Faults:
I had a bad rear wheel bearing at 190,000, but that may be in part because I carry a lot of tools in the back and run it near the 5500 lb capacity.
I did replace the radiator around 175,000, but it was easy to do myself.
I had to replace two broken fogs (baseball and kids) and the trailer hitch (rust).
Ripped off the muffler last year on a county "road" in the boonies, so I had to get a new one.
I do change parts pre-emptively, and it has a tow package that has heavy parts and extra cooling, so that may help keep it running cool. Preemptive part replacement - all hoses every four years with coolant; 10w-30 oil at 6000 with slick 50 or Duralube at 25,000; brake shoes around 75,000 and rotors at 150,000; transmission fluid, serpentine, plugs, cap and rotor at the 100s; the alternator at 160,000; power steering pump at 250,000.
I have some rust starting at the lower rear front fender.
I replaced the tow bar due to rust in the tow bar.
The AM radio doesn't work well.
The underhood light broke last year when I was changing a bulb.
The parking brake rusted inside the drum.
And the retracting antenna stuck up years back.
I have to add some A/C coolant every couple years, but it cools well still.
I did have to spend $350 online to replace the headlight cowl and signal light and grill and backer when I hit a big buck four years ago - right side front, doing about 65.
General Comments:
I keep my cars at least 150,000, and I have driven and worked on many vehicles from Ferarri to Pinto, and built large test equipment for the auto industry, internationally.
The is a great car - handles a lot better than the newer ones - I bought a 2001 and gave it to my kid because the 95 was better handling.
I got it because it could tow 6500 lbs, and I have done a couple runs of a few hundred miles with 6500 in tow.
Greatest car ever on ice - I have Quadratrac with the ratioed clutches - amazing traction - I have pulled cars out of ditches in lo range, idling on fresh plowed packed snow.
I get 21 MPG on the freeway doing 78 A/C off - have for at least 10 years. Probably the low profile.
Last time I checked with a normal load on board, I did 0-65 in a shade over 7 seconds, a lot of torque in the big engine.
I use it to haul once in a while - took a fallen tree - not too big, a Birch, maybe 6-8 inches across - out of the lake and it didn't break a sweat.
29th Jan 2012, 23:19
Tires, brakes, spark plugs, air filter and wiper blades are not intended to last the life of any vehicle.