For those of you with a forever car, how do you prepare for it? What gave you the faith that you'd get the support you need from the automaker/aftermarket, etc.?
Posted by Temporary-Chest-3111@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 129 comments
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aroundincircles@reddit
I just buy like 4 or 5 of the same car, and fix them, buy spare parts, hoard stuff…
CountryBoyCanSurvive@reddit
This is me, with my six Dodge Dakota and a rack with literally every part available nee on rock auto as well as another rack with the remaining bits from two other Dakotas that I have parted out.
For shitboxes, there's safety in numbers.
HardRockGeologist@reddit
Many years ago I worked with a guy who bought three Yugos, one to drive and two for parts. They were terrible pieces of crap, and obtaining parts was next to impossible.
aroundincircles@reddit
I’ve owned several of the same cars over the years; a jeep XJ’s, some Saabs. I currently own two S10 blazers, but I bought them for my older kids to learn to drive on. It just happened that I found two in good condition at a good price in my area. And the fit our needs (small but tall, 4x4, and seats 5)
Liquidretro@reddit
I have a 2000 BMW Z3, so I'm a little in front of you. I don't plan to keep it forever, but I'll keep it around for a while probably. So far parts have not been an issue, I'm willing to use quality aftermarket stuff especially with some of the BMW tax on oem parts. My car is E30 and E36 based so there are plenty of non model specific parts to source from. I rarely see e36 driving around these days but I'm not super concerned. The community is active and there are parts cars around too.
3D Printing is an option for interior plastics. I printed myself a new door pull which is stronger than factory for significantly less, and it's a common weak point. My next project is suspension refresh too.
Temporary-Chest-3111@reddit (OP)
Yea, I have received inputs about 3D printing, although for me it’s not trivial to juggle so many things at once. Can you recommend a printer as a good place to start? I have been trying to get a suspension refresh started recently but it’s not great news…Sachs apparently is out of stock of the M sports shocks with no ETA on manufacturing, as are Bilstein B6 and B8s. There is going to be quite a wait it seems. Hopefully you’d have better luck with the Z3.
Liquidretro@reddit
I have a Bambu X1C and A1, you want an enclosed printer for higher temp/stronger materials like PA6-CF probably, so the new X2D or P2S would probably work well I would guess.
I have looked for some suspension parts and haven't seen supply issues really.
mantenner@reddit
I work constantly on it as it's 35 years old and there's always something going wrong.
dphoenix1@reddit
And annoying bullshit too. Oh good, a bushing in the shift tower needs replacing? And there’s zero information on the internet on how to do this, so I get to dive in blind? Fun! Or you get bit by crap aftermarket parts quality (“let’s see how many times I get to do this stupid job”) because OEM parts have been discontinued for decades.
But it’s a labor of love. The relationship might be abusive, but when you actually manage to improve something, it’s great. Especially when it’s something you’ve just lived with for years.
Jethro_Tell@reddit
If you’re going to own a car forever or rally just work in it yourself more than a one off, find the service manual for it. The internet is great but the service manual tells you exactly how they expect to e vehicle to be serviced and every part name and how to replace it, including special tools required and the torque specs.
You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.
HideyoshiJP@reddit
Are you working on my RX-7?
KanterBama@reddit
Comments like these are why I’m just gonna 13B swap an NB Miata when it’s my turn to own a rotary.
willard_saf@reddit
My favorite one is not knowing the name of a part so you just have to describe it when you search for it but that part never shows up is something different.
Square-Cockroach-884@reddit
Lucky for us, if you are patient or have another car, BMW will gladly order parts for you from Germany. I have got many things for my E30 that way, when there was no other local alternative. I think the BMW philosophy is (was) These are great machines ve are buildink, ve should make enough spare parts for them to be repaired forever!!
le_b0mb@reddit
Aw man I was gonna mention something similar but I got beat! Yeah I've been collecting parts for the thing in case it breaks down but it keeps chugging. I can't even use that as an excuse to rip the auto eta out.
Though it's nice that I have the M2, means I can finally think about doing my endgame N52 swap.
mantenner@reddit
Enjoy it the way is as long as you can, take that from someone with experience....feel free to peep my recent post history and the issues I'm having with my 12:1 comp stroker M20 lol
M2 must be a hoot, and the N52 is an interesting but stout choice, I have heard of this becoming more common!
le_b0mb@reddit
I have been since about 2020, doing the whole 'slow car slow' thing for a while haha. Figure once I get the subframes and suspension sorted there's only one other summit to conquer and that's an engine swap that's at least 20 years newer.
The M2 is a near-perfect complement to the car I find, an absolute hoon compared to the more sedate nature of the E30 (eta drivetrain doesn't help).
mantenner@reddit
Engine alone cost me around 17K AUD 7 years ago, it maked just under 175kw at the wheels, unfortunately with a failing valve, so hoping after it's fixed it'll be a bit more stout. Had serious torque/timing issues.
And yes i can imagine!
Straight6er@reddit
And often it's the stuff you'd never expect. My rear defroster doesn't work anymore because the incandescent bulb inside the button heats up the plastic and eventually it fails.
I guess the defroster works but the button doesn't. Oh well.
The_Mosephus@reddit
https://www.ebay.com/itm/405613790206?chn=ps&google_free_listing_action=view_item
Straight6er@reddit
Oh yeah by no means a difficult problem, just not one I'd anticipated ever having. Thanks for the link!
ActuallyNotRetarded@reddit
I haven't seen literally any person who bought an AMG and kept it running for 20 yrs with over 100k miles. But I see that all the time with M3s. That told me that bmw cares about making cars that last. Plus with the new B58 developing amazing pedigree as we speak I was dead set on getting a B58 brand new and keeping it forever. Unfortunately, bmw doesn't make B58s with manual transmissions anymore and I was on the manual supra wait-list for 18 months so I said screw it and got an M2. I will keep it till the wheels fall off.
andoman66@reddit
140k on my 21 year old C55 AMG. If I wasn't doing all the mechanical/body work on it, there is no way I could afford to keep it nice and driveable. Some exterior parts are now discontinued without an alternative replacement, but mechanically everything is still available.
The car had very low production numbers so I understand why they've stopped making certain model specific parts. Luckily most of the car from behind the front fenders is a regular C230 and junkyards are full of them.
ActuallyNotRetarded@reddit
Very well done. I have tons of respect for people who keep their cars going for so long, especially something special like yours
Iridium-Silver@reddit
It hasn’t been mine for most of its existence, but my E63 has over 120k miles and is still going strong. I made sure to find one with a thick history folder that included frequent oil changes (helps reduce top end problems on the M156) as well as some other important items before buying it. There’s plenty of M113/M113K powered cars (CLK55, E55, W202 C43, etc.) going well beyond 100k too.
Square-Cockroach-884@reddit
I happened into my 89 E30, 2dr, 6cyl, 5spd, with only 170,000 miles showing on a non operational odometer. I drove it daily, long commutes, trips, working on what it needed when needed. Never fixed the odometer. Considering that I have owned it twice as long as the person who put the first 170 on it I figure im close to half a million... Bad water pump impeller took out my cylinder head last year. While it was down looking for a head I could afford, I decided to pull the engine and reseal the leaks and clean up the engine comp. Pulled the pan and checked the bearings, which were in spec. And dawned if I couldnt see a bit of cross hatch still on the cylinder walls. So I put it back together. Still leaks tho
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
I want a '91 E30 325i 5spd coupe... but finding one in nice condition that isn't and arm, leg, and left nut is rediculous.
Square-Cockroach-884@reddit
Nice and affordable do not fit into the same sentence. Except the one proceeding this one.
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
I'm only saying that the ones that are out there for "normal" or "reasonable" prices are absolutely beat to hell and back and the ones that are still out there that are still in decent condition are half of what I paid for my 3bd 2 bath house and 1.5 acres of land 28 years ago.
I mean geez, it's just an E30... people are asking way too much with some unrealistic "I know what I got" mentality.
Square-Cockroach-884@reddit
Yeah i get it, it's gone crazy. Mine is in the hell and back category, but it still does everything o ask of it, and it's paid for, so pretty valuable to me nonetheless. I have turned down 5000 dollars, would not turn down ten lol
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
Yeah it has. That's all you can ask for.
I'm not looking for a Pebble Beach Concours ready "just rolled off the showroom floor" condition example but I'm also not trying to buy one that's held together with bubble gum, duct tape, hopes, dreams, and a prayer that some yahoo is asking $7500+ for either, ya know?
Square-Cockroach-884@reddit
Yep. Mine is solid. Was a mechanic for 20 years already when I bought it, for $300. Yes,$300. With a salvage title, a crunchy 1/4 panel, a broken t-belt, and some bent valves lol.
le_b0mb@reddit
There’s still deals to be had, just not as numerous as previous years. Join the r3vlimited forum and fb page for searching.
su1ac0@reddit
340k miles on my 99 C43
218k miles on my highly modified 2005 E55
Best friend loved my C43 so much he bought one for himself 10 years ago. He's pushing 250k miles with only having ever replaced a fuel filter.
Ed Bolian set two different Canonball Run records in high mileage AMG's. There's a 2003 E55 out there with over 450k miles on it.
If you actually knew AMG owners (e.g. in the forums and facebook groups) the average mileage on a 20 year old AMG is nearly 200k.
Skodakenner@reddit
Audi is quite bad there they drop parts quite soon so you dont get them after 10 years. My E39 still gets parts new from BMW like interior trim stuff but its starting to slowly get worse
secondslc@reddit
Huh? Looking at my 2000 ml55 with 240k miles and (despite rust) runs like new
FeMnTaNb2O6@reddit
I mean AMG has only been an official sub brand of MB for like 30 years so that might be why. Generally early AMG's were extremely reliable, far more so than Bmw's of the same generation (mid 90s - mid 2000s).
Kushkaki@reddit
Toyota dealers and their “wait lists”. I was on a list to get my gr86 in a particular spec for 16 months from one dealership. I started digging on my own and found one unspoken for an hour away, got into contact with that dealer and got a deposit in for the car.
I don’t know where I’m going with this other than it’s stupid how bad Toyotas “ordering” process is and I’m sorry you missed out on the Supra because of that. On the bright side, M2’s are badass!
Kilo-G713@reddit
Take it apart yourself if you have the know how. Rebuild all the systems again so you know they are fresh.
dontreadragebait@reddit
The day I bought it. My first car. I’m a sentimental thing and knew the day I took it home I’d have it forever.
Napalm3n3ma@reddit
Buy a Japanese car with heritage they still make parts for Acura Type R’s from the 90’s. Japan has car honor most companies do not.
kyonkun_denwa@reddit
This is totally ridiculous because I know for a fact that there are multiple critical components for my friend's 1MZ-FE that are discontinued by Toyota, with only shitty aftermarket options available. And good luck rebuilding a transmission on an XV20 Camry because Toyota just doesn't make the parts for that anymore.
Maybe some Halo cars get a good parts catalogue but the notion that the Japanese alone act with "honor" is just laughable weeb nonsense.
Napalm3n3ma@reddit
Has to be some cars man, heritage cars. Like an older Type R or something. I don’t know what that is. All I do know is I saw a 90’s Acura Type R and the mechanic working on it said parts are still available which floored me. Contrast that to my buddy with a 2006 Corvette that stopped having parts produced for it as of 2023. So if he needs a replacement steering wrack for instance - good luck. He can’t get one - car essentially totaled. I think car companies should be required by law to provide parts as long as cars they made are registered and running on roads. Like what is this forced obsolecense we have as a way of life?
LewdDarling@reddit
Yeah they still make some parts because integras share a ton of parts with civics from those years. Makes sense for honda to keep making them since theres probably still hundreds of thousands of those being daily driven.
Most of the parts special to those old type Rs are long out of production since they were low production.
Napalm3n3ma@reddit
Fair play I didn’t mean to suggest all the parts but perhaps it felt, feels, to me, that some Japanese brands have a longer support than US based. I can’t speak for European - outside of Ferrari who I am sure will make you whatever part for a big enough sack of cash lol
Chewbaccas_Bowcaster@reddit
This isn’t always true. Toyota recent started their heritage parts program for the AE86, but not for everything and not every Toyota model has this program. I have a low mileage R32 GTR and although Nissan has been doing a heritage program for quite some time for GTRs, I have to go to aftermarket or custom for certain things still. Even my badges are still not remade and mine need replacement due to being 34 years old.
hoopercuber@reddit
as an ek9 and nsx owner… lots of parts are unavailable
NoNothing9410@reddit
1997 T-Bird. All original, original owner, stored inside entire life. 80K on clock.
newcarguy2019@reddit
You're overthinking this. There's no solidifying anything. 10-20yrs is a long time. Things change, interests change and life happens. Figure it out as it goes. My biggest concern is rust.
darkhelmet1121@reddit
Simple and simple and simple.
Easy parts available everywhere you might be.
Find a very common car that's everywhere and easy to get parts for.
Mustang Camaro
V8 f150 V8 Silverado
Camry Toyota truck
Jeep wrangler (yes it's Chrysler but aftermarket is monster)
A Cummins swapped f350 might be perfect for a forever vehicle
Learn how to do your own maintenance as much as possible
flatout_brat@reddit
I seem to quickly cycle through different cars over the years and wish I could have kept some of the old cars I had as a young adult.
Trying something different now because I honestly can’t think of a car I’d rather daily drive….
September will be 5 years with my 2021 STi
Looking forward to many more years together🤞
dadmantalking@reddit
I have never spent a single moment thinking about parts availability for my forever car (which I do in fact own), I do however stress quite a bit about parts affordability...
themickeymauser@reddit
Considering Subaru stopped making the EJ not even 3 years ago (but still continues to produce the engine as a crate) I think I’ll be okay.
cjdubais@reddit
Enthusiast car user forums are your friend.
I've got an '07 Lexus SC430 that I absolutely adore. I've done some careful mods to significantly reduce the issues brought forth by the Orangutan and friends. It's the last car that I will owm, baring something catestrophic.
Were it not for ClubLexus, I would be screwed.
And yes, we're starting to see parts become unavailable. Not power train parts, as they are shared across a number of Toyota/Lexus products, but body and interior parts.
Just recently a member was looking for a replacement for the gas filler inlet. His had evidently cracked and was leaking fumes into the car. They are no longer made. Luckily he was able to find a used one, but this is a harbinger of times ahead.
And while we are having this conversation, we all need to be thinking about insurance. I've been seeing instances where cars older than 10 years old involved in an accident, and the insurance company insisting on a total loss. Happened to one of the CL guys. His 2004 SC was involved in a fender bender, and the insurer insisted on totaling it. He was able to buy it back and get it fixed. Unfortunately all this is a major PITA as you have to go through the re-titling maze to get the car back on the road. I've already had to do this and am not interested in doing it again.
I sent my State Farm agent an e-mail asking about this and I got a no-reply reply, which answers my question. I'm going to getting a fixed value comprehensive policy from one of the specialty providers.
To replace my car with a similar vehicle would be in the $25k range, yet the blue book is considerably less than that.
cheers
M4roon@reddit
I honestly don't think about it that much.
My main sort of justification is I remember being in love with my 2010 330i msport. The little repairs every 6 months got me frustrated, and I bought a new car. But even with repairs every six months for the next 30 years it wouldn't have cost half the money I spent upgrading/registering/insuring the new car.
Now I'm keeping the Supra until they force me into whatever electric blob is mandated for driving in the future. Upkeep could get difficult at some point, but it's likely still going to be a better financial decision than buying new. And performance is still going to be better than 90% of the econoboxes out there.
And who knows, you may change your mind in 20 years, and that's fine too. You're more than justified at that point.
Snow_source@reddit
Same. Given how much aftermarket support there is for the B58, and just how many models BMW made with the B58, I don't foresee it to be that hard to do. In 15 years when the trim pieces start failing there will likely be some kind of cottage industry in fabricating parts.
The infotainment might be dated in 2040, but unless Bluetooth and WiFi standards change dramatically there will be some kind of backwards compatibility there or plugging directly into the USB port.
ClickKlockTickTock@reddit
BMW and Toyota really don't drop part support extremely early like american automakers do. So, my cars will likely last until they wreck
bn25168@reddit
2008 VW GTI with 177k miles. The repairs cost way less than a car payment. The reason for it being my forever car: first car I bought and also it's a manual. It's not my daily anymore which helps.
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
Since I deal with S10s... and have for 30yrs... I have ammased a fairly healthy amount of "spare stuff" over the years but I can still get most anything I need from LMC Truck. My '88 GMC S15 Jimmy with the Gypsy and Z71 package, 4.3L/700R4 combo has 210k miles stills looks great and runs like a top.
Have a few other S-series as well.
My other long term/forever is my '01 Malibu LS... still in great shape as well body/interior wise. I rebuilt the engine myself a few years back with some upgrades. Mechanical wise, it's still not hard to find parts... but if whenever other stuff like interior/trim starts going I dunno what I'm gonna do. And for now at least, if body panels ever get damaged, there are still replacements available... but at least I have an associates degree in autobody repair, restore, refinish.
vovchandr@reddit
I picked a car where the model has been around 1957 and you can literally put the entire car by yourself.
There's been many drivetrains throughout the years that can be used and there's not a single piece of glass on the car to try to source. (If you chose to go without windshield)
The simpler, the better for a forever car and I picked one of the strongest possible candidates for such a mission. No doors. No infotainment, few to no electronics etc.
Lotus7/Caterham
ShallWeGiveItAFix@reddit
Chapman is my hero!
wearymicrobe@reddit
Same. I can get small block Chevy parts for the next 100 years even if they stopped making them today. Same with rock crusher internals and rear end parts.
64 corvette coupe.
Temporary-Chest-3111@reddit (OP)
I did look into getting an Elise a while back when I started the hobby car search, but the prices turned me off especially when the Boxster seemed like a lot more car for nearly half the price.
TheNorthernRose@reddit
2007 4Runner 4.7 V8
It’s the most notoriously reliable engine from the most reliable passenger car motor company, and it’s in the lightest vehicle they stuck it in from the factory. It’s a simple truck, no extra bells or whistles, cloth seats, etc but power options for comfort. I detail and fully extract the seats and carpet every few months, throw any trash I have into a waste basket in the car. I keep the frame clean, and live in a place without road salt or too much sun.
The only signs it’s aged are rubber components and the transmission occasionally signaling it’s seen better days. It’s certainly true that a Land Cruiser would need less TLC, but what it would need would’ve costlier and so would running it. I just don’t see a reason to get something else for the job of moving me and my shit around and going anywhere I need to, because it’s taken me and everything I’ve needed anywhere I’ve needed to take it. It’s a trusty companion.
phxbimmer@reddit
You kinda just have to do some parts hoarding for your forever car. BMW is pretty good about making all the mechanical components (for the most part) but trims and cosmetic components often go NLA after 20 years or so. All the E46 stuff is in the process of being discontinued, for example. That being said, if you have a reasonably common vehicle you can get by for a long time with used parts from crashed vehicles and whatnot.
Where you are will also make a difference… it’s quite doable to keep an 80’s/90’s BMW on the road in California as there’s a huge community for them and thus a ton of parts availability.
Temporary-Chest-3111@reddit (OP)
Yea, starting to feel pain with the E85 trim bits and stuff right about now. I am in Japan which makes things worse, as imports occupy merely 5% of the car market and BMW only makes up about 15% of that 5%...and people who buy imports are usually not all that hands on about them either.
WEASELexe@reddit
I'm very happy with my Mazdaspeed 3 however if I ever get the chance to own an r35 gtr I will definitely keep it till I die. Same with a Mitsubishi Evo although I'd prefer the gtr. For now I'm just driving my yaris as the daily while I look for a new engine in my speed 3 since I just blew it up recently
username_not_clear@reddit
No preparation, no real desicion even, just pure emotion. My wallet regrets it often.
gooseduxdux@reddit
I bought my teen dream car (an e46 m3). Got a raise and bonus around the same time. Spent an egregious (but fulfilling) amount of money over building it. Building the car then turned into a career change of being a custom car builder.
Then I crashed it. But couldn’t bear to let it go away like that. So I built it again.
Now I’ll never get the money back I spent on it. Thus feel like I should keep it forever.
I didn’t really have a choice (I tell myself this).
ayyitzTwocatZ@reddit
Pretty sure I can buy any single part I would ever need for mine. Compared to other cars where a part or even the engine they will not sell at all.
Gonna keep it as long as I live or till the rust kills it.
The_Crazy_Swede@reddit
I just do the service to make sure mine doesn't kick the bucket.
I bought a 1973 Volvo 1800ES back in 2021 and since I live in Sweden is spare parts quite easy and not too expensive to get my hands on.
Last repair was both rear brake calipers. One sized and the other one cracked and spilled brake fluid through the caliper body but that is 3 years ago.
Kidcharlamagne89d@reddit
Mine is boring but my 2023 or 24 Tacoma Sr 4x4 2.7 is staying with me till it dies because it's paid off and I like it.
Before I got it I was jumping around cars every year or two until I got what I though was my favorite car. A new manual tacoma trd offroad. Don't meet your heroes. That truck had the most annoying and clunky manual I have ever driven and I used to daily a beat up samurai that shifted like glass compared to the tacoma.
Traded the tacoma in on the new generation frontier pro4x. One of the first sold in the state. I liked that truck but it felt too nice for me. I was worried to scratch it so didn't take it where I could use the locking dif and 4x4. It felt very, um, well made? I have always had somewhat more utilitarian vehicles before and manuals. The frontier was quiet, smooth covered in leather and screens. I felt out of place.
Covid hit and all of a sudden my frontier was worth 20k more than what I paid for it at the Toyota dealership I had got my manual tacoma from. I went to test drive a manual grs and saw a ext cab so tacoma sitting out front and something just clicked. I test drive it and decided it was too slow and went home. Next day I went back to drive the grs but it had sold so I asked if I could drive the Sr taco around for the day. See if I could get used to it. I ended up walking out with the keys that night and a check from the dealership for the difference in values.
I've had my taco for 3 or so years now and it's slow as molasses but I dont mind beating it up and scratching it. It has big knobs for controls. A full size bed and room behind the 2 seats in the cab. It has done everything I ask it too and it feels right driving it. I love it. I wasn't sure I would keep it forever at first but it really fits me, feels right and I dont have car payments and the insurance is practically nothing. Its extremely easy to do basic maintenance on with the little 2.7 in the same bay that usually has the v6 in and it gets 24 mpg for me. Gonna run it till it dies.
SapphireSire@reddit
1988 Toyota 4x4 extra cab...
I do preventative maintenance every ten years, it's literally never left me stranded even after a fuel pump failed, I could still drive it and I noticed the power was down a bit, so after 3 days figured out it was sucking fuel out of the tank somehow...idk if ita magic or if these trucks are gifts from God.
I do regularly maintain eng oil every 6 months, brake, coolant, diff, transfer case every 3 years, grease the joints, etc....but this truck has outlasted 4 well kept BMWs.
gaius49@reddit
I don't expect any support. I expect to continue to fabricate specialty parts as needed, and use as many general purpose off the shelf parts as possible.
Old_Cars@reddit
I just deal with it if it has problems my forever vehicles are all so old that emissions weren’t even factored in when they were built 2 of them being so old turn signals were optional and the last being old enough to not have seatbelts
SkitchesStitch@reddit
Bought wife 01 Trans Am shortly after getting married. Just did a decade refresh on it involving redoing all the interior, going from a single turbo to twins. New Holley ECU and new motor. Parts are harder to find for it but when I find stuff try to hold onto them and more stuff seems to be reproduced regularly from various outlets.
I've got an 08 G8 that cosmetic components for it are a concern. Let dad borrow it once and he met a deer on the road destroying the GXP bumper. I got another and from what I gather was one of the last 3 in the country. Figured eventually convert to a Holden setup, but with that all being shut down, parts supply is dwindling. This is the one I am concerned most with maintaining cosmetically since mechanically is is just like the Camaros.
Best bet imo is take care of the stuff and if something breaks or needs repaired, do it sooner rather than later. Seen too many cars slowly rot as things get away from owners.
WhoaEyeKnee@reddit
Just keep it! You already love it and the kid loves it. Parts won't vanish overnight. By the time they do, you'll either not care or have found a way.
Fishtaco1234@reddit
It’s a 2012 Mazda 3 Sport 2.5L with the tech package. She only has 168k KM on her. As long as some fucktard doesn’t drive into me, this car will go forever. Zero plans in getting a new high tech car
DrillTheThirdHole@reddit
the fact that my car, despite being close to 30 years old, is still around with dirt cheap parts on rockauto. i could rebuild the entire thing in my garage with just the unibody and the block and about 6 grand in parts from rockauto
Temporary-Chest-3111@reddit (OP)
Man, in Japan there is actually not much of DIY spirit when it comes to cars, so part availability seems a lot more limited and expensive. Prices on EuroFCP and Pelican seem so cheap compared to what I’d pay, on top of having to get a shop to do most things so there will be a labor or service cost associated with ordering parts off catalog.
batexige@reddit
07 Exige. Toyota drivetrain, decent aftermarket support for most parts. Knowledgeable enthusiastic community and relatively simple analog mechanicals.
Best-Wash-1855@reddit
'94 F150. After 25 years, I realized I could see the engine when I opened the hood. I have been storing parts for 7 years. Great, go to barn now to repair or replace most things. Take care of things, they take care of you.
Omgninjas@reddit
Which engine? They're all good IMO, but I would really like one with the 300 I6. Torque? Yes. Longevity? Yes. Speed? Eh.
jordyb3231@reddit
I Baught it, and I maintain it🤷 lots and lots of aftermarket support and the engine platform is almost 30 years old, so there is a butt ton of information when shit goes wrong. Guess the car
CAT_MARINE-POWER@reddit
Worse case is you have to covert the car to completely be analog. Not really a big issue just time consuming
PopUpPulsarNx@reddit
I've owned and modified and rebuilt (several time) my 1988 nissan pulsar for over 20 years. I never decided it would be with me this long, but there was always one more mod to make. Everytime it broke I just wanted to enjoy driving it again. My adult son tells me of his memories of being a kid in it during the summer with the t-tops off. I bought another one a few years ago as a parts mule. I know way too much about the engine and platform, so I can fix anything with it given the time. I'll probably keep it for years to come into my 50s and 60s.
apimpnamedkirby@reddit
Nissan xterra second gen. Shares parts with frontiers and pathfinders, millions sold amongst those 3. In production for 20+ years. Dedicated off-road aftermarket.
0peRightBehindYa@reddit
It's a point of pride of mine that none of my former cars are still alive and on the road. I get every mile I can from a car and have personally delivered many former daily drivers to the scrapyard.
I get my money's worth out of my cars.
EliRocks@reddit
I have an 06 Silverado, I am about to drop like 6k or so to do all of the bushings and steering rack. Worth it. Truck runs amazingly, and it is super common.
I really am not worried about parts just due to how common the truck still is.
It has a strong aftermarket, so if I decide to go that path it will be easy.
woofyyyyyy@reddit
I definitely worry about my Evo as parts are still actively being discontinued, with many already discontinued. Luckily we have a community that parts out shells and non running ones so there are still a fair amount of parts as long as youre willing to look.
Like many others, I’ve hoarded some parts so I’m not as stressed…
mopar39426ml@reddit
Well, my forever car decided it was forever.
My Abarth took me through what better be the most pivotal part of my life. It got "totalled" last fall. It was cheap enough to buy back and I have enough emotional/sentimental attachment it it, so I did. It's not bad, but I haven't had the time to fix it thanks to work and weather.
There's enough of them in the country that I'd bet I can scrounge parts for a while. Criticals I can steal from Darts with enough ease... Even some Renegade, 500L, and 500X parts. What I desperately need I can source from Europe with a prayer. It just makes no financial sense to get rid of it now, and I'm pretty sure I never want to. I can't have that much fun within the boundaries of the speed limit with anything else.
LexKing89@reddit
I have a few and it’s rough sometimes. A Lexus SC300 and LS430. Some stuff is discontinued for the SC so I started holding onto extra stuff like headlights, taillights, and interior pieces. Some suspension stuff from the MKIV Supra fits so that helps.
The biggest hassle is really the cost of parts. OEM and the nicer aftermarket stuff is expensive on the LS430. I don’t drive either car as much anymore and am saving up to do a lot of work on both. I’ve had both cars for so long I can’t imagine life without either one.
mr_lab_rat@reddit
I picked a car that’s popular, doesn’t have too many unique parts, from a manufacturer that’s known to support their cars well past the mandatory 10 years.
Also a car that’s still relatively simple so I can DIY just about everything - OG M2 (the one with N55 engine).
If let’s say there is some trouble I just can’t overcome in 20-30 years there will be still be parts cars to pick from and there will be turn key drivetrain solutions with aftermarket B58 and S55/S58 blocks that will all swap right in.
Turbulent_Deal_3145@reddit
its a civic
TakesTooManyPhotos@reddit
2000 Ford Excursion. You buy a new truck one part at a time. Same with any forever vehicle. Labor of love.
TheRealTreezus@reddit
2020 WRX. Massive aftermarket, tons of OEM availability, loads of them in junkyards. I should be able to keep it going for many years to come no matter what needs replaced.
datloosenut@reddit
Do all the services on the early side of the mileage recommendation.
Use quality oils and don't skip on quality filters. In other words factory oil filters not jiffy lubes crap.
Fix things when they go bad not when you get around to it.
Don't drive it like you stole it, drive it like you want it to be your forever car.
Rusty areas you might consider a throw away vehicle when they have high salt and snow weeks.
Most importantly make friends with your mechanic. Let them know your goals and plan ahead.
DrunkenReindeer@reddit
Point 4 for sure.
I don't beat on any of my vehicles but you'd think I was 89 instead of 39 watching me drive the Viper around.
variablenockenwellen@reddit
The following:
1.community: positive examples BMW e36-39 range. Tons of groups and used parts for sale.
2. Parts availability: negative example is c4 s4. All parts are seemingly NLA with regard to the special AAN motor or considerably more expensive such as 034 Motorsport.
3. Longevity: positive example is OBS 7.3 pickup. The motors never die and parts and maintenance are realistic for a weekend job.
4. Rust prevalence: bad example is bmw 2002s. There is such a bifurcated market on those. There are either rusted out shells for $2k that no one should even take for free and then there are $12k ones with no real restoration work done. 2002s have become not worth it any more.
Ghepardo@reddit
I have a parts bin car. Parts are cheap and readily available. N54 turns out to be pretty easy to maintain.
HerefortheTuna@reddit
Well I plan to keep my GR86 since I bought it new and almost paid it off with only 12k miles on it.
It’s my second car- I daily a 2014 4Runner but I still have my 1990 4Runner in my garage too (dedicated trail/ camping rig/ cool classic 4x4)
The GR86 is fun, consumables like brakes and stuff are cheap if you drive it hard like it wants to be. Parts to mod it are everywhere and often found used cheap etc…
I actually had a gen 1 too but I bought that one used and riced it up a bit more. Was almost glad it was totalled so I could upgrade from the 13 FR-S to the 23 GR86 was a big jump in features and power even if I liked the looks of my modded FR-S better it was bright red and too flashy and immature for my life now
Spong_Durnflungle@reddit
Mine's an ND Miata and I'm over 50. I'll die before it does.
DrunkenReindeer@reddit
I feel like I'm playing this game on hard mode. My forever car is my 09 Gen IV Viper.
We've all heard the stories of parts availability and I can confirm, it's isn't great. I've planned about as well as I think I can. I've been around the Viper world for quite a while but didn't become an owner until 4 years ago. In that time, I've built relationships with the people that will help keep it road worthy. The 3 or 4 qualified engine shops in the country, the scrappers, the wizard level technical folks that float around the community, etc.
I have a ton of storage space built into my attic and I'm already tossing extra parts as I come across them up there. I don't know how long I'll be able to pull it off, but hopefully I can hand this car down to my future kid one day. That's the goal.
arcticrobot@reddit
my forever car is my 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport with manual transmission. Almost 10 year old, still 55k miles. Barely broken in, thanks to work from home and motorcycle in the summer.
GodsFavoriteDegen@reddit
My wife's forever car is an '88 Toyota pickup with a manual transmission. He dad bought it new. It's a rusty piece of garbage, but it starts every time and she gets big mad if I mention replacing it. The only thing she's been even remotely open to replacing it with is a nicer '88 Toyota pickup.
That said, parts are cheap and widely available, and it's stupid easy to work on. Coming from German cars, every time I work on it I block out an afternoon. Half an hour later, I'm done. I didn't even have to order some highly specialized Dieseswerkzeugtutnureineeinzigesacheundistabsolutnotwendig tool from Japan.
arcticrobot@reddit
Your wife absolutely deserves back to the future Toyota Pickup
https://imgur.com/HhsaaDP
NitroBike@reddit
I have an 07 outback with a manual, completely bone stock with full service records. Already had head gaskets done too. Obviously I'm banking on parts still being available because it's a mid 2000s Subaru. But I'm not giving it up. It's new enough for me and doesn't have any computers to fail or things the manufacturer can lock out if I don't pay a subscription fee. Never getting rid of this car.
RiftHunter4@reddit
I drive a base Toyota Highlander.
When I looked at my bank account and crappy job. Clearly I will not be buying anything new and I likely will never find a commuter as well-loved as my Highlander. I am the 2nd owner after a grandma so I've been able to baby it. It will outlive us all at this rate.
None and that's the point, I guess. If I win the lottery, I'm just gonna fix the rock chips and keep driving it.
adamisapple@reddit
I plan on keeping my Saab 9-3 TurboX forever. It has 180,000mi (bought around 125k) right now. It was always one of my dream cars and as they get rarer they get more expensive. I feel lucky I bought mine when I did for what I did because I couldn’t afford one now.
I’ve put in a lot already. New injectors, plugs and coils, a lot of vacuum lines, etc. parts availability is my biggest worry. Luckily it’s GM-era so there is a lot of parts that are shared with other cars. Some of the more unique parts are tough to find though. Going to have to do the master cylinder now, it always needs something. There’s still a good community out there to network and find things.
My biggest concern was the high milage on the XWD components, because I didn’t get a complete service history on it. However, a tow truck towed it with the rear axle on the ground and they paid for a new differential and transfer case, so thats a big expense I wont need to worry about.
bentnotbroken96@reddit
I had it. My stepson wrecked it - not enough to permanently disable it, but enough that every time I looked at it the ugly front end made me angry, so I sold it.
1995 Nissan pickup (pre Frontier) King Cab, 5Sp.
BusinessBlackBear@reddit
I've got a 2012 C6 corvette
Since it's a Corvette, I'm not too worried about the aftermarket availability disappearing.
By the time some of the weirder plastics start failing I'll assume 3d printing is easy enough as a fallback
totaltomination@reddit
I picked ones that had a lot of crossover with other wildly popular models and buy spare parts cars. My Subaru belonged to Theseus himself at this point.
jokr128@reddit
2007 Corvette, not only can I rebuild every single piece of it, there's a lighter/faster/better upgrade for every single piece.
PwnCall@reddit
Up north rust is the real problem. I fluid film it every fall.
DirectNova@reddit
Canada here, trying to plan on how to keep my 2002 Sequoia forever, frame has rust but getting a south frame is not that hard/expensive and I can keep my reliable daily for another 10 year, I'm trying.
87lane@reddit
Buy a Tacoma. Fast forward 25 years. Still love tacoma
randomman87@reddit
The ZF is best auto of the era at least
PM_ME_BIBLE_VERSES_@reddit
ZF8 yes, but haven't their other models had issues like the ZF9?
randomman87@reddit
That era was ZF6 my man
dangerz@reddit
I’ve been 3d printing small parts for my 71 Vette. It actually has a lot of support, but everything is so expensive.
I just took the wiper door off to fix my wipers. The bushings fell apart in my hand. I ended up measuring the bushings that were still ok, designed them in TinkerCad, and then printed them in ABS. I then posted them up on MakerWorld so others can use them.
It’s fun.
xdr01@reddit
People are critical parts bin cars but long term ownership is where its actually desirable.
With my STI is an enthusiast car with a lot of common parts with other Subarus, Subaru famous for being a lego cars.
With my Kia not a forever car but I love it and want to keep it long term. This is a part bin car despite being only 700 sold here in Australia 12 years ago. Thanks to the internet, I can cross reference the parts which appear on volume cars and jist use those. Installed Brembo brakes, Blistein suspension for dirt cheap because suspension is exactly same as base Hyundai i30. If engine up 95% certain a I30N 2L engine and gearbox will fit without too much customisation.
Tl;dr parts bin cars FTW
sixtninecoug@reddit
I have a 1969 Mercury Cougar. It’s my namesake here. It was my first car ever, and I’ve owned it for nearly 30 years now. I’ll probably die still owning this car.
Realistically it depends what you want from the car. Originality is eventually gonna go out the window. They’re only original once, so “just restored, all original!” Is always a funny line to me.
My car started off as mechanically pretty original, but it was a 30 year old car back then. So it had been painted multiple times, had previous body work. Etc etc.
I got it looking nice again, and then decided what I wanted out of it. It’s basically a toy now. Originality is out the window, and it hasn’t been a daily driver in nearly 20 years at this point.
You find parts networks and suppliers that support niche vehicles. My car is mechanically about 90% the same year Mustang, so mechanical parts are easy. Body parts are horrible to find. Trim parts, and specific “Cougar” parts. There are some suppliers out there that make parts though, so it’s not impossible. Just more expensive and limited. But I love the car, so whatever.
It was a 351w 2bbl car when I got it. FMX Auto, open 3.00 gears. Original drivetrain.
It now has a 428FE out of a 66 Thunderbird, a C6 out of a 74 Ford truck, and a 3.89 Detroit locker. It runs Holley Sniper EFI, and there’s very little about the mechanicals they resemble “stock” anymore. But that’s fine. You learn and figure what you want out of the car, so that’s what comes first. Then you adapt from there.
AsianGirlsRcuteAF@reddit
Definitely concerned about future parts availability... I've heard that's becoming a significant problem for things like 2nd Gen Vipers. Hopefully good aftermarket alternatives can remain profitable enough to stay around.
devastationz@reddit
i prepared for it by praying the prices don't go up
Wolf3188@reddit
I have a low kilometre, immaculate '01 Holden Commodore SS in the exact spec I wanted, which was a dream car of mine for years. I intend to keep it for the rest of my life.
The brand is defunct now and parts supply is pretty much up to the aftermarket and junkyards / part outs. Mechanically, I doubt I'll ever have an issue sourcing parts - it's an LS1 and T56.
However, I've got a ton of spares I've hoarded for it. Bumpers, ECUs & body control modules, door rubbers, switches, airbags, et al. All taken from good condition / low km wrecks. With prior experience with the brand and restoring older cars I know what parts commonly wear or fail over time.
I have an 80s BMW as well that I've owned for 10 years now, and I'm confident I could still get anything I needed for it, but obviously at this point it's not a daily driver. You'll pretty much always be able to repair an old car if you are determined and resourceful enough.
CromulentPoint@reddit
My forever car is a 66 Mustang. I could rebuild the entire car out of a catalog if I needed to.
ace72ace@reddit
Easy call for me, factory ordered 2013 Boss 302. Customized exactly how I want, my kids can figure out what happens after I’m gone.
AWF_Noone@reddit
I recently sold my E85 and regret it a lot. Timeless shape with one of the best engines BMW has ever made. I want to get a good condition late model 3.0si eventually
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