How long should a modern engine last?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How long should a modern engine last?

Posted: 9/10/2010 2:53:44 PM EDT

So I bought a 99 Sub Outback with 187k miles on the clock. has lots of records with it. still runs pretty good. So i tell a few friends and they tell me I'm crazy to buy a car with so many miles.

so how long would you say a modern engine should last?

Posted: 9/10/2010 2:55:16 PM EDT

[#1]

187002

Posted: 9/10/2010 2:55:44 PM EDT

[#2]

Plenty more than that if it is properly maintained.

Posted: 9/10/2010 2:57:50 PM EDT

[#3]

I diagnosed a blown headgasket on a 92 Accord today. It had 404K on the clock. Probably going to put a gasket on it and check the deck and head for warpage. If the oil has been changed, leaks stopped and not overheated they can outlast the body of the car.

Posted: 9/10/2010 3:13:03 PM EDT

[#4]

In my opinion a well made engine should last 300k with regular synthetic oil changes. It's all the other junk breaking or wearing out, including seals and gaskets, that will nickel and dime you to death. Subaru's are great, though. My brother probably has 150k miles on his WRX, and it has never been in the shop for anything but scheduled maintenance. I would not be shocked if you get another 60k out of yours before it needs some moderately expensive work. If you didn't pay too much for it, what else could you ask for?

Posted: 9/10/2010 3:32:40 PM EDT

[#5]

I bought a '94 Dodge Intrepid 3.5L with about the same number of miles on it 5 or 6 yrs ago. I'm currently sitting at just over 222,000 miles and it still runs like it's going to last forever. Rest of the car is solid too. Best $250 I ever spent.

Posted: 9/10/2010 3:32:57 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
In my opinion a well made engine should last 300k with regular synthetic oil changes. It's all the other junk breaking or wearing out, including seals and gaskets, that will nickel and dime you to death. Subaru's are great, though. My brother probably has 150k miles on his WRX, and it has never been in the shop for anything but scheduled maintenance. I would not be shocked if you get another 60k out of yours before it needs some moderately expensive work. If you didn't pay too much for it, what else could you ask for?

All the gasket and WP and TB have been done. I paid 3500,which in this area,seems to be on the lower end.

Posted: 9/10/2010 3:43:31 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
In my opinion a well made engine should last 300k with regular synthetic oil changes. It's all the other junk breaking or wearing out, including seals and gaskets, that will nickel and dime you to death. Subaru's are great, though. My brother probably has 150k miles on his WRX, and it has never been in the shop for anything but scheduled maintenance. I would not be shocked if you get another 60k out of yours before it needs some moderately expensive work. If you didn't pay too much for it, what else could you ask for?

All the gasket and WP and TB have been done. I paid 3500,which in this area,seems to be on the lower end.

+1 a well made engine should outlast the rest of the automobile.

I have a 4.0 5speed 2wd cherokee the wife drives that has 280k on the odometer that runs just as good as a stock 4.0 can that and uses almost no oil.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:05:10 PM EDT

[#8]

Question of topic, I would expect a modern engine to last a good 300,000 maybe 400,000 if all maintenance is kept 100%.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:17:33 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Question of topic, I would expect a modern engine to last a good 300,000 maybe 400,000 if all maintenance is kept 100%.

Agreed.

Posted: 9/10/2010 9:37:02 PM EDT

[#10]

Properly maintained, they should last a very long time. I'd suspect lots of other peripheral shit will wear out or fall apart before the engine itself 'wears out'.

Posted: 9/10/2010 10:19:56 PM EDT

[#11]

An auto transmission tends to go out before the engine when the engine is well maintained. Hell, even the rotary engine in the RX8 can go 200k so long as the owner takes into account the quirks of a rotary engine.

Posted: 9/11/2010 12:16:23 AM EDT

[#12]

My 98 accord has 232k on it. I replaced the auto trans earlier this year (that body style had a shit trans). Not showing any signs of stopping anytime soon.

Posted: 9/11/2010 5:19:34 AM EDT

[#13]

I'd be more concerned about the trans or suspension as long as the maint has been kept up on everything.

Posted: 9/11/2010 7:14:44 AM EDT

[#14]

have a 96 honda odyssey (ugly ass minivan on an accord chassis) with 230k on the clock.

been driving it since i was 16 (10 years ago), always did the maintenance on schedule. car is awesome. $30/month insurance, 25+ mpg, and no payment! runs great, just ugly.

Posted: 9/11/2010 8:30:17 AM EDT

[#15]

I'd be interested to know how the car runs, the fuel economy compared to stated "new", and the compression.
Other than that, if it runs good, it is little other stuff that will wear out over time.
Given the right price, you can still get a nice deal and have a little cash to run through the "replacement" parts.

Posted: 9/11/2010 8:37:08 AM EDT

[#16]

From what I've seen (I change oil for a living), longevity depends mostly on 2 things, regular oil changes and how it is driven.
Highway miles put zero wear on an engine, cold starts put a lot of wear on it. For example I have 2 customers with long commutes one drives 70 mi each way the other 130mi. The first has 230000 on a ford focus the other 350000 on a chev impala. Neither uses any oil between changes. Take care of your subi and it should run a long time.

Posted: 9/11/2010 7:27:23 PM EDT

[#17]

My 94 Mazda B3000 ( FORD Ranger) has 380,000 on it right now and she pounds pavement everyday!!!!! I have replaced starters and alternators and had to put a new clutch and rear main seal in it but thats it....She burns no oil.....I change the oil every 10,000 miles as I have never bought into the ole 3,000 mile marketing shit.....

Posted: 9/11/2010 9:22:40 PM EDT

[#18]

I've got 188,000 on my 04 VW TDI. I think it's just getting broke in.

Posted: 9/12/2010 6:22:52 AM EDT

[#19]

I put 217k on my 2000 Silverado... My dad bought it, and is now driving it every day. Runs great.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How long should a modern engine last?

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