19th Nov 2014, 13:19

I have a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria with over 450,000 miles. Since new it has had 1 alternator, several power window regulators, 2 blend door actuators, and of course routine maintenance like front end repairs, fluids, and belts and hoses.

The car does use oil, but has since 80,000 miles and it still gets 26 MPG highway, 16 in town. I use an Interstate branded battery and they last about 8 years.

Did I mention I got this car new in 1996 for only $17,000; what a great investment. Of course about every 50,000 miles you have to clean out the EGR ports, as they get clogged with carbon, and change the transmission oil every 25,000 miles or the torque converter starts to shudder.

I couldn't imagine how much I'd have spent on a Prius if I got one in 1995, or any car with a 70,000 mile timing belt at $500 a pop. I'm going to drive this 95 Crown as long as I can, and I'm only 65 years old, and we typically live to be 100.