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OT mechanics: Vehicle reliability - Mileage vs Age
Posted on 11/15/23 at 7:58 am
Posted on 11/15/23 at 7:58 am
Some baws and me were having a discussion in the man cave last night. What is more important, reliable, or reference for wear/tear….the age of a vehicle or the mileage. My take was age.
Example…a 12 year old truck with 80,000 miles vs a 6 year old truck with 140,000 miles. What’s the better buy?
Go!
Example…a 12 year old truck with 80,000 miles vs a 6 year old truck with 140,000 miles. What’s the better buy?
Go!
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 8:02 am
14
Posted on 11/15/23 at 7:58 am to BabyTac
Is it a Toyota or a Land Rover?
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 8:04 am
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:00 am to CrownTownHalo
I would assume mileage, since that’s where the most wear comes from in.
Interesting topic though, not a mechanic and would like to know as well.
Interesting topic though, not a mechanic and would like to know as well.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:01 am to CrownTownHalo
We all know Tundras with 200,000 miles are more reliable than Ford/Chevy/Dodge with 50,000. That’s not a discussion.
Overall mileage vs age, same model and make. What is the better judge of future reliability.
Overall mileage vs age, same model and make. What is the better judge of future reliability.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:01 am to BabyTac
Need more info. Is the 12/80,000 local mileage, whereas the 7/140,000 is highway?
Brand is still relevant. A Toyota engine with 140,000 still has plenty of miles on it vs one that has 80,000. I wouldn’t say that for other brands. On the other hand, technology differences on a 7 vs 12 year old Toyota is probably much less than a 7 and 12 year old GM.
Brand is still relevant. A Toyota engine with 140,000 still has plenty of miles on it vs one that has 80,000. I wouldn’t say that for other brands. On the other hand, technology differences on a 7 vs 12 year old Toyota is probably much less than a 7 and 12 year old GM.
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 8:07 am
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:01 am to CrownTownHalo
Actually at those mileages, get the Toyota unless the LR is stupid cheap.
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 8:03 am
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:02 am to BabyTac
Interesting question. My car is 11 years old with 97,000. I cannot think of a good reason to get rid of it tbh. I'm the only owner and take outstanding care of it.
I see no reason I can't keep it running for another 5-6 years at least.
I hate cars and only have one because we have trash public transportation in the US.
I see no reason I can't keep it running for another 5-6 years at least.
I hate cars and only have one because we have trash public transportation in the US.
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 8:06 am
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:02 am to BabyTac
as already mentioned it depends on the make and even the model but you are asking for generalities. In general, I would take the newer higher mileage vehicle but there is obviously a break-over point for somewhere.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:03 am to jclem11
quote:
see no reason I can't keep it running for another 5-6 years at least
You can keep it running for 30 more years. Basically the only thing that is insurmountable is rust. If it doesn't rust, you can change parts in perpetuity for far less than the down payment on a new one.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:05 am to BabyTac
quote:
What is more important, reliable, or reference for wear/tear….the age of a vehicle or the mileage.
#1 Reliable, otherwise I'm not buying it.
(In other words, I'll pay more for a Tacoma vs, any Chevy, Ford, Dodge equivalent.)
and mileage over age.
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 8:08 am
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:06 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
You can keep it running for 30 more years. Basically the only thing that is insurmountable is rust. If it doesn't rust, you can change parts in perpetuity for far less than the down payment on a new one.
My man! Love to hear that!
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:11 am to BabyTac
In my experience it’s all about the types of mileage. I had a truck in our department we used to run parts all over the region. With basic maintenance we got 280k miles out of it before someone T bones the truck in an intersection.
I had a 10 year ild Sierra that I towed a trailer cross country at 120k miles. That was the begin of the end as the transmission started acting up at 140k miles. Also, after 10 years random shite kept breaking like the door handles and the lock on the tailgate.
I had a 10 year ild Sierra that I towed a trailer cross country at 120k miles. That was the begin of the end as the transmission started acting up at 140k miles. Also, after 10 years random shite kept breaking like the door handles and the lock on the tailgate.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:11 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
At some point you’ll get to a place of random sensor failure. As long as you are Ok replacing the little stuff you can keep a vehicle on the road forever.
For me, the issues are a mixed bag. With high mileage, you’ll run into “hard” mechanical issues such as tie rod ends and so on. With age you get into sensor failures.
Both are easy to overcome if you are pretty handy. My wife had a 04 trailblazer she absolutely loved. I offered to buy her a new car, she said she didn’t want one. So I “zero houred” her trailblazer. I changed out everything I thought may need repair for the next 100k miles. I put in leather seats, new carpet, etc. It was like brand new. I think my total cost was like 3500 dollars. She drove it another 125k miles.
I sold it to my BIL for my niece to drive. She wrecked it.
For me, the issues are a mixed bag. With high mileage, you’ll run into “hard” mechanical issues such as tie rod ends and so on. With age you get into sensor failures.
Both are easy to overcome if you are pretty handy. My wife had a 04 trailblazer she absolutely loved. I offered to buy her a new car, she said she didn’t want one. So I “zero houred” her trailblazer. I changed out everything I thought may need repair for the next 100k miles. I put in leather seats, new carpet, etc. It was like brand new. I think my total cost was like 3500 dollars. She drove it another 125k miles.
I sold it to my BIL for my niece to drive. She wrecked it.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:13 am to jclem11
Some can't understand that we can't have antiques without people like you and me. 
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:16 am to BabyTac
quote:
We all know Tundras with 200,000 miles are more reliable than Ford/Chevy/Dodge with 50,000. That’s not a discussion.
Then why do you see more older Chevys on the road than Toyotas?
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:18 am to BabyTac
im not a mechanic but a chemical eng. I think there is a driving failure mechanism for age and for mileage.
For age, it's corrosion, swelling of soft goods (gaskets and o-rings) in oil or gas services, degradation of components, oxidation of electrical terminals, and things like that. I would expect that these are very slow and easily repairable. Storage conditions would play a role.
For mileage, it's the number of times each component has been actuated or stressed, thermal cycling, and accelerated corrosion or degradation due to more time at high heat. Moving parts are designed with a finite number of movements. I think this is the primary driver of reliability.
Anyway, thats my 2 cents.
For age, it's corrosion, swelling of soft goods (gaskets and o-rings) in oil or gas services, degradation of components, oxidation of electrical terminals, and things like that. I would expect that these are very slow and easily repairable. Storage conditions would play a role.
For mileage, it's the number of times each component has been actuated or stressed, thermal cycling, and accelerated corrosion or degradation due to more time at high heat. Moving parts are designed with a finite number of movements. I think this is the primary driver of reliability.
Anyway, thats my 2 cents.
This post was edited on 11/15/23 at 8:44 am
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:20 am to BabyTac
Age effects rubber and plastic components. Rubber gets hard and starts to crack. PLastic gets brittle and breaks.
Doesn't matter what brand as a vehicle ages you need to start replacing plastic and rubber bits as the vehicle gets older. Good example is the plastic hose T's that get brittle and fail on older Toyotas. $11 part that takes 15 minutes to change. But can kill the whole motor if it goes and you don't notice. But those parts tend to be cheaper and easier to replace and usually a DIY sort of job.
Mileage equates to mechanical wear. Lubrication, heat, speed, and load all effect mechanical wear and can't really be judge by mileage itself.
Doesn't matter what brand as a vehicle ages you need to start replacing plastic and rubber bits as the vehicle gets older. Good example is the plastic hose T's that get brittle and fail on older Toyotas. $11 part that takes 15 minutes to change. But can kill the whole motor if it goes and you don't notice. But those parts tend to be cheaper and easier to replace and usually a DIY sort of job.
Mileage equates to mechanical wear. Lubrication, heat, speed, and load all effect mechanical wear and can't really be judge by mileage itself.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:23 am to The Goon
quote:
In my experience it’s all about the types of mileage.
I saw a documentary about a Chinese company working in Africa. The Chinaman manager said their trucks lasted 10-12 years in China. With the Africans using their trucks and doing maintenance, the same truck lasted 5-6 years. The Chinaman was not impressed with the Africans.
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:23 am to BabyTac
Depends on the manufacturer comparison. Is one a Toyota and one a Ford? Both Chevrolet? Dodge and any other manufacturer?
Posted on 11/15/23 at 8:28 am to Hangover Haven
quote:
Then why do you see more older Chevys on the road than Toyotas?
Because way more Chevys are sold than Toyotas, and Chevys will last longer than ford's or dodges.
I drive a 20 year old yukon with less than 100k. It was parked for several years. With lower mileage vehicles, you've got to watch out for different problems. I had to replace everything in my fuel system from the tank to the nozzle. Still worth it because these trucks were bulletproof.
Now, if someone offered me a tundra from the same year with twice the mileage I'd trade my yukon for it straight up.
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