top 10 cars that seem to last forever

[Duhockey]

Please RE-READ the article again. I think that you're just making an argument out of your own MIS-intepretation of the article. Yeah, i think that not only did you miss the boat, but you miss the freaking dock!

"10 Used Cars That Seem to Last Forever"

We're talking used cars here...not some old car back in the 1960s. This is for car shoppers who is in the market for a used car. These vehicles can be found on a typical used car lot. This is not about an antique car show. Here is a quote from the article to give you a better perspective:

"With the economy in the tank and more folks looking for these used diamonds in the rough, we compiled the following list of 'forever cars' from research, reviews from places like Edmunds and Consumer Reports, fun little anecdotes, and even our own personal experience. It's far from scientific, but neither is picking a used car. In fact it's still relatively a crap shoot, and no model carries an absolute guarantee of everlasting life, but here's a few that seem to beat the odds more than others."

Wow, I never thought I would hear me type these words, but Thai is right! 20 years is exactly the time range this article is about, cars you could go buy now.

LOL

the Lexus was around before the 3rd gen 4runners and that is what I think solidifies the 4runner on that list, I honestly dont know if the 4runner gets on that list if the 3rd gens dont get made.

 

[CookieRoe]

Please RE-READ the article again. I think that you're just making an argument out of your own MIS-intepretation of the article. Yeah, i think that not only did you miss the boat, but you miss the freaking dock!

"10 Used Cars That Seem to Last Forever"

We're talking used cars here...not some old car back in the 1960s. This is for car shoppers who is in the market for a used car. These vehicles can be found on a typical used car lot. This is not about an antique car show. Here is a quote from the article to give you a better perspective:

"With the economy in the tank and more folks looking for these used diamonds in the rough, we compiled the following list of 'forever cars' from research, reviews from places like Edmunds and Consumer Reports, fun little anecdotes, and even our own personal experience. It's far from scientific, but neither is picking a used car. In fact it's still relatively a crap shoot, and no model carries an absolute guarantee of everlasting life, but here's a few that seem to beat the odds more than others."

:thanks: Trying to get through someone who is blinded by whatever is like getting water from a rock.

My theory: The point of a forum is to discuss, share ideas/opinions. If someone disputes an opinion, then they kindly discuss and not verbally carry on like a 14 year whiner. If you don't like what i post, then ignore it.... pure and simple........... What I have stated thus far in the thread is difficult to dispute, yet "SOME" posters think they know it all, try to smear you and look like a million bucks....... uhhhh whatever........... to each his own.

 

[Thai]

Wow, I never thought I would hear me type these words, but Thai is right!

First, i got JohnD90 to like Jeeps...and now this...what's next? Ric may actually think that my Prius is not gay!

 

[JohnsD90]

First, i got JohnD90 to like Jeeps...and now this...what's next? Ric may actually think that my Prius is not gay!

You have nothing to do with my liking jeeps, my first post on this site was saying that i would feel much better wheeling in a jeep than a 4runner. I got a buddy with an XJ rollin on 35's, he's got less problems with that than i have had on the 4runner.

 

[JohnsD90]

Why not the taco, but still the 4runner? after all, it's the same thing except the body. I really don't know if the older Yota pickups make my list because this is about lasting "forever" without major mechanical issues and almost all of the 22Rs out there have been overhauled or replaced by now. I haven't seen an '80s yota with an original un-rebuilt 22R still running for I'd say at least 5+ years (which is still respectable considering that they're 15-30 years old now).

I would guess an XJ's average life span is ~150-175K before major issues, so definitely nothing to write home to momma about. There were just so many made.

To really get a good idea of what lasts forever, go to a few salvage yards. In my experience, when I see 50 Jeep Cherokees for every 1 4runner/taco, it tells me something about reliability. I would say the most common POSs I've seen in the yards (around here) are actually Dodge Rams (lots of Ram vans too), Chevy S-10 Blazers, and Exploders.

Not taco cause so many are gone due to that rusting out really badly recall.

 

[brian2sun]

Not taco cause so many are gone due to that rusting out really badly recall.

ahh, good point.

 

[Thai]

You have nothing to do with my liking jeeps, my first post on this site was saying that i would feel much better wheeling in a jeep than a 4runner. I got a buddy with an XJ rollin on 35's, he's got less problems with that than i have had on the 4runner.

Hmmm, your 4runner having issues? Well, that just puts your friend's (Duhhockey?) theory of the 3rd gen being better built than the rest down the tube! :snacker: I also remember how you mock the Rubicon when you first came on this board and smacking how much better the Defender is...and look at you now, all grown up with knowledge and a new respect for the Rubicon.

BTW, "rolling on 35's" means absolutely nothing...it is what is driving those 35's that makes a difference.

 

[brian2sun]

Yeah I think most of us could get farther in Thai's Prius off road than some noobs could in a Rubi.

 

[Jed]

1989 isnt early enough to be around forever?? thats 20 years and some of those early 90's Ls400 and es models are still on the road... those are older than any 3rd gen 4runner.

Exactly...3rd gen. The 4Runner has deeper roots and a longer history. Even the 4Runner hasn't been around forever though...but I have no complaints with them including it in the list.

 

[jeober]

Very disappointed that this little gem was overlooked. My parents bought one of these for me in 1978 and today it's still in great condition. I can honestly say that I treated this thing horribly, I even rolled it on more than one occasion. But now, 31 years later all it needs is a new coat of paint since the original has faded somewhat. Granted, it's no performance machine, but I strongly believe vehicles that don't operate at the limits of their performance last much longer than those do.

Techno, It looks like you put a lift kit on that.

 

[techno]

Techno, It looks like you put a lift kit on that.

Well spotted. I installed a ToysRUs 1/4" lift spacer kit. Only other mod of interest was upgraded headlight stickers...

 

[JohnsD90]

Well spotted. I installed a ToysRUs 1/4" lift spacer kit. Only other mod of interest was upgraded headlight stickers...

I figured you woulda had the RHD model complete with right side door opening.

 

[BamBam]

I agree on the Maxima. That V6 they put in the 3rd gen Maxima is definitely one of the top 5 mass production engines I've ever worked on. They are bulletproof. They have other parts that seem to bug out (window regulators and stereo systems for example), but the engine is unstoppable.

My mom has been driving a Maxima since 1996 and hasn't had one engine issue. I think she's hoping the thing will conk out so she can buy a new car, but it has been just too darned reliable. 14 years and no mechanical problems. That's pretty amazing.

I am going to throw the S-10 Blazer in there as well. I had a 1984 that I bought in 1992 and it had 90,000 miles on it when I bought it. I drove it for 10 years and then gave it to my brother. He drove it for 2 years while he was in need of a vehicle. Then he gave it to my sister and she drove it for several years. Now her ex-husband has it and still drives it I believe. It must have had 200,000 miles on it and I don't think he was even changing the oil for the last 2 years or so because he's a moron. But it kept on going. I see them everywhere and even though they are underpowered crap heaps, they just seem to keep going and going no matter what. Even if we want them to just die and go away.

 

[Y2KSR5]

Now, some of you guys think that Dodge Dart or Jeep XJ lasts forever. However, what does that mean? Sure, you can make a Jeep XJ lasts forever, but what kind of investment do you have to make to make it so? The engine is trashed. The frame is rusted to pieces. The transmission is gone. So, yeah, these vehicles that last "forever" have to undergo plastic surgery and major restoration. O

No. The 4.0L I6 is not going to be "trashed" no matter how hard you beat it. The AW4 transmission is one of the most bullet proof transmissions out there. They dont rust any more than a 4Runner. I had 5 XJs and none ever had any problems other than rear main seal leak around 100K and oil pressure sending units going out. They were bomb proof and never had a speck of rust. At 6ft3, 220 I just cant fit in the damn things anymore! The Grand Cherokees were pretty much junk. The ZJ had horrible transmissions and my Hemi WK had differential issues like all my Grand Cherokees. XJs are great vehicles.

 

[Thai]

No. The 4.0L I6 is not going to be "trashed" no matter how hard you beat it. The AW4 transmission is one of the most bullet proof transmissions out there. They dont rust any more than a 4Runner. I had 5 XJs and none ever had any problems other than rear main seal leak around 100K and oil pressure sending units going out. They were bomb proof and never had a speck of rust. At 6ft3, 220 I just cant fit in the damn things anymore! The Grand Cherokees were pretty much junk. The ZJ had horrible transmissions and my Hemi WK had differential issues like all my Grand Cherokees. XJs are great vehicles.

I stand corrected about the 4.0L...it is a durable engine.

However, the rest of the XJ is problematic...see: Jeep Cherokee XJ Problems And Fixes - Jp Magazine

I don't know about the AW4 tranny, but according to this link, it is only OK: The Jeep AW4 Transmissions - Novak Conversions

 

[Y2KSR5]

I stand corrected about the 4.0L...it is a durable engine.

However, the rest of the XJ is problematic...see: Jeep Cherokee XJ Problems And Fixes - Jp Magazine

I don't know about the AW4 tranny, but according to this link, it is only OK: The Jeep AW4 Transmissions - Novak Conversions

The AW4 (Aisin Warner) trans is bullet proof. BTW, Toyota Motor Company is a 51.9% share holder in Aisin Warner.

 

[brian2sun]

I've read somewhere that the A340 series trannies in our 3rd gens are based of the same design as the AW4.

 

[Y2KSR5]

I know they were used on 1st and 2nd gen 4Runners. They are used on Land Cruisers as long as I remember, Prodos, Tundras, Tacomas...Corollas....Celicas.....Porsche 911s.....CTS...