OldProt

Greetings all!

My 1990 SE (SOHC) 5 spd has passed it's 200,000 mile mark with orginal clutch, engine, etc.

My question is thus: will this car last forever or what?

I don't rag it often...but she responds well when I do and will still chirp in first gear off the line.

Replaced: alternator at 150K miles, brake shoes/pads (duh), water pump at 130K miles, muffler (201K miles), complete AC system at 197K miles and that's it. I've only mod'd by adding an aftermarket (Audiovox) cruise control.

My plugs are well and truly seized so in another 40K miles or so I'll be looking at some money. Should I upgrade to a more powerful drivetrain at this point?

The car is truly clean and cherry; to replace it w/another used car would be $6 - 9K at least and I have every intention of driving it until the wheels come completely off...speaking of which what's the lifespan of the sealed bearing on the rear hubs?

So the additional question is....how long does the clutch/motor etc last on these things? Is this car unusual?

Thanks!

UCSBgeek

I've heard of clutches lasting 200,000miles, but I'm pretty sure you'll need to change that thing sooner or later. The motor probably has plenty of life left in it, just be sure to change the oil at regular intervals! Definetly not surprising to have one last that long though. These are very good cars, especially when taken care of. Even so, listen for any loud knocking noises coming from your engine, that may mean trouble. Be sure to read the maintenance schedule in the manual, make sure everything on the list has been done.

OldProt

Yah...I had a '84 626 that I sold in 1996 with 196,000 miles on it and the only thing that it needed, well two things, was the AC system and the exhaust manifold gasket appeared to be leaking. Being a carb system it also was having a fall off in gas mileage and power overall.

I'm just amazed at the longeivity of this car and drivetrain (and after spending $1800 this summer to replace the AC I'm hoping to stay amazed for a few more years).

Thanks for the info Charles; are there any mods for the SE?

Richard

UCSBgeek

Eh, not particularly. The real hot deal is usually with the DOHC motored cars (The US LX model, Canadian GT, Escort GT). There are no headers for the SOHC or anything. Thankfully you have a 5-speed. The SOHC is a real dog with an automatic. I would know, as I had a green one. Hehe.

OldProt

Stinking car will not die.

Finally replaced the rear struts & now she'll actually corner without rolling/lifting the backend (no more oversteer).

Replaced the rear bearings at 222,000 miles.

Still has the same engine, clutch, tranny, etc at 230,000.

I live this car! *sniff!*

Finprof

There was recently a question in the newspaper Q&A about rebuilding vs. replacing an engine in a 1989 323 that had 450,000 miles on the original engine.
That might answer your question.

I bought a 91 DX after the 323 experience of a friend who lives near Hartford and commutes to Worcester MA every day. He had a 323 and his wife had a a Tracer, which is a made-in-Mexico 323. The 323 went 375,000 miles before it was involved in a totaling collision.

I am only at 205,000 miles in my 91 DX, which I have owned since new and the only other drivers were mechanics who took it from the parking lot to the garage bay. Mine feels like it has another 100,000 miles in it.

It is the car that would not die.

fourty03

I had my 91 Mazda since 2001 ... It has 183000 miles on her.. Its already been totaled by the insurance company (t boned) and still driving strong. I change the oil every 5000 miles - so there ya go

Scramble

This is all good news to me. I just bought my protege, and it has 198,000 miles on it.

wmurph71

Hey OldProt. I have a '91 Dx 5-speed. Original clutch and engine, still runs great and I have almost 220,000 miles on her now. I feel like the car has another 200,000 left on it. I have replaced timing belt (once), water pump and radiator one time each, and rear struts. Also replaced muffler, but other than brakes, tires and oil changes that is it. These cars really do not die.

Regards,

WJM

slayer4u

I've got a 91 SE hatch. 194000 on the original B6 ant I still got it tuned to 117hp.(that's realy good for a B6)

**EDIT** I forgot to say that the clutch is just now needing replacement. My dad was pretty hard on it.

OldProt

They really don't die and I wish I'd run a thread chaser through the plug holes before sticking in the last set of plugs. I've got Bosch Plat Singles in there and they should just about done if not over 100,000 miles and they'll turn 1/4 turn then stick. Ooops. #2 came out ok 2 years ago and looked fine and a friend of mine has regular plugs in a '97 Explorer that is still running at 100,000 miles on the originals so maybe mine will go 200,000 (320,000 on the odo.)

Hey Slayer4u- how'd you get 117hp? That's a SOHC like mine, yes?

OldProt

Oh yeah, I almost forgot...a word of advice-

CHECK YOUR MANUAL GEAR BOX OIL LEVEL!!!

I did at 180,000 and the thing was 2qts low.

Did again at 220,000 and it needed another 3/4.

I do a lot of highway driving- about 1100miles a month on I-45 between Dallas and Houston so it gets a steady cruise 75-80 mph.

If you're on the road on a Friday or Sunday I'm the gray one with the USPA sticker on the back window.