200,000 and still going...

[javasaurus]

Well, by the time I get home tonight, I'll have 200,000 miles on my car. I bought it new back in 1994, a shiny dark red Saturn SL, my first car, and it still runs pretty good. At the time I couldn't drive stick, and I couldn't afford automatic, so my brother and father taught me to drive stick. Sure, it's showing its age, and I've had a couple of expensive repairs (like having the engine rebuilt), but it has generally treated me well. It still gets 35mpg. It needs new shocks (struts?), and if I keep it much longer it'll need a new clutch and exhaust system -- both are still the original.

I had only had it for two weeks when I got rear-ended in the rain, pushed into the car in front of me. Both the car behind me and the car in front of me needed a bit of body work, but my Saturn had a scratched rear bumper, and the hood ornament popped off. Saturns are made out of some kind of springy plastic that bounces instead of dents.

Hmmm...maybe I can keep it to 300,000?

Comments

[terlan.livejournal.com]

LOL - Some Saturns can really last a very long time despite being made out of "plastic!" (the appearance and not a 'cut' on the design) When I first learned of the Saturn non-metal exterior, I was fascinated by the idea. A car that could take a hit from a rolling shopping cart and not be very likely to get scratched or dented! Amazing!

I was sorry that you couldn't join BE and I last night. I'm looking forward to Thursday, though!! :)