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Topic: Quarter Million Miles

in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion


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Quarter Million Miles (1/8)
 6/14/08 11:34pm
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

Well, I wasn't sure if I was going to get here, but I made it and have now surpassed it!  The other day, I was able to look down to the dashboard of my truck and see this!!
 
 
This is on my 1997 Full Size Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.9L and auto transmission (not 4 wheel drive).  In September, I will have owned the truck for 10 years.  It had 52,752 miles on it when I drove it off the lot.  I figure with my averages, it will just about be at the anniversary date when I get to 200,000 miles past that, making an average of 20,000 miles per year - and that average has been pretty consistent.  I see no problem getting there.
 
I'm sure I'm jinxing myself when I say that in that time, I have only had to make the following repairs:
 
Replace the Water Pump (and the timing belt at the time just because)
Replace the Radiator
Throttle Body rebuilt
Replace the battery twice
 
If some of you recall, I made a post about the battery when it needed the second replacement.  The first replacement happened about 6 months after I got the truck and the dealership replaced it free of charge.  That free battery didn't even last a full nine years (it was about 3 months shy of that).  I've also only had to put on two sets of tires in that whole time.
 
Now, the cruise control hasn't worked in a few years, and I run on either 255 or 355 air conditioning depending on whether or not I open the back sliding window, but I still love my truck!!  I change the oil fairly regularly (I love that I don't have to jack it up - I just slide in underneath).
 
The truck has seen the Atlantic and the Pacific since I've owned it.  I've driven it in Florida, California, South Dakota, Texas, and all points in between.  It's made it on many a family vacation and nary a "are we there yet" was heard.  It's been to Las Vegas and travelled Hollywood Boulevard.   I even drove it in Downtown New York City where I made like a native and cut off a cab!!  If you ever get a chance to drive a full-size pickup truck in Manhattan, I suggest you pass on the opportunity - especially if you plan on parking.
 
Even at an avergae of $2.00 a gallon (I figure that's honestly about right over the last ten years), I've now paid more in gas for the truck than it cost me to buy (even including financing), but it's been worth it.
 
My original deal with my wife was that when the truck reached 200,000 miles, I had earned a Corvette, but she never went for that deal (although she did give in about the same time).  I guess now I'll have to start working on convincing her that when I get the truck to 300,000, it'll be time for me to get my second Corvette!
 
But I'll still LOVE MY TRUCK!!
 
Here's a couple of shots of the tight fit in the garage.  The truck only gets in the garage anymore to change the oil.  The Vette took it's old spot.  Need a bigger garage!!
 
 
 


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I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!


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Quarter Million Miles (2/8)
 6/14/08 11:42pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126


I figure my Mercedes has well over 200 now...odo stopped working several(7-8?) years ago... it still shows 160,000. Takes a lickin...

Congrats on getting a good one, Marshall. Keep takin care of it!

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Quarter Million Miles (3/8)
 6/15/08 12:07am
jgoglickLifetime Member
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Huntsville, AL - USA

Vette(s):
1971 convertible,375 HP 350ci,Muncie 4-speed,Edelbrock aluminum heads and RPM air-gap manifold,HEI distrubiter - old school mechanical tach drive. LOUD side exhaust!


Joined: 11/15/2003
Posts: 855

That truck is paying you back every time you drive it. I'm a huge fan of keeping cars for a long time - glad to see you hit the 250K mark! Thumbs%20Up
Quarter Million Miles (4/8)
 6/15/08 8:47am
Jeffm
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.


Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

Did you figure out how many trips around the world that would be?
Most people can't even wait till they pay off the new one they got and they want another.
Even if a repair cost 2-3 times the average car payment of today, you are still way ahead of the game.
Quarter Million Miles (5/8)
 6/15/08 10:19am
ranger3Lifetime Member
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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top


Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

That would be 10.03 times around the equator.


Scott
Quarter Million Miles (6/8)
 6/16/08 10:42am
71Shark
Former Member

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Edmond, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1971 Brands Hatch Green L48 Coupe Automatic Driver - restored 1995


Joined: 7/13/2006
Posts: 400

Took my 96 Blazer to 250k and my 97 Blazer rolled over 232K on Saturday.  It has a new Joel Adams tranny and that is about all except for a battery or two and an alternator.
Quarter Million Miles (7/8)
 6/16/08 10:05pm
kstyerLifetime Member
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!


Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

My old Nissan Sentra went to 256,000 miles.  Then died a peacefull death.  It was given to me as scrap with 138,000.   I did a few things, spent a TOTAL of $1400.  to drive it to that point.   I sort of miss the little thing.
Quarter Million Miles (8/8)
 6/17/08 9:00am
steves74Lifetime Member
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Klamath Falls, OR - USA

Vette(s):
74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.


Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1059

Congrats Marshall....way to go.Thumbs%20Up

Talking about mileage, whats the highest mileage anyone has heard about on a C3 with the original engine?

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Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split  bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
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