If you wanted to buy something today that would stand the test of time, what would you buy? We asked readers this week what their future high mileage hero of choice would be. The answers were about as varied and unique as our readers are. Here are some of the best responses:
Can fix it yourself, most of the parts are not bespoke and easily sourced, the only thing I’d be worried about is the wood.
I think I’d still be very happy in my Ineos Grenadier as you passed me in your Porsche. ( I don’t have an Ineos, but I need one).
Lexus LC500. It’s a Lexus so there’s little to worry about for parts or reliability. Plus it’ll fit a set of golf clubs in the back
If I was planning on keeping something for 50+ years, I’d be buying a base Toyota Tacoma. With fewer things to break and cockroach-like reliability, I’d be enjoying the functionality and not spending increasing amounts of time just trying to get things fixed.
I was going to say my wife’s Macan, but since it’s a 2018 and not new I’ll pick the Macan T. 6-cyl models are known to leak but the 4 is a joy to drive and it’s the same 2.0 that VW puts in everything these days and robust enough to take a pretty strong tune. Everything else about it is typical Porsche reliable, and it can take any type of driving and usage, I’d gladly keep it for 400k+ miles.
I would buy the new Toyota Prius Prime with the optional solar panel. Extremely mature technology, service parts are readily available/standardized, and there is a thriving battery replacement community if/when the lithium battery begins to degrade.
On top of that, you get insane gas mileage assuming you use the all electric function for commuting.
Regular cab, long bed F250 or 350 with the gas 7.3 godzilla V8. Old school pushrod low stress engine, BOF truck. Ford built it for easy maintenance and to make low end torque. Should last quite some time if the trans holds up.
As far as a robust modern vehicle - it would have to be a truck, and heavy duty trucks always have great aftermarket support. So I’ll say the Ford Super Duty, probably with the 7.3 gas engine, as I think the emissions control systems on the 6.7 diesel will cause issues in the future (despite it otherwise being a great engine). The current super duty platform has been out since 2017 and has a strong reputation for reliability. Additionally, the aluminum body of these trucks will keep rust to a minimum.
My personal bet would be on an EV. They are more simple to reverse engineer, and what you can’t reverse engineer can be replaced wholesale. I know it sounds crazy, but the more I learn about EV conversions, the more I’m convinced that’s the direction young gear heads will go. EVs are much easier to understand than modern vehicles. They honestly feel more like 90s cars, once you get past the whole “I need to relearn everything I know about cars” step.
Submitted by: put-some-turbo-on-meeeee
I’d go one step further and say an EV truck. Yes, the battery won’t last 400k miles but by then there will likely be cheaper/denser replacements. Going EV will drastically reduce the number of mechanical items needed to keep working that long.
I already own it, my 2019 Audi TTRS.
However in 50 years I’ll be dead, as I don’t think I’ll live to 116.
Corvette C7 Grand Sport. No rust, bulletproof engine and trans, ample parts availability, great interior ergonomics for all sizes, enough options to give you all the important features like ABS, airbags, stability control, cameras, etc. The only downside is the infotainment will age terribly, but hey - Bluetooth audio isn’t going anywhere. Best of all it’s dirt cheap to maintain and own - you can literally do all the major services yourself with just basic hand tools. Keep the oil changed and the filters clean and let her rip. If the mag shocks go out just throw some hydraulic dampers on there and call it a day.
So, my suggestion as the only vehicle that checks every box is the Latest Sienna. My concern is that 20 years from now, when the battery craps the bed, would it be worth replacing the battery given the amount of miles it might have on it by then.