What's your million mile vehicle?

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux) 12/20/2018 at 10:35 • Filed to: None

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I imagine many of you have !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! about a delivery driver who put 1 million miles on her car in 5 years.

My question: when you take into account comfort, reliability, fuel economy...what would your ideal vehicle be to accomplish this feat?

As much as I love my Wrangler...just no. I’d be in traction after a month.

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Nibby > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:40

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E90M3 > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:40

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E350 Diesel. 

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:42

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For vehicles that I feel could actually achieve it?

My D100 with a slant6 would be a contender. Crazy reliable and easy to work on with cheap parts.

Or my Kia forte, just because I know it can.

Pancake > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:42

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It would probably be something like a Chevy Cruze Hatch.

Just Jeepin' > E90M3 12/20/2018 at 10:42

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Thank you for identifying it. The usual Oppo tactic of posting a photo of a common car and assuming the viewer knows enough to recognize it doesn’t work well for my dumb-ass self.

WilliamsSW > E90M3 12/20/2018 at 10:43

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Nice call, Fintail!

After 6 months with my car, I think I could do a million in it.  Much more gas $$$$ than Fintail’s, though...

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:48

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You have to consider all kinds of weather, altitude, road conditions in addition to fuel efficiency, comfort, unflappable reliability. This is what I would go with:

Want more of the same but bigger? LExus RX450H or MDX Hybrid

Or, slow but steady, safe and comfortable- the new Prius AWD

You might have to replace the battery down the road sometime though.

The other option would be a new Rav4 non-hybrid

WilliamsSW > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:48

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I’m kinda copying E90M3 here, but after 6 months, I think I could do a million in the E550, as long as gas prices don’t go through the roof. Super comfy cruiser, stupid power, plenty of space and luxury features, and even has an exhaust note that’s better than you would think. Only thing I would change is that mine doesn’t have a heated steering wheel (yes I’m a wimp  why?)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:49

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Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:49

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I just can’t imagine putting that many miles on such a small car comfortably. Heck I’m 6-4, 230+ lbs, and have a bad back and some hip issues so I know it wouldn’t work for me.

I think Hyundai was probably a good manufacturer to choose though. I’d probably have to do something along the lines of a Genesis or Toyota Avalon  just to be able to walk at the end of the day.

jasmits > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:50

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Well, I’ve owned this one a year as of Tuesday and I’ve already put 35,000 miles on it so I guess a Toyota Tacoma!

Fuel economy is a negative, but thanks to a clerical error my Toyotacare(Toyota’s free or prepaid maintenance program) was extended from the free 2 years or 25k it came with to 3 years or 60k and they decided to honor it, so my non-gas running costs so far have been exactly $0 unless you count the odd wash along with no problems and no unscheduled dealer visits .

fintail > E90M3 12/20/2018 at 10:50

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Even better in my opinion , E250, which is a simpler engine than the V6, and slightly better mileage:

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 10:51

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Hitting the road for Christmas in a few days, I will be disappointed if the trip computer reads under 42-43 mpg.  Oh yeah, diesel is cheaper than regular here, too.

E90M3 > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:51

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I don’t think there’s any distinguishable features that tells it apart from a gas W212. Apart from the badging. I would’ve maybe gone for an E90 335d, but they have some potential expensive problems, which is why I don’t own one. I haven’t heard the same about these.   

E90M3 > fintail 12/20/2018 at 10:52

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Didn’t know what would be the better car , but put a hood ornament and a luxury grill on that one  and I’m sold.

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 10:52

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Huh - tbh, I always thought the 250/350 Bluetecs were just a change in naming convention, and that both had the 2.1 liter 4 cyl.

So TIL something.

Chariotoflove > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:54

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A car?  I already own it. The k900’s specialty is eating up miles at high speed in comfort. 

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 10:54

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Stop - you’re making me jealous!!  The one long trip that I did, I didn’t quite make 26 mpg.  Keeping it around 80 or so didn’t help, I’m sure.

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 10:55

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Nope, E350 is a V6, which apparently has a known issue with oil cooler leaks, and I think a few other things too.  For simplicity, the taxi-like 4cyl is the one.  It is down a little on hp and tq, but is still adequate, and might get 10% or more better mileage.

fintail > E90M3 12/20/2018 at 10:55

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That’s the problem with facelift cars - the lux trim cars are uncommon, probably 10% of the fleet at most.

E90M3 > fintail 12/20/2018 at 10:56

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I thought you could just swap grills, as you could with the W204 C-Class. 

bob and john > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 10:56

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Close to what E90M3 sai d, but Id take the facelifted E250

same drive train as my dads GLK250, set the cruise, crank the tunes, and relax. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > jasmits 12/20/2018 at 10:57

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Wow - that’s a lot of miles! Score on the free maintenance! 

Just Jeepin' > E90M3 12/20/2018 at 10:58

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Heck, if it weren’t for the ornament I wouldn’t have known the manufacturer , and I certainly don’t know anything about their models.

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 10:59

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Funny thing, I could get 25 mpg on highway trips in my W210 E55, old tech (but lighter car).

The Bluetec always tops 40 on highway trips, I think it has indicated 46-47 on some specific legs.

WilliamsSW > E90M3 12/20/2018 at 10:59

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There isn’t. The W212 diesels, the E350, and E550 are completely indistinguishable from the outside, other than trunk badges. Only caveat is that the later E550's (2013-14) came with the Sport package standard, so if you see a facelifted car without it, it can’t be a 550.  

fintail > E90M3 12/20/2018 at 11:01

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It’s a completely different bumper, I have a feeling it won’t mount up right.

Mercedes Streeter > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:01

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That woman inspired me. I think I want to do a 100,000 mile challenge with a Chinese scooter. If a Korean car can make one mil on just regular maintenance, screw it, I want to prove a Chinese bike can make 100k on much of the same.

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 11:02

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That doesn’t surprise me - and what speed you drive at makes a big difference in MPG, and the W212 is no lightweight . I’m sure I could bump it up a couple by setting the cruise at 65-70 and leaving it, but what’s the fun in that?

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 11:04

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The Bluetec weighs over 1000 lbs more than the fintail, literally half a ton. Not a lightweight indeed.

Around here, most highways are posted at 60, so I seldom cruise more than 68 or so, and with traffic, you won’t be averaging that anyway.  At a steady 60-65 for a couple hours, it should hit 45 mpg.

AkursedX > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:05

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I had a 2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDI. While I hated it in stop and go driving, on the highway it was a much more enjoyable car. I did a roadtrip from Detroit to Chicago to Minneapolis to Sioux Falls to Des Moines and back to Detroit and had a multiple 10-12 hour sessions driving.  I also did many drives from Detroit to Buffalo and Pittsburgh.  It was always a comfortable, enjoyable place to be. And the 600+ miles per tank was a nice benefit too.

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 11:05

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Even if it did, it wouldn’t match the rocker panels - would probably look odd.

DipodomysDeserti > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:07

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This story seems a bit fishy to me. According to the story, her average speed through the last five years was 24 mph. Based on some quick math, that means she was in the car driving for right around twenty three hours of every single day for the last five years straight. I didn’t account for leap years, so that number will be a bit off.

In that one hour of non driving time, she would have had to cram in sleeping, eating, hygiene, actually walking into stores and picking up parts, filling up on gas multiple times a day, oil changes, tire replacement, misc vehicle maintenance....

Methinks someone has access to roller and pulled a reverse Bueller on this car.

My vehicle of choice to cover that kind of mikeage would be a wood box, because I’d rather be dead than sit in a metal box for 23 hours of every day.

ihm96 > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 11:09

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The wheel you want with the E Class is the wooden wheel, not the heated one. For one, it just feels much better to the touch, is grippier, and wont wear out as easily due to the miles like the leather will. Second, it means the car was likely optioned with a bit more luxury items.

jasmits > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/20/2018 at 11:11

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Yeah, I have an 80 mile daily commute as a baseline, most weekends in the winter I make the ~100 mile round trip to ski one or both days and in not-ski-season I got out on overland trips at least once, sometimes more , a month which include at least 100 miles of pavement on each end plus a good chunk of off pavement miles

TysMagic > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:12

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2002 Buick LeSabre - comfortable, reliable, honest. I absolutely love how they look. Motor is sound and mildly efficient. It would need to be an optioned up one, but I might even consider cloth seats.

WilliamsSW > ihm96 12/20/2018 at 11:15

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I do like that wooden wheel - it looks great. In a perfect world, I would want a heated wood wheel, but that’s not an option.

Living in the Chicago area, my first choice was the heated wheel, 2nd was the wood wheel. The car that I found was perfectly optioned for me , other than that - and a low mileage CPO, in a decent color (ie not black or white). As hard as it was to find a CPO 550, I took it, and am quite happy with it.

Lokiparts > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:15

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Easy, for me it would have to be a late model Honda Accord. Not the ‘18 models with the turbo engine (the jury is still out on those) , but one of the last of the previous generation ones with the well sorted 2.4L . Personally, I would rather have the V6, but if I am going for 7 digit mileage numbers I’ll take the fuel sipping 4 cyl. Plus I’ m fairly certain the K 2 4w is a timing chain engine, which would be one less major maintenance item to worry about.

Overall its cheap and easy to repair, insanely reliable, and very comfortable. Maybe not true luxury car comfortable, but more than comfortable enough to make up for a much longer service interval and better reliability.

ihm96 > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:17

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For being car enthusiasts, most of these comments are vehicles that are too boring for me to live with over that amount of time. For me it would have to be a car thats somewhat fun. I could live with my E34 for a million miles easily. Its super comfy, has enough tech for me, a manual transmission and styling that always makes me look back. The gas mileage isnt the best but maintenance on it is relatively much cheaper than a modern car so it balances out a little

I would also consider something like my clownshoe or an MGB GT. Fun and practical because they have a nice boot. I put 20k on my shoe the first year I had it and that was with shit suspension and worn out seats, I could totally take it a million now that Ive gotten itback on a proper maintenance schedule

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > jasmits 12/20/2018 at 11:17

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60 mile daily for me, but I drive my car once or twice per week. Trips to visit family are usually in my wife’s MDX, but I’m looking forward to taking many more hiking/camping/exploring trips in a 2-3 hour radius around here next year, and hopefully at least one longer trip out to CO/NM/UT. Gotta get that on the calendar soon!

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 11:18

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Oof - that’s a LOT.  And I think my car is around 4,400, so the 210 is relatively light then??

Just Jeepin' > DipodomysDeserti 12/20/2018 at 11:24

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Jalopnik calculated that average to illustrate how insane the story was, that’s not actually her average speed for her driving hours.

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 11:25

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The 210 was around 3700, I think.  Light by modern standards.  Fintail is like 3100, as it isn’t huge and compared to the junk in modern cars, is more like a shell.

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 11:27

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I’m dumb - I misread that as the 212 being a half ton heavier than the E55.  Vs the fintail that makes perfect sense - despite popular belief, almost nothing from that era was all that heavy.

jasmits > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/20/2018 at 11:31

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Where’re you located again? Washington State is nice because there’s an endless number of forest roads to explore, limited only by snow but when the gates for my second favorite hobby start to close the resorts for my first favorite hobby start to open. Some friends and I did the entirety of this  over the summer, plus a handful of other trips.

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 11:31

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Yeah. The fintail is the size of something like a Fairlane, with a small engine, no heavy power junk, etc - I think much of the weight is the gauge of metal in the fenders and bumpers.

Some 60s/70s barges weigh as much as our W212s.

3point8isgreat > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:32

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I don’t have any good pictures on this computer. But picture this without the GT badge.

But I’d totally take my V6 one of these to a million. It’s at around 235k right now. There’s been the odd fixes here and there. But nothing on the car is particularly expensive to fix. And with manual trans, locks, and windows there’s very little electronics to ever go bad!

F airly comfy to sit in for long drives, decent fuel economy, super cheap to own and maintain, does fine in snow, and can be hilarious to just throw around. It’s like an economy beater car that actually has some sort of sporting pretenses to it.

Mine is named Kevin because the heater sounds like the bird from Up sometimes.

way2blu does a rev update > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:32

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When taking into account my low standards for things like “comfort” and “fuel economy,” the choice is abundantly clear.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 11:39

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I would want to do that in my TVR

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 11:41

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Weights went through the roof in the ‘70s for the most part, particularly from ~1969 to 1975, though they crept up throughout the ‘60s . In the first half of the 60s , the only cars that were really pretty heavy were the very top of the line land yachts. Cadillacs, Electra 225s, etc. - even an Impala or Catalina coupe was only in the 3500-3700 lb range when the fintail was built.

But by 1973 or so, there were quite a few cars pushing right up against 5,000 lb.

Years ago, there was a common comparison between the 1957 Bel Air and the 1975 Nova - the cars were actually very similar in many dimensions, and I’m pretty sure the Nova actually weighed a bit more.

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 11:50

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I can believe it. The 66 Galaxie I drove as a teen even didn’t seem too massive, all things considered.

When I was a little kid, my mom had a mid 70s T-Bird with a 460. I bet that was a heavy beast. She loved that car, even though it only made it to 1985, when some mechanical malady combined with low retained value had my dad telling her it was time to let it go.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > jasmits 12/20/2018 at 11:52

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Tulsa, OK - the nearest places to explore for me are a couple hours east in NW Arkansas.

I love the west, though. That route looks amazing! We took a 5000+ mile road trip west this past summer, before I had my truck, and it was so hard to be so close to so many great routes in Utah without the vehicle to take advantage.  

I know many of the paved backroads in NW Arkansas very well  - looking forward to getting to know lots of the unpaved stuff!

Chuckles > DipodomysDeserti 12/20/2018 at 11:55

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Her actual average speed has to be much higher. That’s just the average you would need to maintain if you drove 24 hours a day for 5 years. Double that speed and spend some time on the highway and suddenly you only need to drive 10-12 hours per day.

functionoverfashion > Lokiparts 12/20/2018 at 12:16

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A co-worker put around 350,000 on his ‘04 Accord before it finally failed inspection due to rust (IIRC). 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 12:19

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If I was going to drive 200,000 miles a year for the nixt 5 years, and I’m paying for fuel.

TDI Golf Sport Wagon 2019 Lexus ES300h Ultra Luxury(yes that’ s a real trim level name) . J ust a nicer, and IMO better looking version of the current Camry Hybrid. should eat up highway miles, bumpy back roads , and average 45mpg on 87 or even e85.

the Gold Sportwagon seems like a good choice, but I’d worry about longevity, and the inflated cost of diesel fuel as 87 has been consistently cheaper for 2 years now. high road tax on diesel is a real bummer. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > E90M3 12/20/2018 at 12:20

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the Merc should also have a softer ride which will come in handy.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AkursedX 12/20/2018 at 12:22

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the large tank capacity of a TDI is amazing. 

Forrest > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 12:23

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I like my MK7 Golf a lot. But, every 2000 miles, something new starts rattling. It is under warranty, and with some prompting the dealer has been able to fix these rattles, but going to the dealer is not fun.

So, if this trend continues, by 1,000,000 miles, I would have 500 things rattling, or it would have spent many weeks getting its rattles repaired.

So... the answer here probably is not MK7 Golf.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Forrest 12/20/2018 at 12:24

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another reason I didn’t go with TDI sportwagon. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Kiltedpadre 12/20/2018 at 12:26

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that why I went with a bigger Hybrid. Comfort without getting 25mpg. You might have to replace the battery pack at some point but that’s not too bad. Maybe buy one of those “unlimited” mile Carmax warranties .

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TysMagic 12/20/2018 at 12:27

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P roblem there is you cant get o ne that isnt already 20 years old.

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 12:27

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A quick search gave   me a three quarter ton difference in curb weight between those two. Really.  

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 12:27

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Either of my current vehicles.

Lokiparts > functionoverfashion 12/20/2018 at 12:29

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I have always been impressed by Honda reliability. For example my brother is still driving a 98 Accord that used to my my wife’s daily driver. Sure it has had little issues here and there... and it looks a bit worse for the wear. B ut, considering my brother is not even slightly a car person, and has probably averaged less than one oil change a year for the last 10 years as the only preventative maintenance that he’s done on the car, it has held up remarkably well, and is still going strong. It’s definitely a testament to how well those cars were made.

functionoverfashion > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 12:31

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Yeah, yeah I know efficiency, reliability - bah! If I’m driving 1,000,000 miles in five years I want to be comfy. So I’d go back to a straight-six powered 7-series, the E32 735.

I drove one of these all around the country over a summer with a friend in college. It was spectacularly good at eating up miles, not horrendous on fuel if you kept it under 90, soooo comfy, and amazing climate control. I suspect you could keep one of these going without breaking the bank completely.

Of course the “correct” answer is probably a manual Accord because I also had one of those in college, drove it all over the country, and it was dead reliable, efficient, and comfortable enough. A colleague put 350k on his and I think it was only rust that killed it.

functionoverfashion > Lokiparts 12/20/2018 at 12:35

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Seriously, my ‘96 Accord that I had in college had 120k when I got it. I sold it to a friend around 200k, bought it back from him a year later, then sold it to another friend who gave it to his sister after a while, still going strong.

I did oil changes, yeah. Other than that:

1. Starter somewhere around 180k, it was cheap and easy DIY.

2. Exhaust system repair after I hit a chunk of ice on the highway and separated it in the middle (it was a bit rusty)

3. One brake line replaced around 190k I believe

That’s about it. 

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 12/20/2018 at 12:39

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You say that like it’s a bad thing....

Kiltedpadre > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 12/20/2018 at 12:49

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I had originally thought of the hybrid Avalon, but I wasn’t sure how it compared longevity wise to the regular version.

I couldn’t remember if Lexus still did a hybrid other than in a CUV.

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 12:51

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Crazy.  

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 12/20/2018 at 12:54

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It’s the problem. You getting a million miles out of a car gets harder when it already has 150,000 miles on it and is half rusted through 

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 12:54

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510 0 for a 1975 Thunderbird.

For the Galaxie, I used a 2 door hardtop, 289/ cruiseomatic, so fairly representative. A post car would weigh a little less.  

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 12/20/2018 at 12:59

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Eh, 150k is a good start. I can easily find them in good shape cheap here in the rust belt, I would think finding a clean one elsewhere would be even easier.

They’re built like tanks and last forever when maintained properly, hell even under poor maintenance 300k is no issue.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Just Jeepin' 12/20/2018 at 13:44

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Hyundai Equus or Kia K900, big comfortable cruiser with heated, cooled, and massaging seats

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Chuckles 12/20/2018 at 13:47

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That’s still insane...it still seems fishy to me. Even if she has a job where she is constantly driving, isn’t the point of all the driving to actually stop somewhere to get something done? Plus, 10-12 hours is assuming EVERY DAY...no days off? 

ihm96 > functionoverfashion 12/20/2018 at 13:49

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Failing inspection due to rust within 14 years doesnt seem very reliable to me

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 13:50

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I remember I liked the T-Bird when I was a little kid because it was nice to sleep in. All that weight probably helped for a smooth ride. The strangled 460 no doubt wasn’t a rocket, but in the days of 55, it probably didn’t matter.

Our Galaxie had a 390, but that’s probably not a huge difference overall . I suspect the 60 Ford wagon my dad had at the same time was in the 2 ton range, that was a big car.

ihm96 > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 13:50

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Yeah the CPO market isn’t really where you get to have your say on the exact specs haha. I’d always go wood wheel over heated steering wheel cause I don’t mind driving gloves. 

ihm96 > functionoverfashion 12/20/2018 at 13:53

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I like the way you think, I just prefer the five series due to the better handling. I’m not a big person so the S Class/7 Series range is overkill for me. These old BMWs are great choices for this

Chuckles > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 12/20/2018 at 14:03

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She delivers auto parts for a living, so driving around all day is getting something done.

A million miles over 5 years is 200,000 miles a year, which comes out to 3,846.15 miles per week every week for 5 years. Let's pretend that she only works 5 days a week. That's 769.23 miles a day. It's a lot, but it can be done. And if she works weekends the daily target is about 550 miles per day, every day for 5 years. Insane yes, but feasible.

functionoverfashion > ihm96 12/20/2018 at 14:07

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Now that you say it, I am questioning myself. The problem is I could look on the guy’s facebook feed but he posts almost every day. I can’t be bothered. In any case, 350k over 14 years is a pretty good run. Whatever killed it, it wasn’t a major engine failure or anything like that. 

functionoverfashion > ihm96 12/20/2018 at 14:10

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I drove my old E46 - it had sport seats - for almost 18 hours straight a few years back. The next day I was in and out of the car a lot, but then did another 12 hours or so again. I got out and could have gotten right back in to do it all over. And that’s a 3-series. They just eat up the miles... 

functionoverfashion > ihm96 12/20/2018 at 14:11

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Also, I’m not overly big either but the older 7's seats were great. I didn’t like the seats in my ‘01 Suburban, it was like sitting in a giant la-z-boy. Comfy for a minute, but not for the long haul, I was swimming in that thing. 

functionoverfashion > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 12/20/2018 at 14:12

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Holy crap that Rav4 looks like a Crosstrek

ihm96 > functionoverfashion 12/20/2018 at 14:19

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My Clownshoe isnt the best because bucket seats and no armrest, but the E34 has the luxury seats with the range rover style armrests and its just awesome. I saw on the forum people swapping them to sport seats and it seemed like the dumbest idea, it was the same exact seat, but with no armrest. If it was like a bucket seat or actually better for sporty driving I’d understand but all it does is remove function.

I can easily see myself keeping the 530i for a long long time. Its so comfy, its cheap, and I like it way more than its actual cash value. Its also tons of fun and can still outhandle a lot of modern cars. My buddy has a tuned Civic Si from 2015 thatll blow my doors off stoplight to stoplight, but on the highway I can easily take curves at 120 and up whereas he fades back lol

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 14:35

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The wagon was usually the heaviest model, followed by the convertible, so yeah, that ‘60 was probably pushing 2 tons.

My grandfather had a ‘72 T-bird when I was a kid (which he got by trading in a suicide-door T-bird).  That car was real comfy in the back seat-  and we would drive him nuts by playing with the power windows.  My parents’ cars never had power windows, so it was a novelty to us.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > functionoverfashion 12/20/2018 at 14:36

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Pretty sure the “rugged” look was intentional to go against the Crosstrek and Forester.

WilliamsSW > ihm96 12/20/2018 at 14:38

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If I was looking for an E350, maybe - they’re everywhere. But I wanted that V8, which limited me to about 15-20 cars nationwide .

For about 3 months, I had a detailed spreadsheet showing every single CPO E550 in the country - colors, options, pricing, miles, etc etc.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Chuckles 12/20/2018 at 14:53

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It still seems so odd...if you’re going from point A to point B 700+ miles away wouldn’t you want to take more parts than you could fit in a car? And if you’re just doing a bunch of small more local deliveries I don’t think you’re really going to be averaging 50-70mph. I’m not saying it can’t be true, it just seems so insane still.

Chuckles > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 12/20/2018 at 15:08

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It’s definitely atypical , but I guess that’s why they wrote an article and she’s getting a free car. Knowing the company she works for woul d probably answer some of your questions. Companies are often willing to pay a significant amount for rapidly deliverable, on demand parts. So it might be worth it to just pay this person to drive single parts across large areas in a fuel efficient car because it gets there quicker.

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 15:49

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60 full size Fords were also one of the widest cars sold, I think.

That reminds me of an experience in my mom’s T-Bird. When I was maybe 5, my parents left me in the car for longer than expected I think ( smallish town , not a hot climate, etc ). I played with the power accessories until the battery was drained. That was a nice way to teach a lesson. My earliest car memories are of that car and the 70 Mustang my dad had, which was replaced by a Horizon - the sacrifices of that era.

WilliamsSW > functionoverfashion 12/20/2018 at 15:55

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My E46 has the sport seats too, and they hug you just right - not too tight, not too loose.  18 years on, and still great seats.

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 15:57

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It couldn’t have been as wide as this!

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 16:50

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LOL yeah illustrators took some liberties then. Wide Track - 2 lanes wide.

The people in these illustrations weren’t small - the cars were that big. I think these were wider than a 59 Caddy.  5 foot wide loading area, who needs a truck?

WilliamsSW > fintail 12/20/2018 at 16:57

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OK, so I was curious and bored, so I looked it up - the ‘60 Ford was an inch wider than the Bonneville overall - but the Bonneville did have a 4" wider track than the Ford.

The Impala’s dimensions were within 1/2 inch of the Ford.

functionoverfashion > ihm96 12/20/2018 at 17:02

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hahaha, that reminds me of a time I followed a Chrysler 300 on the highway, he was doing 100-120 and I was keeping up by maintaining speed in the corners. He’d pull away on the straights and I’d catch up when he slowed to 90 on the curves. I had a roofbox on my car at the time, too. Pretty much flat-out in 4th/5th but it was fun. Fun to do once, tee hee

functionoverfashion > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 17:03

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It’s the one way that my ‘01 was better than my ‘03. I still miss those seats.

The V70R maybe has the best seats I’ve ever sat in, but I haven’t driven one for more than a short around-town drive. 

ihm96 > functionoverfashion 12/20/2018 at 17:11

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It is a good run for that circumstance but thats the opposite of how I want my car to last. Most people don’t do many miles so theirs would be dying with barely any miles. Id prefer to have a body that stays strong combined with a decent engine. You can replace or fix engines, rust/cancer is much harder

ihm96 > functionoverfashion 12/20/2018 at 17:13

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Yeah for me I hate slowing down more than I like a big engine so I prefer cars that can handle well

Tristan > AkursedX 12/20/2018 at 19:18

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I had a MK4 Jetta TDI. It ate miles for breakfast. I drove it between Minnesota and Florida several times, and even straight through once without feeling crippled the next day.  Comfy seats and 750ish miles on a tank. It ruled.

fintail > WilliamsSW 12/20/2018 at 21:25

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And people say cars are fat now.  They are just more dense.