I got my 2000 Volvo V40 wagon new in December of 2000. It now has 93,500 miles on it. I just had the 90,000 service done on it a couple of months ago. I have been pretty good about having it serviced. I don’t change the oil as often as I should but I’ve gotten better about it and plan to be religious about from now on. I make 3 or 4 long trips a year, when I drive to Kentucky to see my family- a 1,000- mile round trip.
I'd really like this car to last another 5 years, during which I expect to put another 90,000 miles on it. Is this realistic of me? Every other car I've had, I've gotten rid of at 1000,000 miles. his car seems to be in good shape- I've had to have very little work other than the routine stuff done to it. This past week I had to have a new temprature regulator and thermostat.
Is there anything in particular I should look for as far as stuff going wrong, wearing out, or breaking? When should I start worrying about the drive to KY?
It seems realistic too me. 180,000 miles should be doable in a Volvo. I would get out your owners manual and make sure that you really are hitting all the servicing landmarks correctly. Other than that, keep that oil changed. Don’t drive it too roughly. Keep it washed to keep away corrosion. Get undercarriage washes during the winter if you live in an area that puts salt on the road. Fix any sign of rust or corrosion before it spreads. Wax it once in a while. Maybe look into a periodic radiator flush if you haven’t been doing that.
My mom just reported that our family’s 1995 Volvo, with about 182,000 miles on it, is in dire need of a new or rebuilt engine. So based on that, I’d say you should be good for precisely five years or thereabouts.
I have 151,000 miles on a 1995 Oldsmobile Delta 88. My car runs AOK. The leather seats need some repair, and some of the weatherstripping on the windows has outstayed its welcome. I got it repainted about six months ago. No reason to think about a new car.
I had a 95 Ford escort station wagon last ~130,000 miles. In that time, I had to replace a timing belt, an alternator, and a clutch. All in all, it was an extremely reliable car.
I finally killed it by running it into the back of some ones pickup :smack:
Pretty much all modern cars no matter which manufacturer will run 200,000 miles if treated well. You may have to do some work, but I don’t think there’s a car being sold today in the US market that you shouldn’t be able to get to 200K.
I’ve owned three Nissan pickups since 1976. The first got traded in with 134,000 miles on it. The second got traded in with 220,000 miles on it. When I bought the new one, the salesman said “I’m never going to see you again, am I?”
I think it’s important not to get in the mode of letting problems go unrepaired just because the car is older, especially if you plan to keep it. I had my car professionally detailed a year ago or so, and psychologically, I felt like I was driving a new car.
If anything is going to kill a 2000 S40 a lack of oil changes will be it. Trust me when I tell you this, you can buy a shitload of oil changes for what 1 engine costs.
Other than following the factory maintence schedule, you might consider changing the transmission fluid.
No the trips to Ky won’t hurt, and the car will probably enjoy being taken out and exercised for an extended period of time.
