an important thing, especially if you live your life on a budget. People often dream about driving a shiny new car off of the lot, but there are a number of affordable cars out there that will do the trick just as well, for longer periods of time.
If you’re looking to drive your car more than 200,000 miles, we’ve got a list that will serve you well.
How Many Miles Can a Car Last
Conceivably, cars can last millions of miles. Actually, though, one Volvo owner has squeezed 3 million miles out of his car. The 1966 Volvo P1800 that he used is not on our list today because it is a little too pricey for the average person.
It’s unrealistic to expect 300,000 miles from a car, let alone 3 million. But a couple hundred thousand is nothing to scoff at, so read on to discover which cars are likely to take you that far.
Toyota Corolla
Toyota is the creator of some of the longest lasting vehicles on the road. Another great thing about Toyotas is that they are especially affordable. The philosophy that the owners of Toyota put forth to their business is called the “lean philosophy.”
This philosophy holds that the company reduce as much waste as possible, identify defects and correct them at the same time in order to limit mistakes later down the line, improve vehicles every time it has the opportunity to, and hire multi-talented professionals.
All of those factors have come together to produce some of the best cars on the road. Most Toyota Corollas will last you upwards of 200,000 miles.
Honda Civic
This car is a top contender, right up there with the Toyota Corolla. It’s a compact car that comes in at affordable prices. It also has the options of coupe and sedan styles, allowing a good amount of variety for those who are into upgrading their body type.
You can bet that the Civic will run you long past 100,000 miles, likely reaching the 200,000 mark.
Subaru Outback
A lot of Subaru owners would never dare to think of trading or selling their vehicles. The Outback, in particular, has a sort of cult following, probably because of it’s association with traveling, hiking, and outdoor activities. Another reason that people keep their Outbacks forever is that the car pretty much lasts forever.
The Outback runs upwards of 200,000 miles if its maintained well, and provides enough storage space and opportunity to travel around the country a few times over. It’s an interesting vehicle because it kind of fits between categories.
Not a wagon, not a hybrid, not necessarily a crossover, the Outback is fit for a good time and a long time.
Ford Crown Victoria
Watch a movie set in New York in the early 2000’s or late 90’s and you’ll see fleets upon fleets of Crown Victorias. They were used for taxi cabs and police vehicles for years, and that was for good reason.
The car has a simple set up- a V-8 engine, and little to no fancy technology to break. It’s a straightforward car that has little opportunity to break, running fast into the high 100,000 mile mark.
Toyota Camry
At first glance, it’s surprising that the Toyota Camry is one of the best selling vehicles every single year. It’s not necessarily the most beautiful, fast, or luxurious car to drive, but people know that they’ll probably be able to pass that car down for a couple of generations.
Well, at least 10 years if you’re lucky. It’s likely that if you maintain your Camry you’ll be able to drive it past 200,000 miles. Easy.
Ford Taurus
This vehicle was basically the second evolution of the Crown Victoria, often running slightly longer than its predecessor. The more modern EcoBoost models tend to run a little shorter than the straightforward V-6 engine models. The nice thing about these models is that they’re spacious, comfortable, and rarely need any repairs or maintenance.
These vehicles are showing up for sale with around 200,000 miles, and it’s not unheard of for them to go past that.
Toyota Highlander
The Highlander is the only mid-size vehicle on our list, which makes it a surprising car to go past 200,000 miles. The Highlander is an extremely comfortable, spacious vehicle that boasts three passenger rows, trailer hitch, and all of the frills of the fancy car.
That being said, that extra space and technology don’t hold it down at all, with many models coming up well past the 200,000 mile mark. If you treat the vehicle well you could expect to reach close to 300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Finding Used Vehicles
With any used vehicle, you want to make sure that you’re not being ripped off by the previous owner and that they’re being completely forthright about the vehicle that they’re selling.
There are many places online to find quality used vehicles. Many sites like Craigslist, UsedCars, Cars, and Carpoint all provide a place for you to find used vehicles. Dealerships will often sell used cars too.
Once you find the car you’re looking for, you need to make sure to take care of a couple of things. Find an estimate of the vehicle’s value by running its specifications through KellyBlueBook. This is a site that has accurate estimates of the value of used cars.
Next, agree with the seller to have the car checked out by your mechanic before you make the purchase. Many people sell cars so they don’t have to pay for the repairs, leaving the buyer at a disadvantage. Combat this by ensuring that everything is running smoothly at the time of purchase.
Build Up Your Car Knowledge
How many miles can a car last? Well, that all depends on how well you maintain it.
If you’re looking for any information on how to maintain your car and keep it in great shape, we’ve got everything you need.