Life begins at 100,000 miles, right?

A few years ago, I got a great deal on an SUV. I tend to buy and hold when it comes to family cars. I’ve taken good care of my car, but it’s approaching 100,000 miles. I worry about it. Will it make another 100,000 miles?

Here’s how it plays out in my head. The car will start to nickel and dime me with problems. And then one day, I’ll be out somewhere and it will leave me stranded along the side of the road. I’ll be running late of course. I can see it plainly as I see the foot of snow out my window.

But still the optimist in me wonders. In this day and age isn’t everything younger? Isn’t 50 the new 40? And 40 the new 30?

Middle-aged folks today are as vibrant, healthy, and active as people in their 30s were in previous decades. We have improved health and longevity, we’re more youthful, and we have increased confidence and self-assuredness, right? Doesn’t it work the same way for cars and SUVs?

Bring on the automobile industry’s version of Botox and anti-aging cream!

. . . . . . . . . . . .

“Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.” –Robert Browning

“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” –Franz Kafka

“You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair.” –Samuel Ullman

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Living longer

If everything lasts longer and has a longer lifespan, it gets me thinking about possible impacts for my car. In fact, it raises a simple question. What steps should I be taking to help my car last longer?

When I researched it, I got lots of great ideas, everything from regular oil changes to replacing filters and spark plugs to ensure optimal performance. The research said to perform good battery maintenance and tire rotation. Yea, yea, I get all that, but I’m thinking bigger picture.

Maybe I should give it a Green Smoothie Cleanse? Or a Colon Cleanse? Maybe I should sign it up for a colonoscopy? Or a Couch to 5k Running Program or a 90-day Ultimate Workout – Bootcamp Program to get my SUV back into tip-top running shape!

Those are all good ideas, right? They would mean a cleaner engine and better gas mileage? How could that be bad? The next time I gun my engine, I might break a land speed record. I could go from zero to sixty in no time.

No Check Engine Lights

I didn’t have time this week to take my car to the garage. Okay, let me be real. I didn’t have the guts to call my garage and ask for their version of a Juice Cleanse. Can you imagine the look I would get on the other end of the phone? “What did you just ask for sir?” However, I did take it to the car wash to clean off the salt and muck from the winter. I also vacuumed out the inside.

That’s like going to the spa, right? I hope so. I’m counting on my car lasting another five to seven years. Let’s hope so anyway!

Am I crazy? Should I take my car to the car version of the mythical Fountain of Youth? Who’s with me?

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52 thoughts on “Life begins at 100,000 miles, right?”

  2. Really interesting – I heard recently that the average age of a car in the US is now over 12 years old – a LOT of cars running for a long long time! I have a Prius, an incredible reliable car…and my wife has a Tesla X…due to the pandemic and her show moving to NY, the car is now 7-1/2 years old…and has 21,000 miles on it TOTAL. We expect it to last forever – and all charging is free!~

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    1. The average prices have gone up so much. You have to keep them longer. The average price now for a new car is above $50,000. Remember when $50,000 was considered a luxury car. The average used price for 1-5 year old cars is now in the $30,000s. Wow. Good for you with your Prius and Tesla. 21,000 miles! Practically pristine. Ha, ha. One of the bad things about living in rural/suburbia . . . I put a ton of miles on my car. I probably come close to that in a year. Yes, love that the charging discount. My wife’s next car will be back to a self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid. They’ve really come a long way.

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  3. I’ve had a lot of cars and many funny experiences with most of them, but that’s a whole blog post in itself. I did have one that always showed the check engine light. It scared me at first and when I had it checked out there was nothing wrong with the car. It was the light. Eventually it burned out. I didn’t even notice when it did, but felt a sense of relief when I did finally realize.

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  4. How I love this! This is wonderful. I’m a firm believer in putting in the work on ourselves and the vehicles we drive! A car spa is a good idea. A really good idea – almost Shark Tank like.

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      1. I actually think Robert would be your guy. He is very into the luxury lifestyle promotion. They all are but he is very vocal about it. Love that show. The money just fascinates me!! I actually google and track some of the businesses!

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      2. I haven’t had a chance to watch in awhile but I’m with you. The money, the way they think, and how it comes together or doesn’t come together so quickly fascinates me. Hmm, car spa? We gotta work on this Kiki! Today an idea, tomorrow a million dollar Shark business. Ha ha.

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  5. Our elderly cars (well, one’s a F-150) are aging better than our elderly chassis. My Favorite Guy drives vehicles until they begin to cost too much, or his wife refuses to drive it anymore (door won’t stay latched, keeps slipping out of gear, even water seeping in from below. . . ).

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  9. Oh, your car is getting nothing but the best in your care. I can imagine it can’t wait to do another 100,000 miles with you. Miles to pick up your son at school, miles to beach vacations, miles to meet your wife at a quiet restaurant – it gets to be there for all the important things! ❤

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      1. Yes, and right before I retired I sold Sylvia my silver Subaru, to a man who pulled up in an old Subaru with his high school son, who wanted to buy a car of his own. They were the perfect buyers. I was a perfect seller. He loved working on his own cars, loved Subarus, and would definitely take this one to 300. His son played a sousaphone and drove between his dad and mom’s houses. I had all of the papers for everything and was the original owner. They paid the full asking price that I wanted. I’d been prepared to negotiate and take less. He drove away happy and I walked away happy. I bought Matcha, my used Subaru cross track with 40,000 miles which I’m hoping will serve as my last car which I around town and will use just for infrequent road trips.

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      2. Oh what a perfect pairing! Bet Sylvia is still running strong, especially since they loved working on old cars. Heck with 300, bet it’s flying toward Infinity and Beyond! Ha ha. Love that it was an easy negotiation. We’re always told those things have to be rough. Glad it was a piece of cake. Matcha for the win. 🏆

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      4. You’re kind Beth. That’s why. You want the best for yourself and at the same time you don’t want to screw others. You want fairness, equity. That’s a good thing! Society likes to tell us: “be sure to get yours.” But phooey to the naysayers. Ha ha. Good for you. 🎉

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  13. Ha!! I want to hold on to my Subaru a long time! I’m with you! It’s due for a colon cleanse before I drive it to KC over Valentine’s Day (if my colon cooperates!). Smoothies and cleanses for cars! We’re ALL aging backwards! This was fun! Thank you! 😊

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    1. Oh thank you K.L. And KC over Valentine’s Day sounds like fun. Sending best wishes for your Subaru and you! I’ll let you know how my car reacts to its smoothie. It’s cursing me for running it so hard. Ha ha, but I really am hoping for a long life for it!🤣🤣🤣🚘🚘😎😎

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  16. “Mythical Fountain of Youth?” That’s funny. I’m not sure that 50 is the new 40, but it’s not too bad after all. The feeling of passing the half-century mark is pretty awesome, if you ask me. My 2011 Outback has 142K miles, and I have taken the car to the dealer for service since I bought it new. The services at the dealer are a bit more expensive, but I have found that the car stays in optimal shape and lasts longer that way. I traded my ’99 Ford Mustang for the 2011 Outback, and the dealer was super happy when they tested the Mustang, and they gave me good money for it.

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  18. My first car was a used Dodge Colt. So cute – red with white interior – and perfect for my 22 year old self.
    My parents sent my uncle with me because they knew nothing about cars. But he was a baker, I don’t think he knew anything either.
    It was so clean and cute. But those rat fink owners had the engine cleaned because it leaked oil. And I didn’t know I was supposed to check my oil! One time my boyfriend at the time had to put in 5 quarts of oil.
    I had it for about 2 years until the engine seized from its continual lack of oil.

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  19. I typically drive my car to 180k miles. With Covid and working from home, the life of my car has exponentially been extended. My car’s lifespan usually hits about 10-12 years. This last car hit 18. Sadly to say, I didn’t make 200k miles. I was trying. I thought it was time to replace it before the tariffs hit!

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