Reliability or Mileage?

diyer2 · February 9, 2016

Seeing the posts about mileage got me to thinking what's more important, mileage or dependability?

Back in the 70's I owned a built 350 in a Nova, terrible mileage, lots of wrenching to keep it running good. Points, condenser, plugs, setting the dwell, who remembers doing that? Solid lifters to adjust but gas was cheap, so were a lot of things compared to today. Even a stock vehicle took more wrenching than today's cars and the mileage wasn't great. I don't miss it.

Fast forward;

Today's vehicles are easier to maintain and get better mileage. My 1993 5.7L TBI averaged 12 to 14 mpg city and 15 to 17 mpg highway, mountain driving 13 to 15 mpg, about 10 mpg when towing my boat. This was a reliable truck, easy to maintain and work on.

My 2012 Sierra has been averaging 13.5 mpg city, 18 to 19 mpg highway, 14 to 16 mpg mountains.

I bought a truck not a pregnant roller skate with a 4 cylinder. I'll buy the gas, just let it last.

intheburbs · February 9, 2016

My '08 Burb has 145k miles on it. I've owned it for 3 years. I've paid exactly ZERO in repairs. Only expenses have been fluid changes. Everything, right down to the last little gizmo, works just like it did the day it rolled out of the factory. I also beat the snot out of her, towing trailers as heavy as 8600 lbs, all over the country, and bouncing her off the rocks in the UP of Michigan and out in Moab (see my avatar<---). Best truck I've ever owned.

I couldn't care less about mileage. Cruising at 80-85 she'll get me 15 MPG. With a 39-gallon tank, that's longer than my bladder can last.

My everyday driver is a company-provided 2015 Taurus, so the Burb sits in the garage 90% of the time.

00Silverado4x4 · February 9, 2016

With today's engine it seems that we get the best of both, good economy and very good reliability. I bought my truck with 363k miles and 15 years old and I feel that she's ready to haul me and the family back to Alaska later this year with no problem.

Explorer · February 9, 2016

Technology has gotten better. American manufacturers were forced to improve in order to compete with foreign ones. High oil prices contributed to the equation.

Nanotech Environmental · February 14, 2016

Seeing the posts about mileage got me to thinking what's more important, mileage or dependability?

Back in the 70's I owned a built 350 in a Nova, terrible mileage, lots of wrenching to keep it running good. Points, condenser, plugs, setting the dwell, who remembers doing that? Solid lifters to adjust but gas was cheap, so were a lot of things compared to today. Even a stock vehicle took more wrenching than today's cars and the mileage wasn't great. I don't miss it.

Fast forward;

Today's vehicles are easier to maintain and get better mileage. My 1993 5.7L TBI averaged 12 to 14 mpg city and 15 to 17 mpg highway, mountain driving 13 to 15 mpg, about 10 mpg when towing my boat. This was a reliable truck, easy to maintain and work on.

My 2012 Sierra has been averaging 13.5 mpg city, 18 to 19 mpg highway, 14 to 16 mpg mountains.

I bought a truck not a pregnant roller skate with a 4 cylinder. I'll buy the gas, just let it last.

That engine in your 2012 is everything the 350 in your nova could only dream of. It likely puts out more power & more useable power than the engine in that Nova, but also uses way less gas doing it, along with only needing oil changes for maintenance. Additionally, it will use less oil between changes, and that oil will only need to be changed every 8000 miles or so, instead of having to do it every 2-3000 like on that old 350.

Spark plugs? Wires? don't get me started on that....

Also that LS motor has a reasonable life expectancy of at least 300k miles, maybe a whole lot more, compared to that old 70's 350 which could only dream of getting to 100k.

Imagine having that modern LS motor in that Nova, with a modern 6 speed trans. Guess that's why the restomod culture has grown so much.......

I love these modern LS engines.

diyer2 · February 14, 2016

If this 2012 provides the reliability my 93 did with proper maintenance I'll be happy.

In 243K miles the 93 had a radiator, 2 starters, 2 alternators, a trans (at 230K miles), rear main seal with tranny install, 1 distributor, some engine sensors. I put new intake and valve cover gaskets on about 140K miles. The other items are normal wear, brakes, belts, tires, batteries, plugs, etc. No problem, no major motor issues.

The 93 was a daily work truck, retired now so the 12 gets light use.

Time will tell.

Nanotech Environmental · February 14, 2016

FWIW, I have an 06 5.3 that has 175 k miles (280,000km)on it. So far, it's only needed oil changes. I've replaced belts & tensioners once as a preventative measure.

Did the plugs and wires last year just because, even though the old ones turned out to still be good.

Did the water pump recently, which probably didn't absolutely have to be done, but was working on a coolant loss issue that was hard to diagnose. (Turned out to be a failed rad hose clamp)Evidence appeared to show that the water pump gaskets were probably leaking a bit as well. It was only $60 or $70 , so no biggie and I know it's good now.

I'd say this one has been a solid engine. It should go another 100-150k miles...