Thursday, September 22, 2011

How long will my car last?

I have a 1990 Mazda Miata 1.6L engine Rwd with a manual transmission. My current mileage is ~258,000 and when i asked my mechanic few days ago why my engine loses a quart of oil every 4000 miles before my 5000 miles oil change accordingly to my owners manual. He said that my car is too old and its burning oil in which it made a lot of sense. My car however runs pretty good and starts right up at once in whatever weather conditions hot or cold. I always change my engine oil at every single interval and i have even given my car a tune up last year (2008). during the tune up, i replaced the spark plugs and wires, fuel filter, air filter, and even changed my alternator and genuine mazda battery. There are absolutely NO fluid leaks under my car in which includes no engine oil, coolent, trans and diffential oil leaks under my car unless i use the air conditionor and there is water dripping down after use which is normal. My A/C system blows really cold too, my mechanic said a few days ago while servicing my A/C, the temperature of my A/C is, I think he said ~35-38 degrees. My car accelerates smoothly without any hesitation or stalls unless i let go of the clutch too early with out giving enough gas(thats normal though for a manual trans).

Anyways, I have always known in my whole entire life that japanese cars are long lasting and reliable. I just wanna know if my car's engine will completely break down causing me to buy a new car or a new engine which is very costly. I'm asking this because my car has extremely high mileage and i just want to know if it will be ok even past 300,000 on my odometer.



So, my last question is, do cars completely break down between ~280000-300000 miles or more? I'm just wondering and somewhat worried because i am planning on buying a new car under 20 grands in about year. I am also planning to sell my car then at a reasonable price on like ebay or any other website that can sell cars so i can make a downpayment of atleast $5000.

Thanks in Advanced! :)How long will my car last?
You will never sell that car or trade it in and get more than $500 for it.

Unless it is using more then 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles you are perfectly fine.

Almost all car manufactures claim that 1 qt per 1,000 miles as exceptable oil usage.



As for how much longer will it last?

Let us know when it finally does die.

Take a pic of the odometer and post it on the web, I bet you see 400,000 miles.How long will my car last?
Engine life varies but well maintained cars last much longer. You're burning oil due to engine wear...it's normal with that many miles. With 258K you have a good shot at 300. Good luck. With that many miles your Miata isn't worth anywhere near 5 grand..more like 1.How long will my car last?
well a car can last forever or it can break down the next day...i have seen vehicles last over 1,000,000 miles or i have seen a brand new car need a new engine within 5000 miles...it all depends....you wont get 5k out of that car though...the best you could pry get is 1000 that is a good price to sell an older car for...it could be a great little 1st car for a teenager....you just dont know how long a car will last its all a gamble