Maybe as the years have passed, my memory of the life of a car has changed however it was not uncommon to have a car that lived well into its 300 000+kms, before any major mechanical issues arose. In those days cars rusted out before they wore out.
Before buying this vehicle I did my research and spent a fair bit of money. Currently my newish car which now has 120 000kms has and has had issues I wouldn't expect. I dont thrash my car and service it as expected however the issues that are occuring I am being told are "common" with this car.
Having had a gutfull of this "built to last" vehicle I am sad to take the necessary actions and to sell it. The car - current model Hilux Dual Cab Diesel 4WD. Bought it as it suited my lifestyle with the tray at back and the 4WD. Could be a Friday built vehicle, however when chatting to a number of mechanics the issues seem to extremely common with this extremely common and overpriced vehicle with very expensive parts. While at the mechanic he said he just repaired his as the injectors were stuffed and his had only done 60 000km's. While there another person rang him to ask about his issues with the vehicle.
I was seriously hoping to have this vehicle for a long time, till it was seriously outdated. Even Jeremy and James rated this vehicle seriously tough. What a load of **. May be tough and reliable for the first 80 000km's then the issues arise.
Anyway, is this fairly standard for most vehicles out there or are there any truly decent vehicles that are built to last out there? If so keen to get other peoples views and experiences of their vehicles so I know what to keep away from and what to look for.
FWIW, I've been very happy with my 98 Mitsubishi Mirage. Owned since new, over 250,000 km on the clock. Aside from regular servicing (every 15,000 km) plus tyres, brakes it's had the ball joints replaced once. That's it. Just beginning to burn/leak a little oil as I have to top it up once or twice between services.
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A reasonable assumption in regards to vehicles you mention run for X period and don't fail, however the same size/sort nowadays, give far less reliability and have a very short service life.
What has happened in development is, that there have been leaps forward in engine/powertrain cyclic loads. Fuel systems that develop far more Kw or HP that impacts the vehicles service life all this out of the same size engine through the same size drive line.
To put this into perspective, my 100 series 1HZ engine only develops mid 74 kw range. My fuel burn rate is well above any new diesel engines, but the new engines develop far more kw/HP
I looked at a test Ford Ranger yesterday, 5 cylinder turbo common fuel rail that develops 150+kw.
There is no way that vehicle will make the same k's as my 100 series will, but its flash as with lots of extras, low fuel burn and lots of grunt.
Price we pay for progress I reckon.
Absolutely, getting ridiculous amounts of power from a small engine seems to be the go. Mechanic was saying about 2000psi of pressure is created to enable this power to be generated by the engine. Somethings got to give.
Had a 100 series as well with 4.5 litre engine. Very reliable and had no issues for years. Petrol, unfortunately, was its best friend.
Look out for a good 6 cyl diesel 100 series, they are like A...holes, everyone has one. 
Mine has just clocked 220,000 k's. No issues other than fuel system repairs at 180,000
not the V8, as there is some history there re oil usage/fule burn ratio.
At one stage in my life I owned a new honda Accord. It was a seriously good vehicle and saw more years of use through my ex than myself. That said it cost a motsa and looking back I regret the cash I squandered on something which was basically a wank.
I have since gone for long periods without a vehcle, ( I live 2 minutes from the beach), but am now the proud owner of a Ford, yes I swore I would never buy another Ford or a Holden, courier ute, 1994, Tray back for the grand total of $500. I have done quite a lot of work, replaced a door and panel for $175 and given it a touch up to kill the rust. Oh and I removed the radio!
I am in love with this vehcle. I understand it and it understands me. I check the fluids and never go over 150k'sph. It does not lock but is very unlikely to get nicked and if it does it owes me nothing. I would back it to go around the country.
Yup, I love my ute
I'm not really a car person. I just like them to run and not cost too much.
About 5 years ago I lashed out after having numerous **** cars and bought myself a 2001 BMW 530i It's still a beautiful car. I was about to sell it last year and buy something else and spent $5K on it getting all the dents out a respray and some minor electronic things. When I got it back I couldn't part with it.
The **** cars I've had are:
Toyota Celica
Ford Cortina
Ford Capri
Ford XD
Mercedes 230e
I'll let the evidence do the talking
200,000 miles, yes miles folks, and running as sweet as the day she drove out of the factory.
Need I say more
stuff these days is not ment to last. If everything that was produced today was to the highest quality we would be able to own one car,tv,power tool, computer etc the economy would die in an instant. Everything that is made these days is manufactured to die sooner or later. i have worked in factorys where old machinery is used like metal lathes and other equipment that is from the world wars and it still works more reliably and more accurate then the new gear does.
Consumerism is a wonderful thing :)
What d'ya mean ??
Oh the smoke ?
No, that was just a small issue with a 'cheech special' we had going at the time. Long story, and I don't remember much of it for some reason. Wow, look at the colour of the flowers man.... why can't horses talk ?
95 subaru liberty .. just this arvo i had a bit of a rally in the bush bottomed out so many times even pushed over a couple of small trees(bushes)...345,000 kms.. bullet proof
I have had a great run with cars over the last 11 years......I had a BJ42 that had 320K on the clock of the 3B when some drunk goose t-boned it and it was written off. I then needed a replacement car so started to use my old girlfriends 1990 Mazada 121 which I finally sold last year with a slipping clutch for $600 (paid $1,000 for it 5 yrs earlier) with that magic number of 320k on the clock - I did 75K in it for 2 sets of tyres, brake pads, 3 oil changes and some windscreen wipers! It was unreal - it was also very economical. I then brought a Charade which I have done 30K in for a front seal (did timing belt why I had the front end off), brakes pads and some tyres (plus a new wooden seat cover this week). Its upto 220K now and still never misses a beat. Awesome little car - powers up and down the F3 3 times a week no drama!
When I first moved to Aust in 2000 I brought a 1990 Pathfinder for $14K - sold it 3 yrs later for $12k......then 3.5 yrs ago when my girlfriend moved over we brought it back for $2,500 with only 35k more on the clock!! Lucky break. We still have it 70k later - its upto 235K now and still purring along nicely - needed a decent tune, tyres, several oil changes, brake pads and about 40 hrs of my weekends cutting out rust. Over than that it has hardly missed a beat.
Fingers crossed things continue along this way for a bit longer.........I would love to drive a nicer machine but find it hard to justify spending money on a car when there are other priorities.
02 Nissan X-Trail - Been amazingly perfect, spacious and always run well! ( Although that's due to a service from my great mechanic)
Husband says anything Jap import because they make them well with high standards . i.e Even Suzuki Swift old school (95) are good, with small engine and good fuel
- Been amazingly perfect, spacious and always run well! ( Although that's due to a service from my great mechanic). i.e Even Suzuki Swift old school (95) are good, with small engine and good fuel
Would recommend
Mazda2, 3 and 6 (be mindful the 3 can cost 3k to fix the air con when the compressor dies)
Toyota Corolla, Camry and Cruiser but only up to the 1HZ motor
Nissan Pulsar, and Patrol but not the 2.8 or 3.0 TD
Subaru (Brumby all the way 
) Liberty, Forrestor and Outback.
Mercedes, only if you don't care how much it costs to fix it.
Holden Commodore up to VZ
Valiant, especially the E49 Charger
Would not recommend
Holden Astra (god they keep me busy!!!) Zafira, Vectra and Barina
Ford Focus, Falcon (any model from and including BA) Fiesta
Mercedes (if your worried about how much it will cost to fix it) especially anything with a 5cyl
Saab.... any of them
Volvo, as above
Landrover (Sorry Landrover lovers but my guys dive under the benches when one of these comes through the door)
Jeep, coz it stands for just empty every pocket.
- Been amazingly perfect, spacious and always run well! ( Although that's due to a service from my great mechanic). i.e Even Suzuki Swift old school (95) are good, with small engine and good fuel
Going swimmingly thanks; works not-tooooooo-bad, have a house to keep me busy now That's my favourite part; renovating.
Select to expand quoteTed the Kiwi said...
(plus a new wooden seat cover this week)
That could be a bit hard on the backside
to avoid- camira (aka the camiran fix it), diesel gemini, ford falcons from XD onwards, any model lada, mitsubishi anything
recommend- subarus, datsun 120Y 200B, early hiluxes, early landcruisers
Some of the best cars I have owned:
1. 1992 Suzuki Sierra (unstoppable)
2. 1990 Mitsubishi Magna (boring but so reliable)
3. HJ 47 Troopie wagon. best offroad vehicle i have ever owned bar none.
4. Current owner of 2006 Pajero wagon. so far so good.
worst car:
1. Landrover Discovery Series 2. bought for $37,000 in 2005 with 70 000km and sold in 2010 with 140 000 km for $8,500.
My mechanic was very sad when I sold that car. He never did get to put in the swimming pool
I'd be pretty happy with any Toyota diesel with an 'H' in the engine designation. Or a Nissan with a 4.2. Unfortunately I'm at the top of the 'H' tree right now so I don't know where to go from here.
In cars I like Toyota and Honda.
