Posted on 12/07/2006 1:01:32 PM PST by Responsibility2nd
Peter Gilbert of Glendale, Wisconsin drove his 1989 Saab 900 SPG a little more than 1,001,385 miles, according to a Saab verification.
Gilbert originally purchased the Saab new in November 1989 after the divorce of his wife. He says the car survived eight collisions with deer, one claiming the radiator of his car.
Perhaps the success of Gilbert's ride can be attributed to his meticulous care regiment. For example, Gilbert only used premium synthetic oil in oil changes, and changed his tires every 45,000 miles. Not to mention, he strictly followed the maintenance schedule.
Gilbert donated his prized possession to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum. He says the transmission was rebuilt at 200,000 miles and the hood and a few other parts were replaced after the deer collisions, but otherwise the car sports its original equipment.
So, why is he retiring his ride after all the years of service?
"There was no point in driving the car any longer," he said. "Even though it might have gone another million miles."
Wisconsin's winter seasons took their toll on the Saab. Apparently, the road salt had rusted its frame. Maybe the next time he came across a deer, he might not be so lucky.
If you'd like to see Gilbert's car, you're going to have to make a little road trip of your own to the Hartford museum in Wisconsin. Before Gilbert donated his car to the Wisconsin Automotive museum, he made sure it looked as good as new. The museum houses a number of rare vehicles, including a Nash built in Kenosha in 1916.
Don't worry, Gilbert won't have to walk now that he turned in his coach. He is the proud owner of a newer Saab--with a few less miles.
In March I purchased a used car with 209,000 miles on it for commuting. It now has 227,000 on it and runs like a top.
The chassis has 500,000 miles on it, engine has 300,000 (350 V-8). Transmission, rearend, and front suspension has all either been rebuilt or replaced, and it has a Edelbrock carb and intake manifold, however, the frame, body, and exhaust system is original....
This truck left the factory as a 3-speed automatic (Turbo 400), and in 2000, after the third transmission in as many years, I converted it to a 4-speed manual (SM 465). No more problems for the next 200,000 miles!
Right now, it makes a darned nice storage building....
I'm guessing the Saab lasted a whole lot longer than the marriage did. And considering the cost of divorce, he probably got his money's worth with the Saab.
I normally get over 200,000 miles on my cars before I trade them in, and they're good and worn. A million is a lot of miles.
" put 400,000 on my 1975 911T Porsche before it just fell apart. - Literally"
Those were the 3.2L engine, yes? Or 2.3, I forget.
Have another 1962 356 Convertible D sitting in my shop. No engine, no tranny. I'm thinking of going complete outlaw and putting in a 2440cc Type IV and a tranny from a 915 and 4 disc brakes. Screw concours.
Unlike a human body, if there is not a serious rust problem you can just keep fixing stuff that breaks and drive it indefinitely I suppose. It is amazing how little of the running gear needed repairs though.
Of course, eventually the car outlives it's usefulness, relative to cost. How long would any of us want to drive a dodge omni, even if it was holding up?
Yeah, I had a '73 Saab (w/ a four speed on the column!) that lasted 101 miles. It froze up (oil pressure outage) going down the highway (cold winter day at -15 degrees). Also happened in Wisconsin..
But at least he can trade the SAAB in for another one and not lose half his shit....
It was the 2.7 engine
I'm fed up with these liberal Saab stories !
"I put 9,000 miles on my vehicle per year"
A couple of years ago I met a guy who had a 1996 F350 pickup 4x4 that had only 9,000 miles on it. He parks it on an outerbanks island 8 months a year and only drives it on the beach while fishing. I bet it rusts out before it gets 25,000 miles on it.
I have a 2001 Chrysler 300m with 125k miles on it and the original spark plugs. I went to Allpar.com to get some instructions on replacing them (each has a coil on top of it) and when I searched "change plugs" all my hits were in the "over 200,000 mile club" page. They were all saying that, although their cars were over 200k miles, they had never replaced their plugs (usually very apologetically). It removed my sense of immediacy. I still probably should do it though.
I can'r stand it! When will these reporters LEARN English!!?? It's regimin you dope! Not "Regiment". AAAHHHH!!!
Same with my festiva that had 1/2 a mil+ on it. Can't keep the mice out though.
"I was a liberal, before I became a conservative." - John Saab Kerry
I just traded in my 1990 lebaron convertible. It looked virtually new. Unfortunately, several parts of it were in need of repair soon. Each would have been over $1,000 to fix.
That was one great car though!
I have 260k on my 84 saab turbo. Its showing its age though. I am the original owner.
I drove for a shuttle company in San Diego and we had Chevy Astro vans with up to 700,000 miles on them. They were maintained daily an driven on average of 500-600 miles a day.
OK.
So my 1995 US GMC Safari van now has 250,000 miles on it, most of that recent mileage loaded with steel and welding eqpt.
What's the big deal about a light-weight car going only 1 million.
3 million in Cuba
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