200,000 a big deal (for me anyway)

[Jay2TheRescue]

You don't have to replace the drier, if you have a friend in the a/c service industry just borrow a vacuum pump overnight. Let it run all night. What will happen is it will create a vacuum in the system, and will cause the water to boil off, where it will be evacuated by the pump.

[Jay2TheRescue]

You shouldn't find a car in a u-pull-it yard with Freon still in it. I'm sure they're probably required to remove the Freon before they put it in the yard. Its too dangerous to have people just hacking parts out of the cars with charged refrigerant lines.

[GasSavers_BEEF]

at this point, I have too many projects on my plate for anything else.

thanks for the advice from the pull-a-part. I have been there several times. a buddy of mine lives less than 5 minutes from there. still a good 45 minute drive for me. that is where my bumper came from when I redid it. I actually had more time back then.

[kamesama980]

You don't want to know how they evacuate AC systems at a lot of yards then.

[Ford Man]

Originally Posted by BEEF

took it 13 years to get to 200,000.

at that rate, it would have to be 32.5 years old...or the middle of 2030 (or something like that)

I can't touch ford man. I just enjoy my small victories.

If you keep the oil changed and repairs made you can compete with me especially if you can do most of your own repairs. My first goal on the '88 Escort Pony was 250K miles and as you know now it's over 509K and the new goal is 600K.

You can buy a vaccum pump at Harbor Freight that you can hook up to any air compressor to pull vacuum on the a/c system for about $10-$15. I have one and just used it for the first time about a week ago and it worked fine.

[GasSavers_BEEF]

ford man,

my most mileage before this car was on a geo metro that was around 116k so for me, this really is an accomplishment. I do plan to keep it for a while.

I was planning the replacement to this car a while back and decided to replace my wifes vehicle (in a way) instead. we bought a van and now have 3 vehicles. the idea is that if my car ever really bites it, I will get my wife's element and the van will be her sole vehicle. the good thing is that if my car goes out of comission for a week or so, I can leave it sitting until I can get parts so the van is actually going to make my car last that much longer.

I gave up on goals for this car. when I first got it, my goal was 130k (if I remember right) and I was going to save up for a car that would actually last me. I was thinking a honda or the likes. every goal that I have set for myself, I have surpassed. most of what needed to be done to this car, I have done myself (sometimes with help from a friend).

you have accomplished an astounding feat by anyones standards. the only place I can think of where half a million miles is common is maybe transfer trucks or commercial air planes. it has been done before but not by many.

[occupant]

Cost per mile is what I go by. Let's take my current fleet:

2000 Dodge Durango

purchase price $1700 (with bad engine)
engine replacement $1100 (with used engine, part and labor)
sales tax, title fee, 2 years' worth inspection and registration $268.35
radiator (twice), water pump, AC service (repairs since 2/09) $453.32
full coverage insurance at $85.12/month for 18 months so far $1532.16
miles driven 172468 to 201350 = 28882 miles
estimated fuel used in that time $4070.09 (that is for 1565.42 gallons at avg 2.60/gal)

Total costs so far $9123.92
Total cost per mile: 31.59 cents per mile

1976 Ford Gran Torino

purchase price including shipping from OKC to here $675
sales tax, title fee, 2 years' worth inspection and 1 years' worth registration (due this month) $156.30
brake parts and MC replacement, parts car for drums and other bits, sales of parts car and parts off it, net credit -$186.00
taillight, bumper, filler panels from accident damage $160.00
AM-FM radio, package shelf, other items bought from eBay/junkyards $115.00
liability insurance at $18.08 a month for 17 months on road so far $307.36
miles driven 87500 to 91430 = 3930 miles
estimated fuel used in that time $729.85 (that is for 280.71 gallons at avg $2.60/gal)
estimated oil used in that time $132.72 (that is for 56 quarts at avg $2.37/qt)

Total costs so far $2090.23
Total cost per mile: 53.18 cents per mile

I do not have specs for the 1990 Cutlass Ciera, in fact, I won't even OWN it for another 3 hours today. The car is costing me $247.50 plus tax/title/tag transfer, inspection is already good to next April, and it is rated 18/25 EPA (although it was originally 20/27 on the sticker) so I expect to get 22mpg or so in mixed driving.

[theholycow]

occupant, cost per mile is a great way to look at it, but for it to be useful you have to compare approximately the same quantity of miles (if you're including capital costs). How much did the Dodge cost per mile after 3930 miles?

Depending on how you operate, you may also want to include resale value in your calculations.

[GasSavers_BEEF]

I've had my car for 6+ years and put over 105,000 of those miles on it with an average somewhere around 30ish (I am guessing)

the purchase price was $2k and there was licinsing fees and what not. the repairs have been pretty minimum with the exception of new fuel injectors at $500 but still isn't that bad. without really crunching any numbers, I think I am doing pretty good.



I will admit, my other two vehicles, not so good (honda element, bought new and the van was expensive....it's a van)

[Jay2TheRescue]

My Buick has been pretty low cost over the years. Aside from registration & insurance (which is pretty cheap) here's my major expenses over the past 20 years:

Purchase price: Free

1994 New engine: $1,800
1996 New transmission: $700
1998 New carburetor: $1500 (paid for by insurance company after I was rear ended and the carb was screwed up)
2005 new tires, complete new brake system: $800

That's $3,300 in out of pocket expenses over 20 years, or $165/yr.