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.
Then you would want to avoid my entire fleet! I have:
1966 International Harvestor M-800 Metro Mite 247,000 (100,000 of which I put on it myself from '86-'94)
1988 Ford F-250 Diesel 178,000
1980 Chevy Malibu, converted to right-hand drive (I deliver the mail with this one!)210,000
1993 Geo Metro 217,000 (needs engine rebuild)
1995 Chevy S-10 Blazer 227,000
1997 Toyota Camary 155,000
1987 Chevy/Grummon P-30 Stepvan 500,014 (currently serving as a storage building)
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee 50,000 (14,000 since April)
in Thousand Oaks in the day a customer came into TO Toyota and I helped him.He wanted to trade and older Saab for a 6 month used new model someone traded for an SUV.
When the 1st pencil was shown my desk manager wrote on the paper.........ONE SAAB STORY AFTER ANOTHER.........lol
My wife drove 38,000 miles last year in her 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid. :-(
She was tired of diesels!
An Aries K-car passed me the other day.
Yeah, I was stopped, but still ... ;p
I wonder how many miles my Bug has on it? It says 55K, but I'm sure that can't be right.
"Wasn't it a Saab that the Kims got stuck in? Pity.'
From the overhead video that I saw, it looked like a Saabaru ... a rebadged Subaru WRX wagon, the Saab 9-2. Some things never change with GM.
Don't laugh! That car may have been carrying your mail! (rural carriers LOVE those things!)
I would say you are due for your first oil change.
Anyone who's put on 58,906 miles a year, for that many years, is either a poor salesman, a cripple, or both...
"What's the big deal about a light-weight car going only 1 million."
A previous article that was written over a month ago when he was approaching the 1 Million mark stated he was hoping Saab would give him a New one if he donated it to the Saab museum.
What's interesting is that he drove all the miles in the city of Chicago.
Fortunately, he finally found a parking space.
Call me skeptical, but as Rush says "run the numbers".
That is also 161 miles a day, 7 days a week.
He had to have used the car daily for work, unless he had a commute of 118 each way to work.
I had that one as well. The engine's main head studs pulled out of the aluminum case.
Learned a hard lesson --- probably why I blocked that out of my memory.
The next generation of engine was probably the best one Porsche ever made.
"Does your car have more that 500,000 miles?"
Yes.
"Does your car have more that 600,000 miles?"
Yes.
"Does your car have more that 700,000 miles?"
Yes.
"Does your car have more that 800,000 miles?"
Yes.
"Oh! Hello, Mr. Bundy!"
Congratulations, you have received the 1st Annual "Pun of the Year Award"! There's no prize involved, just recognition... :-)
Or is it regimen? Or regemin? Or regemen? Or regimine? Or regiment? ;-)
I actually saw a Yugo a few months ago. Running and moving under it's own power.
BTW, 1996 Plymouth Caravan 178,000 miles. I hate it with a passion but it's free, except for the tune up and new tires in the last month $800.
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