Ole Reliable

[Grumpy Bear]

 

 

Ole Reliable

 

 

She's 16 years old and our primary trip vehicle to ANYWHERE. Took her this spring to Denver. 2,000 miles round trip. 30 mpg on that trip. Zero oil usage. Flawless operation and comfortable beyond compare. She still looks new. I expect an additional 16 years from her in this shape. If I live that long. 

 

 

192,000 and anywhere, anytime. 10 years old. 19 mpg on E-85, 28 on gasoline. Original brakes with years left  on them. Uses no oil. Looks new, runs new. Quite as a mouse. 

 

I run things until the "Pick and Save" gives me a check somewhere over 200K, a few over 300K, or someone makes me an offer I can't refuse. I've owned fewer new cars that one has fingers on one hand and not many more than that used. I've traded exactly one to a dealer for a new one. 

 

Reliability isn't about years or miles. It's about care and condition.

And that...you have a say in. 

 

 

Edited October 31, 2025 by Grumpy Bear

[Grumpy Bear]

Tell me True

 

Anyone else have a personal ride (non-fleet) a decade or more old and/or 200K plus miles that you still have full confidence in? Something you would or do drive cross country without a serious concern. 

 

Photo? It story? 

[PunchT37]

Yep. Have had all my past vehicles trusted and old. 
 

Still have my 2000, 1500 I bought in 9 of ‘99. Drive and trust more than my ‘25 1500. 
 

 

[PunchT37]

I’m really not too afraid of this thing either. 1971 Pontiac LeMans I bought in 1985. It WILL drink gas though as it’s around 630 hp and 610 tq with a 3 speed trans. 
 

 

[KARNUT]

All have been used as trip vehicles. All reliable. All but the Acura are over 150K miles. Seems we’re favoring the Honda Van for trips now. The Acura once was enough. We’re too old, ouch. There’s more but family members use those. And I’m always looking. 

[PunchT37]

4 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

All have been used as trip vehicles. All reliable. All but the Acura are over 150K miles. Seems we’re favoring the Honda Van for trips now. The Acura once was enough. We’re too old, ouch. There’s more but family members use those. And I’m always looking. 

I might`a thought you needed a dealer license. But then I thought, he ain`t sellin`.

[KARNUT]

1 minute ago, PunchT37 said:

I might`a thought you needed a dealer license. But then I thought, he ain`t sellin`.

The Acura my wife bought new as a toy. The Genesis was CPO with 1K miles. She says she ain’t selling ever. It barely leaves town. The Van I helped my daughter buy new I probably paid for 3/4s of. I traded her a low mileage CRV for it. The Ridgeline was a recent purchase. I let my grandson use the avalanche. I got to have a truck around. My favorite is the Genesis. I’m only allowed to drive it Sunday to church to put gas in. My least favorite is the Ridgeline. It’s a fine vehicle. Sometimes they just don’t fit. The biggest surprise is the minivan. You have to drive one for awhile to get it. About a dealer license. Way back when I lived in New Jersey I was turning over so many vehicles I got a notice from the DMV. That if I kept the pace up I would have to get a used vehicle dealership license. Working for my father one year we had lots of rain outs. Living near Fort Dix there were plenty of used cars lots. Every time it rained I’d come home with a different car. Every lettered or numbered car made I’ve had at least one example. Some were nice, some not so much. I slowed down only because I eventually needed a truck for work. And my wife would get attached to a car and put her foot down. When the kids got older. I’d have a toy and she would. I favored the larger performance cars she liked the small ones. The Acura was her last one. When she came home with the Genesis I was shocked. 

[KARNUT]

1 hour ago, PunchT37 said:

Yep. Have had all my past vehicles trusted and old. 
 

Still have my 2000, 1500 I bought in 9 of ‘99. Drive and trust more than my ‘25 1500. 
 

 

Is that actual miles? Damn, you want a Ridgeline?

[PunchT37]

26 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Is that actual miles? Damn, you want a Ridgeline?

Ain’t been driving much in the last few years. Shift worker with tons of overtime. 

[KARNUT]

3 minutes ago, PunchT37 said:

Ain’t been driving much in the last few years. Shift worker with tons of overtime. 

That’s within my favorite years up to cylinder deactivation. My Avalanche will never leave the family. I bet you feel the same with your gem. The Ridgeline will probably end up with a family member. Dibs have been called.

[PunchT37]

1 minute ago, KARNUT said:

That’s within my favorite years up to cylinder deactivation. My Avalanche will never leave the family. I bet you feel the same with your gem. The Ridgeline will probably end up with a family member. Dibs have been called.

I wasn’t about to trade that thing. I’ve seen plenty with over 300k on em. 
 

Good ole LM7 with 4L60E. 
 

Used to work at the chevy dealer when the 800’s were current.
 

 

[Silverado4x4]

Thought it was called Ol Reliable instead of Old Reliable. 

Edited October 30, 2025 by Silverado4x4

[txab]

5 hours ago, PunchT37 said:

I’m really not too afraid of this thing either. 1971 Pontiac LeMans I bought in 1985. It WILL drink gas though as it’s around 630 hp and 610 tq with a 3 speed trans. 
 

 

Love the smell of fuel and a 4 barrel!

[PunchT37]

5 minutes ago, txab said:

Love the smell of fuel and a 4 barrel!

How bout the sound of it coming towards you at wide open throttle? About 6400 rpm`s on that engine.

[txab]

Of course that is a given!