In the March 6 column, Dr. Gridlock asked original owners of high-mileage vehicles to weigh in on what their odometer reads and how they have kept the vehicle running so long.
We got responses from all over the metropolitan area, and the local owner with the most reported miles was Lee E. Paige Jr. of Herndon, who said he has a Toyota pickup truck with 445,843 miles on it. Wow!
I've never been able to break 200,000 miles, but a lot of readers have. They reported that they achieved vehicular longevity by changing the oil every 3,000 to 6,000 miles; by meeting regular maintenance schedules; and by attending to little problems before they become big ones. Seems to me that is the best way to own a car. With depreciation lowering the value in the first few years, an older, well-cared-for car -- already paid for -- provides travel at minimum cost. Of course, I'm not hearing from owners of used cars that blew up.
I heard from original owners who had 200,000-plus miles on their Honda, Toyota, Mercedes, Volvo, Saab and BMW vehicles, and also on domestic vehicles, such as Ford, Chevrolet and even Oldsmobile.
Here are reports from some of the owners in our area.
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
You asked for nominations of cars with very high mileage. My mother recently got rid of her beloved 1988 Honda Accord, which she had bought used in 1990 for less than $10,000.
At over 300,000 miles, the Honda blew a valve. A rebuilt motor replaced the original.
With great sadness, my mother observed that the car didn't work so well the next 100,000 miles.
At 400,000 miles, she sold it to a District courier company. So if you're in the city and see a blue-gray Honda Accord hatchback with a badly dented hood (it was the survivor of numerous accidents), treat it with respect! That car was one tough cookie.
Amelie Krikorian
Vienna
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I have a 1995 Ford Escort station wagon. I change the oil all the time, and I have replaced the timing belt once. I've also maintained the brakes, tires, wipers, etc.
It still runs like a race car, although the plastic lens headlights are scratched and not as bright as they used to be. The odometer rolled over 243,000 miles this week. Not bad for a car that I purchased for $9,200.
