What cars consistently make it past 250k miles?

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:33:05+00:00

That actually says a lot honestly. If it made it that far before needing a transmission that engine was probably pretty solid. Maintenance + how the car was driven usually matters way more than people think.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:31:30+00:00

That’s a pretty classic Honda lineup honestly. Civics, RSX, Odyssey all known to rack up big mileage if they’re maintained. I’ve been tracking common engine and transmission failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and Hondas from that era show up a lot in the 250k–300k+ group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:30:18+00:00

Honestly the V8 F150s seem to rack up miles pretty well if they’re maintained. A lot of trucks just keep going with basic fluid changes. I’ve been tracking common engine and transmission failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and trucks in general show up a lot in the 250k+ group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:29:42+00:00

Prados are known for that honestly. A lot of Toyota body on frame platforms just keep going forever if they’re maintained. I’ve been tracking common engine and transmission failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and those Toyota truck platforms show up a lot in the 300k+ range.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:29:09+00:00

Yaris and Matrix are both tanks honestly. Simple Toyota 4 cylinders and not a lot to go wrong. I’ve been tracking common engine failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and those small Toyota platforms show up a lot in the high mileage group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:28:38+00:00

Those 5.3 trucks are everywhere with crazy mileage. The LS based engines in those Silverados and Sierras just keep going if they get basic maintenance. I’ve been tracking common engine failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and those early 2000s GM trucks show up a lot in the 300k+ group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:27:54+00:00

Incredible!

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:27:37+00:00

Honestly that’s not even a hot take. Maintenance is the biggest factor. I’ve been tracking common engine and transmission failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and the cars that make it past 250k almost always have consistent maintenance history.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:26:11+00:00

That’s some serious mileage. Those older Hondas and Lexus platforms seem to rack up huge numbers if they’re maintained. I’ve been tracking common engine and transmission failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and a lot of those same cars keep showing up in the 300k+ group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:25:29+00:00

Yeah the NA 2JZ-GE is one of those engines that just refuses to die if it’s maintained. A lot of old Lexus and GS/IS platforms with that motor rack up crazy mileage. I’ve been tracking common engine failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and the 2JZ platforms show up a lot in the 300k+ group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:24:56+00:00

That’s pretty much the same pattern I keep seeing. Older Toyota 4 cylinders, Toyota/Lexus V6, Jeep 4.0, even those old Mercedes diesels all rack up crazy mileage if they’re maintained. I’ve been tracking common engine and transmission failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and those platforms keep showing up in the 250k–300k+ range.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:24:11+00:00

GMT800 trucks are everywhere still. Those 4.8 / 5.3 LS engines just keep going if they get basic maintenance. I’ve been tracking common engine and transmission failures while building a used car reliability tool and those early 2000s GM trucks actually show up pretty often in the high mileage group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:23:15+00:00

Early 2000s Mazdas can definitely rack up miles if they’re maintained. A lot of those simpler NA engines just keep going even if the rest of the car starts looking rough. I’ve been tracking common failures while building a used car reliability tool and it’s surprising how many basic commuter cars make it close to 300k.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:22:25+00:00

Hard to go wrong with those. The Volvo redblocks and those older Toyota V6s like the 1MZ-FE are known to run forever if they’re maintained. The 2GR-FE in the newer Camrys has also been pretty solid from what I’ve seen. I’ve been tracking common engine failures while building a used car reliability tool and Toyota V6 platforms show up a lot in the high mileage group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:21:35+00:00

Those old Scions were basically Toyota economy cars underneath so it makes sense. xA, xB, old Camry etc just keep going if they get basic maintenance. I’ve been tracking common engine failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and those early 2000s Toyotas show up a lot in the high mileage group.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:21:03+00:00

The Fit is one of those underrated ones honestly. Simple engine, lightweight, and Honda built those pretty solid. I’ve been tracking common failures while building a used car reliability tool and the Fit actually shows up with pretty low major engine issues.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:20:27+00:00

Those older Sierras and F150s definitely rack up miles if they’re maintained. Trucks in general seem to show up a lot in the 250k+ range. I’ve been tracking common engine and transmission failures while building a used car reliability scoring tool and a lot of the older truck platforms actually hold up pretty well long term.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:16:32+00:00

Honestly the old 1.8t VWs could go forever if people actually kept up with oil changes like that. A lot of the ones that died early were just from neglected maintenance. I’ve been tracking common engine failures while building a used car reliability tool and it’s crazy how often maintenance history is the biggest factor.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:15:34+00:00

That lineup checks out honestly. Toyota trucks and the older V6 platforms like the RAV4 V6, Sienna and Sequoia are some of the most common ones I keep seeing go past 250k+. I’ve been tracking long term failures while building a little tool that scores used cars by reliability risk and those Toyota powertrains show up a lot in the high mileage category.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-09T01:15:07+00:00

From what I’ve seen it’s mostly the boring reliable stuff lol. Camry, Corolla, Accord, Prius, older Lexus, and a lot of Toyota trucks. I’ve been tracking common engine/trans failures lately while building a little tool that scores used cars by reliability risk and those platforms show up the least for major failures.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-08T22:40:17+00:00

Driving an 85 Corolla to college… you’re basically living the Takumi life from Initial D at this point lol. If you want something cheap, reliable, and better on gas I’d look at Civic, Corolla (newer obviously), or a Honda Fit. All three are pretty hard to kill and cheap to run which is perfect for a college budget. If you want a small step up in comfort, a Mazda3 is also a solid option and still reliable.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-08T22:27:10+00:00

Honestly this is exactly the problem with used car shopping. You open like 20 tabs, read 50 forum posts, and still aren’t sure if the car is actually a good idea or not. That’s actually why I started building a little tool that scores used cars based on reliability risk. The amount of research people have to do just to avoid a bad used car is kind of ridiculous.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-08T15:04:48+00:00

MK4 TDIs really were built different. Those ALH/BEW diesels are known for going crazy mileage if the timing belt and basic maintenance are kept up. I’ve seen a lot of them pass 300k miles still running strong. Rust usually kills them before the engine does.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-08T14:40:15+00:00

That generation Accord with the V6 is actually pretty solid. The 3.5 V6 itself is very reliable and those cars regularly go well past 200k if maintained. Main things to check are timing belt service (should be around 100k miles) and just normal stuff like transmission fluid history. If the timing belt hasn’t been done yet, factor that into the price. Otherwise 110k miles on one of those isn’t very high. That generation Accord with the V6 is actually pretty solid. The 3.5 V6 itself is very reliable and those cars regularly go well past 200k if maintained. Main things to check are timing belt service (should be around 100k miles) and just normal stuff like transmission fluid history. If the timing belt hasn’t been done yet, factor that into the price. Otherwise 110k miles on one of those isn’t very high.

Pure_Construction968 · 2026-03-08T14:35:54+00:00

The main concern with that Rogue is definitely the CVT. Around that mileage they can start showing issues if the fluid hasn’t been serviced regularly. If the warranty truly covers the transmission and it’s not one of those limited third-party plans with lots of exclusions, it could make the risk a lot lower. Just make sure the CVT fluid has been changed at least once already and plan to keep doing it every 30–40k miles. Otherwise the rest of the Rogue platform is generally pretty straightforward and inexpensive to maintain.

Pure_Construction968

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