211,000 miles, now what???

[Motorhead350]

After 10 years, 11 months and two weeks I have come to the conclusion my car is old. Old to a point where I can no longer be worry free of a break down every time I start it up.

Last week the a/c compressor went out and EVERYONE (including a friend who isn't really into cars) told me "It happens." Is there anything else I should look into that will "happen" or "might happen" at 200,000+ miles?

My axels went in fresh 15,000 miles ago, the shocks are newer, the transmission was rebuilt 60,000 miles ago, the current engine has somewhere around 100,000 miles on it.

I do not not what to look for as to what might go out next as far as the mechanical aspect is concerned.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks!

[L.Mark]

The thought crossed my mind to start replacing things now so I wouldn't have to later or be caught dead. But there's no guarantee that anything will go out. I've actually had something to go out right after I had to the shop for a look over...Just drive it and keep the money on hand as best as possible. If it's your main car then get a cheap dependable backup. That's what My LSC is for at the moment...:)

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Check blinker fluid when you get oil changed; also, Lambo doors usually start acting up after a couple years....:lol:

Ok, seriously though, keep track of when you replaced stuff...this will help determine when it needs to be replaced again. What's the status of your alternator? Serpentine belt? Hoses? RAS bags and compressor? Shifter cable? Some things you can plan for, but a lot you can't, so the best plan is to have the money on hand to get it fixed and running again....easier said than done, I know....

[Motorhead350]

The alternator is from 2005. I should have it tested at the very least.

The belt WAS new, but I will replace it after the a/c compressor pulley lockup. I t didn't look like it damaged the belt, but for $42 I might as well keep the current one as a spare and put on a brand new one for daily usage.

Hoses are fine. I replaced the upper radiator one about two years ago.

Shifter cable I am not sure of, but the car has always been the same. It needs a nudge to get into reverse sometimes, but it was like that before it even had 100 miles on the clock. Yes 100, not 100K.

Everything else seems fine except for my strange electrical issue with the door locks. Every time I think it's 100% mechanically perfect, something unexpected (to me) happens. I am doing my best to be proactive. I do not wanna sell it and get another car with 100,000 less miles. I would rather plan ahead with this one, but it seems like predicting "what's next" is near impossible.

Oh well. Reality bites. :mad2:

[boatmangc]

Some stuff just happens.
My 06 Sprinter Van only has 97,000 miles on it.
It is ready for its 3rd water pump, it's 3rd set of tires and its second AC compressor.

Could be worse. The older cars from 60s and 70s needed valve jobs, brakes, alternators etc around 65,000 miles.
When I first started driving you wouldn't dare look at a car with 100,000 miles on it because mechanically it was going to cost you.

I have had brand new cars strand me.

[Ken]

Dom, why not sell yours, and find a lower mileage one? You got your use out of it. There's always one for sale.

[RF Overlord]

Dom, the only things that really matter as far as mileage are the motor, transmission, front suspension components and the rear axle.

Yeah, I know that's practically the whole freakin' car, but if those things are up to snuff, mileage shouldn't be a concern.

Use good oil and change it at an interval appropriate for your driving conditions.

Keep the ATF fresh. Install a drain plug and do a drain & fill every other oil change.

If you haven't already done so, change the differential lube. Use synthetic 75W-140.

Everything else is just an inconvenience.

[tbone]

I replaced my alternator, water pump, all coolant hoses, brake calipers, brake lines, master cylinder, brake booster and front struts and various other bits and pieces just for preventative maintenance purposes.

[tbone]

A guy came in the dealership the other day with a pickup that had 545,000 miles. It looked like it had less than 100k. It's all how well you take care of it. And fix it when it breaks.

[Raleigh Marauder]

I replaced my alternator, water pump, all coolant hoses, brake calipers, brake lines, master cylinder, brake booster and front struts and various other bits and pieces just for preventative maintenance purposes.

I've got over 201,000 miles and I've done similar. New brakes, master cylinder, rear shocks and other items as they have worn and/or failed. I'll be upgrading to Wilwood's on the front soon, and a engine rebuild will be in order before I add boost. My plan is to keep it running.

[tbone]

I've replaced plenty of other parts too because I HAD to, like rear shocks, IAC, headlights, sunroof, axles and bearings, diff clutches, transmission, rotors and pads, coils and plugs, fuel pump.....................I have 142,000 miles.

And then of course all the just for fun mods.....

My car will no longer see winter salt starting this year. Just can't bear to see it salty any longer. And I plan on leaving it to my son when I croak, so I will continue to give it whatever it needs.

[Raleigh Marauder]

I've replaced plenty of other parts too because I HAD to, like rear shocks, IAC, headlights, sunroof, axles and bearings, diff clutches, transmission, rotors and pads, coils and plugs, fuel pump.....................I have 142,000 miles.

And then of course all the just for fun mods.....

My car will no longer see winter salt starting this year. Just can't bear to see it salty any longer. And I plan on leaving it to my son when I croak, so I will continue to give it whatever it needs.

You know - I'm on the original coils, alternator, and fuel pump... Been through a couple of axles though... I still haven't had any problems with the LCM either... Go figure.

[Motorhead350]

I guess i replaced everything except the master cylinder. Its as old as the car.

[tbone]

You know - I'm on the original coils, alternator, and fuel pump... Been through a couple of axles though... I still haven't had any problems with the LCM either... Go figure.

Coils were probably ok. Alternator still worked too. The bearings were starting to grumble a little when I took the belt off to test spin it. Fuel pump definitely went bad.

[Joe Walsh]

Dom, why not sell yours, and find a lower mileage Toyota Camry or Honda Accord? You got your use out of it. There's always one for sale, and used parts are plentiful.

There.....fixed it for ya!

[tbone]

I guess i replaced everything except the master cylinder. Its as old as the car.

They're pretty reliable, that's for sure.

[secretservice]

At the Dodge dealer we had a Caravan Cargo van that had 345k on it and changed his oil at 3-3.5k and trans fluid at 30k like clockwork. Never any mechanical problems, and the only thing I remember replacing was the seat lower frame from the springs being weak! Purely elective repair though. The van was a 2008, he basically lived in it. Moral of the story, stay in front of your maintenance and your car will love you for it, but still stuff happens. Seems Panther platform cars are very dependable though.

[secretservice]

Actually come to think of it there have been several cars in my recent memory with over 200k... Common trait of them all... dealer serviced. I am a bit biased to that I guess... doesn't matter if you do the work or the dealer does, long as it gets done. Wife's Challenger lives on Mobil 1 and Mopar coolant/trans fluid. OEM fluid is great, especially Motorcraft fluids. Motorcraft oil seems to be great stuff.

[gdsqdcr]

I will echo what others have said ... All how you maintain it. My 04 Sierra Z71 crew with the 5.3 has 167k miles on it. Original motor and trans. Oil is changed every 5k, tranny fluid every 50, new shocks every 50k, tune up at 100k all with OEM parts it still leaks nothing! Two water pumps (within 5k miles), 1 rear axle (loaded 2500 lbs in th back of it and drove it), and a blend door relay.

I use it as a truck. It is 4wd in mud, rock, dirt at least once a month. Last road trip was 3800 miles and several in 4wd traveling the White Rim and other trails out in Moab.

Take care of it, and it will last you.

[BillFromSC]

Cuba and Aviation. 1962 was the last year that any American cars were allowed to be imported into Cuba, yet there are I believe about 60,000 pre-63 "Yank-Tanks" still running the streets of Cuba. The mileage statistics are staggering (do a Google search). I believe we can keep our Marauders on the road (and trust-worthy) for just about as long as we want, IF maintenance is religiously done. Now for aviation. About 7 years ago I sold my 1961 Cessna 150 and the guy who has it now flies it almost every day. If I had the money and the hangar space I would not hesitate to buy it back right now, and I also would not hesitate to fly it cross-country. My "new" plane is a 1976 model and I fly it up and down the East Coast and back and forth to Texas (many times in the clouds) and I have no reliability concerns at all. The trick: Maintenance by the numbers. I plan on owning this same plane for at least 20 more years. I realize that cars and airplanes are two different animals but I think the connection here is that if our beloved Marauders get the same kind of maintenance then we can come close to almost "disregarding" the high mileage. I've got 128,000 on an 03 and I hope to have that car for a very long time.

Bill

[Jeffonebuck]

I'm waiting to find a wrecked Tesla roadster drivetrain, then it's a matter of replacing batteries every 200,000 miles. http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster

[Haggis]

Dom..Enter a burnout contest and put a stick of dynomite in each tailpipe, secure them good so them don't fall out. Light the fuse, make it 5 - 10 minutes long, get in the driver's seat and have fun.....:burnout:

[tbone]

Cuba and Aviation. 1962 was the last year that any American cars were allowed to be imported into Cuba, yet there are I believe about 60,000 pre-63 "Yank-Tanks" still running the streets of Cuba. The mileage statistics are staggering (do a Google search). I believe we can keep our Marauders on the road (and trust-worthy) for just about as long as we want, IF maintenance is religiously done. Now for aviation. About 7 years ago I sold my 1961 Cessna 150 and the guy who has it now flies it almost every day. If I had the money and the hangar space I would not hesitate to buy it back right now, and I also would not hesitate to fly it cross-country. My "new" plane is a 1976 model and I fly it up and down the East Coast and back and forth to Texas (many times in the clouds) and I have no reliability concerns at all. The trick: Maintenance by the numbers. I plan on owning this same plane for at least 20 more years. I realize that cars and airplanes are two different animals but I think the connection here is that if our beloved Marauders get the same kind of maintenance then we can come close to almost "disregarding" the high mileage. I've got 128,000 on an 03 and I hope to have that car for a very long time.

Bill

Airplane engines have to rebuilt every so many hours of flight time no matter the condition, right?

[Vortech347]

Strip all the goodies off it, put it to stock, sell it and buy another MM. Its what I did.

These MM's are great cars. Despite what people say they are actually very cheap to fix for the caliber of car they are. A super common 4v, and the body on frame chassis that police departments and taxi cab corps were so pissed when Ford announced the discontinuation they bought hundreds to just SIT until their current ones wear out. That has got to say something. I've never heard of anyone doing that with a piece of crap disposable foreign car.

[BillFromSC]

Yes, most are about 2000 hours. An average guy like me, who flies for personal use only, puts about 100-200 hours a year on one. So that's usually about 10-20 years before rebuild. I change my oil every 50 hours. I also cut open the filter and examine it. I also send in a oil sample for analyses each time. It is amazing what they can tell you about an engine from what trace particles they find in the oil. I think some people do this with cars too. Also, planes have an advantage in that there is no tranny or drive shaft, and seldom do you run over a pot hole on a runway... ha ha.

Bill

[BillFromSC]

Airplane engines have to rebuilt every so many hours of flight time no matter the condition, right?

Yes, most are about 2000 hours. An average guy like me, who flies for personal use only, puts about 100-200 hours a year on one. So that's usually about 10-20 years before rebuild. I change my oil every 50 hours and I also cut open the filter and examine it, and I also send in a oil sample for analyses each time. (Most all airplane owners do these three things.) It is amazing what they can tell you about an engine from what trace particles they find in the oil. I think some people do this with cars too. Also, planes have an advantage in that there is no tranny or drive shaft, and seldom do you run over a pot hole on a runway... :)

Bill