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The experience of one over 40 years............. Posted by Herb Hirsch [Email] ![]() ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Will newer cars be too much trouble to keep long term?, Caarma ![]() ![]() |
My first Saab was a 1967 Model 96 3 cylinder 2 stroke. It was love at first snowfall; there simply wasn't anything that came close to that car in the rough. I even proved that if you drive through snow more than 2 feet deep it is possible to get a Saab stuck; nothing a little shoveling coldn't fix though.
Since then, I've owned 25-30 Saab's, covering every model along the way. Reliability and longevity is getting better. Last August I replaced my 2000 9-5 Aero with a new one after 280K miles.
As a former electronics technician I can tell you that electronics keeps getting better. Electronics modules don't have a predictable finite life based upon mileage. The failure of a fuel pump or throttle body unit is due to mechanical wear; Even today, the water pump, shocks and struts, wheel bearings, cabin fans and other electro-mechanical devices will definitely wear out over a few hundred thousand miles, if not sooner. DIYer's and indies can handle these repairs. However, the mechanical components are lasting longer.
In conclusion, I would be more prone than ever to keep a car 200K-300K miles; the economic argument is very strong, particularly if you stay on top of the preventive maintenance.....which might more accurately be called fluid maintenance. Replacement/maintenance of engine, transmission, power steering, cooling and brake system, tire pressure and battery FLUIDS is the cheap way of avoiding costly repairs and prolonging mechanical component life.
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