A new study from ISeeCars.com shows the top 12 cars most likely to reach 200,000 miles.
Just several years ago, a car or pickup truck nurtured by its owner to run for 200,000 miles or more was an exceptional case. Now there are thousands of cars on the road that top that mileage milestone with some of them even up for resale, according to a new study.
"I thought it is pretty interesting because I drive a Toyota Tacoma, and I feel like I got plenty of mileage left on mine," said Fayetteville driver Hunter Rogers.
To measure longevity, automotive web site iSeeCars.com -- which aggregates used car listings -- analyzed data to see what specific vehicles for sale had the highest percentage of listings with 200,000 or more miles on the odometer. Topping the list was the Ford F-250 Super Duty with 4.2 percent. That represents about 4,000 pickup trucks out of some 95,000 of that model for sale, according to Phong Ly, co-founder and CEO of iSeeCars.
"I'm hoping my truck will be one of those that keeps on going after 200,000 miles," Rogers said.
In fact, the top 10 rankings are all large pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, including second-place Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
"Clearly some of these vehicles are used for work and they are driven more miles but also perhaps get better maintenance," Ly told CBS MoneyWatch.
Overall, pickup trucks are driven longer, with the average listing for all models showing 90,000 miles, compared to 75,000 for the average car listing.
"I think it is great that cars go over 200,000 miles now," said Fayetteville driver Cole Lechtenberger. "I think with an increase in gas prices and the high price of new vehicles. If you have a car and you invest time and money into it, I think it will last a long time."
Among passenger cars, Honda Accord was at the top, with 1.6 percent of listings showing over 200,000 miles. But that percentage is relatively low, partly because there are so many Accords on the market. Of the 377,000 Accords for sale, about 6,000 have more than 200,000 miles.
Others among the top 10 (when trucks and SUVS were excluded) included, in order, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Avalon, Honda Odyssey minivan, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus, Honda Civic, Acura TL and Subaru Outback. While Ford and Chevrolet topped the list of long-running trucks, the Ford Taurus is the only model on the car list from a Detroit-based brand.
Increases in manufacturing quality in the last decade have contributed to more vehicles lasting for 200,000 miles or more.
"Car makers are making better vehicles, and that is a factor in the increasing longevity," said Phong Ly.
That has resulted in a market even for well-used vehicles. For instance, a 2003 Ford F-150 with 228,000 miles has an asking price of $4,900. A 2001 Honda Accord sporting 250,000 miles is on sale for $3,000. Those prices are 10 to 15 percent of list price for a well-equipped new 2014 version of the same model.
"Cars are expensive these days, so it’s good to have a car that will last," Rogers told 5NEWS.
The vehicles and the percentage of them showing at least 200,000 miles
1. Ford F-250 Super Duty, 4.3%
2. Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, 3.6%
3. Chevrolet Suburban, 3.6%
4. Toyota 4Runner, 3.5%
5. Ford Expedition, 3%
6. GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2.7%
7. Chevrolet Tahoe, 2.1%
8. GMC Yukon XL, 1.9%
9. Toyota Sequoia. 1.7%
10. GMC Sierra 1500, 1.6%
11. GMC Yukon, 1.6%
12. Honda Accord, 1.6%
Your car, SUV or pickup may never hit 200,000 miles. But if you want to keep it running as long as possible -- certainly past 100,000 miles -- here are some tips from car care experts:
- Follow the prescribed maintenance schedule. This may seem obvious, but busy car owners may overlook the prescribed intervals for oil changes and other maintenance.
- Find a good mechanic. An independent shop will save you money vs. a dealership, especially once your new-car warranty has expired. Click here to see if there is a AAA-certified mechanic in your area.
- Get in some highway driving. Short trips of stop-and-go driving are hard on a car. If you habitually make only a short commute or brief trip for errands, take the car out and drive at highway speeds every few weeks.
Every year that you can keep your car, pickup or SUV running well is a year you are not making payments on its replacement.