What kind of cars lasts the longest? There are so many ways to address the issue. Nearly all of the vehicles are designed to last 100,000 miles. The last 200,000 miles of vehicles are what distinguishes the reliable from the bad. This has become the industry standard benchmark of 200,000 miles to measure the durability of vehicles. That’s because very few have ever made it almost unreachable for 300,000 miles, which is going to be a futile debate. Its 200,000 miles, then, where we draw a line at Direct Express Auto Transport.
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It’s not the cars per se that last the longest, but rather the SUVs and pickup trucks that do it. Isn’t that surprising now? Those vehicles are bigger and heavier, so they’re the ones that last the longest? It makes sense in a way since SUVs and Pickup Trucks are made to take a beating. And that’s exactly what they do. Any of them right up to 200,000 miles and beyond at a higher pace than the top five long-lasting vehicles.
Our mechanics have collected data on reliability and maintenance costs for hundreds of models from years of experience so that you can be more informed about which vehicles can last the test of time. Here are some examples of this:
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Honda Civic
It’s hard to go wrong with a well-built, simple Honda commuter car, and the Civic is exactly that. There are plenty of examples on the road with more than 200,000 miles and one of the reasons for this is maintenance costs. The average annual maintenance bill for a Civic is $224, depending on the service provider. With that kind of savings plus the low cost of petrol, a Civic of almost any age is a smart pick-up for miles.
Toyota Avalon
In a recent study by iSeeCars.com, 2.7 percent of the 12 million cars surveyed with more than 200,000 miles were Avalons. When Toyota, an unofficial king of longevity, builds their flagship sedan, they do so with massive attention to detail that results in virtually trouble-free driving. Given the premium status, however, average costs to maintain Toyota Avalons are $402 per year, with most big-ticket invoices coming in at two or three-year intervals.
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Toyota 4Runner
Toyota drivers love to rack up the mileage, particularly trucks and SUVs. In particular, 4runners are often classified with more than 200,000 miles and an estimated annual maintenance cost of $406. Buying a 4Runner to get past the elusive 200,000 marks isn’t meant to cost you an arm and a leg either, as planned repairs for 150,000 miles are around $327, according to our mechanics.
Ford Expedition
The Expedition is remarkably durable and long-lasting for a big American SUV. Five percent of all vehicles surveyed by iSeeCars.com over 200,000 miles were Expeditions. The estimated annual maintenance cost for Expeditions is $441, with most repairs costing an estimated $172.
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Ford Crown Victoria
It so happens that one of the most unifying vehicles on the road is one of the most popular and longest-lasting – the Ford Crown Victoria. Built-in some way for more than three decades, the Panther Platform on which Crown Vic resides has been used as a fleet vehicle for law enforcement and taxi companies for years, and their drivers love them – particularly cabbies. Although their reliability and durability have been demonstrated across America, Crown Victoria’s maintenance costs are fairly low, making it a great option for large, affordable, and reliable all-American engines.
Ford F-150
Even though the Ford F-150 is the best-selling new vehicle in the U.S. month after month, there are still some seasoned ones on the road racking up a mile. Longevity may depend on the engine and maintenance, but most of the varieties – from 300 cubic inch straight six to 5.4 liter modular V8 – may easily see 200,000 miles of daily maintenance. F-150 repairs are also cheap, with average costs of less than $150.
Toyota Tacoma
Of all the vehicles on American roads constructed after 1981 in 2015, 2,5% with more than 200,000 miles were Toyota Tacomas. Coined ‘invincible’ by the men of Top Gear, Tacoma (Hilux in the U.S.) is a vehicle that appears to keep going no matter what. Here is an example of a 1996 model reaching 600,000 miles on its original engine and transmission.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a timepiece of a vehicle that likes to keep driving, proof of a million miles away from Joe. Joe brought his early 90s Accord to nearly a million miles with basic daily maintenance. If you decided to try your high mileage legs too, you wouldn’t damage your wallet much as the annual maintenance cost of the Honda Accord is approximately $235. Not all Accords are created equal, however, as some of the 2003 and 2004 models are known for transmission failures, so be careful before buying any variety.
Toyota Camry
Built-in the same way as the Accord, the Camry is another bastion of durability and longevity. For a lot of models from different generations and more than 200,000 miles, it’s hard to match Camry’s clock-like reliability. The model years 2012 to 2014.5 are particularly strong, as Toyota has placed a lot of energy into the redesign. Thinking about getting one for yourself, huh? Find out this helpful 2012 Toyota Camry Buyer Guide.
Subaru Legacy
Complete disclaimer, I own the Name right now and have owned three others in the past. From the humble 2.2 liter flat-four found in older base models to the soft yet powerful 3.0-liter flat-six found in later Outback and R sedans, Legacy is a tough-as-nails car with plenty of life expectancy – as long as you pay attention to it. Timing belt replacements for four-cylinder models are important, as are inspections and rapid repairs of all components of the AWD system. Whether you can keep up with daily maintenance, you’re going to have a fantastic all-weather, long-distance vehicle in the Subaru Legacy.